Harry Potter filming locations guide

You can find Harry Potter filming locations all over the United Kingdom – from the wild Scottish Highlands home of Hagrid’s Hut to the historic London market that became Diagon Alley.

Scroll through the slides below to learn about five of the most iconic locations appeared on the Harry Potter films.

On the map below, you’ll find the real-life British filming locations where the Harry Potter films’ most famous scenes were brought to life. Whether you’re planning the Harry Potter trip of a lifetime or looking for the origins of your favourite scenes, read on to find out more about locations in London, England, Scotland.

Harry Potter filming locations map

Australia House

Movie: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Shot: The interior shots of Gringotts, the wizard bank run by goblins, were filmed inside Australia House.
Fact: Australia House was opened by King George V in 1918 and is the home of the Australian High Commission. The Australia House is no stranger to Hollywood as it was used as another filming location for Wonder Woman in 2017.
Closest tube station: Temple, 5 min walk.

The building is not open to the public but you can view it from outside.

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King’s Cross Station

Movie: All Harry Potter movies.
Shot: King’s Cross is the station where students board the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 ¾.
Fact: For filming, platforms 4 and 5 were renumbered 9 and 10. At the station today, you’ll find the hidden access to platform 9 ¾, complete with half a luggage cart disappearing into the wall!
Closest tube station: King’s Cross St. Pancras, 1 min walk.

You will have the chance to take a picture (complete with a Gryffindor scarf) and to visit the adjacent Harry Potter shop where you can buy merchandise from the books and films.

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Millenium Bridge

Movie: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Shot: Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince opens with a dramatic sequence of the London Millennium Footbridge collapsing.
Fact: Construction of the real-life Millennium Bridge started in late 1998, with the main work starting on 28 April 1999. The Millennium Bridge opened on June 10th 2000 before appearing in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince in 2009. 
Closest tube station: Blackfriars, 7 min walk.
 

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London City Hall

Movie: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Shot: London City Hall, the headquarters of the Greater London Authority, was featured in one of the first scenes of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with exterior shots.
Fact: This building’s appearance in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince constitutes an anachronism. It was only built-in in 2002.
Closest tube station: London Bridge, 4 min walk.
 

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Great Scotland Yard

Movie: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Shot: It was on this corner, at the junction of Scotland Place and Great Scotland Yard, that Harry and Mr Weasley entered the phone box to descend into the Ministry of Magic.
Fact: Unfortunately for those who seek to recreate the scene there has never been a phone box at this junction. The one in the film was a special prop that was removed once filming had finished.
Closest tube station: Embankment, 4 min walk.
 

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Claremont Square

Movie: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Shot: In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the rows of houses on Claremont Square appear as the exterior of Grimmauld Place. Screenwriters were inspired by the façade of Claremont Square to film the Grimmauld Place scenes on a set.
Fact: The strange shape of Claremont Square is due to the fact that, back in the 18th century, there was a water reservoir in the square. Following the construction of a larger one nearby, houses were built, and, later, the reservoir emptied and covered with grass, hence its steep incline and a rather wizardly shape.
Closest tube station: Angel, 5 min walk.
 

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Piccadilly Circus

Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Shot: Exterior shots where we see Harry, Hermione, and Ron rushing through London’s West End.
Fact: The statue in Piccadilly Circus is named the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain to honour the philanthropist Lord Shaftesbury, but many call it the Statue of Eros, the Greek god of love. Its creator Alfred Gilbert actually sculpted the statue as an image of Eros’ twin brother Anteros.
Closest tube station: Piccadilly Circus, 2 min walk.
 

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Leadenhall Market

Movie: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Shot: Leadenhall Market shows up in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as the exterior for Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron.
Fact: Leadenhall Market, built in 1881, is London’s most beautiful Victorian market and is another popular filming location after appearing in other movies like Hereafter, Brannigan, and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. 
Closest tube station: Monument, 3 min walk.
 

