I don’t know about you but I can’t think of anything better than spending a weekend flying to the top spots in London for Harry Potter enthusiasts.
These London Harry Potter attractions will not disappoint. You can practice your skills in a potions class, recreate scenes from the films, shop your heart out with authentic Harry Potter merchandise and even spend the night in a Hogwarts-themed room.
Keep reading to plan your entire time in London to be as magical as possible.
Top Things to do in London for Harry Potter Fans
Get your wands ready, London is packed with places for muggles to entertain themselves while waiting for their Hogwarts letters.
Harry Potter Studio Tour
This might just be as close as you’ll get to exploring Hogwarts as you can. The Warner Brothers Studio tour will show you the making of Harry Potter including sets such as the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office and the Hogwarts Express.
You’ll also see costumes, special effects and props. There’s even a chance to ride a replica of the Knight Bus! Treats like butterbeer and activities such as riding a broomstick in front of a green screen will make your trip all the more believable too.
Pro tip: Book your tickets way in advance, they sell out quite early. And by in advance I mean a minimum of 2 months early, even then you may not get tickets!
Harry Potter Tours for Muggles
There are a number of driving and walking tours of London available for muggles that will take you to the top spots in the city where J.K. Rowling was inspired by the elements to create scenes in her books and where the actual movies where filmed.
You’ll be around others who love Harry Potter just as much as you and get a guide who is both entertaining and extremely knowledgeable on all things Harry Potter in London.
Here are some of the tours available:
- Harry Potter 3-Hour London Landmarks Tour
- London Harry Potter Walking Tour
- Harry Potter Tour of London by Black Taxi Cab
- Free Harry Potter Walking Tour
Attend a Potions Class at The Cauldron
For a truly magical experience try your hand at making some cocktails (I mean potions) at this pop-up, The Cauldron. Decked out in Harry Potter style decorations this bar is where witches and wizards can mix up a few drinks using special ingredients.
Boiling, stirring just the correct amount in the listed direction and drinks that mist over the edge are all apart of this Harry Potter experience.
Find the latest details of where the pop-up is and prices on The Cauldron.
Visit Platform 9 ¾
Easily the most affordable Harry Potter activity (it’s free!) to do in London is visit the now iconic Platform 9 ¾ where you can snap your new profile pic jumping in front of the platform adorned with a Hogwarts scarf.
Get there early though, a line-up forms and you could be waiting for hours.
The platform is located at King’s Cross station where you can also find filming locations on platforms 4 and 5 and a souvenir shop that is modeled after Ollivanders.
Stay in a Hogwarts-themed Room
That’s right, you can snuggle in bed at night in a Hogwarts-themed room that’s decked out with trunks, stained glass windows, tapestries and a wood burning stove. To get to your room you must pass down a hallway lit with candles where you’ll find your room hidden behind a bookshelf.
You can book one of these rooms in central London at the Georgian House Hotel.
See Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
If you can get your hands on some tickets for not one but two shows you’ll be a very lucky muggle. The shows play back to back Wednesday’s, Saturday’s and Sunday’s or you can catch them on consecutive days, Thursday and Friday.
You can find ticket availability and prices online for shows at the Palace Theatre.
Practice Your Wizard Skills at a Harry Potter-inspired Escape Room
Prove to your fellow muggles that you were meant to be a witch or wizard with the challenges in this escape room that allow you to graduate from wizardry school. Focus on tasks designed to test your focus, bravery and cooperation.
Pass all of the exams and beat the dark forces to complete the challenge at Engima Quests.
Indulge in an Afternoon tea for Witches and Wizards
Fit in an afternoon tea and another potions class with this tea held in the potions room at Cutter & Squidge. Don a robe and make your way to your desk where a Potions Master will lead you through the afternoons concoctions.
See a Filming Spot at the London Zoo
One of the famous first scenes of the first Harry Potter film was shot in the London Zoo in the Reptile House where Harry first learned about his magical powers. Angry at his brother, Harry made the glass disappear between Dudley and the exhibit that held a snake.
Walk Along Bridges from the Movies
There are a number of scenes shot in London that include bridges that you too can walk on and snap some pictures to recreate the scenes. The bridges to see are Millenium Bridge which is destroyed by Death Eaters at the beginning of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Tower Bridge when Harry flies over it on his broomstick in The Order of the Phoneix.
You’re all set for a weekend of wizardry!
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