London City
There are countless Harry Potter locations in London so that we will split them in two parts: the ones in London City and in Greater London. While the sights in London City can and should be visited by foot, I recommend a car for the sights in Greater London.
Great Scotland Yard & Horse Guards Ave.
DIAL 62442 TO ENTER THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC.
Unfortunately the telephone booth is missing - probably to keep muggles from entering the Ministry by accident. At this point Harry and Mr. Weasley enter the Ministry to attend Harry's hearing. On their hunt for horcruxes Harry, Ron and Hermione enter through a toilet, which was placed at Horse Guards Ave.
Piccadilly Circus & Charing Cross Road
"I'VE HAD ALL THE ESSENTIALS PACKED FOR DAYS, JUST IN CASE." (Hermione, DH1)
When the Deatheaters attack Bill and Fleur's wedding, Hermione apparates to Tottenham Court Roead - in the movie they appear in front of a bus at Piccadilly Circus.
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Charing Cross Road was the entry to Diagon Alley, where the Deatheaters kidnap Ollivander in the beginning of the sixth movie.
London Zoo & Australian High Commission
"BRAZIL, HERE I COME... THANKS, AMIGO." (Boa, PS)
Without meaning to, Harry sets a very grateful Boa free -earning him harsh punishment by his aunt and uncle.
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The Australian High Commission looks like the muggle Gringotts - and indeed the wizarding bank's look is inspired by the "Australia House" - the inside actually IS what you see in the movie, If you are lucky, you can get a glimpse through the curtains.
St. Pancras & King's Cross
"9 3/4? YOU THINK YOU'RE BEING FUNNY, DO YA?"(Conducter, PS)
Due to the lack of architectural finesse, the outside recording of King's Cross was done at nearby St.Pancras. Take a look into the sky, maybe yu'll see a flying Ford Anglia.
The inside recording, however, was done at King's Cross, where even muggles can try running thorugh the barrier. To attend the inside area, you will have to buy a ticket. Try the fanshop, but save some money for the big deal that is yet to come.
Claremont Square
"THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX MAY BE FOUND AT NUMBER TWELVE, GRIMMAULD PLACE, LONDON." (Dumbledore, OOTP)
Protected by a Fidelius Charm, Sirius Black's house becomes the HQ of the Order of the Phoenix. Hidden between numbers 11 and 13, the house appears when Harry reads the instruction quoted above. It was written by the secret keeper, Albus Dumbledore.
Later Grimmauld Place offers Harry, Ron and Hermione refuge and brings them closer to Kreacher and therefore to finding Slytherin's locket.
Saint Paul's & Millenium Bridge
"HARRY POTTER, YOU LISTEN TO ME RIGHT NOW!" (Luna, DH)
As one of the most impressive buildings in London, St.Paul's Cathedral was bound to be seen in the Harry Potter movies. But apart from the scene in which the Deatheaters destroy the Millenium Bridge, St.Paul's Cathedral contains the famous spiral staircase that leads to the divination classroom.
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Leadenhall & Borough Market
"CAN WE BUY ALL THIS IN LONDON?"
"IF YEH KNOW WHERE TO GO."(Harry and Hagrid, PS)
While Borough Market is just shortly shown in the third movie as scenery outside a Leaky Cauldron window, Leadenhall Market marks Harry's first step into the wizarding world. Accompanied by Hagrid, Harry enters the Leaky Cauldron for the first time, followed by his first visit at Diagon Alley.
Today the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron is diguised as an optician (blue door).
Greater
London
Swinley Forest & Picket Post Close
“MR. AND MRS. DURSLEY, OF NUMBER FOUR, PRIVET DRIVE, WERE PROUD TO SAY THAT THEY WERE PERFECTLY NORMAL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.”(PS)
Swinley Forest is a place of defeat and victory for Hatrry and his friends. While Harry, Ron and Hermione are captured by Snatchers there, Neville and Seamus manage to kill dozens of Snatchers and Deatheaters by blowing up the bridge.
Number four, Privet Drive was shot at Picket Post Close, Bracknell. While the real place has four identical houses next to each other, the movie makers digitally multiplied them to make the street look as prissy as possible. Later, a model of number four Privet Drive was built and used inside Warner Bros Studios to shoot scenes at the Dursley's.
Virginia Water & Victoria Drive
"YOU... COMPLETE...ARSE RONALD WEASLEY!" (Hermione, DH1)
Harry talking to Lupin about fighting dementors, Hagrid telling Harry, Ron and Hermione about Buckbeak's death sentence and Neville giving Harry the gillyweed before the second task of the Triwarzd Tournament - these scenes were filmed at Virginia Water Lake. But mostly from lake to shore, the shots from behind showing the lake were mostly taken in the Highlands.
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Victoria Drive at Burnham Beeches, Slough, was one of the trio's hiding places. Espacially Ron's return at this very place makes a visit to the "Forest of Dean" worthwhile.
If you are unlucky enough you will be able to see the thestrals, which were introduced to the students by Prof. Hagrid at Victoria Drive.
Black Park & Heathgate
"OBLIVIATE." (Hermione, DH1)
Black Park near the Pinewood Studios was the set for "the uglier Hogsmeade Station" and Hagrid's Hut in the first two movies. You certainly should avoid going there by night for the forbidden forest is home to a variety of dangerous creatures like acromantulas.
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Heathgate is Hermione's home. After modifying her parent's memory she leaves them and walks towards St. Judes Church. When I visited the place, Hermione's house was for sale. Her parents did like Australia then...
Warner Bros. Studio
"HARRY COULD HARDLY BELIEVE IT WHEN HE REALIZED THAT HE'D ALREADY BEEN AT HOGWARTS TWO MONTHS. THE CASTLE FELT MORE LIKE HOME THAN PRIVET DRIVE EVER HAD." (PS)
The big deal. Words can't describe the awesomeness of the Studio Tour. But numbers can: 10/10. Go there yourself, enjoy a butterbeer and don't forget to visit the shop at the end. Bertie Bott's Beans, Chocolate Frogs, wands...If you stood in front of the mirror Erised you would probably see yourself at the Studio Tour. The full package is ~53pounds, or 10 Galleons, 10 Sickels and 26 Knuts.
It's worth every Knut!
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Afterwards you can visit the nearby Dowding Way, where Harry was picked up by the Knight Bus after he had seen the grimm.
