In a nutshell
- We’ll show you the most magical Harry Potter locations in London – from iconic filming locations to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour in Leavesden.
- Find out where to drink Butterbeer, mix potions, and stay in magically decorated Harry Potter hotels – like the Georgian House Hotel.
- We’ve put together a perfectly planned 3-day itinerary for your Harry Potter weekend trip to London – tried, tested, and optimized from personal experience, so you don’t waste a single hour.
- Plus all the essential info on tickets and getting there, Harry Potter city tours, and where to stay in London.
Harry Potter Highlights in London on the Map
Before we walk you through all the Harry Potter spots in London in detail, here’s a quick overview to help you get your bearings.
We’ve marked all the key Harry Potter locations in London on this map.
By the way: J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter in Edinburgh. There are some seriously cool filming locations there too.
Harry Potter Studio Tour London
Where? Leavesden Studios, Leavesden – north of London (on Google Maps)
How much time to plan? 1 full day
How do you get there? Bus transfer from London, or train from London Euston to Watford Junction and then a shuttle bus to the studios
What do you need to know? The Harry Potter Studio Tour London is an absolute must for any fan. Tickets are only available online and should be booked well in advance. Plan a full day for your visit, including travel time. Entry is tied to a time slot, after which you can explore the exhibition at your own pace.
For younger children under eight, some areas may feel a little scary — so the age recommendation is well-founded.
What can you see there? Original sets like the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest, and Dumbledore’s office. Plus costumes, props, and animatronic creatures. And of course there are shops and places to eat.
Our experience: We’ve been to the studios twice — once by train and bus, and once on the direct bus from London. Both worked out great. And both times, the studios were unforgettably amazing. The original sets are absolute highlights!
Book Harry Potter Studios ticket + bus transfer online
Book Harry Potter Studios ticket + train transfer online
Also read:
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child London
Where? Palace Theatre, Soho, London (on Google Maps)
How much time to plan? approx. 6 hours
How do you get there? Subway to Tottenham Court Road or Leicester Square, then a 5-minute walk
What do you need to know? The show runs in two parts of approximately 2.5 hours each — usually in the afternoon and evening on the same day. The official website sells combination tickets only. Vendors like Nimax Theatres also sell tickets for a single part. Book four to six months in advance.
Our experience: We originally wanted to see both parts, but ended up going with Part 2 — booked through Nimax. It worked out well, though the selection was very limited. The show is surprisingly funny, with loads of special effects and a strong cast. If you’ve read the book, one part will do. If you want the full experience, see both.
Book Harry Potter and the Cursed Child combination tickets online
Book Harry Potter and the Cursed Child single tickets online
Harry Potter Filming Locations in London
London has a ton of original filming locations from the Harry Potter movies. Here are the coolest photo spots for fans:
Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station
Where? King’s Cross Station, Euston Rd, Camden – between platforms 9 and 10 (on Google Maps)
How do you get there? Subway to King’s Cross St. Pancras, then follow the signs
Every September 1st at exactly 11 o’clock, the Hogwarts Express departs from London. And Platform 9¾? It actually exists — well, sort of.
At King’s Cross Station, between platforms 9 and 10, you’ll find a dedicated photo spot with a luggage cart disappearing through the wall. Taking the photo is free, but you’ll likely have to wait in line — it’s always pretty crowded.
Right here at Platform 9¾, you’ll also find the large Harry Potter store, which we’ll tell you more about below.
By the way: Every year on September 1st, Potter fans gather at Platform 9¾ to celebrate the start of the new school year at Hogwarts. Pretty cool — but also incredibly crowded.
Harry Potter Bridge in London (Millennium Bridge)
Where? Peter’s Hill on the Thames (on Google Maps)
How do you get there? Subway to St Paul’s or Blackfriars, a few minutes’ walk from there
Right at the beginning of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” the Death Eaters destroy a London bridge: the Millennium Bridge.
In real life, the bridge is of course still standing and connects the Tate Modern across the Thames to St. Paul’s Cathedral — two great viewpoints in London.
Our tip: Come early in the morning if you can. You’ll practically have the bridge to yourself and can get some great shots.
