A London Harry Potter Itinerary: How to Spend a Magical Day in London
London is full of places that feel strangely familiar if you grew up with Harry Potter.
You can stand at King's Cross and look for Platform 9¾, walk through a market that appeared in the films, cross the Thames where one of the movies created one of its most memorable scenes, and wander through streets that inspired or became part of the wizarding world.
The best part?
You don't need to spend your entire trip chasing Harry Potter locations.
Many of them are right in the middle of London, close to places you may already want to visit.
So, if you're a Harry Potter fan visiting London and want to dedicate a day to the wizarding world, here's how I'd plan it.
This itinerary takes you through some of the most recognisable Harry Potter-related locations in central London, while still leaving enough time to actually enjoy the city around them.
And at the end, I'll explain where the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London fits in because that deserves its own experience.
Your Harry Potter London itinerary at a glance
Morning
King's Cross Station
Platform 9¾
Harry Potter Shop
St Pancras Station
Late morning
Westminster
Westminster Underground Station
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Afternoon
Millennium Bridge
St Paul's Cathedral
Leadenhall Market
Bull's Head Passage
Evening
Leicester Square
Harry Potter statue
Piccadilly Circus
Soho
You can comfortably do the central London portion in a day without spending the entire time running from one location to another.
8:30 AM - Start at King's Cross
Begin your day at King's Cross Station.
And yes, this is the obvious place to start.
King's Cross is where Harry first heads towards the Hogwarts Express, and the station has become one of the most recognisable Harry Potter locations in London.
Head towards Platform 9¾, where you'll find the famous trolley disappearing into the wall.
The location is inside King's Cross station, and it's one of the easiest Harry Potter photo opportunities to include in your London trip. Visit London also confirms King's Cross as one of the city's key Harry Potter locations and notes that platforms 4 and 5 were used for filming.
What to do here
Take your photo at the Platform 9¾ trolley and have a look around the Harry Potter Shop next to it.
Harry Potter Shop King's Cross
The shop is designed around the wizarding world, so even if you don't plan on buying anything, it's worth having a quick look.
How long to spend
30–45 minutes
If the photo queue is long, give yourself extra time.
Harry Potter tip
Don't arrive expecting Platform 9¾ to be an actual hidden railway platform.
It isn't.
The famous photo location is a themed area within King's Cross station, while the actual railway platforms are separate.
9:15 AM - Walk over to St Pancras
Once you're finished at King's Cross, don't immediately jump on the Tube.
Walk across to St Pancras International.
Why?
Because the exterior of St Pancras provides one of the most recognisable London backdrops from the films.
It's also a beautiful piece of architecture in its own right.
Take a few photographs outside before continuing with your day.
You won't need long here.
How long to spend -
15–20 minutes
And if you're hungry, this is a convenient point to grab breakfast or a coffee before continuing.
10:00 AM - Take the Tube to Westminster
Now it's time to head south.
Take the Underground towards Westminster.
This is where your Harry Potter itinerary starts blending into a classic London sightseeing route.
Westminster Underground Station
Westminster Underground Station appears in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, when Harry and Arthur Weasley use the Underground while travelling towards the Ministry of Magic. Visit London identifies the station as one of the film's London locations.
You don't need to spend ages inside the station.
The fun is simply knowing that you're standing in a place that appeared in the films.
How long to spend -
10–15 minutes
10:20 AM - See Big Ben and Westminster
Once you're outside Westminster station, you're surrounded by some of London's biggest landmarks.
You've got:
Big Ben
the Houses of Parliament
Westminster Bridge
the River Thames
This isn't technically a Harry Potter stop in the same way King's Cross is, but it's worth building into the itinerary because you're already here.
And this is something I would strongly recommend when creating a Harry Potter itinerary:
Don't make every stop Harry Potter-related.
You're in London.
Use the Harry Potter locations as the thread connecting your day, but enjoy the actual city around them too.
Take some photographs, walk along Westminster Bridge and enjoy the view.
How long to spend
30–45 minutes
11:15 AM - Head towards the Thames
From Westminster, make your way along the river.
