Harry Potter's London: Tours and Magical Places to Visit
London is the hometown of Harry Potter. Here, J.K. Rowling wrote much of the books, and many of the film's exterior scenes were shot. From King's Cross Station (Platform 9 ¾) to the market that inspired Diagon Alley, to the Watford Studio Tour (where the original sets are preserved), London is a paradise for fans of the Boy Who Lived. In this guide, you will find all the must-see locations, how to get there, ticket prices, and tips for a magical tour.
The iconic Harry Potter locations in London
1. Platform 9 ¾ (King's Cross Station)
The most famous spot for Harry Potter fans. Inside King's Cross Station, a shopping cart has been installed that appears to be disappearing through the wall of Platform 9 ¾. It has become a tourist attraction complete with an official shop.
What to do:
Take a photo with the disappearing cart (there are scarves from the four houses available for free).
Visit the shopHarry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾, full of official merchandise (wands, scarves, t-shirts, chocolates).
If the line for the photo is long (which it almost always is), you can purchase a "photo package" ticket to skip the queue.
Where:King's Cross Station, concourse (food court area).
Metro:King's Cross St Pancras (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria).
Hours:Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM (store).
Cost:Free photo (if taken by you). The professional service costs £15-25.
Tip:Go early (8:00-9:00 AM) or late (6:00 PM) to avoid queues of 30-60 minutes.
2. Leadenhall Market (Diagon Alley)
Leadenhall Market is a magnificent Victorian covered market (1881) in the heart of the City of London. It was used as the exterior forDiagon Alley(the entrance to the Wizarding Gazette and other shops). In particular, the optical shop (now a tie shop) was transformed into the entrance to theWizarding Gazette.
What to do:
Look for the blue and gold shop at number 42 (now a jewelry store), which in the film was the entrance to the Wizarding Gazette.
Stroll among the Victorian-style decorated shop windows.
Stop by a pub (The Lamb & Flag or The Exchange) or a restaurant.
Where:Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT.
Metro:Monument (Circle, District) or Bank (Central, Northern, DLR).
Hours:Monday-Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday closed (or reduced hours).
Entry:Free.
Tip:Visit during the week (the weekend is semi-deserted, but some shops are closed).
3. Australia House (Gringott's Bank - exterior)
The exterior of the wizarding bankGringott'sIt was filmed at Australia House, a neoclassical building on the Strand. Unfortunately, the interior is not open to visitors (it is the Australian embassy), but the facade is easily recognizable.
Where:Strand, London WC2B 4LG.
Metro:Temple (Circle, District) or Charing Cross (Bakerloo, Northern).
Entrance:Exterior only.
4. St. Pancras International Hotel (exterior of Hogwarts Express)
In the film "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," theSt. Pancras Renaissance Hotel(adjacent to St. Pancras station) was used as the exterior for King's Cross station (the old one, before the renovation). The scenes show Harry and Ron flying the car over the train.
What to do:Admire the Victorian Gothic facade of the hotel. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in London.
Where:Euston Road, London NW1 2AR.
Metro:King's Cross St Pancras.
5. Borough Market (The Leaky Cauldron and the Entrance to Diagon Alley)
In the film "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," the marketBorough Marketwas used as the location for the entrance to theLeaky Cauldronand the passage to Diagon Alley. A side street (Stoney Street) was transformed into the set.
What to do:Stroll through Borough Market (Wednesday-Saturday) and look for the alley where Harry enters the Leaky Cauldron.
Where:8 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TL.
Metro:London Bridge (Jubilee, Northern).
Entrance:Free (market open Wednesday-Saturday).
6. London Zoo (The first encounter with the snake)
In the first movie, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", the scene where Harry discovers he can talk to snakes was filmed atLondon Zoo, in the Reptile House.
What to do:Visit the Reptile House at London Zoo and look for the snake enclosure (there is now a sign indicating the exact spot).
Where:Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY.
Metro:Camden Town (Northern) then 10 minutes on foot, or Regent's Park (Bakerloo).
Hours:Every day 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (hours may vary in winter).
Entrance:Paid (about £30 adults, £20 children).
Tip:London Zoo is a destination in itself (one of the best zoos in the world). It's worth a visit even without Harry Potter.
7. Millennium Bridge (The bridge destroyed by Death Eaters)
In the movie "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", theMillennium Bridge(the pedestrian bridge connecting Tate Modern to St. Paul's) is destroyed by Death Eaters. The filming took place here.
What to do:Walk across the bridge. The view of St. Paul's is spectacular.
Where:Between Tate Modern (South Bank) and St. Paul's (North Bank).
Metro:Blackfriars (Circle, District) or London Bridge (Jubilee, Northern).
8. House of MinaLima (Soho)
MinaLima are the graphic designers who created the graphic world of the Harry Potter films (newspapers, signs, labels, the Marauder's Map). They opened a gallery in Soho, where they display original sketches and sell prints.
What to do:Enter the gallery (free) and admire the original designs of the Daily Prophet, the Marauder's Map, and the potion labels.
Where:26 Greek Street, Soho, London W1D 5DE.
Metro:Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern) or Leicester Square (Northern, Piccadilly).
Hours:Monday-Saturday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
Entry:Free.
9. Piccadilly Circus (The three wizards flying)
In the film "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", Harry, Ron, and Hermione fly on two winged horses (Thestrals) overPiccadilly Circus. The scene shows the famous statue of Eros and the bright billboards.
What to do:Visit Piccadilly Circus (it's a 5-minute walk from Leicester Square). There isn't a specific point, but the atmosphere is like in the film.
Metro:Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo, Piccadilly).