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St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

Movie: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Shot: St Pancras Renaissance Hotel was used as the entrance to King’s Cross station in Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets.
Fact: The Renaissance Hotel has been seen worldwide by millions as a filming location for not only Harry Potter films, but also 102 Dalmatians, Batman, Richard III and others.
Closest tube station: King’s Cross St. Pancras, 5 min walk.
 

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Durham Cathedral

Movie: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the Chamber of Secrets, and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Shots: Durham Cathedral has been used to shoot various exterior and interior shots of Hogwarts in multiple Harry Potter movies. 
Fact: Durham Cathedral was founded in 1093 and is home to the Shrine of St Cuthbert. The Cathedral was proclaimed a World Heritage Site in 1986.
 

Getting there by train: Durham station is on the East Coast mainline. A bus to the cathedral runs at regular intervals during the day between the bus and train stations to the Cathedral. 
Getting there by car: Durham is west of the A1(M) and east of the A167. There is no parking at the Cathedral itself. Durham County Council operates a park & ride scheme during the daytime, with car parks in the city centre.
 

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Alnwick Castle

Movie: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets.
Shots: Alnwick Castle has been used for exterior shots of Hogwarts.
Fact: Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England. It has been home to the dukes of Northumberland for over 700 years.
 

Getting there by train: The East Coast mainline from London to Edinburgh stops at Alnmouth, which is four miles from Alnwick. A taxi or bus (X18) can be taken from Alnmouth.
Getting there by car: Alnwick Castle is located in the heart of Northumberland just off the A1 and is well signposted. There are bus stops and a bus station in the centre of Alnwick.
 

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Malham Cove, Skipton

Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Shot: The rocky camp where Harry and Hermione hide from Voldemort.
Fact: Malham Cove is a natural limestone rock formation situated 1km north of the village of Malham. The top of the cove consists of a uniquely shaped rock formation that was made by the river that once ran over it.
 

Getting there by train: The nearest train station is Gargrave, which is about 7 miles away from Malham. Frequent services to Skipton are available from Leeds and Bradford.
Getting there by car: Malham is 21 miles from the end of the M65, which terminates in Colne. Be careful when driving to Malham from Gargrave as the roads are narrow country lanes. Parking in Malham is available but not free of charge.
 

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New College, Oxford

Movie: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Shot: Where everyone sports the “Potter stinks” badges during the Triwizard Tournament
Fact: Every year during the Easter holidays a 3-day murder mystery event is hosted at the Cloisters. During the 3 days, there are academic activities, forensic science workshops, and a formal dinner. 

Getting there by train: Oxford is easily accessible by train, New College is a 1-mile walk away from Oxford train station. 
Getting there by car: Oxford is connected to London, the M25, and the Midlands by the M40 motorway. The Oxford ring road also provides direct access to the south and west coast ports of Southampton, Portsmouth, and Bristol via the A34. On-street parking is severely restricted in the centre of town and in the roads surrounding the College.
 

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Lacock Abbey

Movie: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets.
Shot: The Abbey lends itself as the setting for Professor Snape’s class on potions.
Fact: Lacock Abbey was originally built by Lady Ela the countess of Salisbury during the reign of Henry III. It prospered well through the Middle Ages thanks to its income from the wool produced on the profitable farmland.
 

Getting there by train: The closest train station, Melksham, is less than 2h away from London Paddington but you will have to change at Swindon. 
Getting there by car: Located only 100 miles from London, the Abbey is easily accessible by the M4 and a 2-hour drive. A paid parking is available on site and is free for members.
 

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Virginia Water

Movie: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and the Goblet of Fire.
Shot: Virginia Water was used to represent Hogwarts’ lake where Harry rode on the Hippogriff in the Prisoner of Azkaban and where Hermione passed on messages to Harry and Ron in the Goblet of Fire.
Fact: The lake was drained during the second world war as it was feared its obvious shape would give away the location of Windsor. Virginia Water has seen its fair share of celebrity residents including Elton John, Cliff Richard, and Bruce Forsyth.
 

