Harry Potter in London: Studios, Platform 9 ¾ and filming locations

Harry Potter in London, First and foremost, there's the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, where all eight films were shot. But the capital also hides numerous filming locations, often free and easily accessible on foot. Based in Edinburgh since 2012, we regularly organize trips following in the footsteps of the wizard. Here's our complete guide: studios, Platform 9 ¾, filming locations, and practical tips.

The Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is located in Leavesden, near Watford, northwest of London. Visitors can explore the actual film sets: the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Dumbledore's office, and the Forbidden Forest. You'll also board the Hogwarts Express, discover Gringotts Bank, and see the enormous model of the castle.

Allow at least three hours for your visit, and more with children. Also, be sure to try the Butterbeer at the café along the route, halfway through your visit. Tickets can only be booked in advance for a specific time slot on the website. official website of the Studio Tour.

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Hogwarts in the Snow, the Christmas version

From November 14, 2026, to January 17, 2027, the studios will be transformed into their winter wonderland. The Great Hall will be adorned with floating candles, and a blanket of cinematic snow will cover Hogwarts and Diagon Alley. This winter wonderland is included in the ticket price; however, tickets sell out very quickly.

How to get to the studios from London

First, take the train from Euston station to Watford Junction, which takes about twenty minutes. A dedicated shuttle then runs from the station to the studios in about fifteen minutes. Alternatively, several agencies offer direct coach transfers from central London.

Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross station

At King's Cross station, a luggage trolley is partially hidden in the wall beneath the Platform 9 ¾ sign. The photo is free. However, the queue can be over an hour long during holidays, so arrive early in the morning. Next door, an official shop sells wands, scarves, and uniforms of the four houses.

As you leave, also look up towards the nearby St. Pancras station. Its red brick facade appears in The Chamber of Secrets, during the flying car scene.

Harry Potter filming locations in London

Here are the easiest places to see, all accessible for free from the street.

Leadenhall Market, Diagon Alley

First, this Victorian-era covered market served as the setting for Diagon Alley in the first film. In Bull's Head Passage, a blue optician's door even stands in for the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. The market is also located in the heart of the City, the financial district.

The Millennium Bridge

At the beginning of Half-Blood Prince, the Death Eaters destroy this pedestrian bridge over the Thames. In reality, it peacefully connects St. Paul's Cathedral to the Tate Modern. From Leadenhall Market, it's about a 25-minute walk.

Westminster, the Ministry of Magic

In *The Order of the Phoenix*, Harry and Arthur Weasley walk to the Ministry from Westminster Underground Station. The red telephone box leading there was then filmed on Great Scotland Yard, very close to Trafalgar Square.

Other places to check out

• London Zoo: Harry talks to a snake in the reptile house in the first film.
• Australia House, on the Strand: its lobby was once the interior of Gringotts Bank. It's not open to the public, but its facade is worth seeing.
• Claremont Square, in Islington: its houses lent their facades to 12 Grimmauld Square.
• Lambeth Bridge: the Knight Bus weaves its way between two double-decker buses in The Prisoner of Azkaban.
• The Palace Theatre, in the West End: the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is being performed there.

Harry Potter Beyond London

Furthermore, several filming locations are within two hours of London. Oxford, about an hour by train from Paddington, is home to several. The steps at Christ Church lead to the hall that inspired the Great Hall. The Divinity School at the Bodleian Library served as the Hogwarts infirmary.

Further north, Alnwick Castle in Northumberland served as Hogwarts in the first two films. There, you can even take flying lessons. It also combines easily with a trip to Scotland. Check out our guide for more information. Harry Potter in Scotland, with the Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Jacobite steam train. For other sightseeing ideas, also check out our selection of England’s most beautiful castles.

Our Harry Potter itinerary in London in three days

• Day 1: King's Cross and platform 9 ¾ in the morning, then Leadenhall Market and the Millennium Bridge.
• The following day, the Warner Bros Studio Tour, which can be booked for a morning slot.
• Finally, the third day: Oxford on an excursion, or Westminster, Lambeth Bridge and the London Zoo.

For a break between filming locations, try a afternoon tea in London. And to get off the beaten track, discover our London's off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods.

Our tips for a Harry Potter trip to London

• Book the Studio Tour several weeks in advance, especially during school holidays.
• Choose a morning slot: the visit is smoother, and there is still time for London.
• Bring comfortable shoes, as the filming locations are explored on foot.
• Finally, children aged 4 and under enter the studios for free, but they need an hourly ticket.

Are you travelling with your family? Also check out our guide to family trip to England.

Frequently Asked Questions about Harry Potter in London

How to get to the Harry Potter studios from London?

The easiest way is to take the train from Euston to Watford Junction, which takes about twenty minutes. Then, a shuttle bus takes you to the studios in about fifteen minutes.

How much does the Harry Potter Studio Tour cost?

In 2026, expect to pay around £50 to £60 per adult, depending on the date. Prices vary by season, so check the official website before booking.

Where is platform 9 ¾ in London?

It's located right in King's Cross station, in the main concourse, next to the Harry Potter shop. The photo with the trolley is free.

How much time should I allow for the studio tour?

Generally, allow at least three hours on site, not including travel time. With enthusiastic children, the visit often lasts half a day.

What Harry Potter places can I see for free in London?

Platform 9 ¾, Leadenhall Market, the Millennium Bridge, Claremont Square and Great Scotland Yard are all free. They can easily be connected in a day.

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