As a born-and-bred Londoner about to move to different pastures, it made total sense to explore the literary haunts in my backyard. Of course, one of the city’s most notable features is that many areas of central London served as filming locations for Harry Potter.
Even though there has been tension regarding the franchise in recent years, especially because of author J.K. Rowling’s controversial stance toward the trans community and the general flop of the Fantastic Beasts films, it hasn’t stopped thousands of people from flocking to parts of Leicester Square and Soho to experience it for themselves. While I am far from condoning her behaviour, my childlike wonder for the series has never waned, separating the art from the artist (if at all possible).
What is the Harry Potter walking tour?
The walking tour is a route that takes fans of the Harry Potter series through various locations in the city that were either used as filming sites for the movies or served as inspiration for settings in the books. It’s perfectly fine to venture to some of these places without a guide, especially if you’re a true Potterhead. Eagle-eyed fans will be able to identify exactly which scenes featured some of these haunts.
Is the Harry Potter walking tour free?
If you’re doing a self-guided tour, the best news is that it is absolutely free. Given how expensive London can be, this is a great way to explore the city without breaking the bank while taking the whole family along. Granted, the spots that we have suggested are all in one area, so you don’t even need to take public transport to get to some of the other locations.
That being said, some notable sets are located elsewhere, so you might want to set aside a small budget for commuting across the capital.
Here are some of the best spots on the Harry Potter self-guided walking tour:
- 📚 Westminster Underground Station: This iconic location featured in the Harry Potter series, where Mr. Weasley and Harry were seen navigating the station’s exit barriers on their way to the Ministry of Magic in the Order of the Phoenix. On top of this, it provides a direct view of the Houses of Parliament. Interestingly, the Jubilee line platforms are arranged vertically like a stack of books. This design was chosen to keep the large tunnels away from the Houses of Parliament, offering a striking top-to-bottom perspective when viewed with eyes wide open.
- 📚 Downing Street: While you can’t get very close to the Prime Minister’s house because it is heavily guarded, it features prominently in the first chapter of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”. Kingsley Shacklebolt, working undercover to protect the Prime Minister during the Battle of the Seven Potters against Voldemort in 1997, has to leave quickly after aiding Harry’s escape from Number Four, Privet Drive. Kingsley is the first to depart the Burrow, stating that he “has to get back to Downing Street,” and noting that he “should have been there an hour ago.”
Visitors are only allowed to take pictures from outside, particularly of the iconic door at 10 Downing Street, which has been the official residence of British Prime Ministers since 1735. Downing Street has also been central to the administration of both World War I and World War II. Often, tourists and locals alike tend to skip Downing Street in their travel plans since they cannot fully tour the location.
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- 📚 Great Scotland Yard: You might have spotted it in the clip above, but Great Scotland Yard has appeared twice in the Harry Potter movies. It’s the location depicted as the exterior of the Ministry of Magic in the series. This is the spot where the iconic red phone box was situated, which the characters used to enter the Ministry by dialling magical numbers. While the phone box itself isn’t actually there, you can still appreciate the setting featured in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”.
The site is also in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1”, where Harry, Hermione, and Ron are seen slipping into the Ministry of Magic. Historically, by the 16th century, this area, known as ‘the yard’, was part of a series of open courtyards within the Palace of Whitehall, fronted by buildings used by diplomatic representatives from the Kingdom of Scotland.
- 📚 Piccadilly Circus: Another location used in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” is a busy junction where the trepid trio ends up while attempting to escape Death Eaters after Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour’s wedding is viciously interrupted. Piccadilly Circus itself attracts a vast number of tourists each year, with the statue of Eros being one of its most discussed features. This winged statue stands on one foot atop a fountain and is a notable landmark. Often referred to as the “Times Square” of London, Piccadilly Circus is a bustling hub of activity.
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- 📚 House of MinaLima: Even though this isn’t a film or book location, this store is a must-see for Potterheads, given it almost has the same magical vibe as Diagon Alley. Located in Soho, London, House of MinaLima is a quaint shop that adds a layer of enchantment to your Harry Potter-guided walking tour. This store invites you to explore a variety of fun illustrated books, Harry Potter prints, and much more, enhancing the magic that Soho embodies. Graphic designers Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima began their once-in-a-lifetime project in 2002, contributing their design skills to the world of Harry Potter for the iconic film series.
