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The Ultimate List of Harry Potter Things to Do in London

Calling all Muggles – or fans of the Harry Potter books and movies – do you want to explore London like a member of the Wizarding World? Well, you’re in (liquid) luck.

We have compiled the ultimate list of the best Harry Potter things to do in London. The city is, of course, the best place in all of England to see and explore every aspect of the magical world once inhabited by Harry Potter.

From the endless Harry Potter filming locations to the themed restaurants and hotels, every London itinerary has to have room for Harry Potter things.

The city’s history is vast, ranging from Medieval battles to World Wars to all things modern. So, there’s no shortage of things to do in London. Harry Potter is a great example of a modern gem whose fictional tale is intertwined with the rich history and culture of London.

london to warner brothers studio
1. From London: Ticket to Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio with Transfer Top Recommendation

Take in the beautiful Alaskan wilderness on this whale-watching cruise in Hoonah. Take in untouched natural beauty of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, where humpback whales arrive each year to feed before heading south for the winter. The boat tours depart several times throughout the day

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
2. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Discover the wizarding world of Harry Potter in a whole new way—this time on the stage. Buy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Tickets so you can experience what happens next in the world of witches, wizards and magic!

magical london guided tour
3. Magical London: Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour

Take a magical Harry Potter themed walking tour across London! Test your knowledge on the series, visit iconic sites such as Borough Market, The London Eye and Trafalgar Square - or even have the option of a short boat trip down the River Thames. You will also find out which Hogwarts House you belong in while enjoying a fun, adventurous and friendly adventure.

For all Harry Potter fans: The next time you’re out walking in London, be sure to check out these Harry Potter places and feel the magic of the Wizarding World!

Best Harry Potter Things to Do in London

As any proper wizard (or Muggle) knows, the Harry Potter books were based in England, so many of the movies take place in London proper. But with so much to see, and even more magic to experience, it’s hard to decide which Harry Potter things to do first.

But don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Below, we provide you with our specially curated list of the best Harry Potter things to do in London.

Wander through Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

Address: Charing Cross Road, London, United Kingdom

The Muggles call it “Charing Cross Road,” but you’ll know it by its proper name: Diagon Alley. It’s the magical shopping street where you can pick up cauldrons, owls, and a wand.

Charing Cross Road is where Diagon Alley was filmed, making its debut appearance in the first Harry Potter film, the Sorcerer’s (Philosopher’s) Stone. The street, located in the West End in Central London, is lined with old book and antique shops.

Perhaps you’ll stumble upon something magical as you search for the best Harry Potter shops. Just watch out for books that scream or sneaky wizards slipping mysterious old books into your belongings…

Want your seat on the Hogwarts Express? Visit Platform 9 ¾

Heading to Platform 9 3/4
Heading to Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station

Address: King’s Cross Station, London N1 9ap, United Kingdom

Located at King’s Cross Station, if you venture over to the entrance for platforms 9 through 11, you will see a cart disappearing into the wall under the Platform 9 ¾ sign.

Come early in the morning to avoid the line! Otherwise, it can take a long time to get your picture. Be sure to check out the Harry Potter shop next to the platform. All aboard the Hogwarts Express!

SECRET TIP: From King’s Cross Station, go across the street to St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel. The exterior was used in the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as the entrance to King’s Cross Station and where Harry and Ron piloted Mr. Weasley’s flying car while trying to catch up to the Hogwarts Express.

Fancy a conversation in Parseltongue? Check out the Reptile House

Owl

Address: The Regent’s Park – Outer Cir, London Nw1 4ry, United Kingdom

Located in the London Zoo, visit the Reptile House to see where poor, terrified Dudley was suddenly stuck behind the disappearing glass in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

And don’t worry! The zoo has upped its glass since Harry’s fiasco. No snakes are getting out today.

Walk over the Millennium Bridge

Millennium Bridge Night Lights

Address: Thames Embankment, London, United Kingdom

But hang on tight! The infamous bridge that we see twisting and turning in the sixth Harry Potter film, the Half-Blood Prince, is all sturdy now. Walk the bridge across the River Thames and take in all the wonderful views of London.

