Harry Potter has transformed fantasy into a world dominating superpower. Increasingly more people all across the globe become Harry's fans. The blockbuster movies were set entirely in Britain at the author JK Rowling's request. This 6-hour tour will give you step by step directions of how to explore all the London locations used in the Harry Potter films.
1) Goodwin’s Court
Goodwin’s Court is a cute narrow passage built into the frontage of The Theatre Goers Club of Great Britain, adjacent to 55-56 St Martin's Lane. A step into this lovely court, built circa 1627, takes you back in time to the Georgian period manifested in the typical bowed windows (remnants of the previously existent row of shops), polished black doors with shiny knockers and knobs with brass plates indicating the names of tenant businesses. There are three large, operational gas lamps illuminating the path. In the movie, Harry Potter walks through the Goodwin's Court en route to the Diagon Alley.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Patrick Chondon
2) Covent Garden Market
Covent Garden is well-known for its shops, street performers, bars, restaurants, theatres and the Royal Opera House. The centrepiece of Covent Garden is the famous market, designed by Inigo Jones as far back as 1632. The site attracts annually up to 30 million visitors. Underneath the glass cover there are several arcades of fashionable boutiques, cafés, food and arts and crafts stalls, as well as the Apple and the Jubilee Hall markets. Fresh food products are brought here directly from farmers each Thursday and Saturday. Harry Potter London walk passes through the Covent Garden Market.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and C Ford
3) Lyceum Theater
The Lyceum Theatre is one of London West End theatres, situated off the Strand, on Wellington Street. A theatre named Lyceum has been in this area since 1765. The one on the present site dates back to 1834 and was built by the partnership of Peto & Grissell to a plan by Samuel Beazley. It used to have a unique balcony overhanging the circle, which later had been lost to several reconstructions, including those in 1904 by Bertie Crewe and 1996 by Holohan Architects. What's left of the original design is just the façade and grand portico. The current building seats 2,000 and has been restored as a theatre after many years of housing Mecca Ballroom. The theatre is also part of the Harry Potter trail in London.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Anneke_B
4) Somerset House
Somerset House is a grand edifice with 55 active fountains situated on the south side of the Strand in the heart of London. The central, Neoclassical portion of the building, designed by architect Sir William Chambers, was completed in 1776–96. Later, two classical Victorian wings were added to the north and south. The current building stands on the site of its namesake predecessor which was built two hundred years earlier. Somerset House has been captured in one of Harry Potter blockbusters.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Jan van der Crabben
5) Roman Bath
A stroll down the alley on Surrey Street will take you off the Strand to Strand Lane where the Roman Bath is. Contrary to its name, the bath and its surroundings are most definitely not Roman as there are no traces of Roman presence in the area. The bath was probably part of Arundel House, the imposing town-house which, along with several other palaces, had stood on the Strand from Tudor period until the 17th century, when they were torn down to clear space for new buildings. The bath has gained popularity after being featured in one of Harry Potter films.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and chrislee-cm
6) Australia House
Australia House is a triangle-shaped beaux-arts style edifice on the Strand. It houses the Australian High Commission, which can be deduced from the elaborate exterior décor, statues and carving. The building has gained fame as the fictional Gringotts Bank in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone" movie. The filming took place in the exhibition hall on the ground floor with the set taking more than a week to build. Sadly for Harry Potter fans, no photography is allowed inside the building. Access to the filming spot is limited to just one day per year. There's no restriction on taking pictures outside though.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Lonpicman
7) St. Clement Danes Church
St Clement Danes is a church that stands on the Strand neighbouring the Royal Courts of Justice in the City of Westminster, London. St Clement's building dates back to 1682 and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Today it serves as the central church of the Royal Air Force. Popularized by the English nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons", the church's bells do actually ring this melody. St Clement's is also the place where you have to find the Rats Tails on your Harry Potter walk.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Gryffindor
8) Blackfriars Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge is a motor traffic and pedestrian bridge across the River Thames in London. It measures 923 feet long, and is made up of five wrought iron arches designed by Thomas Cubitt. In 1753 an acute need for a new bridge became obvious to make a gateway into the capital. Blackfriars Bridge has been a location of several scenes in Harry Potter films, namely The Knight Bus scene in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix" as one of the bridges under which Harry and the Order members fly up the river toward Westminster on their way to 12 Grimauld Place.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and pollobarca2
9) Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market, set on the site of a Roman forum, has been a marketplace for food since the 14th century. In 1990-1991 the market underwent a major reconstruction, bringing drastic changes to its appearance and reinforcing its architectural character and detail. The cobbled walkways and glass roof of Leadenhall Market make it an attractive place to shop, eat and drink or simply relax. The Market has also made appearance in Harry Potter movies as the shopping street, Diagon Alley. It doesn't however look exactly like that in the movie, perhaps due to a Muggles (ordinary human) eye not being able to see things as they really are.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Diliff