What started as a children’s book series has expanded into a gigantic franchise that has dominated popular culture since the 1997 release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Potter fans can now fully immerse themselves in the wizarding world with impressive studio tours, location tours, train rides and even a theatre show – all catering to the high Potter demand, especially during the festive period.
What are you waiting for wizard wannabes? Grab your wand, learn your enchantments, and get ready for these magical experiences, tours and sights.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, London
Harry Potter Studio Tour
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter offers fans a chance to go behind the scenes of the Harry Potter movies and experience how one of the most popular and successful film series of all time was created.
The studio tour gives a fascinating insight into the work and craftsmanship behind the films and gives visitors the unique opportunity to set foot on the actual sets from their favourite Potter movies.
The Harry Potter film series made Leavesden Studios its home for over ten years and luckily, the dedicated production crew saved many of the sets, props and costumes from the films in case they were ever needed.
These carefully preserved iconic movie artefacts and sets are now on display so that fans can experience the magic of the films and learn more about how the films were made.
Today, you can visit soundstages and a backlot filled with original movie sets, step inside the Great Hall, browse the costumes and props from the films and witness animatronic creatures and nifty special effects.
Book the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, London
Ride the Hogwarts Express – Scotland
Hogwarts Express
All aboard the Hogwarts Express for the most magical train ride in Scotland on the Jacobite Steam Train experience.
Travel across the Glenfinnan Viaduct – which was made famous by the Hogwarts Express train travelling across it in the movies, as it transported students to Hogwarts.
Come in your finest Harry Potter dress up and enjoy Scotland’s enchanting scenery as you travel into the Highlands on this full-day guided tour from Inverness.
On this train trip, you’ll journey around Loch Ness and to Scotland’s bracing west coast to witness beaches, ancient ruins and a hidden waterfall from the comfort of your seat. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for those pesky dementors as you ride the Potter rails.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, London
Harry Potter and the cursed child
See Harry Potter as you never have before at the most awarded new play in history and “one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” (Forbes).
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part play that currently plays in London’s West End.
It is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and is set “nineteen years later” after we left Harry and his Hogwarts friends. In the spectacular show, Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy.
This sparks a new wizarding journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever.
Prepare for a race through time, spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with wildly impressive theatrical magic that has won huge praise from both fans and critics.
Book the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Harry Potter locations tour, York
The northern city of York also has a strong association with the world’s most famous wizard with several scenes from the iconic series shot in locations across the city and wider county area.
The Shambles is one the most famous places in York that inspired Harry Potter author JK Rowling when creating the world of Harry Potter. This medieval shopping street
served as the literary inspiration for Diagon Alley – the cobblestoned wizarding alley where wizarding supplies could be bought.
You can get a glimpse into this magical city while visiting places significant to J K Rowling and see Harry Potter filming locations on a guided walking tour, ideal for fans of the books and movies.
You can also do a self-tour of the film locations around Yorkshire or book a guided tour with a Harry Potter expert who can point out fun film facts and tell you what famous scenes were filmed in the locations.
Book the Harry Potter locations tour York
Harry Potter Tour, Edinburgh
There are several Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh where J K Rowling allegedly found inspiration for the bestselling books that become a global franchise and film series.
Rowling famously wrote the beloved books in cafes in Edinburgh and there are said to be several locations in the city that inspired her characters and storylines.
The city has a long history of witchcraft and accusations of witchcraft and sorcery were common in Scotland in the 16th century. Tragically, many who were accused of witchcraft were executed and there’s even a ‘Witches’ Well’ monument to accused witches, burned at the stake in Edinburgh.
Alongside history tours, you can also go on a guided Harry Potter walking tour of the historic city and learn more about what inspired the Harry Potter books and where Rowling’s preferred writing spots were.
Book: Harry Potter Tour, Edinburgh
Platform 9 3/4 Shop, London
Platform 9 3:4 Kings Cross
Get all your Potter-themed gifts and Hogwarts merch at the Harry Potter-themed souvenir shop. It’s brilliantly located at the storied King’s Cross Train Station platform – well known for being where the famous Hogwarts Express Train leaves for Hogwarts in the films and books.
This wizarding treasure trove was the first ever Harry Potter Shop to open anywhere in the world outside of a themed visitor attraction and it’s packed with exclusive designs, one-of-a-kind personalisation, and unique fan-favourites.
Outside, you’ll find the famous trolley photo opportunity where you can have your very own Platform 9 3/4 snap taken by professional photographers, which can then be purchased in-store. Don’t forget to wear your house scarf!
Platform 9 3/4 Shop, London
Stay in Wizarding Chambers, London
While not officially affiliated with the Harry Potter series, the Grade II-listed Georgian House Hotel offers a magical escape in Pimlico. Victorian heritage meets wizardry wonder with a Wizard Chamber room, immersive potion classes and enchanted afternoon teas for the whole family.
You can book a stay in their special Wizard Chamber on the lower ground floor and pass through a portrait-lined passageway that is bathed in candlelight, giving a definite ‘Hogwarts vibe’. Don’t forget your house password!
The room features several faux castle details including stone walls, stained glass windows and four poster beds for a cosy stay. Other thoughtful features such as Wood burning stoves and cauldrons in fireplaces complete the magical feel.
Their Wizard Afternoon tea is a real treat for muggles and wizard families alike. Held every weekend, the tea features a tasty selection of savoury treats, sweet and savoury scones and a tasty trio of new desserts.
Book the Georgian House Hotel
Harry Potter London Locations Tour
Many of the magical moments from the Harry Potter films were filmed in locations in London, some of which you may recognise and others, not so much.
Leadenhall Market, Kings Cross Station, London Zoo, Lambeth Bridge and Borough Market all served as locations in scenes in the Harry Potter movies.
Join a guided Harry Potter walking tour and explore the many London filming locations as seen in the movies, as well as visit a few of the real places in London that inspired J K Rowling to create this magical wizarding world.
Take a stroll down Charing Cross Road, (complete with real spell books), visit the entrances to the Ministry and get insider tips on where to buy the best wands and Harry Potter goodies in London.
Book the Harry Potter London location tours
Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience, Cheshire
During the festive period, you can traverse through an illuminated woodland trail inspired by the wizarding world at the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience in Cheshire.
Fans will remember that Professor Dumbledore had ordered students to stay away from the dark forest and the magical beast inside, but Harry and his friends were fond of breaking the rules and ventured into the moonlit forest undeterred.
You can recreate Harry’s misadventures on this night-time trail. It’s been carefully created by award-winning theatrical designers who have recreated iconic scenes and characters from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series in a woodland setting.
Wrap up warm and explore sets, immersive sounds, atmospheric lighting, and strange creatures that bring the Wizarding World to life.