Depending on how much walking you want to do, you can continue towards the City of London using the Tube or combine the journey with a walk.
The next major Harry Potter stop is Millennium Bridge.
And this one is particularly recognisable to fans.
12:00 PM - Millennium Bridge
Welcome to one of the most dramatic Harry Potter locations in London.
The Millennium Bridge appears in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince during the scene where the Death Eaters attack London.
Today, of course, it is simply one of London's best-known pedestrian bridges.
Millennium Bridge
The bridge connects St Paul's Cathedral on the north side of the Thames with Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe on the south side.
Visit London recommends it as one of the key Harry Potter film locations in London.
What to do here
Walk across the bridge.
Stop in the middle.
Look back towards St Paul's.
Then take a few photographs.
You don't need a ticket or a tour to experience this location.
How long to spend
20–30 minutes
12:30 PM - Stop at St Paul's Cathedral
Once you've crossed the bridge, you'll find yourself looking towards St Paul's Cathedral.
You don't necessarily need to go inside unless you want to.
For this itinerary, I'd simply use it as another London landmark along your route.
This is also a good place to stop for lunch.
There are plenty of restaurants, cafés and pubs around the City of London, so take your time rather than trying to squeeze another Harry Potter location into every spare minute.
Lunch
Allow around 60 minutes.
You'll appreciate the slower pace later in the afternoon.
2:00 PM - Head to Leadenhall Market
After lunch, make your way towards Leadenhall Market.
This is one of my favourite stops on a Harry Potter London itinerary because it doesn't feel like you're simply visiting a themed attraction.
You're visiting a beautiful historic London market that happens to have a strong connection to the films.
Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market was used in the Harry Potter films, including as the setting for the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. Visit London's current Harry Potter guide specifically identifies Bull's Head Passage and the market as film locations.
The market itself is worth seeing even if you weren't a Harry Potter fan.
The ornate roof, colourful architecture and narrow passages make it one of the more photogenic places in this part of London.
2:30 PM - Find Bull's Head Passage
Don't just walk into Leadenhall Market, take one photograph and leave.
Look for Bull's Head Passage.
This is the passage associated with the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in the first Harry Potter film.
The real-world location is much more ordinary than the wizarding world makes it appear on screen, which is exactly what makes these filming locations fun.
You're seeing the real London behind the movie magic.
How long to spend
30–45 minutes
Take photographs, explore the market and grab a drink or snack if you want one.
3:30 PM - Take a break in the City
At this point, you've already covered several major Harry Potter locations.
Don't rush.
This is where I'd recommend taking a proper London break.
Find a café, pub or quiet spot and sit down for a while.
You could even use this time to look through your photographs and see how many references you've already managed to find.
A Harry Potter itinerary doesn't need to feel like a scavenger hunt where you're constantly checking the clock.
4:30 PM - Head towards Leicester Square
Now leave the City behind and head towards the West End.
Your next stop is Leicester Square.
This is another location where Harry Potter fans can find something small but fun.
Harry Potter Statue
4.5•Sculpture•Open
A Harry Potter statue is part of Leicester Square's Scenes in the Square film trail.
It's not going to take you an hour.
In fact, you might spend only a few minutes there.
But it's an easy addition to the itinerary because Leicester Square is already one of the busiest areas for visitors exploring London's West End.
5:00 PM - Walk through Piccadilly Circus
From Leicester Square, walk towards Piccadilly Circus.
Piccadilly Circus appears in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, when Harry, Ron and Hermione arrive in central London.
Visit London lists Piccadilly Circus among the city's Harry Potter filming locations.
Today, it is one of London's most recognisable intersections, surrounded by theatres, shops and restaurants.
Take a photograph, enjoy the atmosphere and then continue towards Soho.
How long to spend
20–30 minutes
5:30 PM - Finish in Soho
Your Harry Potter day doesn't need to end at another filming location.
Instead, finish in Soho.
This is where you can have dinner, grab a drink or simply continue exploring central London.
If you're still in the mood for wizarding-world memorabilia, you could also visit the House of MinaLima in Soho, which celebrates the graphic design work behind the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.
