Twenty-seven years ago in 1997, Harry Potter first appeared in print as the titular protagonist in Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone, the first book of British author J.K. Rowling’s 7-part fantasy series (1997-2007).
A new fandom is born: Potterheads, and the UK becomes popular pilgrimage location for all Potterheads looking to experience the Hogswart magic – from taking the Jacobite steam train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct to watching The Cursed Child theatre sequels.
The captivating adventures of the boy wizard with the lightning-bolt scar enthralled readers worldwide, leading the Harry Potter series to becoming the best-selling book series ever with over 600 million copies sold.
Eight subsequent blockbuster movies (2001-2011) grossed a staggering US$9.58 billion (S$12.96 billion) globally, expanding the Harry Potter franchise to include theme park attractions, studio tours, stage plays, video games and the Fantastic Beasts film series.
With a new TV series due in 2026, Pottermania shows no signs of waning.
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UK: Harry Potter wonderland for the Potterheads
In the UK, where the books were written and the films were made, numerous Harry Potter filming locations and attractions continue to draw thousands of fans annually.
If you ever dream of immersing yourself into the magical wizarding world of Harry Potter, and/or have travel mates or grandchildren who are Potterheads, here are 10 must-visit attractions in England and Scotland.
- ENGLAND
1. Warner’s Bros Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter, Watford
This immersive behind-the-scenes studio tour is a must-visit for every Harry Potter fan as it features spectacular sets, props and costumes from all the films, with details on how key sequences were made.
You can walk through Hogwarts’ Great Hall, hop onto The Hogwarts Express and encounter a fire-breathing dragon at Gringotts Bank.
An outdoor backlot allows you to have a Butterbeer, pose with the Knight Bus and even visit Harry’s childhood home at 4 Privet Drive.
Wear comfortable shoes as you will spend at least 3-4 hours here.
You would need to buy your tickets at least 2 months in advance to avoid disappointment, as they are often sold out. More ticketing information here.
2. Platform 9 ¾, King's Cross Station, London
The King’s Cross Station is where Harry takes The Hogwarts Express to school.
In the real world, a feature wall denoting Platform 9 ¾, with a luggage trolley embedded in it, can be found next to a Harry Potter Shop at the London rail terminus. Photo-taking is free but do expect long queues.
Every September 1st, a.k.a Back to Hogwarts Day, Potterheads descend upon King’s Cross to hear a special 11am announcement that the Hogwarts Express is departing at Platform 9 ¾ for Hogsmeade.
3. St Pancras International, London
When you are at King’s Cross, pop next door to the magnificent neo-Gothic red-brick St. Pancras International train station.
Home to the Eurostar, this bustling railway terminus is where Harry Potter and Ron Weasley took off in Mr Weasley’s magical light blue Ford Anglia and flew across the famous St Pancras Clock Tower towards Hogwarts in the second film, The Chamber of Secrets (2002).
Besides catching a train or a coach here, you can also grab a bite or shop till you drop at St Pancras.
4. Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, Palace Theatre, London
Winner of nine Olivier Awards, this acclaimed two-part West End play premiered in July 2016 and is based on an original story by Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany.
Set 19 years after the final novel The Deathly Hallows (2007), the story follows Harry Potter’s youngest son Albus who finds it tough living up to his father’s legacy at Hogwarts.
An absorbing show that boasts great drama, illusions and stage wizardry, the full play runs for 5 hours and 15 minutes and is split into 2 parts. You can opt to watch both parts on the same day or over two evenings. More ticketing information here.
5. Lacock Abbey and Village, Wilshire
Image courtesy of Marguerita Tan
Often bundled with a Stonehenge or Bath day tours, Lacock is a picturesque village with many Harry Potter filming locations.
In the village centre, a timber-framed cottage with a blue door is where Harry Potter and Professor Dumbledore walked past in the sixth film, The Half Blood Prince (2009), while Harry’s parents Lily and James’ bricked house in the first film is at the end of Church Street.
Over at the 13th-Century Lacock Abbey, its cloisters were used as Hogwarts Castle halls, while some rooms were used as classrooms in the first two films, The Philosopher’s Stone (2001) and The Chamber of Secrets (2002).
6. Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
This magnificent 11th-Century castle’s exteriors were used in the first two films as the setting where Harry and his classmates take flying lessons with Madame Hooch, as well as learn the rules of wizarding sport, Quidditch.
Alnwick’s courtyards were used as Hogwarts schoolyards, while its Lion Arch leads to Hagrid’s Hut and the Forbidden Forest.
- SCOTLAND
7. Glenfinnan Viaduct via Jacobite Steam Train, Fort William
An iconic feature seen in four Harry Potter films, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is the top must-visit filming location in Scotland for Potterheads.
Riding the Jacobite Steam Train offers you the experience of being on The Hogwarts Express itself as it goes over the 21-arched viaduct while travelling from Fort William to Mallig and back. This train is only offered as a same-day return trip on the same train, with no one-way trip option available. The whole journey, with stops at Glenfinnan and Mallaig, takes six hours.
To get the best views of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, you would need to be on the left side of the train when outbound, and it would be approximately at 10.58am on the morning train and 1.25pm on the afternoon train according to the West Coast Railways.
For even better viaduct views, disembark at Glenfinnan and walk to various viewpoints from the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre. The trails are short but steep, so you have to be relatively fit and have sturdy shoes.
The Jacobite runs every morning from March to October, with the occasional afternoon service. Do note that if you would want to sit in the Harry Potter Style Compartment Carriage, you need to book tickets on the morning train, and for the whole compartment that can seat six passengers.
However, the Jacobite tickets are hard to book (with the 2024 online tickets sold out at press time), with the afternoon service prone to cancellation this year due to ongoing issues with rail regulators in the UK. Do check the announcements of the railway regularly for updates.
If you are feeling lucky, limited same-day tickets are available and sold directly from the guard at the Fort William train platform on a first-come-first-serve basis.
The ticketing information for the year ahead is usually released from November onwards, so do check their website regularly from then and also plan at least a year in advance if you would like to take this train.
8. Glen Coe, Ballachulish
A 30-minute bus ride from Fort William, this tranquil village featured much in the third film, Prisoner of Azkaban (2004).
Right across from Clachaig Inn, the location for Hagrid’s Hut was at the bottom of Clachaig Gully, while the covered wooden bridge leading to Hogwarts Castle was built along the hillside.
Another site opposite the inn was also used for a scene in The Half-Blood Prince.
9. Greyfriars Kirk Graveyard, Edinburgh
Located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, this 17th-Century church’s graveyard is very popular thanks to the belief that Rowling was inspired by gravestones here for many characters’ names (though the author vehemently denied it.)
These include William McGonagall (for Professor Minerva McGonagall) and Thomas Riddell (for Tom Riddle, Voldemort’s alter ego).
The kirkyard is also deemed to have inspired Harry’s parents’ Godric’s Hollow resting place in The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010).
10. The Balmoral Hotel Room 552, Edinburgh
Finally, consider checking into the J.K. Rowling Suite at Edinburgh’s 5-star The Balmoral hotel.
This is the very room where the author completed the last Harry Potter book, The Deathly Hallows.
The contemporary suite — which also showcased a marble bust of Hermes that Rowling signed — features an owl door knocker, a luxurious king-sized bed, and a desk complete with typewriter.
Who knows, you may just churn out your own novel here. Just for £1,500 (S$2,582) a night…
