Top 10 Places to Visit For a Potterhead’s Dream Vacation

2020 has been a global dumpster fire to top all others. I’m talking like, a 30 foot raging inferno mixed with a dash of volcanic eruption, all squeezed into one giant trash can that is planet Earth. Reality has been nothing short of stressful, and I’ve been finding myself slipping off into the fantastic realms of imagination now more than ever. A mini mental vacation, if you will.

And, being the raging geek that I am, I find solace in fictional universes that take us away from all our real world problems. Fandoms are an amazing way to disconnect and immerse ourselves in a place where everything isn’t taking a swan dive off the deep end, and just to get a chance to forget for a while.

Harry Potter was the first fandom-verse that I fully embraced after I realized just how much of a geek I was, and it opened the doorway to many others. The world that Rowling wove together, from magic spells to evil overlords, has such a deep history and environment that it’s easy to get swept away on an adventure with the Golden Trio.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Every kid from the 90’s to, well, now, has waited at some point in their lives for an owl to come knocking on their window with a parchment letter in its beak, bearing their acceptance into the legendary castle. Heck, even I’ve pined for an owl at my front door at some point in my life.

But in some cobwebby attic of our minds, we know that the castle doesn’t really exist. That owls don’t roost in its towers, and that children don’t whiz around on broomsticks and grand feasts don’t take place in its halls. That’s the sad part of being a grownup. We have to put aside that magic to make way for bills and taxes and all that other bullshit that adults do.

But, that doesn’t mean we can’t have the magical Harry Potter experience in some small aspect. Parts of Hogwarts do stand in our world: scattered across the countryside of the beautiful United Kingdom.

Now, without further ado, I present to you: A Potterhead’s Dream Vacation.

I’ve compiled a list of 10 must-see filming spots for the ultimate Harry Potter fan experience, from the Hogwarts Express to Diagon Alley. So buckle up, grab your wands, keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle, and let’s run down a list of iconic Harry Potter locations to visit the next time you’re in Europe.

1. Alnwick Castle, England.

First stop on our magical field trip is Alnwick Castle, located in Northumberland, England.

You might recognize these stone walls from ‘Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone’, and ‘Chamber of Secrets’. Filming for the first movie began in late 2000, and the Outer Bailey served as the set for Harry’s first broomstick and Quidditch lessons, and where many of the outdoor scenes were filmed. This is also where the main doorway to Hogwarts is located, where the Golden Trio frequently snuck out to see the resident groundskeeper, Hagrid.

Built in 1096 (at least we think, there wasn’t clear building records way back then), following the Norman conquest, the castle was home to the Percy family for over 700 years before becoming the residence of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and their family.

Alnwick Castle even runs a program where you can learn to fly your own broomstick! On the ground of course, I don’t think Muggle insurance covers broomstick-related accidents. Madam Hooch would be so proud.

2. Glencoe, Scotland.

Next up: Glencoe. These gorgeous hills served as a backdrop for Hagrid's hut and his totally-not-charmed pumpkin patch best seen in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’.

What some people might not know is that this lush place hides a bit of a bloody history. The Massacre of Glencoe, which took place on February 13, 1692, involved the treacherous slaughter of members of the MacDonald clan of Glencoe by soldiers under the order of Archibald Campbell, 10th earl of Argyll. The chief of the clan refused to submit to the new king’s rule, so the monarch allowed Campbell to use military force as a punishment/enforcement tactic. Most of the clan escaped, but the chief and many others weren’t so lucky.

Aside from a grim past, these hills offer a breathtaking view. You can almost picture Hagrid tossing Buckbeak a fresh ferret, smoke billowing merrily from the chimney of his little house.

3. King’s Cross Station, England

King’s Cross Railway Station, situated at the edge of Central London, opened to the public in October of 1852. At the start of every school year, Harry and his friends must pass through Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross to catch the Hogwarts Express, and chug down the tracks towards another wonderful term at Hogwarts.

If you visit King’s Cross today, you can find the real Platform 9 ¾, take photos with a trolley heading through the wall, and visit the Harry Potter shop to find gifts and keepsakes. Chocolate Frog, anyone?

I wouldn't recommend trying to go through the gateway on your own though; a nasty headache and an upturned cart awaits any Muggle who tries (as much as we might like to prove otherwise).

4. Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland.

From King’s Cross we jump to the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Located at the top of Loch Shiel in the West Highlands of Scotland, the viaduct overlooks the Glenfinnan Monument and the waters of Loch Shiel. The viaduct runs for 380 meters (1140 feet) in length and stands at 100ft tall in its centre.

One especially memorable scene featuring the viaduct from the movies was in ‘Chamber of Secrets’, after Dobby sealed the train platform’s entry and Ron and Harry had to steal Mr. Weasley’s flying Ford Anglia. A little while later, Ron dips the car onto the tracks just ahead of the train as they’re crossing the viaduct. I’d bet Harry never let Ron drive again after that little incident.

