Australia House, London

Just past Bush House-once the voice of the BBC’s World Service echoing across the globe-you’ll stumble upon a rather unassuming corner of London... unless you’re a wizard. Welcome to Australia House, the stately headquarters of the Australian High Commission (essentially, an embassy for Australia within the British Commonwealth). It opened in 1918, with King George V himself cutting the metaphorical ribbon. But let’s be real-if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’re not here for visa info.

You’re here for Gringotts.

Yes, the goblin-owned-and-run, no-nonsense wizarding bank-famously known, according to Rubeus Hagrid, as the second safest place in the magical world (after Hogwarts, of course)-was filmed right here. The bank appeared in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2." Remember that jaw-dropping marble lobby with glinting colossal glass chandeliers and goblin scowls? Straight from Australia House’s Beaux Arts interior. The filmmakers loved it so much that they recreated it later at Leavesden Studios. But those first shots were pure embassy magic.

Now, don’t expect to just stroll in waving a wand and shouting "Alohomora." Australia House is still a working embassy. You need a proper reason-something like a visa application or an official appointment-to get through those doors. But if you're charming (and not just in the magical sense), the security might let you peek at the grand chandeliered hall where the wizarding world's economy once jingled. Bear in mind, though, that Australia House is only open on weekdays, so if you visit on a weekend or public holiday, you won't be able to view the interior.

Tip:
It’s perched at a traffic-heavy junction, so even if you don’t get inside, you’ll be treated to a surprisingly hypnotic display of London traffic choreography. Just don’t try to ride a dragon through it. That’s been done.