Exploring 10 Real Life Harry Potter Locations You Can Visit in the UK
- Elise Abroad
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Whether you're a bona fide Potterhead or a Muggle, we can all agree that the Harry Potter films showcase some of the most beautiful parts of the UK. The eight film series covers the width and breadth of the British Isles, and visiting these filming locations can show you some of the most beautiful spots, castles, and landmarks. These are some of my favorite filming locations to visit!
Snape's Worst Memory, Blenheim Palace
During a flashback in The Order of the Phoenix, Harry sees a vision of his father bullying a young Snape by a large tree, and this entire scene was filmed on the grounds of Blenheim Palace. This beautiful cedar tree sits on the banks of the palace's Great Lake, much like the one in the movie, and is known simply as "The Harry Potter Tree" on Google Maps.
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers Glenfinnan Viaduct
One of the most iconic moments in the series comes in the second movie, when Harry and Ron are flying the Weasley's Ford Anglia to Hogwarts, and they cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland. The Viaduct actually shows up in three different movies, and is one of the most recognized scenes from the movies. If you'd like more details on how to visit and when to see the train crossings, check out my blog on how to see the Jacobite Steam Train Crossing.
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers Loch Eilt
Spoiler Alert! At the end of Deathly Hallows Part 1, when Voldemort decides to rob Dumbledore's grave to find the Elder Wand, his final resting place is on a small island on Loch Eilt in Scotland, not far from the Glenfinnan Viaduct. It's a beautiful spot, and if you drive over quickly enough after seeing the steam train crossing at the viaduct, you may even be able to see it chugging along on the other side of the lake, too!
Want more recommendations for Scotland? Check out my Scottish Highlands and Skye Itinerary, or my Edinburgh city guide!
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers Lacock Village and Abbey
Lacock is beautiful in its own right, but it's also the filming location for several key moments in the Harry Potter movies, and functions as parts of the fictional villages of Godric's Hollow and Budleigh Babberton. Lacock Abbey is also used as a filming location for parts of Hogwarts, including Snape, McGonagall, and Quirrell's classrooms in The Philosopher's Stone. The Abbey's cloisters were also used for hallway scenes in several of the movies.
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers Duke Humfrey's Library
Oxford is full of filming locations, and Duke Humfrey's Library is one of my favorites. Not only is it a beautiful, historical library, but it was also used as the school library in the movies. One of the most iconic scenes is from when Harry snuck into the Restricted Section in the first movie!
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers 
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers The Divinity School
One of the most beautiful spots in Oxford, The Divinity School served as a filming location for The Hospital Wing, and also the location where Professor McGonagall teaches dance lessons before the Yule Ball in The Goblet of Fire.
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers 
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers Christ Church College, Oxford
Another incredibly recognizable filming location in Oxford comes in the form of the grand staircase at Christ Church College in Oxford. This spot was used most notably when McGonagall first greets the students in The Philosopher's Stone, and it leads into the school's Great Hall, which - though it wasn't an actual filming location - was inspiration for the movie's Great Hall as well. The school's cloisters were also used when Hermione shows Harry his father's Quidditch trophies.
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers 
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers 
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers New College Cloisters & Tree, Oxford
One of the lesser known filming locations in Oxford is the school's New College, which were used in The Goblet of Fire for Harry's conversation with Cedric, and then for the subsequent scene where Draco Malfoy is turned into a ferret by Mad Eye Moody. The tree he's sitting in stands in the middle of the courtyard.
Make sure to check out my Oxford city guide for more ideas of how to spend a day in Oxford!
Leadenhall Market
I love the Leadenhall Market in London - it's a great spot to stop for a coffee or a glass of wine if you're in the Liverpool Street area. It also happens to be the entrance to Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films - though it looks quite different in real life! The pub, The Leaky Cauldron, in the movies is actually a doctor's office.
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers The Millennium Bridge
One of the most iconic opening moments to any of the franchise's movies is when the Death Eaters storm the capitol in The Half Blood Prince. One of the biggest cases of destruction they cause is breaking apart the Millennium Bridge that crosses the River Thames.
If you're spending time in the capitol city, make sure to also check out my free list of 100 Things to do in London!
Photo Courtesy of Warner Brothers
The Harry Potter films showcase some of the most beautiful parts of the country, capturing not only the magic of the wizarding world but also the stunning landscapes and remarkable landmarks that exist in the real world. From the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands to the charming streets of London, these films take viewers on a visual journey that highlights the diverse beauty of the United Kingdom.
Make sure to follow along on Instagram at @elise.abroad for more UK travel inspiration and tips!
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