You can visit the iconic bridge on the Jacobite Steam Train tour, or better known as the Real-Life Hogwarts Express! The train runs a 84 mile long trek across Britain and the Scottish Highlands, from Fort William to the town of Mallaig and back again. The train stops for the afternoon in Mallaig where you can stroll around shopping and, so I’ve heard, get the best damn plate of fish and chips to ever grace your mouth.

5. Gloucester Cathedral, England.

The dramatic and beautiful Gloucester Cathedral, standing tall and proud in Gloucester, England, was the backdrop to a number of Hogwarts scenes in the Harry Potter series. The cloisters of the cathedral can be seen in ‘Philosopher’s Stone’, when the troll trapped Hermione in the toilets, and was used as the corridor leading up to the Gryffindor common room.

At the end of the north walk, you’ll find where ‘The Chamber of Secrets has been opened’ was painted on the wall by Ginny Weasley. From the ‘Half-Blood Prince’, you’ll see where Harry overheard that Snape had made the Unbreakable Vow to Draco’s mother, Narcissa. Talk about a multi-purpose location.

6. Lacock, England.

Lacock Abbey and the nearby village are treasure troves for anyone looking for Harry Potter filming locations. You can find Harry’s parents’ house at the end of Church Street, which was featured in the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’.

The Abbey was used to film many Hogwarts scenes throughout the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ and ‘Chamber of Secrets’. Rooms in the Abbey were also used as Snape and Quirrel’s classrooms, and the Chapter House was where Harry found the Mirror of Erised. You’ll also find Slughorn’s hideaway home in Lacock, which was featured in the ‘Half-Blood Prince’.

With the added pizazz of having housed a ton of Harry Potter sets, the Abbey features stunning architecture and loads of history to soak up.

7. Leadenhall Market, England.

In the heart of London on Gracechruch Street, you’ll remember Leadenhall Market from ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, when Harry and Hagrid enter the Leaky Cauldron on their way to Diagon Alley.

Now, it offers a unique shopping and dining experience in a beautiful historic building. Make sure to pay it a visit when you are next in London. Just looking at this picture gives me a wave of magical nostalgia.

8. Australia House, England.

Australia House has been used as the spectacular setting of Gringotts bank in both the first and final films in the series.

You’ll remember it from ‘Philosopher’s Stone’, when Harry and Hagrid visit to access Harry’s vault for the first time, and in ‘Deathly Hallows’, when the Golden Trio search for the Horcruxes. After hijacking Bellatrix’s vault and stealing the cup of Helga Hufflepuff, they burst through the roof of Gringotts on the back of a dragon. Talk about a badass exit.

9. London Zoo Reptile House, England.

One of the beginning scenes in the first film, we see Harry and the Dursley’s head to the zoo for Dudley’s birthday. The Reptile House of the London Zoo is where we get a good glimpse of Harry’s budding magical abilities, and we find out that he can talk to snakes after he frees one from its cage and accidentally traps Dudley there instead (which gave us all good laugh). Happy birthday to you, Ickle Diddykins.

10. The Millennium Bridge, England.

Last stop on our list is the Millennium Bridge, stretching wide across the river Thames. The cityscape of London itself was used for the opening of the ‘Half-Blood Prince’. As Voldemort returns, and the Death Eaters launch an attack on the Muggle world, they attack the bridge, destroying it on their rampage of London.

You know that if Bellatrix was there, she’d be cackling the whole time like the psychopath she is. Maybe the idea of wet Muggles is funny to Dark Wizards? Who knows.

Thankfully, the intact version is still there to visit on the Thames embankment; although I personally might steer clear of trekking across it, and just admire it from dry land. You never know if a Death Eater might be feeling a little bridge-destructive that day.

Bonus: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Florida.

Okay, I know that this is technically an 11th item on the list, but I couldn’t resist adding this masterpiece of fandom-ness.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando is a must go for any Potterhead. From a real-life Diagon Ally to a huge model Hogwarts and a replica fire-breathing dragon, this place is heaven on Earth.

Get some Butterbeer right off the tap and stroll around searching for some prime merchandise in your full House regalia, soaking in all the magical Harry Potter goodness with your fellow witches and wizards. Need I say more?

Plus, for all you American magic folk, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home country if traveling overseas makes you uncomfortable, but you still want to experience some real-life Harry Potter magic. It’s a win-win!

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Alright my friends, that concludes our little magical field trip, and I hope you’ve enjoyed my list of go-to Harry Potter locations. These are places that I personally hope to visit one day, and maybe you will too! Now, go grab your wands and start planning the definition of a magical vacation.

Cheers!

-Nev