12 Harry Potter Locations to Visit in London

You can visit amazing Harry Potter filming locations throughout London, starting with Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station where you’ll pose with the famous trolley. Explore Leadenhall Market’s Victorian arches that became Diagon Alley, then head to Borough Market area where the Leaky Cauldron’s entrance was filmed. Don’t miss St Pancras Renaissance Hotel’s Gothic exterior, Claremont Square’s Grimmauld Place, and the hidden gem of Goodwin’s Court. These magical spots offer countless photo opportunities and behind-the-scenes secrets waiting to be discovered.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Leavesden

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Leavesden offers the ultimate Harry Potter experience just outside London. You’ll step into the actual Great Hall where filming took place, wander through Diagon Alley‘s detailed shops, and explore the real Gringotts bank with its marble halls and chandeliers.

Don’t miss Platform 9¾, the Forbidden Forest with Aragog the animatronic spider, and the Dursleys’ house at #4 Privet Drive.

You can try interactive experiences like shouting “Up!” to make a broomstick fly, activating magical kitchen gadgets in the Weasley home, and battling Death Eaters with wands.

You’ll see authentic costumes, props, and the massive Hogwarts castle model used for filming. The tour concludes with a detailed documentary showing the assembly process of the intricate Hogwarts model. Book tickets well in advance—they’re selling into 2026!

Leadenhall Market: Diagon Alley and Charing Cross Road

Back in central London, you’ll find one of the most magical Harry Potter filming locations hiding in plain sight within the bustling financial district. Leadenhall Market, with its stunning Victorian architecture from 1881, served as both Diagon Alley and Charing Cross Road in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

You can walk the same covered pathways where Harry and Hagrid strolled on their way to buy school supplies.

Look for the distinctive blue door at 42 Bull’s Head Passage – that’s where the Leaky Cauldron entrance was filmed! The market’s medieval atmosphere and beautiful Victorian design make it feel truly magical. The opticians shop with the blue door was transformed into the pub entrance where the sign magically reveals the Leaky Cauldron name in the memorable scene with Harry and Hagrid.

Visit on weekends for quieter exploration, or weekdays to enjoy the shops and restaurants. Take the Underground to Monument or Liverpool Street stations.

King’s Cross Station: Platform 9¾

Where can you run straight through a brick wall without getting hurt? At King’s Cross Station‘s Platform 9¾! You’ll find this magical installation in the main concourse, where a trolley appears half-embedded in the wall, just like Harry Potter’s journey to Hogwarts.

Head to King’s Cross Station and look for the Platform 9¾ sign near the real Platforms 8 and 9. You can queue up to push the trolley and take photos pretending you’re running through the wall to catch the Hogwarts Express. Staff will help you pose perfectly, and there’s an official photographer if you want professional shots. The platform’s location was influenced by the fact that Platforms 9 and 10 are in separate buildings from the main station.

Don’t miss the nearby Harry Potter shop, designed like Ollivander’s wand store. You’ll discover replica wands, house-colored jumpers, and magical collectibles to remember your visit.

St Pancras Station: Ford Anglia Escape

Ever wondered what happens when a flying car’s invisibility booster breaks down over London? You’ll find out at St Pancras Station, where Harry and Ron’s dramatic escape unfolds in Chamber of Secrets! After Dobby seals the wall to Platform 9¾, the boys grab Mr. Weasley’s Ford Anglia and take off from the station forecourt.

Walk toward St Pancras Renaissance Hotel and swing right along the pavement. You’ll spot the exact takeoff point where the car launches over the clock tower. The filmmakers used St Pancras as King’s Cross Station, renumbering platforms 4 and 5 as 9 and 10. The Ford Anglia was actually parked near the right of the arch in the courtyard during filming.

Cross the cobbled road and head toward the arched windows under the clock tower. You’re standing where cinema magic happened—just don’t try flying yourself!

Claremont Square: 12 Grimmauld Place

The filmmakers chose 23-29 Claremont Square because its 19th-century townhouse architecture perfectly matched the Black family’s ancestral home.

Today, you can walk the same streets where Harry, Ron, and Hermione hid from danger. The square’s just a short walk from King’s Cross Station, making it easy to visit multiple filming locations in one day. This location served as the Order of Phoenix headquarters in the films.

Many Harry Potter tours include this magical spot!

London Zoo’s Reptile House

Among London’s most magical Harry Potter filming locations sits the historic Reptile House at London Zoo, where Harry first discovered his extraordinary ability to speak with snakes. You’ll find this famous spot at Regent’s Park, just ten minutes from Camden Town Station. The zoo’s open daily from 10am to 4pm with admission required.

In the 2001 film, Harry accidentally freed a boa constrictor after chatting with it in Parseltongue. The filmmakers actually used the Black Mamba enclosure for this pivotal scene, and you’ll spot a small plaque commemorating the moment.

The Reptile House itself has amazing history—it’s part of the world’s oldest scientific zoo, opened in 1828. You’ll discover over 600 species here, making it perfect for aspiring young wizards and animal lovers alike. The nearest Underground station is Regent’s Park, making it easily accessible for your magical London adventure.

Stoney Street: The Leaky Cauldron

Moving from reptiles to magical pubs, you’ll discover another iconic Harry Potter location tucked beneath a railway bridge on bustling Stoney Street. The Leaky Cauldron’s exterior from Prisoner of Azkaban sits at No. 7A, where Chez Michele flower shop now operates. This spot’s where Harry exits the Knight Bus before entering the magical pub.

You’ll find it alongside Borough Market in Southwark, just a 7-minute walk from London Bridge station. The market’s been around since the 12th century, creating the perfect bustling atmosphere to hide a wizarding hotel. The centuries-old buildings throughout the area contribute to the authentic magical atmosphere that made it perfect for filming.

Don’t miss No. 8 next door—it appeared as the Third Hand Book Emporium in Chamber of Secrets. You can visit anytime for free photos, even when the market’s closed.

Heathgate, Hampstead Garden Suburb: The Grangers’ House

One of the most emotional scenes in the Harry Potter films takes you to a quiet residential street in Hampstead Garden Suburb, where Hermione’s family home sits at the corner of Heathgate and Meadway.

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, you’ll see Hermione perform the heartbreaking Obliviate charm on her parents to protect them before leaving for the final battle. This location serves as one of the many free filming locations scattered throughout London that fans can visit year-round.

You can visit this leafy, well-to-do neighborhood near Saint Jude on the Hill Church. The two-story house remains a private residence, so you’ll need to admire it respectfully from the street.

Take the Northern line to Golders Green Underground station for easy access. The exterior still matches the film’s appearance, making it perfect for photos while exploring this peaceful corner of northwest London.

Harrow School’s Fourth Form Room: Professor Flitwick’s Classroom

This wood-paneled room hasn’t changed since 1615 and features graffiti from famous alumni like Winston Churchill and Lord Byron. The historic atmosphere made it perfect for the Wingardium Leviosa feather scene in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Located at Harrow-on-the-Hill in Middlesex, you can reach this magical classroom via public transport. The school offers tours through Harrow School Enterprises, letting you step into authentic wizarding history on their sprawling 250-acre grounds. The school’s distinctive English architecture and open spaces have also attracted other major productions including The Crown and multiple high-profile brand campaigns.

Goodwin’s Court: Diagon Alley Inspiration

Tucked away behind St. Martin’s Lane lies Goodwin’s Court, a magical 280-foot alley that’ll transport you straight into the wizarding world. You’ll discover bow-fronted windows, restored gas lamps, and cobblestones that scream Diagon Alley vibes. Though J.K. Rowling never confirmed it, many believe this narrow passage inspired Harry’s magical shopping street.

Dating back to 1690, this historic gem survived slum clearance and bombing threats. You can easily reach it from Leicester Square tube station – just a couple minutes’ walk to Bedfordbury.

The alley’s only 2 meters wide, making it too narrow for film equipment, but perfect for your Potter pilgrimage. Today, the court houses entertainment-related businesses that have transformed this former residential slum into a thriving commercial hub.

Don’t expect massive crowds here. It’s a hidden treasure where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Dickensian London.

Borough Market Area

From Goodwin’s Court’s cobblestones, you’ll want to head south across the Thames to Borough Market, where Harry Potter’s most famous pub comes to life. The Leaky Cauldron’s entrance was filmed at the small flower shop Chez Michele on Stoney Street, tucked under a railway arch.

You’ll also spot the Third Hand Emporium from Chamber of Secrets at the neighboring shopfront.

This bustling food market dates back to the 12th century, making it one of London’s oldest. You can visit anytime since the exteriors are accessible 24/7, even when the market’s closed. The area also served as a filming location for the Knight Bus scene in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Take the tube to London Bridge station, then stroll down Stoney Street. Look up at the rooftops—they’re the same ones visible from Harry’s bedroom window in the films!

St Pancras Renaissance Hotel Exterior

When you emerge from Borough Market and make your way north to King’s Cross, you’ll spot one of London’s most stunning buildings rising like a fairytale castle from the bustling streets. The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel‘s red-brick Gothic exterior served as the backdrop for King’s Cross station in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

You’ll recognize its towering 85-meter clock tower and intricate carved details that make it look straight out of the wizarding world.

Stand outside and admire the pointed arches, ornate turrets, and fairy-tale facade that perfectly captures Harry Potter’s magical atmosphere. This architectural masterpiece was built with an astounding 60 million bricks and 9,000 tonnes of cast iron, making it one of Victorian London’s most ambitious construction projects. Since it’s right next to the real King’s Cross station where platform 9¾ is located, you can easily visit both filming locations in one trip.

The Sum Up

You’ve got an amazing magical adventure waiting for you in London! Pack your wand (or a stick that looks like one) and comfortable walking shoes. Don’t forget your camera to capture all the enchanting moments. Whether you’re sipping butterbeer at the studio tour or searching for Platform 9¾, these Harry Potter locations will make you feel like you’re truly part of the wizarding world. Your London magic quest starts now!