15 Bewitching Places Every Harry Potter Fan Should Visit in the U.K.

Mar. 15, 2025

Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law with fans of ‘Harry Potter’.Photo:Jeff Spicer/Getty

Jeff Spicer/Getty

For some, a trip to the U.K. means a visit to the London Eye, photo-ops in front of Buckingham Palace and making faux phone calls in London’s iconic red phone booths. For Harry Potter fans, however, going to London means visiting the motherland for their favorite franchise.But with so much territory to cover and so many Potter-related experiences — from well-known attractions to more hole-in-the-wall experiences — how do you make the most of your visit?That’s where we come in: Below, we’ve compiled a list of 15 must-see Harry Potter experiences every fan should explore while visiting Britain. And while the list doesn’t fully encompassall, it certainly holds great starting points any Potterhead would enjoy — from widely bragged about adventures such as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour to more niche escapades such as the cocktail-making experience at The Wands and Wizards Exploratorium.

For some, a trip to the U.K. means a visit to the London Eye, photo-ops in front of Buckingham Palace and making faux phone calls in London’s iconic red phone booths. For Harry Potter fans, however, going to London means visiting the motherland for their favorite franchise.

But with so much territory to cover and so many Potter-related experiences — from well-known attractions to more hole-in-the-wall experiences — how do you make the most of your visit?

That’s where we come in: Below, we’ve compiled a list of 15 must-see Harry Potter experiences every fan should explore while visiting Britain. And while the list doesn’t fully encompassall, it certainly holds great starting points any Potterhead would enjoy — from widely bragged about adventures such as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour to more niche escapades such as the cocktail-making experience at The Wands and Wizards Exploratorium.

01of 15Visit House of MinaLima in LondonHouse of Minalima.pedro emanuel vital pereira/AlamyHouse of MinaLimacomes straight from the hands of Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima — the graphic design duo who brought the Harry Potter world to life,creating props for the filmsand illustrating editions of the book.“The gallery offers a narrative environment for the graphic designs of the Harry Potter franchise, as well as MinaLima’s other artwork and publications,” per the store’s official website. “Its experiential space celebrates the idiosyncrasies of their ideas and their passion for storytelling through pictures.”

01of 15

Visit House of MinaLima in London

House of Minalima.pedro emanuel vital pereira/Alamy

pedro emanuel vital pereira/Alamy

House of MinaLimacomes straight from the hands of Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima — the graphic design duo who brought the Harry Potter world to life,creating props for the filmsand illustrating editions of the book.

“The gallery offers a narrative environment for the graphic designs of the Harry Potter franchise, as well as MinaLima’s other artwork and publications,” per the store’s official website. “Its experiential space celebrates the idiosyncrasies of their ideas and their passion for storytelling through pictures.”

02of 15Splurge at The Harry Potter Shop at Harrods in LondonHarrods.GettyShop till you drop at theHarry Potter store at Harrodswhich offers a wide range Harry Potter products — from books to robes to souvenirs to toys.

02of 15

Splurge at The Harry Potter Shop at Harrods in London

Harrods.Getty

Getty

Shop till you drop at theHarry Potter store at Harrodswhich offers a wide range Harry Potter products — from books to robes to souvenirs to toys.

03of 15

Head to New College in Oxford

New College, Oxford, U.K.Hanneke Luijting/Getty

Hanneke Luijting/Getty

If you got a kick out of watching Professor Moody turn Draco Malfoy into a ferret inHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,here is your chance to go snap some pics, or maybe even recreate the scene at the exact location the scene was filmed.

04of 15

Take Pics at Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station in London

Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law at Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station.Jeff Spicer/Getty

05of 15Venture Into the House of Spells in LondonHouse of Spells.Nathaniel Noir/AlamyIf you’re on the hunt for some collectibles,House of Spellsis your spot. The shop offers everything you could imagine, including time turners, printed house memorabilia, wall art, cards, banners and more. In addition to the London location, House of Spells also has locations on Stratford-upon-Avon and Liverpool.

05of 15

Venture Into the House of Spells in London

House of Spells.Nathaniel Noir/Alamy

Nathaniel Noir/Alamy

If you’re on the hunt for some collectibles,House of Spellsis your spot. The shop offers everything you could imagine, including time turners, printed house memorabilia, wall art, cards, banners and more. In addition to the London location, House of Spells also has locations on Stratford-upon-Avon and Liverpool.

06of 15Roam the Halls of Lacock Abbey in WiltshireA view of the cloisters in Lacock Abbey.RDImages/Epics/GettyThis 13th-century monastic destination served as the filming location for many of the interior scenes from the franchise. But that’s not the only thing that makes it special. According to theU.K. National Trust, Lacock Abbey was once home to William Henry Fox Talbot, the inventor of the photographic negative.These days, the Abbey as well as surrounding Cloisters and grounds, see hordes of visitors pass through for a visit. Those interested in exploring the space can do sofor a small charge.

06of 15

Roam the Halls of Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire

A view of the cloisters in Lacock Abbey.RDImages/Epics/Getty

RDImages/Epics/Getty

This 13th-century monastic destination served as the filming location for many of the interior scenes from the franchise. But that’s not the only thing that makes it special. According to theU.K. National Trust, Lacock Abbey was once home to William Henry Fox Talbot, the inventor of the photographic negative.