At the end of the bridge is the Tate Modern, an art gallery with international works plus a cafe with panoramic views of the River Thames. You’ll also find plenty of pubs and eateries to ease a woozy stomach if the bridge does start to sway…or twist.

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Visit the Order at Number 12 Grimmauld Place

12 Grimmauld Place Building
image by Sam Howzit is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Address: 23-29 Claremont square, London N1 9LX, United Kingdom

Just a short walk from Platform 9 ¾ is the safe house for the Order of the Phoenix: Number 12 Grimmauld Place. The houses you are looking for are 23-29 Claremont Square. You’ll quickly recognize their exterior from the Harry Potter films: Order of the Phoenix and Deathly Hallows Part 1.

Located among a row of houses, Grimmauld Place is as unsuspecting as the films made it look. Walk quietly, though. We don’t want the Death Eaters to come knocking.

Explore Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall Market
Inside Leadenhall Market

Address: Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT, United Kingdom

Another location where Diagon Alley was filmed, the Leadenhall Market just feels like a magical place. Colorful walls, painted ceilings, and a bustling market with everything one may need.

See if you can find any of the Harry Potter shops depicted in the movies. Pop in for a bite, a pint, and a picture. But watch for wizards lurking amongst the Muggles – we swear we saw one last time…

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Enjoy a Butterbeer at the Leaky Cauldron

The Leaky Cauldron, Building
image by Dtobias is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Address: 2-4 Bull’s Head Passage, London EC3V 1LU, United Kingdom

With a stroll down Bull’s Head Passage, a small alley on the side of Leadenhall Market, you’ll find what was used in the Harry Potter films as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. The exterior was used as the entrance when Harry and Hagrid first stepped into the Leaky Cauldron.

Of course to us Muggles, it looks like a mere store for glasses (The Glass House). But we know deep down, somewhere in there, lies a hidden magical bar.

Since Muggles can’t see the Leaky Cauldron, head around the way to Old Tom’s Bar. Its entrance is sneaky, and you get to hide underneath Leadenhall Market while enjoying the best beers in town.

Escape Death Eaters at Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus

Address: Piccadilly Circus and Shaftesbury Avenue, London, United Kingdom

London favorite regardless, Piccadilly Circus is where Harry, Ron, and Hermione apparated to when they were attacked at Bill & Fleur’s wedding in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

They were barely able to order a cappuccino before the Death Eaters found them. But don’t worry. You’ll have plenty of time to grab a coffee, take some pictures with the Piccadilly lights, and enjoy the entertainment and shopping on Shaftesbury Avenue and Regent Street.

Piccadilly Circus Station
Piccadilly Circus Station

Walk around and people-watch while keeping an eye on how fast the buses go around. Good thing Harry, Ron, and Hermione jumped out of the way of that bus fast! Keep your eyes out!

Pretend you’re a shrunken head on Lambeth Bridge

Lambeth Bridge Scenery
image by Loco Steve is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Address: Lambeth Rd, London SE1 7SG, United Kingdom

“Mind your head” says the shrunken head as the Knight Bus squeezes between two Muggle buses. That scene, from the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, happened on this bridge (no computer editing of course).

In Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Dumbledore summons Newt for a conversation, and later the pair are seen standing on Lambeth Bridge.

Located in Central London, with Westminster on the west side and Lambeth on the east, this walkable bridge is the perfect spot to cross while enjoying the view and snapping pictures of the River Thames.

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Flush yourself down a magical toilet at the Ministry of Magic

Whitehall Telephone Box

Address: Whitehall, Downing Street, Great Scotland Yard, London, United Kingdom

In the world of Harry Potter, the Ministry of Magic is located along Whitehall, right next to Westminster. Coincidence? I think not!

One of the filming locations of the Ministry’s exterior was at Great Scotland Yard. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Mr. Weasley and Harry emerge at the corner of Great Scotland Yard and Scotland Place where they enter the Ministry via the red phone booth.

While there aren’t any magical toilets nearby to visit the Ministry, there are plenty of phone booths. So, hop in, press some numbers, and see if you’re transported elsewhere…

Visit the Dursley’s in Berkshire

The Dursley's House No. 4 Privet Drive
The Dursley’s House No. 4 Privet Drive

Address: 12 Picket Post Cl, Winkfield Row, Bracknell RG12 9FG, United Kingdom

The Dursley’s have sold their house (under a pseudonym no doubt). But you can still travel to Berkshire to see Number 4, Privet Drive.

