London

King's Cross station provided the film's magical Platform 9 3/4 and has starred in most of the Harry Potter films.
London Zoo was used for the magical scene where Harry realises he has the special powers to communicate with snakes in 'Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone'.

Aerial views of Big Ben/the River & Parliament Square are seen on Harry's arrival in London. Harry and Hagrid are also seen walking through London's Leadenhall Market as they approach the Leaky Cauldron, set in Charing Cross in JK Rowling's books. Scenes of Gringotts, the Wizards Bank run by goblins were filmed in the marble expanse of Australia House on the Strand - however it was filmed in a secure area not open to the public (apart from a once-a-year open day). The Knight Bus scenes in 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' were filmed in Borough Market and Blackfriars Bridge.

Oxford and Gloucester

Many of the Hogwart's school scenes were filmed at Oxford University.
In the first film, Oxford provided Hogwart's staircase where Mrs McGonagall greets the schoolchildren upon their arrival, the Great Hall on which Hogwart's dining room was modelled (pictured), the Library where Harry creeps at night under his invisible cloak, and Hogwart's hospital.

In the later films 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' and 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire', Oxford provided the settings for the 'defence against the Dark Arts' scene in which Mad-eye Moody demonstrates the three unforgivable curses, Malfoy's transformation into a ferret and Ron's dancing lesson.

Further adventures of Harry Potter and his friends were shot at the Norman Cathedral of Gloucester (pictured), a place of worship for more than 1300 years, including the Ghost scenes and talking portraits in 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' ('Sorcerer's Stone' US version). The Cathedral is also featured in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' including the scenes featuring the ghost Moaning Myrtle, and the mysterious appearance of the red writing in Hogwarts' corridors ... "The chamber of secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware".

In an extra hour you can also include Lacock Abbey, where some of the classroom scenes were filmed. The beautiful village of Lacock will evoke memories in the minds of avid film buffs - it was also used in the period dramas Emma and Pride and Prejudice (open in the Summer months). Oxford can be combined with other historic sights: Shakespeare's Stratford, or Blenheim Palace (grounds only open November to Mid March), or the Cotswolds

Sincerely Paul -Harry Potter Tours