The duo handled the style and graphics for all the Potter films and the ongoing Fantastic Beasts series. They also spent two years designing all the graphic elements for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando Resort, along with creating award-winning publications and marketing materials for the franchise.
Their latest venture, House of MinaLima, serves as a gallery and store that showcases their comprehensive collection of graphic works. The gallery provides a narrative environment for the graphic designs from the Harry Potter franchise and features MinaLima’s additional artwork and publications. This experiential space celebrates the uniqueness of their ideas and their passion for storytelling through visual art.
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- 📚 Cecil Court: This charming and narrow street is believed to be the inspiration for the REAL Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter series. In the books, it’s a magical marketplace stocked with all manner of goods for witches and wizards. At Cecil Court, you’ll discover a wide array of themed bookstores. From antique maps at Bryars and Bryars to editions of the Alice in Wonderland series at Alice Through The Looking Glass, each bookstore offers a unique theme, presenting a diverse and enchanting shopping experience.
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- 📚 Goodwin’s Court: This alley is the other contender for Diagon Alley, given its Georgian features. Tucked between St. Martin’s Lane and Bedfordbury, this narrow street leads to a series of charming and elegantly designed shops. It’s a gem easily overlooked in the maze of shopping streets, but finding it feels like stepping into another world. The Victorian bay windows might transport you back to Dickensian London, or perhaps they’ll evoke the feeling of wandering through a Harry Potter novel.
To me, it resembles the eerie Knockturn Alley, a sinister back street teeming with Dark Wizards and mysterious activities. However, it’s important to note that Rowling has never confirmed which street truly inspired Diagon Alley. Nevertheless, the shops here fully embrace the Harry Potter theme. One window features a cuddly toy version of Hedwig and a broomstick; another showcases a stunning floral display in Hogwarts House colours. There’s even a window adorned with Deathly Hallows scribbles (though it might not be there when you visit), adding a magical touch to the ambience.
Harry Potter sites further afield
If you have some time, it’s worth venturing out to St Paul’s Cathedral, though it can set you back £25 for adults. The magnificent building houses Professor Trelawney’s Divination Stairwell in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Prisoner of Azkaban.
This staircase also makes a brief appearance in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” when Neville is distressed following Mad-Eye Moody’s Defense Against the Dark Arts class on the Unforgivable Curses. The views from the cathedral are spectacular.
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As you might recall, Moody teaches the students about the three Unforgivable Curses, which deeply upset Neville due to his parents’ fate. Hermione, clearly outraged, remarks, “There’s a reason why those curses are unforgivable. Did you see Neville’s face?” while standing right next to him on this staircase. Following this, Mad-Eye Moody invites a distressed Neville to have a cup of tea, intending to show him something.
Right in front of St. Paul’s Cathedral is the Millennium Bridge, where Death Eaters are seen unravelling the wires, causing Muggles to scramble off the bridge in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”
Next, of course, is none other than Platform 9 ¾, featured in most of the films. The actual location is in King’s Cross Station, and there’s a handy marker of a trolley entering a wall so you know exactly where to go.
Australia House, the home of the Australian High Commission in London since 1918, is known to Harry Potter fans as Gringotts Bank. The building’s lavish marble interiors and grand chandeliers served as the perfect backdrop for key scenes in the films, making it a significant site for both real-world diplomacy and fictional wizard banking.
While the blue door found at 42 Bull’s Head Passage at Leadenhall Market leads to the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter.
Is the Harry Potter walking tour worth it?
If you’re a serious fan of the series, visiting these sites is totally worth it, especially since it won’t cost you a penny. There’s something truly magical about how these real locations were incorporated into the wizarding world, bringing the story to life. Additionally, you can visit some iconic landmarks along the way, thereby experiencing the capital in a completely different light.
The tour offers fans a chance to visit these magical spots and often includes interesting trivia and stories about the making of the movies and the locations’ significance. The tours can vary, with some being self-guided, where participants follow a map or an app, and others led by a guide, offering a more structured and informative experience. Some tours are also themed or have special focuses, such as specific characters or plotlines from the Harry Potter series.
Don’t forget to check out…
We travelled to Paris for an amazing literary tour, from Père Lachaise Cemetery to the American Library. Not to mention check out the Brussels literary tour, where we visited Bronte, Bozar, as well as the Boutique Tintin. Additionally, UNESCO literature site Vilnius is well worth a visit. Last year, we also got to explore Barcelona and all that it offers.