Harry Potter locations: where is Hogwarts in real life

Hogwarts, Platform 9 3/4 and Diagon Alley exist beyond the screen. The Harry Potter films were shot in real castles, cathedrals, colleges and stations in Great Britain, and most of these places are open to visitors.

Below are 9 locations where you can see Hogwarts in real life: what was filmed there, where they are and how to visit them.

Where is Hogwarts in real life: 9 locations

Location in the film	Real place	Where it is
Hogwarts (exterior, flying lesson)	Alnwick Castle	Northumberland, northern England
Great Hall	Christ Church college hall	Oxford
Platform 9 3/4	King's Cross station	London
Sets from all the films	Warner Bros. Studio Tour London	Leavesden, near London
Hogwarts courtyard	New College and Durham Cathedral	Oxford, Durham
Diagon Alley, the Leaky Cauldron	Leadenhall Market	London
Hogwarts corridors	Gloucester Cathedral	Gloucester
Hogwarts Express	Glenfinnan Viaduct	Scotland
Library and hospital wing	Bodleian Library	Oxford

1. Alnwick Castle: Hogwarts in the first films

Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, northern England, played Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The first broomstick flying lesson was filmed in its courtyard. The castle opens to visitors seasonally, from spring to autumn, so check opening dates and tickets on the official website.

2. The Great Hall: Christ Church, Oxford

The Great Hall of Hogwarts was built in a studio, but it was modelled on the hall of Christ Church college in Oxford. Every fan will recognise the long tables, portraits and high ceiling. The college staircase also appears in the first film. The hall is open to visitors except when students are dining.

3. Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross

King's Cross station in London has a Platform 9 3/4 photo spot: a luggage trolley disappearing into the wall and scarves in house colours. The Harry Potter Shop is right next to it. The photo is free, but expect a queue in high season.

4. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London in Leavesden, near London, is where all eight films were made. The original sets are preserved here: the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Hagrid's hut, the Ministry of Magic and a platform with the Hogwarts Express, plus costumes and props. Tickets are sold for timed entry, so book in advance.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Harry Potter

5. Hogwarts courtyard: Oxford and Durham

Scenes in the Hogwarts courtyard and cloisters were filmed in the cloister of New College, Oxford, including the moment Draco Malfoy is turned into a ferret, and at Durham Cathedral in northern England. Both can be visited.

6. Diagon Alley: Leadenhall Market

The covered Victorian Leadenhall Market in the City of London played Diagon Alley in the first film. This is where Harry and Hagrid head to the Leaky Cauldron. The market still operates, with cafes, shops and pubs.

7. Hogwarts corridors: Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral, about two hours from London, was used for the corridors of Hogwarts. Its Gothic cloisters appear in several films, including the scene with the message on the wall about the Chamber of Secrets being opened. The cathedral is open to visitors.

8. The Hogwarts Express and Glenfinnan Viaduct

In the films the Hogwarts Express crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland, part of the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig. In summer the steam train The Jacobite runs here, with tickets sold on the official website.

9. Hogwarts library: the Bodleian

The Hogwarts library was filmed in Duke Humfrey's Library, the oldest reading room of the Bodleian Library in Oxford, and the hospital wing in the Divinity School. The library still serves researchers, so visitors can only see these rooms on a guided tour.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Hogwarts in real life?

There is no single real Hogwarts, it was put together from several places. The exterior is Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, the Great Hall was modelled on the hall of Christ Church in Oxford, the corridors are in Gloucester Cathedral, and most sets are kept at the Warner Bros. studio near London.

Can you visit Hogwarts?

Yes. Alnwick Castle, the Oxford colleges and the Gloucester and Durham cathedrals are open to visitors, and at the Warner Bros. studio you can walk through the original film sets.