Visting the "Real" Harry Potter Sites in England

Between the June 18th opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, and the release of the last of the Harry Potter movies, the temptation is to... explore England. Yes. You can. VisitEngland is ready to help tourists find the film locations from the Harry Potter movies, including some of the countries most historic and magical sites, many of which are likely to have inspired the famous writings of J.K. Rowling.

Here are some of the highlights:
Known as the bewitching Hogsmeade Station in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Goathland Station in Yorkshire on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, is a picturesque countryside station almost unchanged since its construction in 1865. The station has been restored to represent a charming post World War 1 station, featuring a 1922 style tea room and original classic steam locomotives taking visitors through 18 miles of stunning countryside through the park, stopping at quaint stations along the way.

For the film, the railway’s shop on the platform was transformed into the ‘Prefects Room’ and the ladies toilets became the ‘Wizards Room’. Soon to be seen by millions of people all over the world, the spectacular countryside of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is featured in the new Harry Potter film, The Deathly Hallows, due for release in 2010.

Renowned for its exquisite architecture and dramatic skyline, the city is home to Oxford University's striking Gothic structure, Christ Church College, which is the site of the magnificent ‘Hogwart's dining hall’, and also provided many of the school's famous moving staircases. Additionally, ‘Hogwart's hospital’ can be found in the elaborately fan-vaulted Divinity School, while the university's circular Bodleian Library also supplied a location in the films.

In the South West of England, the richly-vaulted cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral, one of England's most beautiful architectural gems, became the corridors leading to ‘Gryffindor House’ in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. A visit to the area, which comprises much of the Cotswolds as well as the green pastures of the Severn Vale, would not be complete without discovering why Gloucestershire is known for offering some of the most varied landscapes in England. Further South, Lacock Abbey, a gothicized 13th century abbey in Lacock, Wiltshire, provided many of the classrooms.

At Kings Cross Station in London, featured in the Harry Potter series of movies, between platforms 9 and 10, the enchanted ‘Platform 9-3/4’ at King's Cross Station for fans in the know, is otherwise known as the portal to the wizarding world. Recently completed, the new St Pancras International station is Europe's first 'destination station' including world-class shopping, Europe's longest Champagne bar, a fresh daily farmers market and top restaurants and bars. Also in London, the Reptile House of Regent’s Park Zoo is where Harry learns he can speak to snakes and the optician store in Leadenhall Market in the City of London, previously an empty shop, doubled as the entrance to the ‘Leaky Cauldron’ in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

The Outer Bailey of Alnwick Castle, an impressive medieval castle in Northumberland, is the site of Madame Hooch’s flying lesson, while also in the North East of England the cloisters of Durham Cathedral became the snowy quadrangle of Hogwarts, where Harry sets the owl flying. Durham Cathedral is considered one of the finest examples of Norman architecture and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with nearby Durham Castle.

Further information about visiting England can be found at visitengland.com.

© 2010

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