Even though many years have passed since the closure of the franchise, Harry Potter has constantly been a household name that gets the children and even adults excited. It’s no surprise that this pop culture icon has also become a reason for most fans to visit the United Kingdom, where they will get a chance to walk in the shoes of the boy wizard.

Though many would think that London is the primary destination to experience all things, Harry Potter, there are several spots around the UK that have played a significant role in the cinematic franchise. Here are 7 must-visit locations that all fans should have on their itinerary.

Photo Credit: Alnwick Castle

ALNWICK CASTLE

Used prominently in the first and second Harry Potter films, Alnwick Castle acted as the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where Harry first learned to fly a broomstick (and coincidentally got scouted for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team).

Located in Northumberland, Alnwick Castle is open to the public for viewing with plenty of year-round activities such as their ‘Alnwick On Location’ Film Tour, Dragon Quest and Broomstick Training.

Alnwick Castle
Alnwick
Northumberland NE66 INQ
Daily: 10am – 5.30pm

Photo Credit: King’s Cross Station and Harry Potter Film

KING’S CROSS STATION

Who could forget that iconic scene where we were let in on a secret platform that the Hogwarts students used to board the Hogwarts Express?

To pay tribute to this association to the Wizarding World, King’s Cross Station installed a permanent photo fixture which features a trolley that is sticking out of the wall with a sign that reads Platform 9¾ above. Fans of the boy wizard can get their photos taken at no charge with a prop scarf in their house colours.

Located next door is The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾ which sells the official Harry Potter merchandise such as Hogwarts school jumpers in the respective house colours, wands, scarfs as well as full robes!

King’s Cross Station
Euston Road
Kings Cross
London N1 9AL
Daily: 9am – 9pm

The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾
King’s Cross Station
London N1 9AP
Mon to Sat: 8am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Bank Holidays: 9am – 10pm
Christmas Eve: 8am – 8pm
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: 8am – 8pm
Closed on Christmas and Boxing Day

Photo Credit: ZSL London Zoo

LONDON ZOO

What better way to relieve the magic than a day out at the zoo?

Known for being one of the world’s oldest scientific zoo, the London Zoo is the perfect place to spend the day with interesting animals that includes a visit to their iconic Reptile House where Harry spoke to the Burmese Python and locked his cousin Dudley in the enclosure. The Reptile House also features snake-like environments which visitors can experience.

ZSL London Zoo
Regent’s Park
London NW1 4RY
Daily: 10am – 5pm
Closed on Christmas

Photo Credit: London Photo Walks UK

MILLENNIUM BRIDGE

Harry Potter fans will probably remember the horrific opening scene of the sixth film when Death Eaters flew over London, destroying everything in its path – including the Millennium Bridge.

Opened in 2000, the Millennium Bridge is a footbridge which crosses over the River Thames, linking Bankside to the City of London. As it is placed in such a strategic scenic location, this is a good spot to take a few photos for keepsake!

Millennium Bridge
Thames Embankment
London SE1 9JE

Photo Credit: Timeout London

PALACE THEATRE

Your Harry Potter-themed trip to London cannot end without a visit to the Palace Theatre, which houses the production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

This amazing production of the unofficial eighth book to the series runs in two parts, each about close to three hours long as the entire story isn’t fit for the run time of a traditional single play. Though it is not an easy feat to purchase tickets for this hot production, you can still visit the theatre for a brilliant photo opportunity with their elaborately designed marquee!

Palace Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue
London W1D 5AY

Photo Credit: The Elephant House

THE ELEPHANT HOUSE

Since its inception in 1995, The Elephant House has grown into one of the best tea and coffee houses in Edinburgh, Scotland. It has also earned the nickname among Harry Potter fans as the ‘birthplace of the boy wizard’ because this cafe was where J.K. Rowling came to do her writing for the early novels.

Apart from taking a nice coffee break here, do check out the famous bathroom which HP fans from all over the world have left messages on, marking their visit to the cafe!

The Elephant House
21 George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EN
Mon to Thu: 8am – 10pm
Fri: 8am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 10pm

Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR LONDON: THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER

No HP-themed trip to London is considered complete until you visit the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Leavesden.

A Mecca for all Harry Potter Fans, the tour is almost like you’re behind the scenes to the magical cinematic franchise. From life-sized sets such as the interior of the Great Hall to the amazing props in the Potions Classroom and the life-sized Hogwarts Express, you’ll get to fulfil your dream of experiencing the magic up-close-and-personal.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Studio Tour Drive
Leavesden WD25 7LR
Mon to Sun: 9am – 10pm

Besides taking in the sights and sounds on your next trip to London, why not consider adjusting your itinerary a little to add a few trips to their local bookstores? As a well-known literary city, there’s no better way to experience this side of London then with a trip to some of their most eye-catching bookstores.