Getting there by train: The Virginia Water train station is on the mainline to Waterloo and passes through Staines, Richmond, and Clapham Junction.
Getting there by car: The village of Virginia Water is a short distance from Heathrow Airport, the M3 and the M4 motorways giving it maximum accessibility.
 

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Goathland Train Station, North Yorkshire Moors National Park

Movie: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Shot: The station acts as Hogsmeade Station, the main station for Hogwarts.
Fact: The village of Goathland was the main setting for the British soap opera Heartbeat.
 

Getting there by train: Trains from Whitby (£16 return) and Pickering (£20 return) offer regular services to Goathland station.
Getting there by car: The Goathland train station is less than 2 hours away from Newcastle by following the A179. You will have to drive through Middlesbrough and get on the A171 to arrive in the North York Moors National Park where the famous station is located.
 

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Ashridge Wood, Newbury

Movie: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Shot: The Woods where the Quidditch World Cup is held.
Fact: Ashridge Wood is famous for its range of 34 identified species of flowering plants and trees, making the woods a pleasant location for walks.
 

Getting there by train: Ashridge Wood is located half-way between Newbury station and Didcot station and easily accessible via the A34 and a 15 min drive. Taxis are available at both stations and won’t cost you more than £20.
Getting there by car: Ashridge Wood is just 21 miles away from Oxford and about a 40 min drive on the A34.
 

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Seven Sisters Country Park, Seaford

Movie: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Shot: The Seven Sisters cliffs were used for spectacular shots where Harry Potter walks up the hill to find the boots that transport him to the Quidditch World Cup.
Fact: The Seven Sisters, the cliffs that give the park its name, are entirely made of chalk from the English Channel. In movies, they are often used as stand-ins for the White Cliffs of Dover since they are relatively free of modern architecture. This is another filming location familiar with the Hollywood lifestyle having appeared in the blockbusters Robin Hood: princes of Thieves and Atonement.
 

Getting there by train: There are regular rail services from London to Brighton, Seaford, and Eastbourne.
Getting there by car: The Seven Sisters Country Park is situated in Exceat, only 10 min away from Seaford by car. The car park is closed overnight and will cost you £3.50 for the day.
 

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Hardwick Hall, Doe Lea, Chesterfield

Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Shot: Hardwick Hall is the main setting for the Malfoy Mansion, the Deatheaters’ main hideout.
Fact: Hardwick Hall was one of the first buildings of its era to be built in a Renaissance style, and was originally built to display the financial wealth of its owner. The ownership of Hardwick Hall was transferred over to the National Trust in 1959. 
 

Getting there by train: The closest train station is Chesterfield. From there you can pick up a taxi or catch the Pronto bus from Chesterfield coach station.
Getting there by car: Hardwick Hall is located 8 miles southeast of Chesterfield by the A6175. A car park with 600 spaces is available there.
 

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Gloucester Cathedral

Movie: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the Chamber of Secrets, and the Half Blood Prince.
Shot: The Cathedral’s Cloisters are used as various settings for Hogwarts’ interiors.
Fact: The glass windows dating back to 1350 depict some of the earliest evidence of sports such as golf and medieval football. However, the history of Gloucester Cathedral dates back even further with origins being recording around 678 or 679. 
 

Getting there by train: Gloucester station is the closest train station. It is only a 10 min walk to get from the station to the cathedral.
Getting there by car: Gloucester is easily accessible from Birmingham via the M5 and an hour’s drive. The Westgate car park in Gloucester is open to visitors and is only a short walk from the cathedral.
 

