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