KidTripster Teen: How to visit 10 Harry Potter movie locations in London on your own without an expensive tour
If you’re a lover of Harry Potter – aka a “Potterhead” – you’ll appreciate the air of magic that can be felt when visiting London. After all, many of the streets and buildings were used as film locations in the Harry Potter movies. Fans who want to see these famed locales have the option of taking a tour that covers this ground, but they’re costly and often don’t live up to the hype.
As an alternative, here’s my guide to some scenic London sights used in the films. Chances are you’ll visit some of these places anyway, so view them through a wizard’s eyes.
1. King’s Cross Station
1 Euston Road, King’s Cross
Every one of Harry’s adventures either begins or ends at King’s Cross Station. Though we all know there’s not actually a magical portal that leads to the Hogwarts Express, King’s Cross is the real train station where those scenes were filmed, albeit on platforms 4 and 5.
KidTripster Tip: While you’re here, make sure to stop by the mock-up of Platform 9 ¾ for a cool photo op and then pop next door to the Harry Potter gift shop for a super cool souvenir.
2. St. Pancras International
1 Euston Road, King’s Cross
Filmmakers are some of the best wizards out there as they can magically make two different places seem like they were shot in the same location. That’s the case with the exterior of King’s Cross (ahem St. Pancras International) in the Harry Potter films. While the interior scenes took place in King’s Cross, the filmmakers decided to use the more aesthetically-pleasing façade of St. Pancras for exterior shots. Fortunately for Potter fans wanting to see both places, they’re conveniently located right across the street from each other.
3. Leadenhall Market
Gracechurch Street, Tower Hill
Wands ready? Prepare to enter Diagon Alley. While there’s no Ollivander’s Wand Shop or Weasley’s Wizards Wheezes to visit in this location, Leadenhall Market was used for many of the exterior scenes in the Harry Potter movies. Keep an eye out for the blue door of the optician’s store in Bull’s Head Passage. In the films, it’s the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. When you spy the small wizarding world poster, you’ll know that you’ve come to the right spot.
4. Reptile House at ZSL London Zoo
ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park
The Reptile House at ZSL London Zoo is home to some of the biggest snakes on earth. It also just so happens to be the place where Harry discovers that he can talk to snakes and in turn, unintentionally sets one free in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Even though the snake Harry let escape is long gone, you can still marvel at some equally terrifying species such as the deadly black mamba. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover you’re a Parseltongue too!
5. Millennium Bridge
Thames Embankment, Black Friars
The Millennium Bridge serves as the setting for the chilling opening sequence of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince when the Death Eaters attack London. Hundreds of frightened muggles are seen fleeing the bridge before it collapses into the river. Walk the span if you dare!
We’re not done yet. The next five locations include a famous church and a a police station.