These days, the Abbey as well as surrounding Cloisters and grounds, see hordes of visitors pass through for a visit. Those interested in exploring the space can do sofor a small charge.

07of 15Explore The Making of ‘Harry Potter’ Warner Bros. Studio Tour in LondonA wildly popular tourist stop,The Making ofHarry PotterWarner Bros. Studio Tourallows fans to fully immerse themselves in the wizarding world. You can explore the Great Hall, stroll through Diagon Alley, get some gold from Gringotts and venture into the Forbidden Forest … if you dare.

07of 15

Explore The Making of ‘Harry Potter’ Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London

A wildly popular tourist stop,The Making ofHarry PotterWarner Bros. Studio Tourallows fans to fully immerse themselves in the wizarding world. You can explore the Great Hall, stroll through Diagon Alley, get some gold from Gringotts and venture into the Forbidden Forest … if you dare.

08of 15Take a Stroll Around Loch Etive in ScotlandLoch Etive.Andrew Ray/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via GettyThis scenic location in Scotland appeared in both parts ofTheDeathly Hallows —most notably when Harry, Hermione and Ron were dropped into a body of water after escaping Gringotts on dragon-back in part one. Aside from theHarry Potternostalgic feels, Loch Etive is great site for swimming, boating, fishing and birdwatching, depending on the time of year.

08of 15

Take a Stroll Around Loch Etive in Scotland

Loch Etive.Andrew Ray/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty

Andrew Ray/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty

This scenic location in Scotland appeared in both parts ofTheDeathly Hallows —most notably when Harry, Hermione and Ron were dropped into a body of water after escaping Gringotts on dragon-back in part one. Aside from theHarry Potternostalgic feels, Loch Etive is great site for swimming, boating, fishing and birdwatching, depending on the time of year.

09of 15

Watch ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ at the Palace Theatre in London

The Palace Theatre.Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty

Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty

10of 15Visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct in ScotlandGlenfinnan Viaduct.Ahmet Fevzi Arican/Anadolu Agency via GettyThough Hogwarts is not an actual stop on the train line, you can board theJacobite Steam Train(which runs seven days a week!) and make-believe that you might meet Ron Weasley at any moment.. The Viaduct is featured in plenty of scenic vistas representing the magical train line throughout the franchise and is now almost synonymous with the movies.

10of 15

Visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland

Glenfinnan Viaduct.Ahmet Fevzi Arican/Anadolu Agency via Getty

Ahmet Fevzi Arican/Anadolu Agency via Getty

Though Hogwarts is not an actual stop on the train line, you can board theJacobite Steam Train(which runs seven days a week!) and make-believe that you might meet Ron Weasley at any moment.. The Viaduct is featured in plenty of scenic vistas representing the magical train line throughout the franchise and is now almost synonymous with the movies.

11of 15Walk the Millennium Bridge in LondonMillennium Bridge.GettyThe Millennium Bridge fell victim to Voldemort and his Death Eaters inHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,but in real life, the monument is well intact. Spend an afternoon taking photos and walking the bridge, which is close to other London attractions such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, and the Bankside Gallery.

11of 15

Walk the Millennium Bridge in London

Millennium Bridge.Getty

The Millennium Bridge fell victim to Voldemort and his Death Eaters inHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,but in real life, the monument is well intact. Spend an afternoon taking photos and walking the bridge, which is close to other London attractions such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, and the Bankside Gallery.

12of 15Explore LeadenHall Market in LondonLeadenhall Market.GettyDating back to 1321, thisstupefying Victorian marketserved as the exterior for Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron inHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Inside, visitors can find boutique retailers, restaurants, cafes, wine bars and more.

12of 15

Explore LeadenHall Market in London

Leadenhall Market.Getty

Dating back to 1321, thisstupefying Victorian marketserved as the exterior for Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron inHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Inside, visitors can find boutique retailers, restaurants, cafes, wine bars and more.

13of 15Stay at the Georgian House Hotel in LondonGeorgian House Hotel.Georgian House Hotel/FacebookIf you ever wanted to know what it was like sleeping in those canopied beds in the Hogwarts dorm rooms, then a stay at theGeorgian House Hotelwill make your dreams come true.If, however, you can’t book one of their Wizarding Chambers for a stay, you also have the option to pop in for a Wizard Afternoon Tea or enjoy the Wizard Potion experience. Both events take place on Saturdays and Sundays.

13of 15

Stay at the Georgian House Hotel in London

Georgian House Hotel.Georgian House Hotel/Facebook

Georgian House Hotel/Facebook

If you ever wanted to know what it was like sleeping in those canopied beds in the Hogwarts dorm rooms, then a stay at theGeorgian House Hotelwill make your dreams come true.

If, however, you can’t book one of their Wizarding Chambers for a stay, you also have the option to pop in for a Wizard Afternoon Tea or enjoy the Wizard Potion experience. Both events take place on Saturdays and Sundays.

14of 15

Make Cocktails at the Wands and Wizards Exploratorium in London

15of 15

Pay Your Respects at Freshwater West in Wales

Matthew Horwood/Getty

Concerns over the high volume of visitors almost saw the grave relocated. However, in 2022, theNational Trust Waleswhich manages the beach, concluded it can stay “in the immediate term,” according tothe BBC.

source: people.com