Since the release of the first Harry Potter film, the house has exchanged hands several times. Most recently, in 2018, the house sold for £435,000. Located about an hour outside London, this Harry Potter location requires a flying car to access.

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See the play: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Palace Theatre

Address: 113 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 5AY, United Kingdom

Now that the opening set has gone by, it is easier to score tickets to see The Cursed Child. The play runs year-round and takes place after Harry’s children are grown and off to Hogwarts School themselves.

Last we checked, The Cursed Child was playing at The Palace Theatre in London. Check their website for tickets and showtimes.

Check out Harry Potter-themed restaurants, bars, and hotels

Harry Potter Hall

As you’d probably guess, there are many Harry Potter-themed places around London. From bars to hotels to shops, there is something for every fan.

Here are some of the best Harry Potter-themed places in London:

Whatever spot you choose, whether it’s the Potion Room or Harry Potter themed hotel, please remember to bring your wand! Though The Cauldron provides working magical wands upon entry…

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Take a Harry Potter Tour in London

Want to see all things Harry Potter by taking a tour? Again you’re swimming in luck. Liquid luck.

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List of the Best Harry Potter Tours in London

If you love Harry Potter, luckily, London has a lot of Harry Potter tours to offer any type of sightseer. You’ll likely hear whimsical stories while getting some good laughs along the way. Much better than haplessly wandering around on your own self-guided, impromptu tour where you’re certain to miss several of the best Harry Potter locations.

So if you prefer to take it easy while being led by experts to all the best Harry Potter attractions, then leave it to the following tours to place those gems right in your lap.

Whether you prefer a walking tour or a studio tour, we’ve got you covered. Just pick your favorite method to see it all, and embrace the magic.

Let’s get into some of the top Harry Potter tours in London.

1. Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Tour

Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Exhibit

The ultimate Harry Potter experience for fans who want to take a day and explore everything to do with the Wizarding World. But you must buy tickets in advance.

If you book with our link, you will save at least 10% on your tickets – click here to book.

At Harry Potter studios, you can:

  • Step into the film sets: The Great Hall, the Forbidden Forest, and Diagon Alley.
  • See the original costumes: Quidditch, the Yule Ball, the Beauxbatons, and more.
  • Find the props: Potions Classroom, Memory Cabinet, and Prof. Umbridge’s Pink Office.
  • Observe the art design: Hogwarts Castle model, graphic designs, and technical drawings.
  • Watch creature effects: The Basilisk, Buckbeak, Goblin Heads, and Aragog.
  • Visit the official Warner Bros. Harry Potter shop.
  • And much, much more.

When planning your Warner Brothers studio tour, and if you have the option, we recommend going during a holiday. They have themed exhibits for Halloween, the winter holidays, and Valentine’s day, including candlelight dinner packages, and more.

How fun would it be to have dinner during Halloween in the Great Hall while 100 pumpkins floated above your head? Or taking a partner on Valentine’s day where you’ll be greeted with a Love Potion cocktail before being whisked away for a fancy dinner in the Great Hall?

This tour ranks among the absolute best Harry Potter attractions. Sign me up. Again. Get your tickets in advance though. They often sell out so it’s best to be on the ball with this one.

2. Do the Magical London: Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour

Platform 9¾ in London

There are a lot of Harry Potter walking tours to do in London, but the one that stands out the most is the Magical London Guided Walking Tour.

This highly rated, 2.5-hour tour will take you to most of the spots we mention in this post, and the tour guide is likely a Harry Potter fan who will tell you little-known secrets about each spot.

Ready to get a tour of London, Harry Potter style? This Harry Potter walking tour is the best. Book the guided walking tour now.

3. Join the Harry Potter Tour for Muggles

London Scenery

Ran by the Department of Tourism and Muggle Relations, we recommend the Tour for Muggles. 

Limited to just 20 Muggles per tour and lasting around 2 hours, the company asks that you leave your broomsticks at home.

4. Take a private taxi for an elite Harry Potter Tour

Harry Potter Platform 9¾

Clearly the best option for everyone. No tourists (other than you and your friends) highly customized commentary, close-up stops of well-known spots, and a private chauffeur.

