Harry Potter Themed Vacation or Tour

Its almost time for the release of the 5th movie, so a fans thoughts might be turning towards Harry Potter once again (after being distracted by Twilight maybe?). What better vacation idea for Harry Potter fans than to tour some of the the fabulous locations from the movie. Here’s a list of some of the most memorable scenes and where they were filmed and at the end of the post I’ll give a few links to short and long Harry Potter tours and excursions.

Christ Church, Oxford - Hogwarts Dining Hall

Christ Church, Oxford

The Great Hall at Christ Church College was replicated in the film studios to create Hogwart’s Hall. As Harry and the new first-years enter Hogwarts they are greeted by Professor MacGonnigal. This scene was shot on the 16th century staircase which leads up to the Great Hall. Harry Potter continues a fine tradition of fantastic literature at Oxford. J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings and C.S Lewis, author of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and the Chronicles of Narnia both attended Oxford (at the same time…in fact they were good friends). Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland also had a a long association with Christ Church.

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester - Hogwarts

Gloucester Cathedral

Magnificent Gloucester Cathedral has been a place of worship for more than 1,300 years and is renowned for its stunning Gothic architecture. The cloisters are regarded as one of the most beautiful architectural features in Britain and the cathedral provides the setting for several scenes in the film. Perhaps the best shot of the cloisters is from the Girls Lavatory door in the Troll scene in the film. Pupils from King’s School, which adjoins the cathedral, were used as extras. The scene in ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ when the message written in blood is discovered was also filmed here.

Bodleian Library, Oxford - Hogwarts Hospital/Hogwarts Library

Divinity School, Oxford

The historic Bodleian Library is the main research library of Oxford University. Both Duke Humfrey’s Library and the Divinity School were used as some of the interiors at Hogwarts. The Divinity School’s vaulted ceiling is regarded as a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture.

Alnwick Castle - Hogwarts Castle Exterior

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor Castle, and has been home of the Earls and Dukes of Northumberland since 1309. It has featured in many film and television productions over the years, and was seen recently in ‘Elizabeth’, ‘Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves’ and ‘Robin of Sherwood’. The castle grounds are used as the location for some of Hogwarts’ exteriors, for example the scene where Harry and his classmates have their first flying lesson with broomsticks.

Lacock Abbey - Hogwarts Castle Interiors

Lacock Abbey Cloister

The lovely medieval village of Lacock, now in the charge of the National Trust, is the location of picturesque 13th-century Lacock Abbey. A historic manor house, Lacock Abbey retains its medieval cloisters as well as later Tudor features. It was the home of William Fox-Talbot, one of the inventors of photography. The Abbey was the setting for various interior scenes at Hogwarts School.

Glenfinnan Viaduct - Train Journey to Hogwarts

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets features a substantial sequence which revolves around the Hogwarts Express crossing the viaduct. Its appearances in two subsequent Harry Potter films, The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Goblet of Fire, has cemented the association of the viaduct with the film series.Glenfinnan Viaduct is a railway viaduct on the West Highland Line in Glenfinnan, Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. It was built between 1897 and 1901. Located in the West Highlands of Scotland, it forms an integral part of the West Highland Line. The 21-arch viaduct was one of the largest engineering undertakings using concrete when it was built by Sir Robert McAlpine. West Coast Railway Company, supplied the engine and all carriages for the film.

Goathland Station - Hogsmeade Railway Station

Goathland Station

The station at the pretty North Yorkshire village of Goathland was transformed into Hogsmeade Station by simply changing the names on the signs. The station has barely changed since it was built in 1865. The village has a population of around 450 and has a village Post Office, a village school, and several village pubs. Glendale House is a small bed and breakfast, right in the centre of the village.

Black Park, Buckinghamshire

Black Park park is set within 530 acres of attractive woodland, grassland and heathland with a 13 acre centerpiece lake just north of Pinewood Studios.  The scene in Goblet of Fire in which Hagrid shows Harry the dragons prior to the First Task was shot at Black Park in mid-February 2005. Also, the scenes near and in Hagrid’s Hut in the first and second Harry Potter films were shot here.

Planning a Tour

With half the locations in Scotland and the other half in Southern England (and one in between!), it’s necessary to plan at least a two center vacation if you want to see everything. There are plenty of specialist tour companies who run escorted Harry Potter tours annually during the summer. Some site are listed below. These can be quite expensive and places are very limited. I am going to follow this post with another with some ideas for planning your own Harry Potter tour, which would be considerably cheaper.

One Day/Two Day Tours from London

If you only want to devote one or two days to Harry Potter, there are opportunites for day or overnight excursions from London (although these obviously won’t include the Scottish or Yorkshire locations).

Viator offers a hour private group black taxi tour of Harry Potter locations in London. You will see Diagon Alley and the platform at Kings Cross Station where Harry and friends depart for Hogwarts. You’ll also follow Harry’s flight to London with Dumbledore’s Army and see the bridges, buildings and ships they pass along the way. Enter the telephone box that descends into the Ministry of Magic below. Stand right where Harry and Voldemort come face to face for the first time since the Triwizard tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Last stop is the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, which is also home to Harry’s beloved Godfather Sirius Black.

You can also take a small group tour Harry Potter and English Authors tour;. This tour includes a range of classic UK attractions. You will see medieval villages and historic cities, a fairy tale castle and a prehistoric stone temple, stunning scenery and wonderful architecture. But it’s a “doing tour” too, designed for a family to enjoy holiday fun together. There’s a steam train ride, castle exploring, woodland walking and family competitions to enter. The tour is also designed to introduce youngsters to other famed children’s writers including JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll. The tour departs from Central London hotels and is designed for a maximum of 11 people. You will have the services of a university-educated guide/driver for the duration.

5 Days and Longer/Multi-Center/See-it-all tours

The king of all Harry Potter tours is the ‘Sorceror’ tour offered by HP Fan Trips. This is a 10 day/9 night tour and covers Scotland, London and Oxford locations. It includes exclusive use of Edinburgh Castle for a “Hogwarts”-style Banquet as well as admission fees, tours, transfers, 13 meals, a professional storyteller, private movie screenings and 3/4 star hotel accomodations throughout the trip.

The ‘Sorceror’ tour is all Harry Potter, all the time. But if you would rather combine Harry Potter with other great UK attractions, you might prefer My Guide Britain’s Wizards and Magic Tour. This tour is a self drive vacation, which makes it much cheaper. You get all accomodation, breakfast everyday, vehicle rental and all insurance and a full pre-planned itinerary and vacation guides.