Fun fact: In the books, the bridge collapse doesn’t actually happen. The Millennium Bridge didn’t open until 2000 — five years after the sixth book is set. The film crew took a bit of creative license here.
12 Grimmauld Place (Claremont Square)
Where? Claremont Square, Islington (on Google Maps)
How do you get there? Subway to Angel Station, then a few minutes’ walk
Number 12 Grimmauld Place is the home of the Black family in both the books and the films. This is where Sirius and his brother Regulus grew up, before the house became the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix.
The houses on Claremont Square in the Islington neighborhood served as the building’s facade. Everything here still looks exactly as it does in the film.
The residents are used to the occasional Harry Potter fan stopping by, so feel free to take photos.
St. Pancras International Station
Where? Euston Rd, Camden, at King’s Cross Station (on Google Maps)
How do you get there? Subway to Kings Cross St. Pancras, then follow the signs
The impressive facade of St. Pancras International was used as an exterior shot for the entrance to King’s Cross.
This is where Harry and Ron take off in the Ford Anglia, for example, after they can’t get through to the platform.
Diagon Alley in London (Borough Market & Leadenhall Market)
Where? Gracechurch St, City of London (on Google Maps) & Southwark St, Southwark (on Google Maps)
How do you get there? Subway to Monument & Subway to London Bridge, then a few minutes’ walk from each
Diagon Alley was inspired primarily by Victoria Street in Edinburgh. The magical shopping scenes, however, were filmed both in the studios and at Leadenhall Market, which has stunning Victorian facades.
Borough Market is known as a filming location for the scene with the Knight Bus. This is where Harry is already expected by the innkeeper Tom, who brings him to the Leaky Cauldron — the entrance to Diagon Alley, as every fan knows.
Both spots are also among the most beautiful markets in London.
Gringotts in London (Australia House)
Where? Strand, City of Westminster (on Google Maps)
How do you get there? Subway to Temple or Holborn, then a 5–10 minute walk
You can find the wizarding bank Gringotts in London too. Australia House, the official Australian consulate in London, served as both the inspiration and filming location.
The building’s facade is already super impressive, but you really recognize Gringotts once you step inside. Unfortunately, access is no longer permitted. Monday through Friday, though, you can peek through the open entrance door if you’d like.
Piccadilly Circus London
Where? Piccadilly Circus, City of Westminster (on Google Maps)
How do you get there? Subway to Piccadilly Circus Station
Piccadilly Circus is not only an iconic London attraction in general, but also an exciting stop for Potter fans.
This is where Harry, Ron, and Hermione land after they have to Disapparate from Bill and Fleur’s wedding to escape the Death Eaters.
For the full movie vibe, come in the evening when everything is lit up. That’s when the Golden Trio was here too.
Find even more cool filming locations around the world right here!
Harry Potter Shops, Museums & Exhibitions in London
You can practically buy Harry Potter merchandise on every corner in London. But if you’re after real themed shops for dedicated fans, these three are the places to go:
Harry Potter Shop at King's Cross Station
Where? King’s Cross, Euston Rd, Camden (on Google Maps)
How do you get there? Subway to King’s Cross St. Pancras
What’s here? The biggest and best-known Harry Potter store in London! Right next to the popular luggage cart photo spot, you’ll find all kinds of fan merchandise in lovingly designed rooms. From wands to books, clothing, and little trinkets — they’ve got it all.
Really cool: One room is designed like Honeydukes, where you can buy all kinds of sweets from the wizarding world.
House of MinaLima Shop
Where? 157 Wardour Street, Soho (on Google Maps)
How do you get there? Subway to Tottenham Court Road or Leicester Square, then about a 5-minute walk
What’s here? This shop is a dream for design lovers. It displays graphic designs like candy packaging and Daily Prophets from the films, and you can also buy beautiful prints, posters, postcards, and books.
The Noble Collection London
Where? 26-28 Neal Street, Covent Garden (on Google Maps)
How do you get there? Subway to Covent Garden, then a 2–3 minute walk
What’s here? Harry Potter collectors are probably already familiar with The Noble Collection. The shop sells high-quality replicas and collectibles — including jewelry, figurines, miniatures, and wands. That said, the prices match the quality.
Harry Potter Exhibitions & Museums in London
Apart from the Harry Potter Studios, there are currently no permanent Harry Potter museums or exhibitions in London.
