Are you a muggle or a wizard? Well, regardless, there are places where you can go and tour a simulation of the one and only Harry Potter when in England.
1- Warner bros. Studio’s tour with the transfer, London
Take a bus from London and go to Warner bros. Studio and come face to face with the most iconic props, stage, and even the costumes Harry, Ron, and Hermione wore. You should take your photo in Dumbledore’s office, the great hall, and the Gryffindor's Common room. Visit platform 9 3/4, try your luck passing through it, and enter the dragon alley to visit Mr. Ollivanders, Flourish and Botts, and Eeloyps owl Emporium.
Then visit the potions classroom, the boys’ dormitory, Professor Umbridge’s office, and Hagrid’s Hut. Then visit a train-themed souvenir shop, purchase your favorite Harry Potter item and some souvenirs for your muggle friends, and board a bus back to London.
2- Walk the Corridors of Gloucester Cathedral.
The Gloucester Cathedral is one of the many places where Harry Potter was filmed in the UK. Stepping into the Cathedral is like stepping into Hogwarts itself. The corridor and lavatorium scenes in the Harry Potter movie were filmed in the beautiful Cathedral. Some scenes include Harry overhearing Professor Snape talk to Malfoy about the unbreakable vow, Harry and Ron saving Hermione from the troll in the lavatorium, and even the scene where Harry hears the basilisk in the walls. He follows it, with Ron and Hermione behind him, to find “ the chamber of secrets has been opened, enemies of the heir beware” written on the wall.
3- University and City Walking Tour, Oxford
This is a university-guided tour located in one of the oldest universities in the world. Many Harry Potter scenes were taken at Oxford University. Duke Humphreys Library was used as the Hogwarts library, and the English Gothic Room of the Divinity School was Hogwarts Sanatorium.
The grand dining hall of Christ Church college was used as Hogwarts Dining Hall. You can visit the Great Hall in the Warner Bros. studio tour. The scene where professor McGonagall met the first years when they arrived at Hogwarts was filmed at the 16th-century staircase at Oxford University.
4- Fly at Professor Alnwick Castle
The second largest inhabited castle in England, Alnwick Castle, has been used to film many Harry Potter scenes that many people call Hogwarts. This castle acted as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft when filming Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The outer Bailey is easily recognizable as where Harry and his classmates learned how to fly on a broomstick. It is also where Harry learned how to play quidditch. It is where Harry and Ron crash Mr. Weasley's car into the whomping willow as well. The lion arch was used as the way in and out of Hogwarts to Hagrid’s Cabin and the Forbidden Forest.
5- Hardwick Hall, National Trust
The Hardwick Hall is located in Derbyshire, near the Peak District, and was used to film Malfoy Manor. Yes, Malfoy Manor. All Slytherin fans, let’s pack our bags and visit the meeting point of the death eaters in the deathly hallows. Though it does not look exactly like it did in the movies, this is because the editors added Some special effects to make it look spookier.
6- The Forbidden Forest Experience, Cheshire
Have you ever wanted to tour the forbidden forest? Despite the fact that it is called forbidden? Well, a banned forest experience is the place to visit. This is a tour given during the nighttime, through beautiful woodland. You get to see magical creatures from Harry Potter and cast your spells. Let’s hope you can cast a Patronus spell. You can then enjoy a glass of wine and a mug of butterbeer. If you are willing, you can donate and plant a tree to support the creation of the new woodland areas in the UK.
7- London Harry Potter Experience with Boat Ride
London boasts a good number of Harry Potter tours. The beauty is they are all diverse. This Harry Potter tour involves an intense session of quizzes and projection by a well-versed guide. Then enjoy a boat ride through the famous river Thames. This tour is interactive and fun since it is designed for a group. You also get to enjoy London from a different point of view. The tour ends at the King's Cross.
8- Visit Platform 9 ¾
Platform 9 ¾ is a platform in King’s Cross station that witches and wizards use to pass from the muggle side of the station to the witch side to catch the train to Hogwarts. It is the most famous railway platform in the world, yet it does not exist, well, not really. Platform 9 ¾ has a souvenir shop where you can buy your memorabilia and take a photo underneath the sign. On every 1st of September, hundreds of people go to King’s cross to hear the announcement about boarding the Hogwarts Express, followed by the iconic soundtrack from the movie.
9- Harry Potter Walking Tour for Muggles in London
Several sites around London have significantly impacted the sets of the films. The walking tour for muggles allows you to see the places that inspired Diagon Alley, the Leaky Cauldron, and the Ministry of Magic, besides the guides have an excellent knowledge of Harry that most of us do not even know. Then you can take Harry Potter trivia to test your Harry Potter knowledge. Since you are in London, make the best of the trip and visit Big Ben, the London Eye, and other London hotspots.
10- Private Tour: Harry Potter Black Taxi Tour of London
This is a private tour offered that allows one to follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter. The beauty of this is the tour is enjoyed via a black taxi. Naturally, the driver is well versed in all matters of Harry Potter, answers all questions you may have, and gives you more information on the books. Visit various filming Harry Potter sites such as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Visit Diagon Alley, the Knight Bus bridge, and other must-visit sites as your driver imparts more information on each place.
Harry Potter is one of the favorite books read by children and adults alike. It has marked the childhoods of many people so far and hereafter. The chance to experience Harry Potter from a first-hand point of view is not a matter to be taken for granted but should be seized with both hands.