12 iconic Harry Potter filming locations and experiences in London


“After all this time?” “Always.”
20 years on, the magic of the wizarding world of Harry Potter still lives on. Whether you ravaged the books or binge-watched the films—or both, it’s the only right way to do it—every Harry Potter fan needs to make a pilgrimage to London, where you can visit the filming locations, inspirations and attractions that will keep this everlasting fire from going out.
So read on muggles. Here are the top Harry Potter spots and attractions that you need to visit in London, along with the best tours to experience them all.
Harry Potter filming locations in London
1. Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station

When it comes to memorable Harry Potter locations and scenes, none are more instantly recognizable than Platform 9 3/4, where Harry first fumbles his way into the wizarding world from King’s Cross Station.
Look for the luggage trolley embedded into the wall of the station concourse—next to The Harry Potter Shop, it’s not actually between Platforms 9 and 10—and stand in line to recreate this iconic scene. The trolley is accessible during the King’s Cross Station’s operating hours (from 5:00 a.m. to about 1:00 a.m.), so go early to beat the crowds.
2. St. Pancras International Station

While the scenes featuring Platform 9 3/4 were filmed inside Kings Cross Station, the exterior shots instead featured St. Pancras International Station, located just across from the main entrance of Kings Cross.
The majestic Gothic exterior of St. Pancras International Station and the adjoining St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel can be spotted in the "Chamber of Secrets", where the Weasleys parked their flying car that Harry and Ron later take off in for their misadventures.
You can visit St. Pancras International Station, Platform 9 3/4 and several other filming locations as part of this Harry Potter bus tour of London while being ferried in style on a luxury coach.
3. Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall Market, with its elegant Victorian architecture, is where the exterior shots of Diagon Alley and all of its colorful shops and emporiums were filmed. While you won’t find Ollivander's Wand Shop, you will be able to visit some unique shops, restaurants, and bars here.
Try to find an optician’s shop at Leadenhall Market called The Glass House, which was first used as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in "The Philosopher’s Stone".
4. Borough Market

As themes took a darker turn in the third Harry Potter installment, so did the filming locations. Gone were the bright streets of Leadenhall Market, replaced instead by the rustic railway arches of Borough Market, London’s oldest and most famous food market.
A flower shop, Chez Michele, was chosen as the new entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, first seen in "Prisoner of Azkaban" after Harry alights from a bumpy ride on The Knight Bus.
5. Great Scotland Yard

While our muggle universe doesn’t have polyjuice potions for you to pull off an elaborate infiltration mission, you still can rock up to the Ministry of Magic in real life, or its filming location that is. Just off Trafalgar Square, you will find Great Scotland Yard where the external shots of the Ministry of Magic were filmed.
Over a two-hour guided Tour for Muggles, you’ll stop by the Great Scotland Yard, Leadenhall Market and Borough Market and many other iconic filming locations.
6. Australia House
The glitzy interiors of Gringotts Wizarding Bank were filmed in Australia House on the Strand, the High Commission of Australia in London. As you might expect, you can’t simply waltz into the building without an appointment, muggle, wizard or otherwise.
However, you still can have a peek through the glass door to admire the marbled floors and crystal chandeliers that adorn the goblin bank in the movies.
7. Millennium Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral

London has many postcard-worthy bridges, a lot of which—like the Tower Bridge and Lambeth Bridge—made brief appearances in the Harry Potter films. The Millennium Bridge, in particular, was featured in the dramatic opening of the "Half-Blood Prince", where it was unceremoniously destroyed by Death Eaters.
The Millenium Bridge also connects you to another filming location: St. Paul’s Cathedral. The mesmerizing spiral staircase of this 17th-century Anglican cathedral was featured in the "Prisoner of Azkaban", the “Divination Staircase” where Harry and Ron can be seen leaving Professor Trelawney's classroom.
Visit both of these spots on this Harry Potter walking tour of London where your guide will share some little-known Harry Potter trivia during the two-hour tour.
For the die-hard Harry Potter fans, you might also want to add these spots to your London itinerary: Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the filming location of Grimmauld Place; Piccadilly Circus, where Harry, Ron, and Hermione apparated to in "Half-Blood Prince: Part 1" after fleeing from Death Eaters; and the London Zoo where “The Boy Who Lived” first discovers his parseltongue “curse”.
Harry Potter attractions in London
8. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

Located at the Studios where all the Harry Potter films were produced, The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a must-visit for any Harry Potter fan. Relive the films through the props, costumes and iconic sets on display at this 200-acre complex and have a sneak peek into the special effects that brought magical locations like the Great Hall from paper to screen.
Before you leave, don’t forget to stop by the studio store to pick up your very own wand and other Harry Potter memorabilia to remember your visit. Get your admission tickets early with this Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour package, which also includes transportation to and from central London.
9. House of MinaLima

At the House of MinaLima in Soho, you can admire the graphic artwork that was produced by the studio for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beast films. You can even pick up some souvenirs and limited edition prints at the gallery shop to add to your Harry Potter memorabilia collection.
10. Harry Potter & The Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre

Harry Potter & The Cursed Child is a two-part play that is set 19 years after the events of The Deathly Hallows. It continues the story of Harry Potter and introduces Potterheads to his youngest son, Albus Potter. Dive right back into the world of Harry Potter at the Palace Theatre in London with this award-winning stage production that promises magical on-stage illusions and world-class performances.
11. The Cauldron Bar

Potterheads in London who want a drink should add The Cauldron Bar to their itinerary. This Harry Potter-themed cocktail bar serves up amazing drinks inspired by the movies. You can even come dressed in your House robes and concoct your own cocktails at the bar’s immersive “Potion Making” class.
12. Georgian House Hotel

Finally, to wrap up the ultimate Harry Potter experience in London, book a night at a Harry Potter-themed room at the Georgian House Hotel. The Wizard Chambers and Enchanted Chambers are adorned with gothic interiors, insignias and tapestries from your favorite Hogwarts houses that transport you to the wizarding world. They also serve a magical breakfast and afternoon tea, complete with enchanted cocktails and cursed desserts of the day.