Occasionally, London hosts “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” as a temporary traveling exhibition, along with occasional Harry Potter film set exhibitions.
For the latest news on Harry Potter exhibitions in London, your best bet is to check the official Warner Bros. Studio Tour London website.
Harry Potter Cafés, Bars & Restaurants in London
Fancy a Butterbeer in London? Or do you want to mix your own magic potion? Here are our recommendations:
The Harry Potter Café at Platform 9¾
Where? King’s Cross, right next to the Harry Potter Shop (on Google Maps)
How do you get there? Subway to King’s Cross St. Pancras
King’s Cross brings together everything a Potter fan’s heart could desire. In addition to the photo spot and the big shop, there’s also a small, themed café right at Platform 9¾.
They serve hot chocolate, Butterbeer Latte, and sweet snacks. There are only a few seats, but you can also take your order to go.
The Wands & Wizards Exploratorium
Where? 26 Greek Street, Soho (on Google Maps)
How do you get there? Subway to Tottenham Court Road or Leicester Square, then a 5-minute walk
The Wands & Wizards Exploratorium is an interactive experience venue.
With a wand and spell book in hand, you mix your own potions, make cocktails smoke, and conjure up a magical afternoon tea with sandwiches and little cakes.
It all takes place in lovingly designed, enchanting rooms that feel strongly reminiscent of the world of Harry Potter — even though it doesn’t have an official license.
Harry Potter Walking Tours in London
If you want to explore London in the footsteps of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, a guided Harry Potter walking tour is your best option.
You’ll get fascinating behind-the-scenes details about the filming, discover all the movie sets, and see the locations up close.
Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour: On this 2.5-hour walking tour through London, you’ll explore original filming locations with a guide — optionally with a Thames boat ride. Includes an interactive quiz, fascinating film facts, and a Hogwarts house test.
Harry Potter Film Locations Sightseeing Bus Tour: On this 3-hour tour, you’ll ride the “Knight Bus” to the most important Harry Potter filming locations in London. Includes an interactive quiz, photo stops, and a Hogwarts house sorting. This tour is available in English only.
Harry Potter Hotels in London
A truly unforgettable Harry Potter trip to London calls for a cool themed place to stay. These are the ones we find most compelling:
Georgian House Hotel: centrally located in the Bloomsbury neighborhood, with stylishly decorated Harry Potter rooms
St. Pancras London: a hotel with a luxurious atmosphere, located right at the St. Pancras filming location
There are also Harry Potter accommodations near the studios in Leavesden — though they’re very much fan-deco-overload. Not really our thing, but we don’t want to leave them out since everyone has different tastes:
Hagrid’s Hut Watford: a themed vacation rental for families — just 800 meters from the studios
Harry’s House Watford: a vacation rental for families with a Harry Potter party vibe — 1 kilometer from the studios
Planning a Harry Potter Short Trip to London
Want to explore London in the footsteps of Harry Potter? A long weekend is absolutely worth it — you’ll have enough time to hit the most important highlights stress-free, from the filming locations to the Harry Potter Studios and the stage show Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Arrival Day
Arrive in London as early as possible so you can kick off your wizarding adventure in a relaxed way. Midday is a great time to arrive.
We have tips for getting from the airport into London to help you hit the ground running.
Once you’ve arrived, your first stop is checking into your hotel. We recommend THE Harry Potter hotel, the Georgian House Hotel.
You can also check out our other hotel recommendations for London:
Day 1: Explore Filming Locations & Magical London
Start your first full day in London by exploring the most famous Harry Potter filming locations — either on your own or with a guided Harry Potter tour that offers fascinating insights.
You can of course combine this with regular sightseeing if you’re exploring without a guide.
Make Platform 9¾ your last stop of the day. That way you can stock up on fan merchandise in the shop without lugging it around all day — and settle in at the café with a Butterbeer Latte.
