11 Harry Potter Filming Locations in London Every Fan Should Visit
Who wouldn’t like to visit the Harry Potter filming locations in London? No true Harry Potter fan would pass up the opportunity!
You’ve read the books, you’ve seen the films, and now all you need is that letter that says you’ve been admitted to Hogwarts. You got yourself a nice hotel or a cute rental in London and now you think you’d like to relive a few scenes.
First, you need that letter. Or a broom. Or a portkey. These are the only ways you can visit the wonderful world of wizardry and magic that is the Harry Potter series, right?
Not really.
Before you check the mailbox for that letter, or buy a Nimbus or Firebolt, or search for a portkey in the park, go and open the Marauders — er, Google Maps. Platform 9¾ might be nearby!
Need some cash? Gringotts is just a few stations away!
In the mood for some window shopping? Diagon Alley could just be within walking distance.
Harry Potter Filming Locations in London
Scattered all over London are some notable filming locations for the Harry Potter films. If you’re a fellow Potterhead visiting — or staying in — London, you can spend one magical day or weekend doing your own Harry Potter tour.
Here are 11 Harry Potter filming locations in London every fan should visit — no need for a broom or a portkey!
ALSO READ: 113 Harry Potter Spells and Charms Every True Potterhead Should Know
1. Platform 9 ¾ — King’s Cross Station
The magical portal at London’s King’s Cross train station is probably the most well-known destination on this list – the most iconic of all Harry Potter locations in London.
Platform 9 and 10 have a wall with a luggage cart leaning against it, exactly as depicted in the movie, making this an ideal photo spot for any Potterhead.
However, this is not the only train station that was used in the films. You may also want to stop by St Pancras International, which is just across the street from King’s Cross and has its underground station.
2. Exterior of King’s Cross Station — St Pancras
Transport to Belgium, France, Italy, and the Netherlands can be arranged through St Pancras’ high-speed rail terminal. It’s a must-visit if you’re a fan of beautiful, detailed architecture.
In the Harry Potter movies, the façade of St Pancras was staged to look like they were taken at London’s King’s Cross Station. Understandable, because this station looks nicer than King’s Cross and the scene looks a little more magical because of St Pancras’ lovely architecture.
In the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, St Pancras serves as a backdrop to the sequence in which the Ford Anglia begins to soar through the air.
3. Gringotts Wizarding Bank — Australia House
In London, Harry Potter fans can easily visit this bank, which is known as Australia House. Gringotts’ interior sequences were filmed in this majestic building that sits on the Strand.
Visiting a goblin-run magical bank whose vaults are guarded by a dragon is a dream come true for any Potterhead.
In reality, the Australian High Commission is housed in Australia House and not a magical bank.
Muggles (non-employees or officials) also can’t go inside because of security measures. You can still take photos from the outside, however, and reminisce the scenes in the Harry Potter films where Harry enters the magical world of marble, chandeliers, and goblins just beyond the doors.
4. Diagon Alley — Leadenhall Market / Borough Market
Diagon Alley is Harry’s first glimpse into the wizarding realm, originally seen on screen in The Philosophers’ Stone.
At Leadenhall Market, which is a short walk between Monument tube station and Fenchurch train station, was where the Diagon Alley scenes were taken. The outside shots of the alley were produced using the magnificently maintained Victorian buildings, and an empty shop (now an optician’s) was used as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron pub.
The Leaky Cauldron’s entrance was later located in Borough Market. A short walk from London Bridge tube and train stations brings you to this market on the South Bank.
In the films, there’s a flower shop here that became the entryway to the pub in a Prisoner of Azkaban scene where Harry arrived on the Knight Bus.
5. Muggle Street / Inn for Wizards — Charing Cross Road
The Charing Cross Road is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike because of its proximity to the theatres. But while this thoroughfare is home to a slew of excellent theatres, its real draw is its concentration of antique and used bookshops.
The Inn for Wizards may be found on this street in the Harry Potter films, and it acts as a doorway to Diagon Alley. Close to Charing Cross Road, you’ll also find Muggle street Tottenbam Court Road.
Even if you’ve never heard of this place, it’s still worth a visit. The neighborhood is full of adorable shops and eateries that are a blast to discover!
6. When Harry first speaks Parseltongue — The London Zoo
The London Zoo or ZSL London Zoo was featured in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and is also known as the oldest scientific zoo in the world. It is located just north of downtown London and has been around for centuries.
The Zoo’s Reptile House was the location for the scene where Harry set the Burmese python loose. These days, a black mamba has taken up residence in the enclosure featured in the film.
If you are planning to visit, the London Zoo charges a nominal admission fee, but you can save money by purchasing your tickets in advance online.
7. Ministry of Magic — Scotland Place
Non-wizards can still visit the Ministry of Magic’s entrance, even if it’s a bit difficult to get in as non-magical people.
The Ministry of Magic was filmed in Westminster, nestled against actual government buildings Scotland Place and New Scotland Yard.
Harry and Mr. Weasley enter a Ministry of Magic phone box in the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. However, this phone box was only a set-piece and you won’t find it when you visit Scotland Place.
8. Westminster Station
On a train to Westminster, Harry and Mr. Weasley meet the Order of the Phoenix. Every scene in the movie that appears to be Westminster Station is Westminster Station.
Harry Potter fans should not miss a trip here, which is one of London’s most recognizable filming locations.
During the filming of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the Westminster Station had to be closed for a whole day during production and resulting in a lot of inconvenience for commuters. In the end, however, the fantastic film made it all worthwhile!
9. 12 Grimmauld Place (Order of the Phoenix headquarters) — Claremont Square
The residence of Sirius Black and the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix will be instantly recognizable to any Harry Potter fan.
In the now-famous Claremont Square, you’ll find this notable structure that was used in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as well as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
In the films, the location is referred to as 12 Grimmauld Place.
10. London’s bridges
Some of London’s Thames bridges have been involved in Harry’s exploits in some way.
• The Knight Bus Bridge — Lambeth Bridge
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter rode on a three-decker night bus. Not only does the Knight Bus have unique amenities not found on regular London buses, but it can also compact itself to escape muggle traffic altogether.
For example, the Knight Bus is squeezed between two double-decker buses in one scene. Lambeth Bridge, the bridge upstream from Westminster Bridge, is where this amazing scene was filmed.
• Death Eater Chase Scene — The Millennium Bridge
The Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Death Eater chase scene was shot in a variety of London sites. The most iconic sequence, however, is when the Millennium Bridge is dismantled and thrown into the river.
Don’t worry, though, since it was all staged, and the Millennium Bridge is still standing. This bridge didn’t exist when the first books were written, but by the time the movies and later books were published, it came in handy for one of the memorable scenes.
11. Café attack by Death Eaters — Piccadilly Circus / Shaftesbury Ave
The café in which Harry, Hermione, and Ron are attacked by a troop of Death Eaters in the first part of the Deathly Hallows is one of the attractions that are sure to please the most devoted Harry Potter fans.
This location from the film that comes before the finale is not hard to spot at all. When you get to the Piccadilly Circus Underground Station, you should exit in the direction of Shaftesbury Avenue.
Just keep in mind that you should always have your wand on your person in case a Death Eater sneaks in. 😉
