The Harry Potter movies made audiences feel like they had entered a magical world complete with a haunted castle, a mysterious forest, and a charming wizarding village. While a good percentage of this world was created on big-budget studio sets, the production also used several shooting locations that actually exist. Filmmakers traveled across England, Wales, and Scotland to film near historic buildings, centuries-old landmarks, and jaw-dropping natural landscapes. These locations, perhaps more than any set design, brought J.K. Rowling’s world to life. Some locations were turned into Hogwarts; others became familiar places like Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. A large portion of these places are open to visitors, and plenty of fans take advantage, traveling to experience a piece of the magic themselves. Here are eight real places where the Harry Potter movies were filmed.
Alnwick Castle — Northumberland, England
Alnwick Castle was one of the filming locations for Hogwarts in both Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets. The castle’s courtyards and grounds were chosen for memorable scenes, including Harry’s very first flying lesson with Madam Hooch. In this exciting scene, Neville Longbottom loses control of his broomstick and Harry realizes his natural flying abilities. The medieval castle dates back to the 11th century and today is the home of the Duke of Northumberland. Tourists can explore certain areas of the property. In true Harry Potter style, they now offer “broomstick training” inspired by the films. You might not actually leave the ground but it’s about as close as you can get to attending a Hogwarts flying lesson.
Gloucester Cathedral — Gloucester, England
Some of Hogwarts’ hallways are actually found inside Gloucester Cathedral, an elaborate medieval church in southwestern England. Its beautiful corridors were in several Harry Potter movies, including Sorcerer’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Half-Blood Prince. The scene you might remember most involves the announcement that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened. The cathedral’s vaulted ceilings, stone walls, and Gothic architecture made it a perfect choice for the ancient magical school. Visitors can stroll through the same hallways and check out the architecture that helped make Hogwarts feel so real.
Glenfinnan Viaduct — Scottish Highlands, Scotland
Nothing screams Harry Potter quite like the Hogwarts Express steaming across a sprawling landscape, especially when it’s crossing that gorgeous stone railway bridge. That structure is the Glenfinnan Viaduct, located in the Scottish Highlands, and it appeared in several of the films. The most famous scene comes from Chamber of Secrets, when Harry and Ron fly the enchanted car while looking down on the train. The bridge, which was finished in 1901, spans a beautiful Highland valley. In total, it has 21 arches. Visitors can actually ride over the bridge by boarding the Jacobite steam train, which seasonally operates along the railway. With the mountains, greenery, and stunning scenery surrounding it, this location looks magical even when it’s not in a movie about wizards.
Christ Church — Oxford, England
Oxford’s historic Christ Church college stood in for Hogwarts in the early Harry Potter films. Its massive stone staircase is in Sorcerer’s Stone, when Professor McGonagall welcomes the first-year students before they enter the Great Hall. The staircase also appears in Chamber of Secrets. In fact, it is likely one of the franchise’s most recognizable real-life interiors. Although many fans think the Great Hall scenes were shot here too, the movie’s actual Great Hall was a studio set. However, it was inspired by the college’s dining hall. Founded in the 16th century, Christ Church is rightly famous for its architecture. It also has strong connections to British history.
Lacock Abbey — Wiltshire, England
Lacock Abbey is another historic location that doubled as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter movies. Like Gloucester Cathedral, the abbey’s medieval halls acted as school corridors. However, they also used this location to shoot several familiar Hogwarts classrooms. Professor Snape’s Potions classroom was filmed in the Sacristy, and Professor Quirrell’s Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom was set up in the Warming Room. The Chapter House was also used for the scene where Harry stumbles upon the Mirror of Erised. Originally built as a nunnery in the 13th century, the abbey is now looked after by the National Trust. Everything about this place looks like it belongs in a magical story.
Durham Cathedral — Durham, England
Durham Cathedral served as multiple Hogwarts locations in Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets. Its cloisters (the covered walkways surrounding the cathedral’s courtyard) were used for several scenes between Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The cathedral’s Chapter House also became Professor McGonagall’s Transfiguration classroom, where students learned to turn animals into water goblets. Another scene shows Harry releasing his beautiful owl Hedwig into the snowy courtyard, which was one of the first movie’s loveliest moments. Construction of the cathedral began in 1093, and it has massive stone columns and Romanesque architecture. It definitely looks like something from Hogwarts.
Leadenhall Market — London, England
London’s Leadenhall Market depicted the magical shopping district of Diagon Alley in Sorcerer’s Stone. The market has beautiful ornate details and Victorian architecture. The covered walkways provided the backdrop to Harry’s introduction to the world of witches and wizards. A shopfront on Bull’s Head Passage stood in for the exterior of the Leaky Cauldron, the mysterious pub that is actually the gateway to Diagon Alley. The real market has a history going back hundreds of years, although its well-known iron-and-glass structure is from the 19th century. Today, it is full of shops, restaurants, and pubs. Though it lacks wand sellers and magical bookstores, it’s easy to imagine it having a secret place in the wizarding world.
Freshwater West Beach — Pembrokeshire, Wales
One of the most emotional moments in the entire Harry Potter series was filmed at Freshwater West Beach in Wales. This beautiful section of coastline acted as the home of Shell Cottage, the seaside house of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour in Deathly Hallows. The filmmakers built a little house tucked among the sand dunes. Peaceful and isolated, it made a perfect refuge for Harry and his friends during their deadly mission. Unfortunately, this location is also where Dobby lost his life and was buried. The adorable cottage was sadly taken apart after filming wrapped, but the beach itself is open to visitors. With its dunes and rugged coastline, Freshwater West is a beautiful destination. Hopefully a visit here won’t bring back too many terrible memories of our favorite house elf’s last moments.