Virtual tour of Harry Potter movie locations

It's no secret I'm 'nuttier than squirrel poo' about Harry Potter. So when I recently got the chance to see the real boy wizard, Daniel Radcliffe, in a play on the West End, my equally obsessed friend and I decided to have a Harry Potter themed day in London, where we visited a bunch of the movie locations (and did a lot of stalking outside the Noel Coward theatre's backstage door).

Of course, London is a loooong way for many of you to travel, but thanks to a little bit of magic (okay, Google maps) you too can follow the tour! So grab your brooms, put on your wizard robes, and step into the wonderful world of Harry Potter...

LOCATION 1: PLATFORM 9 3/4

Photo credit: Elizabeth Richards

The adventure starts at King's Cross St Pancras at Platform 9 3/4, where Harry and Co. famously boarded the Hogwarts Express. There's now a permanent display at the station, where you can get your photograph taken with a luggage trolley (complete with Hedwig's cage!). It's located to the right of the ticket barriers leading to platforms 9 and 10. Unsurprisingly, it's a very popular tourist spot and there can be sizable crowds, but it's worth waiting around for a few minutes to get your photo taken. If you're bored, you can always pop into the new Harry Potter shop next to it, and pick up a Time Turner or wand!  

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LOCATION 2: DIAGON ALLEY

Photo credit: Elizabeth Richards

Once at King's Cross, hop on the Northern Line to Bank. It's then just an 8 minute walk to Leadenhall Market, where they filmed many of the exterior Diagon Alley scenes in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

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DIAGON ALLEY MOVIE SET

You can now virtually visit the Warner Bros London Studio Tour set of Diagon Alley using Google Maps! Check out the famous locations, such as Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and Ollivander's wand shop!


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LOCATION 3: LEAKY CAULDRON

Photo credit: Elizabeth Richards

While at Leadenhall Market, go to Lime Street Passage where you'll find the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, as seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Unfortunately, they don't serve Butterbeer *sad face*

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LOCATION 4: GRINGOTTS BANK

Finally, head to Australia House on the Strand, where the interior shots for Gringotts were filmed. You might get lucky and even see some goblins!
  

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