Where Was Harry Potter Filmed? 20 of the Top Filming Locations in the Series

For both avid Harry Potter fanatics and those who simply catch the films when they are on over bank holiday weekends, everyone can agree that the movies are visually stunning. Much of this impressive aesthetic quality, which is so effective in transporting us directly to a magical world, owes it to the filming locations in which the Harry Potter movies were shot.

The production team behind Harry Potter made it an absolute priority to pick accurate and impactful filming locations for everything that they shot during the making of the films.

They scoured the UK (and a little bit of Ireland) to find the very best filming locations they could possibly find, and, boy, did they get it right.

The Harry Potter films are, in a nutshell, magical. A magical world was created so accurately in front of our very eyes.

If you want to know a little bit more about how the film producers made such a splendid world by using real-life, Muggle UK locations, you are in luck right now. We have a list of 20 (yes, 20!) of some of the most magical Harry Potter filming spots used throughout the seven films.

To make things a little easier, we have categorised these locations into Southern England, Northern England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

We will start with Southern England as that category has the highest number of filming locations within the area. It couldn't be Harry Potter without London, after all.

Let's get into it!

Southern England's Harry Potter Filming Locations

1. King's Cross Station

You can't have Harry Potter without King's Cross Station. One of the most iconic scenes within the Harry Potter series is when Harry needs to get on the Hogwarts Express for the first time to get to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,

He needs the help of the Weasley family to support him in diving headfirst into the brick wall that leads to Platform 9 and 3/4.

This is the scene that really starts Harry's relationship with magic and the magical world, and so King's Cross Station is naturally a very important Harry Potter filming spot. The station itself has even added a luggage trolley crashing into the fictional 9 and 3/4 platform for fans to take photos with. Just remember to take your photo quick before the Hogwarts Express departs for the start of the school year!

2. St. Pancras Station

Interestingly, not all the shots of the station Harry Potter uses to catch the Hogwarts Express is actually King's Cross Station itself.

The film also used St.Pancras Station as a filming location for the exterior scenes of the station. This spot is also used for the scenes in The Chamber of Secrets film, in which Harry and Ron take flight in Ron's father's flying car when Harry and Ron miss the train to Hogwarts.

3. Oxford University, Christ Church College

Oxford is an English city quintessential to the filming of the Harry Potter films. There are multiple filming locations in Oxford that provide the backdrop for vital scenes in the Harry Potter world.

Christ Church College in Oxford University is one of those places, with even more locations within that one location again.

Three main spots in Christ Church College were used in the production of the Harry Potter movies: the Christ Church Dining Hall, the Christ Church Cloisters and the Christ Church staircase.

However, no actual filming took place in the Christ Church Dining Hall... So why is it on our list? You may be asking. Because this dining hall was the very inspiration for Hogwarts Great Hall in all of the films. If you take a look at this dining hall, it isn't difficult to see the inspiration. If you wanted to visit somewhere as close as possible to the magical Great Hall, this would be your Muggle equivalent.

As for the Christ Church Cloisters and staircase, these were indeed used as Harry Potter filming locations. The Cloisters is where Harry Potter first learns that his dad was a Quidditch seeker in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (The Sorcerer's Stone in the US, India and the Philippines) and sees his trophy. Similarly, the staircase provided a backdrop for lots of important scenes in both The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets films.

Staying in Oxford for a while longer, our next filming location is:

4. Bodleian Library Divinity School, Oxford

Oxford's Divinity School was used as a setting for a few different scenes in The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban, and The Goblet of Fire.

Notably, the Divinity School is used as the Infirmary throughout the Harry Potter movies, so we see multiple scenes in this spot: when Harry, Hermione and Ron are recovering from injuries and when Hermione is using the Time-Turner to take extra classes and, eventually, to rescue Buckbeak.

5. Duke Humfrey's Library in the Bodleian Library

Not going too far for our next location, we have Duke Humfrey's Library in the Bodleian Library in Oxford University.

This filming location is used just once in the Harry Potter films, but in a very memorable scene. The library pops up in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone when Harry sneaks into the restricted section of the library in Hogwarts, using his invisibility cloak. (If anyone had any of the Harry Potter video games back in the early 2000s you might remember this tense scene from there too!)

6. Gloucester Cathedral

Moving West throughout England now, we move on to Gloucester Cathedral in Gloucester, a couple of hours outside of London.

