Harry Potter’s Britain
Take in some of the UK’s wonderful sights and attractions, made famous by the boy wizard
It’s hard to believe everybody’s favourite wizard, Harry Potter, has been with us for 20 years. June 26 marked the 20th anniversary of the publication of JK Rowling’s first Potter adventure, Harry
Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Events are being planned around the world, including a big exhibition at the British Museum in London. And what other better way to celebrate and banish the Dementors than visit the places that inspired Rowling, and those that wouldn’t exist but for her brilliant imagination.
JOIN A TOUR FOR MUGGLES
Start your journey on foot in London, with the popular walking trip Tour For Muggles. This two-and-a-half hour guided tour is led by actors who are all huge Potter fans and who even perform magic tricks. They show you a mix of filming locations such as Leadenhall Market, which is the site of the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, and share historical facts and places that inspired JK Rowling, such as the real Diagon and Knockturn alleys. Organisers say they have special surprises planned for the 20th anniversary. Tours are £14 for adults and £12 for children. Tourformuggles.com
BOOK IN FOR HARRY POTTER: A HISTORY OF MAGIC AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY
To celebrate the anniversary, The British Library in London’s Kings Cross, is putting on a special exhibition of magic and folklore. They are unveiling rare books and objects from their collection, such as the enormous 16th-century Ripley Scroll that explains how to create a Philosopher’s Stone. There are also original drafts by JK Rowling and illustrations by Jim Kay on display for the first time. The exhibition runs from October 20 until February 28, 2018. Tickets are £16 for adults and £8 for children. Bl.uk
VISIT PLATFORM 9¾ AT KINGS CROSS STATION
While you’re in the area, pop in to Kings Cross station, which recently had an impressive $870,000 renovation. The station may have been rebuilt, but platform 9¾ is still there — well, technically a trolley disappearing into the wall is still there, which makes for a great photo opportunity. And while you can’t really catch the Hogwarts Express from here, there’s a fun new Harry Potter shop for souvenirs. harrypotterplatform934.com
SEE HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD
Potter fans will love the play Harry Potter and
the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End. Critics raved about the show and said it more than lives up to its hype, with The Times declaring it “the magical marvel we’ve been waiting for”. It is running until July 2018 and tickets start at £42.50, but beware, the play is in two parts so you need to visit — and pay — twice. And book early as seats sell out fast. Harrypottertheplay.com
DISCOVER THE HOUSE OF MINALIMA
In Soho, Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, the designers behind the movie artworks of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, are showcasing their magical designs in a free exhibition. Held in a quirky four-floor house, there are art works and props on display and a shop where you can buy reproductions of your favourite pieces. store.minalima.com
TAKE A WARNER BROTHERS STUDIOS TOUR
Meanwhile, in Leavesden, near Watford, you can step into the world of Harry Potter for real — or the film sets at least, with the brilliant Warner Bros Studio tour. Walk around the sets, including the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Dumbeldore’s office and the Gryffindor common room, catch the Hogwarts Express, see how the special effects were done and check out the props and costumes. Tickets cost £39 per adult and £31 per child. wbstudiotour.co.uk
STAY IN OXFORD UNIVERSITY
Heading out of London, your first stop should be Oxford — the university was used for several filming locations, such as Christ Church college’s Great Hall and staircase in Harry
Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, as well as its famous Bodleian Library, which starred as the Hogwarts library and infirmary. For a unique experience, you can even stay in the university itself during the summer holidays. Book a room in Christ Church for only £56 a night, and you get to have breakfast in the Great Hall, just like Harry. Universityrooms.com
SPOOK YOURSELF IN GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL
This incredible cathedral has been a place of worship for 1300 years, its walls echoing with voices of its Anglo-Saxon past. Now it’s also a pilgrimage for Harry Potter fans who flock to see the cloisters used for many movie scenes such as the troll trapping Hermione and Moaning Myrtle flooding the toilets. It is also where the words “The chamber of secrets has been opened” appeared in blood. Entry is free. gloucestercathedral.org.uk
FLY A BROOMSTICK AT ALNWICK CASTLE
Heading up north to the county of Northumberland, you’ll find Hogwarts, aka Alnwick Castle. Used in the movies for outdoor scenes like the broomstick-flying lessons and quidditch matches, the 700-year-old castle now offers broomstick lessons for all the family. They also run spooky cellar tours, and dragon and knight’s quests for those getting into the spirit. Pre-booked tickets cost £13.95 for adults and £7.20 for children. alnwickcastle.com
WALK THE CLOISTERS IN DURHAM CATHEDRAL
In Durham, the spectacular cathedral was also used as a filming location for the Harry Potter movies. Set on a rock above the medieval city and next to Durham Castle, the Norman cathedral is a World Heritage Site. The cloisters became the quadrangle where Harry sets the owl flying in the first film and the scene of Ron’s slug vomiting in the Chamber of
Secrets. The cathedral chapter house is the venue for Professor McGonagall’s class. Entry is free, but there is a ticketed Open Treasure tour, £7.50 for adults and £2.50 per child. durhamcathedral.co.uk
CATCH THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS
Finally, up in the Scottish highlands, you can catch the Hogwarts Express — or as close as you can get. In summer time, The Jacobite steam train runs along the West Highland line — the train used in the Harry Potter movies. It travels over the breathtaking Glenfinnan Viaduct, the scene with the Weasleys’ flying car in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Dubbed the greatest railway journey in the world, this 135km round trip starts near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, and ends next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis. Tickets cost £35 for adults and £20 for children. westcoastrailways.co.uk