From Wandsworth to POTTER’S Bar, London is a treasure trove for Harry Potter enthusiasts. Here are a few of the best places you can head to for a true Potter experience, from Harry Potter restaurants and bars in London to iconic film locations , these will make you feel like you’re a part of the wizarding world!
The Cauldron
Go full-on Professor Snape at The Cauldron for their Potter-themed (but-not-official-for-legal-reasons) cocktail-making classes. The classes see you wield a ‘working magic wand’ to create some molecular mixology magic throughout the 1hr 45m immersive experience in London’s Elephant and Castle. The ultimate themed Harry Potter restaurant and bar in London.
Where: 7 Elephant Road, Elephant and Castle, SE17 1LB, UK
Website: www.thecauldron.io
Cutter & Squidge, The Common Room
Tucked away in the alleyways of Soho, the star baking duo behind Cutter & Squidge run themed afternoon teas – and yes, it’s Harry Potter-themed.
Visit and witness them conjuring up a magic Harry Potter aesthetic and wizarding-world themed treats including hubble bubble potion and Unicorn tear tea.
where: 20 Brewer St, London W1F 0SJ
website: cutterandsquidge.com
The Alchemist
For more opportunity to enjoy some cocktails while pretending you’re in the middle of potions class at Hogwarts, head to one of The Alchemist’s venues in London.
Drink are served in various parephanalia horded from a school chemistry glass, and are often engulfed in a magical-like smoke. With venues in Battersea, Canary Wharf, Victoria and others in the capital, you can channel Harry Potter no matter where you are in London.
where: various locations around london
website:thealchemist.uk.com
Other Harry Potter London Experiences Worth Trying
Platform 9 3/4, King’s Cross
In true Harry Potter style, the adventure starts out at King’s Cross’s Platform 9 3/4. Like the Abbey Road pedestrian crossing, pop culture has created an iconic location out of King’s Cross in the form of a bare brick wall. The magical location must be one of London’s most snapped spots and it’s entirely free, so the perfect first port-of-call as you begin your Harry Potter journey.
Where: Euston Road, Kings Cross, N1 9AL
Website: www.nationalrail.co.uk
Harry Potter at The Palace Theatre
If you like Harry Potter that much, why not go and see him? Tickets for the two-part Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play in the West End are decidedly tricky to get a hold of, but tickets are up for sale! See the adventures of Harry Potter’s children when they are all grown up.
Where: 113 Shaftesbury Avenue, West End, W1D 5AY
Website: www.harrypottertheplay.com
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry escape room
Another carefully lawyered experience that’s Harry Potter but only on the DL. Officially, it’s the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry escape room, but the inference is clear: escape like Harry Potter (but best bring a Hermione). The escape room sees escapees putting their brains, teamwork and perhaps a little magic to work in a fun hour’s group entertainment.
Where: 2-12 Wilson Street, Liverpool Street, EC2M 7LS
Website: www.enigmaquests.london
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
The best thing to come out of Watford since Chris Stark (relatively niche joke), Warner Brothers’ Studio is where they made the actual Harry Potter films. And conscious of its place in history (and/or the touristic opportunity) the Hertfordshire location is now the Harry Potter Experience, allowing guests to be immersed in the world of Harry Potter as well as the seeing how the magic was transferred to the screen.
Where: Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR
Website: www.wbstudiotour.co.uk
Tour For Muggles
They’re the only people offering walking tours JUST for Harry Potter tours, so they must be doing something right. What’s more, they really (really) know their stuff. Making this the ultimate tour for anyone looking to experience Harry Potter in London. See all the locations and hear all the facts.
WHERE: NEAR LONDON BRIDGE TUBE STATION
WEBSITE: WWW.TOURFORMUGGLES.COM
Hamley’s
If you’re after Potter bits and pieces then you could do no better than jump on the next available broomstick and head to Regent Street toy megastore Hamley’s. The shop has devoted a whole section of their ground floor to the wizarding hero and his magical friends, which makes this the place to bring children intent on getting their hands on Harry Potter toys.
Where: 188-196 Regent Street, Soho, W1B 5BT
Website: www.hamleys.com
Christ Church, Oxford
Okay, so it’s not an actual Potter place, and it’s not in London, but if you want to really get to know Harry Potter then you could do worse than heading to Oxford and the college of Christ Church where the dining room serves as the inspiration for the great hall in Hogwarts! Unless you can get onto a tour it’s private (coz students), so be warned!
Where: St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1DP
Website: www.chch.ox.ac.uk
Leadenhall Market
Another location is Leadenhall Market in The City. The 19th-century market was used as Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone with the Victorian-covered market also featuring the door of modern-day opticians as the entrance to The Leaky Cauldron.
Where: Gracechurch Street, The City, EC3V 1LT
Website: www.leadenhallmarket.co.uk
House of Minalima
If you’re a fan of the art in Harry Potter, then we’ve the place for you. It’s an exibition and shop of the graphic art of the Harry Potter films set over two floors and the studio is on the three floors above. Having been here for three years, the House of Minalima has a new exhibit in honor of Fred and George Weasley. Full of color and comedy, the exhibit includes 20 limited edition art prints created for Weasly Wizard Wheezes from the Half-Blood Prince. Check out the exhibit over your Easter break!
Where: 157 Wardour Street, W1F 8WQ
Website: www.minalima.com
The Wizarding Chambers at the Georgian House Hotel
With the possible exception of being that horse in Equos, this is the closest you’ll get to sleeping with Harry Potter. The Georgian House Hotel’s wizarding chambers. Obviously if there’s any copyright lawyers reading this isn’t an actual Harry Potter themed hotel, but, well, nudge nudge.
Where: 35 – 39 St Georges Drive, Pimlico, SW1V 4DG
Website: www.georgianhousehotel.co.uk
Reptile House at the London Zoo
Take a trip to the London Zoo to see one of the very first few scenes of the Harry Potter series where Harry talks to the snake. Using his mind and magic, he was able to remove the glass and get back at his greedy cousin, Dudley—see exactly where this took place. Along with this Reptile exhibit, you can see the rest of the famous zoo.
Where: Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY
Website:www.londonzoo.org
Lacock
If you want to see where the inside of Hogwarts was filmed, you should venture to the village of Lacock. This setting will be very familiar to you if you are a fan of Sorcerer’s stone. The beautiful and distinct architecture will give you chills and will feel as if you are right there with Harry, Ron, and Hermione in their first year at Hogwarts.
Where: SN15
Millenium Bridge
While it is called the Brockdale Bridge, the Millennium Bridge is where it was filmed in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince! Check it out to see where the death eaters destroyed the bridge (Just in the movie. Not to disappoint, but the bridge is actually still there).
Where: Thames Embankment, London EC4V 3QH
