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Spend the night at Harry Potter
I’ll sleep over at Harry Potter’s
Situated in Lavenham, De Vere House was a source of inspiration for the Potters’ house in the famous saga of the sorcerer. Within these walls, young Harry was born, and his parents died there in Voldemort’s deadly attack, leaving the infant with his famous scar.
The place was put up for sale in 2016 for the modest sum of 1.1 million euros, and it is now possible to sleep there thanks to Airbnb. For an average of 128 euros per night, the platform allows travellers to go there to sleep in the footsteps of their favourite hero.
One of the former owners of the house, John De Vere, also inspired J.K. Rowling to create the character of Nearly Headless Nick. In the 15th century, he was condemned to be beheaded, but when the sentence was carried out, it was missed and left a mark similar to that of the figure.
A house with a much older notoriety
If the Harry Potter saga has of course contributed to the fame of the house, this fame is not only due to the student of Hogwarts. Situated in the historic and medieval village of Lavenham, reputed to be one of the most beautiful in Britain with over 300 protected heritage properties, the historical richness of this house is far more impressive.
Long before it became an available accommodation on Airbnb, the residence was owned by the De Vere family. This English aristocratic clan comes from Normandy, in the department of Manche. Traces of it can be found in some writings since 1086, notably Aubrey de Vere, the first of the lineage to expatriate to England, owner of numerous estates throughout the country. His son, Aubrey II, became Lord Great Chamberlain, thanks to King Henry I. A hereditary function, the heirs of this family take it in turn, except during the Tudor period until the English Civil Wars, until today.
The House of Lavenham has preserved this rich history, so much so that thanks to this historical fact and its appearance in feature films, its door is the second most photographed door in the UK after 10 Downing Street, which is now inaccessible to tourists.
Inaccessible, of course, but for fans of the British Prime Minister’s residence, another London door is used in movies and television series because of its resemblance to the head of government’s door. It is located at 8 John Adam Street. Bodyguard, Doctor Who or The Queen have, for example, filmed the place.
Photo credit : Airbnb ad by Jane
The Fantrippers Buying Board
Harry Potter Gryffindor Scarf
Wizards are able to use their wand as a flashlight or to repel nasty Derailers, but to protect themselves from the cold, nothing beats a beautiful scarf in the colours of their house. Gryffindor for Harry Potter, Slytherin for Voldemort, Hufflepuff for Newt Scamander and Ravenclaw for Luna Lovegood, choose your side against winter. Stupefy!
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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 !