Could you ask for anything more? Check out and book your private Harry Potter Taxi Tour here for a discount.

Harry Potter Sites Outside London

For those fans wanting to explore Harry Potter locations outside of London, we have just the list for you.

But it will take some travel by car or train.

Pick your favorites and make a visit!

Visit Godric’s Hollow

Houses in Lavenham

Located in the small village of Lavenham within the county of Suffolk, England, the fictional town of Godric’s Hollow is home to a few filming locations including Harry Potter’s childhood home.

The property you’re looking for is known locally as De Vere House. See these other charming villages in England.

Find a screaming book in the library’s restricted section

Oxford Aerial View

Remember those sprawling ceilings with shelves of old books in the library? Well, you can find all of this at Oxford University’s Bodleian Library. Here’s a full guide to all the Harry Potter things to do in Oxford.

The library is famous not only for its filming locations in the Harry Potter movies but also due to its collection of books. Many famous writers studied here including J.R.R. Tolkien and Oscar Wilde.

Walk through the rows and pick a book or two to check if one screams. Stay quiet, though. You wouldn’t want Hogwarts School’s librarian, Madam Pince, to kick you out.

Not sure how to get there?  Book a tour with transportation included for just a few knuts!

If you’re looking for a Small Group Tour, book this one. It’s the best in the business.

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Visit the Hogwarts Quadrangle

Durham Cathedral Sunset

You’ll recognize the Durham Cathedral the second you enter its grounds. Many pivotal scenes were filmed here throughout the Harry Potter film series.

The exterior of the Cathedral is displayed prominently in the first two Harry Potter movies. Among them: When Harry plays with Hedwig in the snow, and when Ron pukes up slugs. The Cathedral’s cloisters served as additional filming locations, usually seen when the students were walking between classes.

Located at Durham University in Durham, the Cathedral was built in the early 1000s. Yes, it’s old. Durham Cathedral has beautiful stonework, long halls, and arches to behold.

Visit the Cathedral, walk the halls, and pretend you’re a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Maybe you’ll even find a toad to name Trevor. Or Timmy. Or Thomas?

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Chat with Moaning Myrtle & Nearly Headless Nick at Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral Architecture

Gloucester Cathedral is absolutely stunning and, of course, it’s where scenes from 3 of the Harry Potter movies were filmed.

Within its walls, you’ll recognize many famous scenes including:

  • the Hogwarts corridors new Gryffindors are being led through in the Sorcerer’s Stone, as well as the Gryffindor common room door;
  • when the troll trapped Hermione in the toilets, also in the first film;
  • the corridor flooded by Moaning Myrtle and where the writing, ‘The Chamber of Secrets has been opened’ appeared on the wall, both in the second film, among others.

These cavernous halls fluttered with light from the stained glass that instantly feels like Hogwarts.

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Practice flying your broomstick at Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle Scenery

But actually – you can fly a broomstick here! Another of the Harry Potter filming locations, Alnwick Castle is located in Alnwick, south of Edinburgh and north of Newcastle. It is currently the second-largest inhabited castle in England, second only to Windsor Castle.

For Harry Potter Fans, there are multiple reasons to visit Alnwick Castle. For starters, it was used as a filming location for the first 2 films: the Sorcerer’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets.

The Outer Bailey is where Harry and the other students, under the guidance of Madam Hooch, learned to fly broomsticks. In the Inner Bailey, Harry and Ron crashed Mr. Weasley’s flying car.

In addition, the halls and grounds were among the Harry Potter filming locations used for general shots of students and professors walking around Hogwarts. Also, check out the Lion’s Arch, which Harry Potter fans will recognize as the exit of Hogwarts leading to Hagrid’s Hut.

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A lot of Harry Potter Things to Do in London

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Sign

As you can see, there are a lot of Harry Potter things to do in London. From walking through the streets of Central London and checking out the sights to seeing the Curse Child at The Palace Theatre, to getting in your flying car and exploring outside London, there is something for all Harry Potter fans.

Whether you’re a fan of the Harry Potter franchise or not, London is the perfect place to visit. What magic will you get into while you’re here?

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