It’s hard to name another literary series that has had a significant impact on modern popular culture as “Harry Potter.” It is the all-time best-selling book series with over 500 million copies sold. The seven novels that make up the Harry Potter series were finally adapted into eight hugely popular movies, grossing a combined $7.7 billion in box office receipts. The final book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” was made into two films.
The filming locations, however, helped bring Harry’s imaginary, fantasy-infused depiction of the UK and Ireland to life. They are more wonderful than the series’ actual plot. Wondering where was “Harry Potter” filmed? Read on to find out.
Where was ‘Harry Potter’ Filmed in the UK?
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most significant and beautiful places where “Harry Potter” was filmed in the UK.
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle in Northumberland served as a stand-in for Hogwarts Castle during outside scenes in the first two Harry Potter movies. You might recognize that Harry learned to fly in the outer bailey and that Harry and Ron crash-landed the Weasley flying car in the inner bailey. Alnwick is the second-largest inhabited castle in the United Kingdom, older than 950 years. The structure has served as a military outpost, a teaching college, and a temporary shelter since 1309.
Oxford
Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Its lovely structures served as stand-ins for various parts of Hogwarts Castle.
The majestic Bodleian Library at Oxford University was the Hogwarts library in three “Harry Potter” movies. The nearby vaulted Divinity School was used as a hospital where students were admitted for broomstick injuries, curses, and backfiring spells.
We were first exposed to Hogwarts when Harry and the other first-year wizards ascended the 16th-century stone staircase to the Great Hall at nearby Christ Church College. Some of the halls of Hogwarts, most notably when Harry’s friends had turned against him in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” were filmed in the Cloisters of New College, one of the oldest colleges at Oxford University.
London
The Hogwarts Express departs from Platform 9 3/4 at London’s Kings Cross station in both the novels and the movies. The actual Platform 9 now has a wall with a luggage trolley installed. When you visit the station, you’re sure to run into Harry Potter enthusiasts of all ages pretending to walk through the wall like Harry, Ron, and Hermione did in the first movie while wearing flying Hogwarts scarves.
Check out the nearby St. Pancras Station while you’re at Kings Cross. Because of its more striking neo-gothic exterior, the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel served as Kings Cross Station’s entrance.
Durham Cathedral
One of the oldest churches in the UK, Durham Cathedral, was built in 1093 and is a breathtaking structure to explore. It is in Durham, as the name indicates, around 10 minutes by train from Newcastle upon Tyne.
The first movie in the series, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” features Durham Cathedral. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stroll through the halls of Hogwarts between classes, but in reality, they are the magnificent cloisters of the cathedral. A set replica of Durham Cathedral was created for “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” It is here that Harry frees Dobby, the house elf with a sock.
The Train to Hogwarts
When Harry boards the train to arrive at Hogwarts, the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it is one of the most famous parts of the film. The magical adventure occurred on the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Inverness-shire, Scotland’s Highlands. When visiting on the train, you move along the viaduct 100 feet above the river as you cross the Finnan.
The Highlands of Scotland
JK Rowling has stated in interviews that she always envisioned Hogwarts to be set in Scotland; It’s only appropriate that the most breathtaking scenes showing the grounds of the school were in the beautiful Scottish Highlands.
Check out Loch Morar, the biggest freshwater lake in Britain, and the surrounding Loch Arkaig and Loch Shiel, which were digitally combined to create Hogwarts Lake.
Imagine yourself in The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 as you reach the bleak Rannoch Moor, where the Dementors board the train in search of Harry.
The beautiful Glen Nevis area and nearby Steall Falls, Britain’s second-highest waterfall, were used for filming in the Harry Potter movies multiple times, most notably as the beautiful backdrop to some thrilling Quidditch games!
Warner Bros. Has Set Tours
During the ten years that the “Harry Potter” series was filming, the Leavesden Studios served as the cast’s second home. The studios were kept to conserve sets, props, costumes, and other series items after filming ended. See the costumes of your favorite characters, the sets from the show, including Dumbledore’s office and the Great Hall, and some of the objects the cast used. Remember to pick up a souvenir in the gift shop.