While one could always argue that this digital age no longer requires any sort of physical trip down, there is something alluring about stepping into an architectural chic bookstore, which provides you with a bespoke shopping experience that you can’t find online.

Here are 6 bookstores in London to love.

Here are six eye-catching bookstores that you simply must visit when you’re in London.

Photo Credit: Daunt Books

Daunt Books

Probably the most popular of all bookstores in the city, the Marylebone branch of Daunt Books has been, without a doubt, one of the most Instagrammed bookstores in London.

Taking up residence within a gorgeous Edwardian building, you might just think that you’ve stepped back in time when you see the astonishingly well-stocked galleried main room which holds rows and rows of books. The stained glass windows also add a nice touch, making you feel as though you’re browsing the library of an aristocrat.

The books here are sorted via a country system, which means that regardless of genre, you will definitely find a fresh and exciting read!

Daunt Books
84 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 42W
Mon to Sat: 9am – 7.30pm
Sun and Bank Holidays: 11am – 6pm
Nearest station: Baker Street or Bond Street

Photo Credit: immovingtolondon

Foster Books

Located in an 18th Century building, sits an old bookstore that’s been around since 1970. Using the original bow window, Foster Books offer the opportunity for intrigued individuals to get a glimpse into how old the bookstore really is.

The store specializes in the sale of quality classics, first editions, as well as old, rare and out-of-print books. They also sell bargain books outdoors for just a pound or two.

In addition to their daily operation, Foster Books have also worked with the film and television industry to supply their books as props for movies such as Beauty and the Beast, The Danish girl and the 2017 remake of Blade Runner 2049.

Foster Books
183 Chiswick High Road
Chiswick
London W4 2DR
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 5.30pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm
Nearest station: Turnham Green

Photo Credit: Hatchards

Hatchards

Known as the city’s most prestigious bookstore, Hatchards was established in 1797 and have since become a landmark on Piccadilly Street, occupying their current building for over two centuries.

Bestowed with three royal warrants, which includes one from Her Majesty, The Queen, Hatchards is home to more than 100,000 rare, limited and first editions which are spread across the five levels of oak and mahogany floors.

The bookstore often holds dialogue sessions with authors, which is a great way to experience an afternoon or evening of literary exchange.

Hatchards Piccadilly
187 Piccadilly
London W1J 9LE
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 8pm
Sun: 12pm – 6.30pm
Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus

Photo Credit: Hurlingham Books

Hurlingham Books

Opened in 1968, this independent bookstore located in South West London, is a rather quirky looking gem that houses books which are stacked from floor to ceiling.

From vintage to rare and second-hand books, Hurlingham has almost every genre imaginable. With every available space within the store occupied with books, it is not hard to spot the store by its filled windows. Though there is very limited space within the store, they do have a warehouse that houses over a million books (not too far from the store), so if you happen to be looking for a book, you just might find it there!

Hurlingham is also renowned for their irregular opening hours which are part of their charm, though it might be a little bit of a hassle since you will need to call ahead before you make a visit.

Hurlingham Books
91 Fulham High Street
London SW6 3JS
Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Putney Bridge

Photo Credit: Libreria

Libreria

Designed by Spanish architects SelgasCano, Libreria is opened by the folks of Second Home to help visitors discover new books and ideas, and encourage interdisciplinary thinking.

Books here have been curated to maximize serendipity, and shelves have been arranged according to broad themes such as Wanderlust and The City, which ensures that you are constantly finding titles which you might not look for at other bookstores.

Aside from the colorful shelves and interesting variety of titles, Libreria employs the clever use of mirrors to extend the space as well as provide cozy reading nooks, for you to hideaway with a novel, or just take a break.

Libreria
65 Hanbury Street
London E1 5JP
Tue & Wed: 10am – 6pm
Thu to Sat:  10am – 8pm
Sun: 11am – 6pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street

Photo Credit: Word on the Water

Word on the Water

If you’re looking for a really unconventional kind of bookstore, Word on the Water would be the store you’ve been searching for.

Housed on board a 100-year-old 1920s Dutch barge, this floating bookstore used to travel along the Regent’s Canal but is now a permanent resident by Granary Square in King’s Cross. Here, you’ll find a neat collection of new and used books that fill every nook and cranny.

Alongside the wood-burning stove (for keeping warm), friendly dog and occasional live jazz performances, Word on the Water is the ideal spot to visit when you need a little breather from the main streets of the city.

Word on the Water
York Way
Granary Square
London N1C 4AA
Daily: 12pm – 7pm
Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras