England offers you a comprehensive tour of the film locations used in the Harry Potter movies such as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azbakan and so on. Below is a low-down on some of the film locations that you can visit while on the Harry Potter tour of your dreams.
One location that can visit while on your Harry Potter tour is 12 Grimmauld Palace. Situated in Northwest London, 12 Grimmauld Palace was home to the Black family, wizard world’s oldest pureblood family. This location used in Harry Potter is a mere 20 minute walk from Kings Cross Station and nestled close to the Holborn tube station. This location made its first appearance in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Yet another film location worth visiting is the Goathland Station. The Goathland railway station is located on the North Yorkshire Moors Railways. Used as a location in many TV shows and movies, Goathland Station first made its Harry Potter appearance in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. For the movie, Goathland station was renamed as Hogsmeade station. In the Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and his fellow school mates arrive at Kings Cross Station to take a train to “Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry“. They board the train at Platform 9¾ and board an old steam train. The station they alight at is Hogsmeade station which is actually Goathland station.
Having mentioned that it may be worth visiting Goathland station, you could also check out Hogwarts Express. It was on this old steam train that Harry Potter used to go to Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. In the film, Hogwarts Express leaves from Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station in London. The filming for this was carried out between Platforms 4 and 5. When you visit this location, you will notice that the passenger carriages of the train consist of compartments which serve as a stage in itself within the train. This is one marvelous location that will transport you instantly to a fantasy world.
Another must-see location is Oxford University. The school scenes featured in all the movies were filmed largely at Oxford University and Christ Church College. Christ Church College is a college in Oxford with a rich history and traditions dating back several centuries. When at the college, you will be able to visit the Bodleian library which for the film was dubbed as Hogwart’s Library. If interested, you can take a side tour and visit the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. While at the college, do also check out ‘Hogwart’s hospital’ at the Divinity School.
The above are just some of the Harry Potter film locations that you can visit on your holiday in England. Should time permit, you could consider visiting the several other locations which are guaranteed to make you spellbound.
