A muggle's guide: 10 Harry Potter filming locations

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

The prototype for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is Alnwick Castle, located in Northumberland, northern England. Although the castle appears in only a few scenes from "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," it is strongly associated with the school of magic. The castle is currently closed but will reopen in February 2022, and tickets can be purchased on the official website. Adult tickets: £15.05, children's tickets: £7.95, children under 4 are free.

The Great Hall of Hogwarts

Scenes from the life of the school and the Great Hall of Hogwarts were filmed in the dining hall of Christ Church College, Oxford University. The university's corridors and courtyard can be seen in many shots of the film.

On the college website, you can buy tickets to visit, as well as order a tour related to the world of Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland.

Hogwarts Library

The library is also located on the grounds of Oxford University. The Bodleian Library of Oxford University appears in many scenes of the Harry Potter films.

This is a functioning library, and most of its rooms are closed to tourists. The library offers 30, 60, and 90-minute tours. Schedules and prices are available on the official website. Tickets can be purchased online, ranging from £6 to £15.00.

Hogwarts Corridors

Two hours away from London in the small town of Gloucester is Gloucester Cathedral, which appeared several times in the Harry Potter films.

Harry's bedroom, the secret door to Gryffindor house, scenes with talking paintings on the wall, and the daily life of the students were filmed in this Gothic cathedral.

Diagon Alley

The set for the magical part of London and the center of magical goods was Leadenhall Market in London. Here was the location of Ollivander's wand shop, Gringotts Bank, and the Leaky Cauldron café.

You can book a hotel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

Today, the market continues to operate and is rightfully considered one of the architectural landmarks of the capital.

King's Cross Station

The famous platform 9 ¾ actually exists and is located at King's Cross Station in London. In the building of the London station, platform 9 ¾ has been recreated, where every tourist can don glasses and a scarf and take themed photos with Harry Potter's trolley. There is also a souvenir shop nearby where you can buy memorable gifts.

Hogwarts Express

The Hogwarts Express, which traveled from London to Hogsmeade, in reality, runs over the longest concrete viaduct in Scotland – Glenfinnan Viaduct. It is located in the Lochaber area of Scotland and is operated by the West Highland Railway company.

The railway operates and connects the towns of Fort William and Mallaig. Anyone can take a ride on the magical train: the schedule and tickets are available on the official website of the railway.

Professor McGonagall's Office

Professor McGonagall's office, seen in many parts of the saga, was filmed in Durham Cathedral, dedicated to Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Cuthbert.

It is located near the border with Scotland in Durham and is the first World Heritage Site. The cathedral is open for visits every day, with an entrance donation of £3 or more.

Professor Flitwick's Office

The office of the Ravenclaw Head of House was filmed in one of the classrooms of Harrow School, the oldest boys' school. It is located a few miles from the capital in the London Borough of Harrow.

Warner Bros Studio Tour

The Harry Potter museum in London has been open since 2012. This legendary place houses props, costumes, and sets from all the films in the Harry Potter saga. In the studio's large pavilions, you can see the Great Hall of Hogwarts, the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets, Hagrid's hut, the Ministry of Magic, and much more. There are also props and costumes on display. During the visit, you can learn how many special effects for the film were created and even fly on a broomstick.

The museum is located near London. You can reach Watford Junction station in 20 minutes by train from London Euston. Regular buses run from Watford Junction to the museum. The fare is £2 one way, £2.5 round trip.

Tickets must be purchased online in advance on the website and you must arrive strictly at the reserved time. Ticket prices: £49.95 for adults, £35 for children over 5 years old.

Tours of the film's magical and enchanting locations offer a chance to immerse yourself in the fairy tale for a few hours and feel like a student of the legendary Hogwarts School. Of course, there are many more places where the saga was filmed. But for those traveling to the UK, this list will be enough for a first acquaintance with the vast Harry Potter universe.