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Loch Etive, Argyll and Bute

Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Shot: The loch can be seen as a setting for Harry Hermione and Ron’s camping trip. The scene was filmed at the northernmost part of the lake.
Fact: Loch Etive is a 30 km sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The name Etive is believed to mean “little ugly one” from the Gaelic Goddess associated with the loch.
 

Getting there by train: Closest Town Taynuilt. From Glasgow Queen Street station, take First Scotrail train (Oban) to Taynuilt (2hrs 36mins). 
Getting there by car: Taynuilt is 46 miles south of Fort William via A82 and 87 miles north of Glasgow accessible via A82.
 

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Glen Coe, Ballachulish

Movie: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Goblet of Fire, the Order of the Phoenix, and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Shot: Glen Coe was used to filming multiple Harry Potter scenes. It is the location of Hagrid’s Hut, the bridge leading to the entrance of Hogwarts, and some scenes were also filmed at the nearby lake.
Fact: In Scottish history, Glen Coe is known as “the glen of tears”. Like other Harry Potter filming locations, Glen Coe has been used in many high-profile films of the past including Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Skyfall. 
 

Getting there by train: Fort William is the nearest train station with daily train services operating between Glasgow and Fort William.
Getting there by car: take the A82 Glasgow to Fort William trunk road. Glencoe village is 90 miles North West of Glasgow city centre.
 

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Glenfinnan Viaduct

Movie: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the Prisoner of Azkaban, and the Goblet of Fire
Shot: The Glenfinnan Viaduct is the ‘bridge to Hogwarts’, where the Hogwarts Express makes its journey.
Fact: The bridge is 380 metres long and 31 metres high. Its construction was finished in 1898 and cost £18,904. When Glenfinnan isn’t available, Eilan Donan Castle has been used as a filming location stand-in within the Highlander franchise. 
 

Getting there by train: Enfinnan is the nearest train station with daily train services operating between Fort William and Glenfinnan. This service takes you over the Glenfinnan Viaduct itself before alighting at Glenfinnan. 
Getting there by car: The Glenfinnan viaduct is 17 miles west of Fort William via A830.
 

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Train line between Corrour and Rannoch stations

Movie: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Shot: During the shots of Hogwarts Express you can see a hut, which is approximately 1 mile from Corrour Station in the direction of Rannoch.
Fact: The guest house at Corrour is the highest point on the West Highland train line. It is 17 miles from the nearest public road and only accessible by train or by foot.
 

Getting there by train: Corrour train station is a 3-hour direct train journey from Glasgow Queen Street and 51 min by train from Fort-William. 
Getting there by car: Corrour is 150 miles north of Glasgow and accessible via A9. The guest house isn’t accessible by car so you will have to continue on foot to reach it.
 

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Lochaber Rural Complex, Fort William

Movie: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Shot: The production crew rented a rural complex from March – July 2013. The weather was horrendous at this time, which forced the production crew to shoot some of the scenes from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban inside the complex, which was also used as an office space.
Fact: You can visit the Old Inverlochy Castle nearby. Although now a ruin, this was one of the most important castles in Scottish history and was the backdrop for two major historical events, the first and second battles of Inverlochy.
 

Getting there by train: Fort William is the nearest train station with daily train services operating between Glasgow and Fort William.
Getting there by car: The production building is 6kms northeast of Fort William and is accessible from the A82.
 

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The Jacobite Steam Train

Movie: All movies.
Shot: The Hogwarts Express in all Harry Potter movies.
Fact: The Jacobite Steam Train stops en route to Mallaig at the village of Glenfinnan (see below). Beyond Glenfinnan are the beautiful villages of Lochailort, Arisaig, Morar, and Mallaig. The service runs from early May to late October. It departs at 10:15 am and 2.30 pm.
 

Getting there by train: It is advisable to arrive at Fort William the day before you travel on the Jacobite. Trains run daily from Glasgow to Fort William. 
Getting there by car: Fort William is a 2.5-hour drive north of Glasgow and 1-hour drive south of Inverness on the A82.
 

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