Article
Harry Potter : Top 10 filming locations in London
Harry Potter: 10 film locations in London
Platform 9 3/4, London Zoo, Ministry of Magic or Sirius Black’s house, discover our top 10 locations of the Harry Potter movies, the wizard imagined by J.K. Rowling.
1. London Zoo – Reptile House
To celebrate the birthday of their little Dudley (Harry Melling), Vernon (Richard Griffiths) and Petunia Dursley (Fiona Shaw) take their offspring and Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) to the zoo. A short stop at the Reptile House does not fail to cool down the festive atmosphere. The present Reptile House was built in 1926. It succeeds two other buildings, erected in 1849 and 1882. On the day of its release, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone earned $33.3 million at the US box office.
Read more2. Leadenhall Market
For those of you who are wizards, the Diagon Alley is located at Leadenhall Market in London. Or more precisely at the Leaky Cauldron, located near the famous site. But no magical creatures in the middle of tasting singular beverages, the 2-3 Bull’s Head Passage welcomes in reality an optician. A poultry market since the 1300s, Leadenhall Market has a bar called Old Tom’s. The latter was named after a goose that lived in the market for thirty years after escaping death several times. Buried with great fanfare in 1835, the bird has a grave at the location of the bar. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone became the highest grossing film of 2001.
Read more3. King’s Cross
With his summons letter in his pocket, his new wand and Hedwig in tow, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is ready to go to Hogwarts! Students will meet on platform 9 ¾ of King’s Cross station. Since the release of the saga, the premises have undergone major renovations and, unfortunately, the platforms are now only accessible to ticketed passengers. If this is your case, go to the area between piers 4 and 5 where the scenes of the film were shot. Alternatively, you can go to the level of platforms 9 and 10: just next to the Harry Potter shop, you will find a luggage trolley where you can take a photo. Be prepared to stand in line and take your picture in front of a large audience…
Read more4. Entrance to the Ministry of Magic
Summoned to the Ministry of Magic for knowingly breaking the rules, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is escorted by Arthur Weasley (Mark Williams) to the visitors’ entrance, which is actually a telephone booth. The latter is located on Great Scotland Yard. But to the great disappointment of the wizard’s fans, there is no cabin there, this one being only a prop for this short scene. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix received two awards, a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Drama in 2008 and a Teen Choice Award for Best Drama, Action or Adventure Film of the Summer in 2007.
Read more5. Gringotts
Need money for your wizarding supplies? Only one address, the Gringotts Bank. A place with heavy secrets, managed by goblins, “not the most friendly of beasts”. Opened in 1918, Australia House was built to house the first diplomatic mission to England. This is also the longest film in the UK. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was nominated three times for an Academy Award in the categories of Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design and Best Score. However, he did not win any of them.
Read more6. National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is one of London’s most famous museums, and while no scenes have been shot there, it was the inspiration for Hogwarts and its walls covered with painted portraits that converse with each other and sometimes go for a walk.
Address: St. John’s St. Martin’s Pl, London, United Kingdom
7. House of Sirius Black, Harry Potter’s godfather
The row of very similar houses that we see in the film, among which the house of the Noble and ancient Black family is hidden, is located in the north of London. Remember, to find her, you’ll have to do a little magic…
Address: Claremont Square, London, United Kingdom
8. Classroom of Maugrey Mad-Eye
Hogwarts is made up of different elements located here and there. The staircase on the right as you enter St. Paul’s Cathedral in London is the round staircase that Hogwarts students use to access the class of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Maugrey Mad-Eye.
Address: St. John’s St. Paul’s Churchyard, London, United Kingdom
9. Surbiton railway station, meeting between Harry and Dumbledore
It is in this station that Harry Potter reads a newspaper in a café, when Dumbledore comes to get him, at the beginning of the sixth part.
Address: Surbiton railway station, London, United Kingdom
10. Millennium Bridge
The beautiful bridge destroyed by the Death Eaters at the beginning of the sixth opus? It is the Millennium Bridge, a pedestrian bridge across the Thames, which was opened in 2000. Its presence in the film (supposed to take place in 1996) is therefore an anachronism. In the books, it’s a fictional bridge called Brockdale Bridge that’s destroyed.
Anachronistic or not, it’s a very nice place to end the walk. True fans will even be able to replay the entire broom chase on the Thames in the fifth film, from Blackfriars Bridge to HMS Belfast!
Address: Millennium Bridge, London, United Kingdom
The Fantrippers Buying Board
Harry Potter Christmas sweater
Christmas at Hogwarts is a true tradition. Not sure if they’ll let you enter the ball with this sweater but it’s worth it.
Content quality
Interest for fans
Value for money
By Damien Duarte
Passionné par la culture pop depuis son enfance, ses références vont de Donald Duck à Batman en passant par Marty McFly. Fantripper dans l'âme, voyager sur les traces de Ghostbusters, James Bond ou des héros de romans comme Cotton Malone fait partie d'un séjour idéal et réussi !