The authenticity of theHarry Pottermovies comes from the many historical filming locations from around the United Kingdom. The large number of exterior shots we see of Hogwarts were actually filmed at places you can visit. From the University of Oxford to the Highlands of Scotland – here are a few real life locations accessible to Muggles that both inspired the look of Hogwarts, and became the film locations fortheHarry Potterfilms.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
An orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.
Alnwick Castle, England
Alnwick Castle is located in the northern part of England. The exteriors of the 950-year-old structure became the Hogwarts set forHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone(2001). The Alnwick Castle is seen when Harry(Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends move from class to class, and also when they make their way to see Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane).But most famously, theAlnwick Castle grounds became the backdrop for when Harry first rides a broomstickand whenhe learns about Quidditchfrom his friend, Oliver Wood (Sean Biggerstaff).The Alnwick Castle staff help indulge the many Potter fans who come to visit by providing free broomstick flying lessons.
The Great Hall at Christ Church College, Oxford University
IntheHarry Potterfilms, the Hogwarts Great Hall is a man-made set, but its mystical and ancient designwas inspired by the Great Hall in Christ Church College at Oxford University. The similarities between the real Great Hall and the magical Great Hall are uncanny — the high ceiling, the long dining tables, the large mullioned windows, and the teacher’s table at the head of the hall. Christ Church College’s Great Hall also features large ornate portrait frames dotted all over its old walls, not unlike the moving portraits you see adorning the Hogwarts passageways. Furthermore, there is a staircase in Christ Church College itself that was made famous by the scene inHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stonewhere young Harry and the other first-years meetProfessor McGonagall(Maggie Smith) for the first time.
The Highlands of Scotland
In the Wizarding world,the Hogwarts school exists somewhere in the Scottish Highlands, and the reason it’s never been found is because it’s invisible to Muggles. But Potter fans can edge close to its boundaries, beginning with a place called Loch Arkaig, which is located a few miles from Hogwarts and became the resting place forAlbus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon). You can also see Loch Arkaig inHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire(2005) during the scene where Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson),Viktor Krum (Stanislav Yanevski)and Fluer Delacour (Clémence Poésy) are about to dive into the depths of the Great Lake.Another Potter filming location in the Scottish Highlands is the Glenfinnan Viaduct, AKA the large bridge that the Hogwarts Express crosses as it makes its way to Hogwarts. And of course, “It’s not Hogwarts without you, Hagrid,” which is why it’s a must for Potter fans to pay a visit to the Clachaig Inn at Glencoe where the exteriors for Hagrid’s hut were filmed. You can run down the grassy hills like Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) did inHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(2004) towards Hagrid’s home and soak in the beauty of the Scottish highland landscape.
The Harry Potter Post-Credit Scene You Forgot Existed
“Say goodbye to your memories.”
Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal
Another beautiful part of the Hogwarts castle is the library. Although its peaceful interiors have inspired “dark academia” Pinterest boards everywhere, the Hogwarts library is only seen briefly throughout the films (despite Hermione spending 80% of her time there during the course of the books). But the library’s magical and alluring design has wedged itself in the imaginations of many Potter fans.Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal is a bookstore contoured by a neo-gothic aestheticand wasJ.K. Rowling’s inspiration for the look of the Hogwarts library.
New College, Oxford University
The 1000-year-old charm of Oxford University is perhaps the closest that Potter fans can get towards living out their Hogwarts fantasies in the flesh. Oxford’s New College draws Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) fans from all over the world because the courtyard at New College plays host to the tree that Draco drops out of inHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.Unfortunately, the exception to tree climbing was only permitted to Draco, but you can still get photos up close to its hefty trunk and shady branches.
Goathland Station, England
It is known as Hogsmeade Station to witches and wizards, but muggles know it as Goathland Station. You don’t have to run into any brick walls between platforms nine and ten to be able to ride the North Yorkshire Moors Railway that will journey you through the scenic English countryside, before pulling into Goathland Station – made famous byHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Gloucester Cathedral, England
you’re able to explore more neo-gothic architecture through the hallways of the Gloucester Cathedral, which watched Harry and Ron grow from first-years to sixth-years. The Gloucester Cathedral was first seen inHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stonewhere Harry and the other recently appointedGryffindorsmake their way down a Gloucester corridor towards the Gryffindor common room. The high-ceilinged and intricately detailed hallways are also seen inHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets(2002) when Harry, Ron, and Hermione learn that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened. InHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince(2009),an older Harry and Ron dawdle in one of the ancient corridors, but we also seeSnape(Alan Rickman) and Draco argue in the shadows of one of Gloucester’s corridors.
Millennium Bridge
The Millennium Footbridge is located in the center of London. This bridge is featured at the very beginning ofHarry Potter and the Half-Blood PrincewhenVoldemort’s (Ralph Fiennes)Death Eaters are wreaking havoc all over London.The Death Eatersuse magic to break the bridge’s steel suspensions, and we glimpse the bridge collapsing. The Muggle pedestrians who are walking on the bridge scream in terror. The bridge is collapsing but the Muggles have no idea why, because they cannot see the Death Eaters. However,in real life, the Millennium Bridge is in perfectly good conditionandHarry Potterfans can happily walk over it.
King’s Cross Station
King’s Cross Station is a must-see forHarry Potterfans visiting London. The Hogwarts Express leaves from Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross every year on September 1st. Although Muggles do not have access to Platform 9 3/4, they can visit the Platform 9 3/4 shop at King’s Cross, which is full of officialHarry Pottermerchandise. You can also see the exterior shots of the famous train station which are seen inHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.InHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,whenHarry and Ron decide to drive Arthur Weasley’s (Mark Williams) Ford Angliato school, behind them you can see the elegant architecture of St Pancras Hotel, which is located right beside King’s Cross Station.
Claremont Square, London
Claremont Square – located in Islington, London, isbetter known toHarry Potterfans as 12 Grimmauld Place.Although creepy and shadowy inside, on the outsidethe Black family homeis identical to its neighboring three-story town houses.Harry Potterfans will be pleased to know that the real life 12 Grimmauld Place looks exactly the same as it does inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
That cool circular staircase we first see inHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabanwhich acts as the pathway toProfessor Trelawney’s (Emma Thompson) Divination classroomis actuallya real staircase located in St Paul’s Cathedral in London. This staircase is known as the Divination Stairwell. Although the Divination Stairwell doesn’t move like the other ones do at Hogwarts, it is still as majestic and alluring, and you’re able to visit it by asking a St Paul’s Cathedral staff member for access.
All 8Harry Pottermovies are available to stream on Max in the U.S.
Watch on Max