Harry Potter Studio Tour (Warner Bros. Studio Tour London)
This is not a location in London (it's in Watford, 20 km northwest), but it is a must-see attraction for any Harry Potter fan. Here, the original sets from the films, costumes, props, and special effects are preserved.
What to see
The Great Hall:The Hogwarts dining hall, with long tables, torches, and the enchanted ceiling.
Platform 9 ¾ and the Hogwarts Express:You can board the original train and sit in a compartment.
Diagon Alley:The complete reconstruction of the wizarding street, with shops (Gringotts, Ollivanders, etc.).
The miniature Hogwarts castle:A huge model (1:24 scale) used for aerial shots. It's breathtaking.
The Forbidden Forest:With animatronic trees and magical creatures.
The costumes and props:The wands, the Goblet of Fire, the Sword of Gryffindor, the Flying Car.
Butterbeer:They sell it at the internal café. It's non-alcoholic, a sweet cream and caramel drink. A must-try.
How to get there from London
Train from Euston to Watford Junction:20 minutes (frequent trains). Cost £10-15 round trip.
Shuttle from the studio:A shuttle bus decorated with Harry Potter images departs from Watford Junction. Cost £3-5 round trip. Duration 15 minutes.
By car:45 minutes from London (M1). Free parking.
Tickets and schedules
Price:£55-60 adults, £40-45 children (5-15 years). Free for under 4 years.
Booking: Required online, weeks or months in advance (especially on weekends and in summer).
Recommended duration:3-4 hours (minimum). Many people spend 5-6 hours.
Hours:Every day 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM (hours may vary).
Tip:Do not buy tickets from scalpers (they cost double). Only buy from the official website.
Harry Potter Guided Tours in London
If you prefer an organized tour, there are several options:
1. Harry Potter Walking Tour (London)
Duration:2-3 hours.
What it includes:Guided visit to Leadenhall Market, Borough Market, London Bridge, St. Pancras.
Price:£15-25.
Advantages:Expert guide, anecdotes, and curiosities.
2. Harry Potter Bus Tour (London + Studio Tour)
Duration:8-10 hours.
What it includes:Transfer from London to the Studio Tour, entry to the Studio, and tour of locations in London.
Price:£100-150.
Advantages:Convenient (you don't have to think about transportation).
Tip:If you have the time and want to organize yourself, visit the locations on your own (they are all free, except for the London Zoo and the Studio). If you want to save time, the guided tour is a good option.
Summary table of Harry Potter locations in London
| Location | What it represents | Metro | Entry | Recommended time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform 9 ¾ | Magic platform | King's Cross | Free (photo fee) | 30 min |
| Leadenhall Market | Diagon Alley (exterior) | Monument | Free | 20 min |
| Australia House | Gringott's (exterior) | Temple | Exterior only | 5 min |
| St. Pancras Hotel | Station exterior | King's Cross | Exterior only | 5 min |
| Borough Market | The Leaky Cauldron | London Bridge | Free | 30 min |
| London Zoo | Reptile House (snake) | Camden Town | 30 £ (adults) | 2-3 hours |
| Millennium Bridge | Destroyed bridge | Blackfriars | Free | 15 min |
| House of MinaLima | Graphic gallery | Tottenham Court Road | Free | 30 min |
| Studio Tour | Original sets (Watford) | Watford Junction | 55-60 £ | 3-5 hours |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Platform 9 ¾ really at Platform 9?
No, it is a tourist attraction in the concourse (restaurant area) of King's Cross station. The real Platforms 9 and 10 exist, but there is no magic wall.
How much does it cost to enter the Harry Potter Studio Tour?
55-60 £ for adults, 40-45 £ for children (5-15 years). Free for under 4 years. Booking is required online.
Can you visit Hogwarts in London?
No, Hogwarts does not exist. The exterior shots were filmed in various locations (Alnwick Castle, Durham Cathedral, Oxford). The Studio Tour in Watford has a scale model of the castle.
How long does it take to visit the Studio Tour?
At least 3-4 hours. Most visitors spend 5-6 hours.
What are the free Harry Potter locations in London?
All except London Zoo and the Studio Tour. Platform 9 ¾, Leadenhall Market, Borough Market, Millennium Bridge, House of MinaLima are free.
Where is Harry Potter's house in London?
The Dursleys' house (Privet Drive) is not located in London, but in Bracknell (outside London). The exact location is 12 Picket Post Close, Martins Heron, Bracknell. It is not open to the public (private residence).
Can you enter London Zoo to see the Harry Potter reptile house?
Yes, the Reptile House is open to the public. The ticket for London Zoo costs about £30 (adults). There is no extra charge for Harry Potter.
What is the best Harry Potter souvenir in London?
A wand (£30-40), a scarf from your house (£20-30), or a ticket for the Studio Tour. The shop at Platform 9 ¾ is official.
When is the best time to visit the Studio Tour?
On weekdays (Tuesday-Thursday), outside of holiday periods. Mornings (9:00-10:00) are less crowded than afternoons. Book 2-4 weeks in advance.
Are there Harry Potter tours in Italian?
Some agencies offer tours in Italian (especially guided tours in London). The Studio Tour has audio guides in Italian.
Get ready to experience the magic.
The London of Harry Potter is a dream come true for millions of fans. From Platform 9 ¾ to Diagon Alley at Leadenhall Market, from the reptile house at the London Zoo to the Millennium Bridge, every corner of the city tells a piece of the magical story. And of course, the Watford Studio Tour is the ultimate experience: walking through the original sets, sitting on the Hogwarts Express, and drinking butterbeer. Plan your visit in advance (book the Studio Tour, arrive early at Platform 9 ¾) and get ready to experience the magic. "The beauty of dreams is that they come true."
Complete guide:holidays in London.
Review date:April 2026