We recommend this order:
- Millennium Bridge: barely anyone there in the morning
- 12 Grimmauld Place: located to the north, so head there right after
- Diagon Alley – Leadenhall Market: not far from Grimmauld Place
- Diagon Alley – Borough Market: one stop by train or walkable across the Thames
- Gringotts: in the West End, easily reachable by train
- Piccadilly Circus: also in the West End, just a few minutes’ walk from “Gringotts”
- St. Pancras & King’s Cross Platform 9¾: the perfect finish with shopping and Butterbeer
The perfect grand finale is a visit to The Wands & Wizards Exploratorium. Mix your own magic potion and wrap up the day in a truly magical way.
Day 2: Visit the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour
Dedicate your second day entirely to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour — an absolute must for all fans!
Getting there is straightforward: Take the train from London Euston to Watford Junction and then hop on the official Harry Potter shuttle bus, or use the direct shuttle bus from Victoria Coach Station in London.
Both options get you to the studios comfortably and in suitably thematic fashion.
Combo: Harry Potter Studio Ticket + Bus to/from London (Our recommendation!)
Combo: Harry Potter Studio Ticket + Train to/from London + Shuttle
Once there, a fascinating world of original film sets, props, and interactive experiences awaits, giving you a real look behind the scenes of the films.
Plan the entire day for the tour — there’s an enormous amount to see, from the Great Hall to Privet Drive, your own broomstick ride, shops, and so much more!
And one more time, very important: Book your studio tickets well in advance — at least six to eight weeks before your visit. There are no tickets available at the door!
Day 3: Watch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
On day three, the theatrical highlight Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes center stage — try to see both parts to get the full story!
Before the show, you can explore some of our London insider tips around the city.
A stroll through nearby Covent Garden, a detour to the MinaLima Shop, and a drink at The Wands & Wizards Exploratorium are all perfect ways to get yourself in the mood for the magical theater experience.
The show is performed in two parts at the Palace Theatre. Arrive at least 30 minutes before it starts so you can find your seat without any rush.
Each part runs 2.5 hours, plus an intermission in between — so you’ll be spending roughly six hours in the theater.
Depending on how you booked, your theater experience will wrap up in the early or late evening. After the show, a stroll through the lively Soho neighborhood or a drink at one of the bars makes for a great ending before heading back to the hotel for your last night.
Another reminder to book your tickets early! And we mean really early. About four to six months in advance!
Book Harry Potter and the Cursed Child combination tickets online
Departure Day
After three magical days in London, departure day brings that inevitable feeling: back to the Muggle world.
If your return flight isn’t until the afternoon, use your last few hours to browse any Harry Potter store you didn’t get to on Day 1.
Just make sure to leave yourself enough time to get to the airport or train station — especially during London rush hour.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harry Potter in London
Where is Harry Potter World in London?
“Harry Potter World” refers to the Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, about 19 miles northwest of London.
This is where you’ll find many original film sets and exhibitions featuring props, costumes, and cool interactive experiences.
What's the best way to get to the Harry Potter Studios from London?
We’d recommend the direct bus from Victoria Coach Station in London. There’s a great combo package with studio ticket and bus transfer.
Alternatively, take the train from London Euston to Watford Junction and catch the shuttle bus to the studios from there.
There’s also a combo ticket with studio entry plus train and shuttle transfer for that option too.
Is the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London suitable for children?
Yes! The Harry Potter Studio Tour is suitable for children ages eight and up.
Some scenes or areas can be a little dark, but overall it’s very manageable for young fans.
Can you visit Hogwarts in real life?
Hogwarts as we know it from the movies is unfortunately not a real castle — it’s a mix of film sets, computer animation, and filming locations scattered across Great Britain.
That said, if you’re looking for a place that inspired Hogwarts, George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh is a seriously cool pick.
How long does it take to get from London to Hogwarts?
You can’t actually travel to Hogwarts — but you can ride the famous Hogwarts Express, including across the Glenfinnan Viaduct from the films.
The starting point is Fort William, from where it’s a two-hour journey to Mallaig.
Book a day tour from Edinburgh including a Hogwarts Express ride
In the story, the train journey from London to Hogwarts takes about nine hours — from Platform 9¾ to arrival in the dark.
Where is the phone booth from Harry Potter?
The red phone box that serves as the entrance to the Ministry of Magic in the film is no longer in London.
It was only set up as a prop for filming and was removed after shooting wrapped.
It stood at the corner of Great Scotland Yard and Scotland Place, in case you still want to check out the spot.
