Must-Visit Harry Potter Filming Locations in the Wizarding World

INFOBUS is here with a list of the must-visit Harry Potter filming locations. We’re going to explore fans’ favorite Harry Potter places — Diagon Alley, Hogwarts, Platform 9¾, Potions classroom, and more. Let’s find out where the top scenes were filmed, and check out the best real-life locations in the Wizarding World.

Where Was Harry Potter Filmed? 

The popular Harry Potter franchise was filmed across locations in the UK. It’s no secret that British culture heavily inspired our beloved Wizarding World. But where was Harry Potter filmed? 

Most of the scenes were shot in England, particularly in London. Some iconic settings were also filmed in Scotland. Over the course of eight movies, the production team traveled across cities and counties, looking for the most charming and enchanting places in the UK to create an atmosphere suitable for wizards and witches. 

Harry Potter Filming Locations: England 

Many of Hogwarts' exterior and interior scenes were shot on studio sets, yet we can still see many real-life locations on screen: 

  🔹 Gloucester Cathedral: This place is home to popular scenes from the Hogwarts corridors, including scenes near the Gryffindor common room, moving portraits, the “password” moment, and more. We can also see the cathedral in the Chamber of Secrets, when Harry and his friends find Mrs. Norris and the blood message. 

  🔹 Lacock Abbey: Here, we can see many interior rooms, including Snape’s Potions classroom, Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, and the room with the Mirror of Erised. Part of the nearby village is also featured in the scenes of Lily & James Potter’s house and Slughorn’s hideout.

  🔹 Durham Cathedral: The cathedral served as a setting in both exterior and interior scenes in the early movies. The popular scenes include Harry walking with Hedwig in the snow and the interior of McGonagall’s Transfiguration classroom. 

  🔹 Alnwick Castle: The setting appears as the Hogwarts grounds. The first flying lesson with Madam Hooch and some Quidditch scenes were shot at the castle. 

  🔹 Goathland Station: You can see the station when the Hogwarts Express arrives at and departs from Hogsmeade Station. 

  🔹 Malham Cove: Appears in Deathly Hallows: Part 1, when Harry and Hermione camp alone after Ron leaves.

  🔹 Burnham Beeches: A forest in Deathly Hallows: Part 1, where the trio arrives after escaping the Ministry of Magic. 

  🔹 Virginia Water Lake: It was used as part of the Hogwarts grounds, especially in Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire. Iconic moments here include scenes with Buckbeak the Hippogriff, conversations by the water, and message-passing around the lake. 

  🔹 Hardwick Hall: Appears as the exterior of Malfoy Manor in Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

Harry Potter: Oxford Locations 

Oxford is an important location for the Harry Potter series. Its historic colleges appear in several films as Hogwarts interiors. The most notable places include: 

  🔹 New College: The cloisters and courtyard appear when Harry warns Cedric about dragons. It’s also seen when students mock Harry wearing “Potter Stinks” badges, and when Professor Moody turns Draco into a ferret. 

  🔹 Divinity School: It served as the Hogwarts hospital wing, featuring many scenes with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Malfoy, and others. The Divinity School also appears in Goblet of Fire, when Ron and Professor McGonagall dance before the Yule Ball. 

  🔹 Duke Humfrey’s Library: This Bodleian Library reading room became the Hogwarts Library, giving us iconic scenes of the trio’s research and the restricted section. 

Harry Potter Filming Locations: London

Many remarkable scenes were shot in London, where we encounter Diagon Alley and Platform 9¾. If you’re wondering, “Where was Harry Potter filmed in London?” — here are the top locations you can visit:

  🔹 King’s Cross Station: Platform 9¾, which appears in many movies, was set on King’s Cross platforms 4 and 5, renumbered for filming. The station has a recreated trolley-in-the-wall photo spot and a Harry Potter shop — a popular photo opportunity for fans! 

  🔹 St Pancras Renaissance Hotel: The hotel’s façade appears in Chamber of Secrets as a charming exterior for King’s Cross. 

  🔹 Leadenhall Market: This is one of the most popular filming locations, where numerous iconic scenes were filmed. Leadenhall Market serves as Diagon Alley, where Harry and his friends buy their wizarding books, wands, and school supplies. 

  🔹 Millennium Bridge: It appears in Half-Blood Prince, when Death Eaters destroy a pedestrian bridge over the Thames in London. 

  🔹 Australia House: Its interior was used as the set for Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Philosopher’s Stone, complete with marble floors, chandeliers, and goblin bankers.

  🔹 Great Scotland Yard: The junction of Scotland Place and Great Scotland Yard is where the iconic red phone box was placed for Order of the Phoenix, leading Harry and Mr. Weasley to the Ministry of Magic.

Harry Potter Filming Locations: Scotland 

Scotland's landscapes played a vital role in creating the Wizarding World's scenic views. The cast traveled to Scotland to film scenes of the Hogwarts Express, the Hogwarts Lake, and more. The best locations include: 

  🔹 Jacobite Steam Train: This is a real-life version of the Hogwarts Express. The locomotive runs an 84-mile (135 km) trip between Fort William and Mallaig on Scotland’s West Highland Line. 

  🔹 Glenfinnan Viaduct: Some of the best views of the Hogwarts Express were shot at this iconic viaduct in multiple movies. It’s especially memorable in Chamber of Secrets, when Harry and Ron chase the train by a flying car. 

  🔹 Loch Shiel: This loch provides the backdrop for parts of the Hogwarts Lake. Most notable moments include the arrival of visiting schools in Goblet of Fire. 

  🔹 Glen Coe: The location served as the exterior Hogwarts grounds, including the bridge leading to Hogwarts and the area around Hagrid’s Hut. It appears in Prisoner of Azkaban and later movies. 

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter 

Many of our favorite settings were built and filmed in the studio. Today, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is open to the public. You can buy tickets and get a tour of the top locations, including the Great Hall, Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley, the Greenhouses, Dumbledore’s Office, and more. The tour offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the sets, props, costumes, and visual effects used in the films.

Travel to the Top Harry Potter Locations with INFOBUS 

If you want to check out the best Harry Potter filming locations, INFOBUS is here for you. From the most iconic places in London to fabulous spots in Scotland — choose your destination and buy tickets on INFOBUS. 

We provide travel options from trusted carriers across Europe. Our service has bus, train, and flight tickets to the best destinations. Browse routes, compare prices, and buy tickets to Harry Potter filming locations. 

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