The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
King’s Cross
Start at King’s Cross, where of course it all starts for Harry and take a photo with a trolley disappearing into the wall at Platform 9 ¾ . The queue is shortest early morning or late evening. Plus there’s a well-stocked gift shop full of Gryffindor jumpers etc. So take some galleons.
St Pancras (and the St Pancras Hotel)
Harry actually took the train to Hogwarts from another station across the road.. At the time King’s Cross was considered too ugly so beautiful St Pancras was used instead. One look at the magnificent hotel building and you’ll see why.
Claremont Square (Grimmauld Place)
If you have time walk up Pentonville Road and discover the inspiration for Grimmauld Place – Claremont Square. Superfans will notice the road next to the square may have influenced JK Rowling’s choice of a certain pet’s name.
We visit the actual Grimmauld Place location later in the tour. So don’t worry.
Leadenhall Market
Harry first speaks Parseltongue in the Reptile House at London Zoo – but that’s a day in itself. So instead travel southbound on the northern line to Bank and take a short walk to Leadenhall Market. This is where the entrance to Diagon Alley was filmed in the first few movies.
Borough Market
Time for lunch! Walk across London Bridge to Borough Market, London’s biggest food market. Not only is it foodie heaven it’s also where the entrance to Diagon Alley was filmed in the later movies.
Millennium Bridge
After stuffing your face, head to the Millennium Bridge which was destroyed in the seventh film. Cross, avoiding any stray Death Eaters and head to St Paul’s Tube station.
Lincoln’s Inn
Take the Central line westbound to Holborn and walk to Lincoln’s Inn. This is where Grimmauld Place was actually filmed.
Australia House
A few streets away is Australia House which of course was used as a location for Gringott’s Bank.
Great Scotland Yard
Then, if you’re not feeling up to anymore walking, jump on the tube at Temple, get off at Embankment and take a glimpse at Great Scotland Yard next to Trafalgar Sq. Although it’s famous in it’s own right as a Police Station it was also used as the location for the Ministry of Magic.
If you’re a movie buff or Potter Head then this guide to Harry Potter’s London is perfect for you.
A recent addition to Harry Potter’s London is the exciting play based around the children of our famous heroes. Be sure to book asap because tickets are very often sold out. (Apparently, Harry Potter’s a pretty big deal, who knew?)
However if you click here, you can find out about the Friday Forty. Every Friday at 1pm you will have the chance to buy tickets for the upcoming week’s performances. But be quick there’s only forty of them!
Platform 9 3/4 Kings Cross
Start at King’s Cross, where of course it all starts for Harry and take a photo with a trolley disappearing into the wall at Platform 9 ¾ . The queue is shortest early morning or late evening.
Plus there’s a well-stocked gift shop full of Gryffindor jumpers, splendidly designed and atmospherically decorated offering wands, apparel, wizarding artefacts, books and artwork plus loads more besides including Chocolate Frogs and Every Flavour Beans.., So take some galleons.
St Pancras
Harry actually took the train to Hogwarts from another station across the road. At the time King’s Cross was considered too ‘ugly’ so beautiful St Pancras was used instead. One look at the magnificent hotel building and you’ll see why.
Outside you’ll see the neo-gothic facade of St Pancras where the Weasley’s magical Ford Anglia takes off in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Claremont Square
If you have time walk up Pentonville Road and discover the inspiration for 12 Grimmauld Place – Claremont Square.
It’s said that the address was inspired by Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the largest public square in the city. However, in the film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the rowhouses on Claremont Square were used as the exterior of Grimmauld Place. It’s not hard to understand the mix-up: London is filled with public squares and private gardens surrounded by beautiful townhouses.
Superfans will notice the road next to the square may have influenced JK Rowling’s choice of a certain pet’s name – let us know in the comments if you spot it!
London Zoo’s Reptile House
Harry first speaks parseltongue at the Reptile House at London Zoo – but that’s a day in itself. So… run wild and have fun!
In the famous scene, a Burmese python speaks to Harry Potter, played by Daniel Radcliffe for the first time. In fact, the enclosure filmed is actually home to our black mamba.
Leadenhall Market
Travel southbound on the northern line to Bank and take a short walk to Leadenhall Market. This is where the entrance to Diagon Alley was filmed in the first few movies.
There’s a blue door is located at 42 Bull’s Head Passage and, in our world, it is an optician. The door is easily spotted among the reds and greens of the rest of the market which means it’s easy for you to find the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron yourself!
Borough Market
Time for lunch! Walk across London Bridge to Borough Market, London’s biggest food market.
Not only is it foodie heaven it’s also where the entrance to Diagon Alley was filmed in the later movies.
Millennium Bridge
After stuffing your face, head to the Millennium Bridge which was destroyed in the seventh film. Cross, avoiding any stray Death Eaters and head to St Paul’s Tube station.
Australia House
Take the Central line westbound to Holborn and walk to Lincoln’s Inn. This is where Grimmauld Place was actually filmed.
A few streets away is Australia House which of course was used as a location for Gringott’s Bank.
Scotland Yard
Then, if you’re not feeling up to anymore walking, jump on the tube at Temple, get off at Embankment and take a glimpse at Great Scotland Yard next to Trafalgar Sq. Although it’s famous in its own right as a Police Station it was also used as the location for the Ministry of Magic.
Diagon Alley at the Harry Potter Experience, an official K-Rated attraction © Warner Bros.
Here’s a sneak preview of what to expect at the Warner Bros Studio Tour: Harry Potter Experience: costumes, puppets and sets are all on display. And now you can even take a ride on the legendary Hogwarts Express. Enjoy and don’t forget to read this guide on How to Make the Most of Your Money whilst you’re there.
Clink Prison Museum
Matilda the Musical
