U.K. Harry Potter Tour
Top 10 Free Harry Potter Locations in the UK
This list of 10 Free Harry Potter Locations in the UK will take you to sites of inspiration, popular film locations, and some lesser known places used in this award winning fantasy franchise.
Though it's true London is home to some of the most famous film locations, there are several other scattered throughout the country. This list will go from the north to south throughout the UK to make it easy in case you want to take yourself on a self guided tour.
The first place we'll take you to is the Scottish Highlands, our favorite place in the UK, which also happens to be where you can find the Hogwarts Express train track.
1. Glenfinnan Viaduct
Location: Glenfinnan, Scotland
Location: Glenfinnan, Scotland
Hours: Open 24 Hours
Hours: Open 24 Hours
Entrance Fee: Free!
Entrance Fee: Free!
Our #1 Free Harry Potter locations in the UK is the Glenfinnan Viaduct. This beautiful 21 arch railway bridge is located in the Scottish highlands near the small village of Glenfinnan, hence the name.
You might recognize this archway as the Hogwarts Express track from this scene in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
However the real train, the Jacobite, still runs on this track today. The hike out to the track is only a few kilometers from the car park. If you want to take a ride on the 'Hogwarts Express' train, you can buy tickets from their website here.
However the real train, the Jacobite, still runs on this track today. The hike out to the track is only a few kilometers from the car park. If you want to take a ride on the 'Hogwarts Express' train, you can buy tickets from their website here.
2. Elephant House Café
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Hours: 9:00AM - 11:00PM
Hours: 9:00AM - 11:00PM
Entrance Fee: Free/One Cup of Coffee 😉
Entrance Fee: Free/One Cup of Coffee 😉
Dubbed the "birthplace of Harry Potter", Elephant House café prides itself that JK Rowling wrote parts of the first two Harry Potter books here. She used to live in Edinburgh so you’re bound to see some inspirational Harry Potter sites around the city.
For instance, walking up and down Victoria Street you’ll see tons of Harry Potter themed shops. If you’re a fanatic, like Molly, then visiting these sites around Edinburgh is worth your time.
3. Greyfriars Kirkyard
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Hours: Open 24 hours
Hours: Open 24 hours
Entrance Fee: Free!
Entrance Fee: Free!
Greyfriars Kirkyard is another site in Edinburgh that is said to have inspired JK while writing Harry Potter.
If you walk around this graveyard you might notice some tombstones with familiar names like Thomas Riddell, (William) McGonagall, and (Robert) Potter.
Ok the last two names aren’t full character names but they inspired the name for Professor McGonagall, and the Potter family name.
Ok the last two names aren’t full character names but they inspired the name for Professor McGonagall, and the Potter family name.
4. St. Pancras Station
Location: London, England
Location: London, England
Hours: Open 24 hours
Hours: Open 24 hours
Entrance Fee: Free!
Entrance Fee: Free!
Once a derelict building, St. Pancras Station re-opened in 2007 after a huge renovation project. Now it's an incredibly beautiful railroad station with a shopping centre. In fact, you might recognize it from the movie Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets when Harry and Ron take off in a flying blue car. It's also right next to King's Cross station which brings us to #5 on our list of free Harry Potter locations in the UK.
5. King's Cross: Platform 9 3/4
Location: London, England
Location: London, England
Hours: 8:00AM - 10:00PM
Hours: 8:00AM - 10:00PM
Entrance Fee: Free!
Entrance Fee: Free!
Probably the most famous free Harry Potter Locations in the UK is in King's Cross station where you'll find Platform 9 3/4. But, be prepared for a long line if you want a photo in front of the trolly. Of course there's also a huge Harry Potter themed gift shop next to the imaginary train platform if you fancy buying any overpriced merchandise 😉
6. Leadenhall Market
Location: London, England
Location: London, England
Hours: 8:00AM - 10:00PM
Hours: 8:00AM - 10:00PM
Entrance Fee: Free!
Entrance Fee: Free!
Home to tons of bars, restaurants, and shops, Leadenhall Market is a bustling place during the day. However, this place is also one of two locations in London that make up the filming locations for Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron.
7. Borough Market
Location: London, England
Location: London, England
Hours: 10:00AM - 5:00PM (Closed Sundays)
Hours: 10:00AM - 5:00PM (Closed Sundays)
Entrance Fee: Free!
Entrance Fee: Free!
Borough Market is the other bustling outdoor market used to make up Diagon Alley. Though this one is home to more food stalls and vendors than traditional restaurants and bars. We highly recommend walking around and tasting some of the delicious foods offered from the local shops and stands.
8. Claremont Square
Location: London, England
Location: London, England
Hours: Viewable 24 Hours (Exterior only)
Hours: Viewable 24 Hours (Exterior only)
Entrance Fee: Free!
Entrance Fee: Free!
Another lesser known free Harry Potter locations in the UK is Claremont Square, home to 12 Grimmauld Place. If you're not familiar, this is the location for the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, and Sirius Black's home. You'll have to enjoy the view from the outside because these are all residential homes so it's not possible to go inside.
9. Australia House
Location: London, England
Location: London, England
Hours: Viewable 24 Hours (Exterior only)
Hours: Viewable 24 Hours (Exterior only)
Entrance Fee: Free!
Entrance Fee: Free!
The next stop on our Harry Potter tour is Australia House, also known as Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Similar to Claremont Square, it's not possible to tour the inside of this location since it's actually the Australian Embassy.
10. Millennium Bridge
Location: London, England
Location: London, England
Hours: Open 24 Hours
Hours: Open 24 Hours
Entrance Fee: Free!
Entrance Fee: Free!
Last on our list of free Harry Potter Locations in the UK is Millennium Bridge (i.e. - Brockdale Bridge in the movies). This bridge opened in July 2000, and appears in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
In the film it's attacked by a swarm of death eaters killing several muggles.
According to the book, Cornelius Fudge refused Voldemort's order to step down as head of the Ministry of Magic. As a result, the Dark Lord sent death eaters were sent to destroy the bridge in this scene here.
According to the book, Cornelius Fudge refused Voldemort's order to step down as head of the Ministry of Magic. As a result, the Dark Lord sent death eaters were sent to destroy the bridge in this scene here.
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