Welcome…To Diagon Alley!
It’s day 2 of Harry Potter Week over on WatchMojo, MsMojo and WatchMojoUK, and that means it’s time to momentarily step out of the fictional film/novel world and take a look at some of the locations around the real world where Harry Potter fans can unite. Although different in person than their grand and magical depictions on screen and in writing, these existing establishments and themed attractions are definitely worth checking out, while you wait for your Hogwarts acceptance letter of course.
#5: Oxford University
Oxford is already a compelling tourist destination, but if you’re a fan of the Harry Potter movies, you’ll recognize many of the University spaces as filming locations. The most notable is Bodleian Library, which has been featured in four of the Harry Potter films. The Divinity School was transformed into the Hogwarts infirmary, while Duke Humfrey’s Medieval Library serves as the Hogwarts library. The cloisters at the New College will also look familiar as the Hogwarts courtyard. Finally, there’s the Christ Church college dining hall, which was never actually used for shooting, but rather served as inspiration for the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
#4: Edinburgh
The city of Edinburgh, Scotland may never feature in the Potter movies, but if you’re a die-hard fan of the books, you’re probably quite familiar with its significance: the city was home to JK Rowling for much of the time she was writing the series. During the creation of the earlier novels, Rowling famously wrote in cafes including Spoon and The Elephant House in downtown Edinburgh. Visit nearby Greyfriars Kirkyard where you’ll find the graves of one Tom Riddle, as well as his son who bore the same name. If you can afford it, you can even stay in the exact suite at the Balmoral Hotel where JK Rowling finished Deathly Hallows.
#3: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Hertfordshire’s Leavesden Studios served as the shooting locations for much of the eight Harry Potter films. Once shooting had completed however, a large portion of the studio was transformed into an attraction for Potter fans where sets from the movies have been preserved. On this walking tour, you’ll wander through the Great Hall and Dumbledore’s office as well as the Forbidden Forest, learning about the creation of the films along the way. There are tons of props and costumes from the movies preserved there, so this is probably the closest you’ll come to entering Harry’s world.
#2: King’s Cross
In the books and movies, Platform 9 3/4 serves as the magical portal to the Wizarding World, and now, due to the popularity of the series, it exists in real life. JK Rowling has always had a special connection with King’s Cross because her parents supposedly met on a train which had departed from the station. Today, there’s a cart pushed halfway through the wall between platforms nine and ten, so fans can re enact the famous scene when Harry first takes the Hogwarts express.
#1: Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Orlando)
If you dream of riding the Hogwarts Express, grabbing a Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks and wandering the streets of Diagon Alley, then Universal Studios Orlando’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is your destination. With two distinct areas (Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley) connected by a functioning Hogwarts express, you can spend a day being fully immersed in the world of the books and movies. There are several incredible rides but the The Escape from Gringotts ride is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced – letting you take part in a key moment from the final installment of the series. We guarantee you’ll never want to leave.
Do you think these are the most iconic Harry Potter spots? Don’t worry, we’ve got more in the video below with our full list of the Top 10 Places You MUST Visit If You’re a Harry Potter Fan! And don’t forget to vote on our Top 10 Wizarding World Movies list HERE and our Top 10 Harry Potter Moments HERE before the videos come out at the end of Harry Potter Week this Saturday and Sunday! Until then, mischief managed.
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