House of MinaLima
It's a good optional stop rather than something I'd force into the itinerary.
What about the Warner Bros. Studio Tour?
Now for the important part.
If you're a serious Harry Potter fan, you should strongly consider adding the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
The Making of Harry Potter to your trip.
But I would not try to squeeze it into this itinerary.
The Studio Tour is located in Leavesden, near Watford, rather than central London.
It is also a much bigger experience than simply visiting a filming location.
At the Studio Tour, you can explore sets including the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and the Forbidden Forest, alongside original props and costumes.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
4.8•Tourist attraction
Website•Directions•0800 640 4550
How to get there
The nearest railway station is Watford Junction.
Direct trains from London Euston take around 20 minutes, and the Studio Tour operates shuttle buses between Watford Junction and the attraction. The shuttle journey takes around 15 minutes and is included with the entry ticket.
Most importantly, tickets must be booked in advance.
If you're visiting in September 2026
There is an especially useful seasonal detail to know.
The Studio Tour's Dark Arts feature runs from 16 September to 8 November 2026. The previous First Year at Hogwarts feature runs until 7 September 2026.
So if you're visiting London in the second half of September 2026, the Studio Tour has an additional seasonal reason to be on your list.
I'd give the Studio Tour at least half a day, and preferably treat it as its own day if you have enough time in London.
Should you do the Studio Tour or the London filming locations?
If you only have one Harry Potter-focused day, it depends on what you want.
Choose central London if you want:
Real London locations
Free or low-cost stops
Film locations mixed with famous landmarks
Lots of walking and photography
A Harry Potter experience that still feels like a London sightseeing day
Choose the Studio Tour if you want:
Original sets
Props and costumes
Behind-the-scenes filmmaking details
Diagon Alley
The Great Hall
The Forbidden Forest
A much more immersive Harry Potter experience
And if you're a big Harry Potter fan with enough time, do both.
The central London itinerary gives you the feeling of discovering Harry Potter hidden inside the real city.
The Studio Tour gives you the filmmaking world itself.
A few things to know before doing this itinerary
You don't need to book a Harry Potter walking tour
You absolutely can, and guided tours can be fun.
But most of the stops in this itinerary can be visited independently.
Visit London's current guide also lists Harry Potter walking tours as an option for visitors who want more context and film trivia.
Don't expect every location to look exactly like the film
This is probably the biggest mistake first-time visitors make.
The films use sets, visual effects, different angles and locations in combination.
You're looking at the real-world locations that appeared in or were associated with the films, not walking into a permanent Harry Potter theme park.
And that's actually part of the fun.
Give yourself time to enjoy normal London
This is important.
If you're travelling all the way to London, don't spend 12 hours staring at doorways and railway stations.
Stop for lunch.
Have coffee.
Walk along the Thames.
Look at the architecture.
Explore the neighbourhoods.
The Harry Potter locations work best when they're part of your London experience rather than the entire experience.
The perfect Harry Potter day in London
If I were planning this day myself, I'd keep it roughly like this:
8:30 AM - King's Cross & Platform 9¾
9:15 AM - St Pancras
10:00 AM - Westminster
10:20 AM - Big Ben & Westminster area
11:15 AM - Travel towards Millennium Bridge
12:00 PM - Millennium Bridge
12:30 PM - St Paul's & lunch
2:00 PM - Leadenhall Market
2:30 PM - Bull's Head Passage
3:30 PM - Coffee/break
4:30 PM - Leicester Square
5:00 PM - Piccadilly Circus
5:30 PM onwards - Soho, dinner and evening
And that's it.
You don't need to visit every single Harry Potter-related place in London to have a magical day.
Sometimes it's better to visit a handful of memorable locations, understand their connection to the films, and then spend the rest of the day enjoying the London that exists beyond the wizarding world.
Because perhaps that's the most magical thing about a Harry Potter trip to London:
the magic isn't confined to a theme park.
It's hidden among railway stations, markets, bridges, streets and some of the city's most recognisable landmarks.
You just need to know where to look.
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