Summary
Travel to Hogwarts over the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the West Highlands Railway
Address
Queen Street Station, North Hanover Street, George Square, Glasgow G1 2AF, UK
Harry Potter regularly traveled across the dark forbidding hills of the Western Highlands of Scotland on the way to Hogwarts. The 42-mile stretch of rail, between Fort William and Mallaig, passes through much of the scenery seen in the films, including Ben Nevis—the highest mountain in Britain, and Loch Shiel and Glen Nevis—the backdrop for the Quidditch scenes. The journey takes about an hour and twenty minutes and costs around £7 each way.
While the area might seem less menacing today, it boasts a captivating dark history. Glenfinnan is known as the launch point of the ill-fated Jacobite Revolt led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, who sought to return his father to the throne as James III. Unfortunately, few of the men who marched on London from here actually returned.
The impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct spans about 1,000 feet across the valley on 21 arches, reaching a height of about 100 feet, and served as the backdrop for the iconic flying car sequence in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”
Getting there: If you choose to travel by train from Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig, an advanced ticket costs approximately £15.50 each way, and the trip takes about five hours and twenty minutes. Mallaig, although a lively fishing and ferry port, does not lead to Hogwarts. A more enjoyable option would be to first travel to Fort William, situated at the base of Ben Nevis, spend the night, and then depart fresh to experience this scenic Harry Potter stretch.
Walk the Corridors of Hogwarts at Gloucester Cathedral
Address
12 College Green, Gloucester GL1 2LX, UK
Phone: +44 1452 528095
Gloucester Cathedral boasts some of the finest cloisters in England, featuring fan vaulting that rivals the naves of many other churches. This stunning location served as the corridors and other settings in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” and “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.”
If you’re among the numerous Harry Potter fans around the globe who visit this site, be sure to explore this magnificent cathedral. Parts of its structure have been a place of worship for 1,300 years, founded as an Anglo Saxon religious community in the 7th century. The cathedral also features a whispering gallery that children will find delightful, and guides are available (Monday-Saturday from 10:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 2:30 p.m.) to point out where different film scenes were shot.
Getting there: Great Western Trains from London Paddington depart regularly, with the journey taking approximately two to two and a half hours and costing around £36 when booked in advance as two one-way tickets. Most journeys involve changing trains at Swindon Station.
Harry Potter at Oxford
Address
Radcliffe Camera, Radcliffe Square, Oxford OX1 3BG, UK
Phone: +44 1865 277204
Oxford, known as the oldest university in the English-speaking world, is a natural backdrop for Harry Potter and friends. In fact, many prominent locations in Oxford were used in the film adaptations. Duke Humphrey’s Library in the Radcliffe Camera of the Bodleian Library served as the Hogwarts library, while the English Gothic Room of the Divinity School—notably built in 1488 and the oldest teaching room at the University—represented Hogwarts’ sanitarium.
The most renowned setting, however, is the Great Dining Hall of Christ Church College, which, while not actually used as a filming location, was faithfully replicated in one of the most impressive film sets.
You can visit the real Great Hall set during the WB Studio Tour, The Making of Harry Potter. Nevertheless, wandering the grounds of Christ Church College, exploring the magnificent hall that inspired the film, is essential. Don’t miss the impressive 16th-century staircase leading into the Great Hall, where Professor McGonagall welcomed Harry and his peers upon their arrival at Hogwarts. This staircase was indeed featured in that scene.
Admission Information: Christ Church College is open to the public, but as a working academic institution, hours may vary and some areas may occasionally be closed. Expect an admission fee of approximately £7, and prepare for potential queues.
Learn to Fly from Harry’s Professors at Alnwick Castle
Address
Alnwick NE66 1NQ, UK
Phone: +44 1665 511100
Alnwick Castle, the second-largest inhabited castle in England, stands in for many scenes from the Potter films and could easily be mistaken for Hogwarts. The castle has been the home of the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland, for over 700 years and is open to the public from April to October. Keep an eye out for scenes from “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” and “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” both filmed here.
Special effects were abundantly utilized, so you may find yourself stretching your imagination to envision the “real” castle through the eyes of Muggles.
Getting There: Almouth railway station is just 15 minutes away and provides an hourly bus service. Taxis are also available at the railway station.
Stalk a Villain at Hardwick Hall
Address
Hardwick Old Hall, Hardwick Gardens, Doe Lea, Chesterfield S44 5QJ, UK
Phone: +44 1246 850430
Hardwick Hall, architected by the much-married Bess of Hardwick, the biggest celebrity of the Elizabethan Age after Queen Elizabeth I, is a remarkable house set within the Peak District. Known for its numerous windows and extraordinary glass architecture, it gained the rhyme, “Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall.” At night, with rooms aglow from candles, it looked like a magic lantern on a hill.
In winter mornings, surrounded by mist, Hardwick Hall takes on a more mysterious appearance, which likely contributed to its selection as a filming location for considerably darker scenes in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.” In this film, the exteriors of Hardwick Hall stood in as the foreboding Malfoy Manor.
Owned by the National Trust, Hardwick Hall is regarded as the most complete Elizabethan house in Britain. It is open to the public and hosts numerous family-oriented events during holiday and school vacation seasons. While visiting, don’t miss the Chamber of Magic, which allows you to embody Harry Potter or Hermione with the hall’s wizard wands and capes.
Go Behind the Scenes with the Harry Potter WB Studio Tour London
Address
Warner Drive, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LP, UK
WB Studios Leavesden, located about 20 miles northwest of London, is where much of the Harry Potter films and the majority of special effects were produced. Since 2012, visitors have had the chance to explore the actual sets built for the film.
A highlight is the enormous model of Hogwarts—featured prominently in the film. Although it’s a model and you can’t walk through it, visitors are free to roam around these extraordinary sets:
- The Great Hall
- Dumbledore’s Office
- The cobbles of Diagon Alley, showcasing Ollivanders wand shop, Flourish and Blotts, the Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, and Eeylops Owl Emporium.
- The Gryffindor common room
- The boys’ dormitory
- Hagrid’s hut
- Potion’s classroom
- Professor Umbridge’s office at the Ministry of Magic.
The tour reveals a wealth of behind-the-scenes filmmaking secrets regarding special effects, prop making, and more. Unlike other Harry Potter attractions in theme parks, this experience showcases the genuine film sets assembled in the studios where the films were actualized.
Family tickets cost around £126 for four people (either two adults and two children or one adult and three children). Individual and group tickets are available as well. For additional information, including ticket purchasing options, visit their website.
Getting there: The closest station is Watford Junction, which is a 20-minute journey from London Euston or an hour from Birmingham New Street. A shuttle bus operates between the station and the studio for ticket holders. Check National Rail Enquiries for journey planning and rail ticket purchases.
