A Harry Potter Fan’s Guide to the Real London Locations
Explore the magical side of London — no broomstick required.
You don’t need to apparate to Hogwarts to step into the world of Harry Potter.
London is full of real-life locations that either inspired the wizarding world or appeared in the films. From hidden alleys that feel like Diagon Alley to official filming locations you can walk through today — here’s your ultimate Harry Potter fan guide to London.
1. King’s Cross Station: Platform 9¾ (Yes, It Exists!)
📍 King’s Cross Station, N1 9AP
Start your magical journey where Harry did — at Platform 9¾.
Inside the main concourse (next to the Harry Potter shop), you’ll find a luggage trolley “vanishing” into the wall, perfect for a photo op. Staff even provide wands and Hogwarts scarves for the full effect.
💡 Tip: Go early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid long queues — it’s one of London’s most Instagrammed spots.
2. St Pancras Renaissance Hotel: The Real Exterior of King’s Cross
📍 Euston Road, NW1 2AR
That iconic exterior shot of King’s Cross in The Philosopher’s Stone?
That was actually St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, right next door. With its gothic revival spires and red-brick façade, it's one of London’s most cinematic buildings.
3. Leadenhall Market: The Original Diagon Alley
📍 Gracechurch St, EC3V 1LT
This gorgeous Victorian covered market stood in as Diagon Alley in the first Harry Potter film.
Look out for The Glass House opticians — used as the exterior of the Leaky Cauldron in The Philosopher’s Stone.
With its colourful storefronts and cobbled walkways, it’s a magical spot even Muggles will appreciate.
4. Great Scotland Yard: Ministry of Magic Entrance (Toilets Not Included)
📍 Scotland Place, SW1A 2JL
Remember when Harry and Mr. Weasley entered the Ministry of Magic through a public toilet in Order of the Phoenix?
That scene was filmed right here in Scotland Place, a quiet alley near Whitehall.
Sadly, the toilet was a prop — but the spot remains a must-visit for fans.
5. Millennium Bridge: The One the Death Eaters Destroyed
📍 Between St Paul’s Cathedral & Tate Modern
In The Half-Blood Prince, Death Eaters tear down a bridge. That’s Millennium Bridge — the real pedestrian walkway over the Thames.
Of course, in real life it’s very much intact — and offers some of the best river views in the city.
6. London Zoo: The Reptile House Where It All Began
📍 Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY
Where did Harry first speak Parseltongue?
Right here — the Reptile House at London Zoo, where he chatted with a Burmese python and made the glass vanish.
You can still visit the exact enclosure used in The Philosopher’s Stone — it’s labelled for fans!
7. Australia House: Gringotts Wizarding Bank
📍 Strand, WC2B 4LA
The interior of Gringotts Bank — with its marble pillars and chandeliers — was filmed in Australia House, home to the Australian High Commission.
Unfortunately, it’s not open to the public, but the exterior is visible from the Strand and worth a peek.
8. Piccadilly Circus: A Wild Night Escape
📍 W1J 0DA
Remember that chaotic scene in Deathly Hallows Part 1 when Harry, Hermione, and Ron flee Death Eaters and almost get hit by a double-decker bus?
That was filmed right in Piccadilly Circus — a real moment of magical mayhem in the heart of London.
9. Westminster Station: Confusing the Ministry of Magic
📍 SW1A 2JR
In Order of the Phoenix, Harry and Mr. Weasley enter the Tube to get to the Ministry.
They walk through Westminster Station, where Mr. Weasley is baffled by the escalators and ticket barriers.
Filming caused the actual station to shut down for a full day — no small feat for busy central London.
10. House of MinaLima: Graphic Magic Come to Life
📍 Broadwick St, Soho, W1F 0DB
Not a film location, but a must-visit for Potterheads.
MinaLima are the graphic designers behind the Daily Prophet, Hogwarts letters, Marauder’s Map and more. Their Soho gallery/shop is full of magical prints and props used in the films — and it's free to enter.
Bonus: Warner Bros. Studio Tour — Just Outside London
📍 Leavesden (Watford), WD25 7LR
Okay, this isn’t in London, but it’s only a 20-minute train ride from Euston.
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour lets you walk through the Great Hall, Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley, and Platform 9¾ — all real film sets.
See original costumes, props, animatronics, and even drink Butterbeer. It’s the ultimate experience for any fan.
🎟️ Book well in advance — it sells out months ahead.
Map It Out — Your Harry Potter London Trail
Want to see it all in one weekend? Start at King’s Cross, walk to Leadenhall Market via the Tube, and loop south toward Millennium Bridge and the Ministry spots. End your journey in Soho with a visit to MinaLima — and maybe a butterbeer at a themed pub.
Final Spells: Why These Places Matter
These aren’t just pretty film sets. They’re pieces of a cultural phenomenon that London helped bring to life.
They blur the line between fantasy and reality — and in a city like London, that line has always been a little… magical.
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Want more hidden London film locations? Let us know!