Again, there are a few iconic scenes throughout the Harry Potter series that have been filmed in this one filming location.

Within the cathedral there are cloisters, and these were featured in the first film of the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, as a Gryffindor Corridor that leads into the famous Gryffindor common room, guarded by Dawn French herself.

Then, with more sinister notes, the cathedral is used for two of the scenes in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, namely where Harry meets Moaning Myrtle for the first time and where Harry finds the words, 'The Chamber of Secrets Has Been Opened' on a Hogwarts wall. It is also used in a scarier context in the first film when Harry is seen running through Hogwarts Castle to escape a loose troll.

The cathedral is also used in a later film in the series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, for a couple of scenes with characters talking and interacting within the school.

7. Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire

This is a Harry Potter spot that is easy to recognise just from the photo, I reckon.

Do you recognise it?

Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire was famously used in the Harry Potter films as the setting for a lot of the scenes within Hogwarts Castle in the first and second films. Many infamous scenes took place in the Abbey, including Professor Snape's potions class, Professor Quirrel's Defence Against the Dark Arts class and when Harry found the Mirror of Erised and is shown his deepest, darkest desires.

The town of Lacock itself has more Harry Potter scenes to offer, too, including the setting for Harry's parents' house and Professor Slughorn's hideaway, shown in the later films.

Therefore, Lacock is a great place to visit if you ever want to transport yourself into the magical world of Harry Potter for a day or two!

8. Leadenhall Market, London

Leadenhall Market is a well-renowned place both within London's history and Harry Potter's history.

Within the Potter Universe, Leadenhall Market was used as the filming location for the Leaky Cauldron, the pub/bar to which Hagrid takes Harry on his very first visit to the wizarding shopping street, Diagon Alley. The spot is presented as 42 Bull's Head Passage, a disguise that is revealed once the pair step into the bar filled with witches and wizards.

This glass-roofed market spot is the perfect setting for this big transition between childhood and wizardry for Harry, and thus this location lent itself to a very important, very poignant moment within the film franchise.

9. Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studios in London

Harry Potter, of course, could not always simply be filmed in spots that were already in Muggle existence. There was far too much magic and imagination needed for the world we already have.

Therefore, a lot of filming for the movies also took place in the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studios in London. Lots of different kinds of filming took place here, from the tiny model of Hogwarts to green screen Quidditch flying scenes.

Since filming has wrapped, the studios now host a living memorial to the films and their many props. You can now visit the Warner Bros. studios for a Harry Potter walking tour of many of the sets and props, get your picture taken and take part in interactive activities.

What more could any Potter fan wish for?

10. Australia House, London

This location should be another easy spot for keen Harry Potter fans.

Australia House, which is a government embassy building in boring real life, was used as the setting of Gringotts Bank throughout the Harry Potter films.

We see this site for the first time in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone when Harry is taken to Gringotts for the first time before beginning his time at Hogwarts. He visits his vault and is amazed by all the wonderful nuts and coins he has never seen before. We see this location for the last time in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, when Harry, Ron and Hermione sneak into the bank under disguise in order to find another Horcrux.

You might remember this location as the site of Helena Bonham Carter's amazing Hermione Granger impression!

Or at least, that's what I always think of.

11. London Zoo Reptile House

In the very first scene in the series when we get to see Harry speaking in Parseltongue, we see him interact with a python in a local zoo. Harry, unknown to himself, frees the snake and reigns terror on his horrible cousin Dudley Dursley.

This scene actually took place (minus the speaking snake) in London Zoo's very own Reptile House. The zoo is so proud of it that they have a plaque dedicated to the scene to this day.

There is glass this time, thankfully.

12. Millennium Bridge, London

The opening scenes of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince point to a darker turning point within the franchise. From this film onwards, things are a little more violent and a little more combat-related.

The Millennium Bridge in London is used as a significant sign of that in the fifth film when it is destroyed by Voldemort's army of Death Eaters. This is an attack ordered by Voldemort after Cornelius Fudge will not bend to his will and give up his position as the Minister of Magic. Voldemort then takes his revenge on the Muggle world, taking the Millennium Bridge with him.

The real bridge, however, is still very much there and is a busy spot for daily London life and commuting. Happy days for us Muggles!

And with that, we conclude our list of Harry Potter filming locations in Southern England. Phew! What a list, eh?

Now on to the North of England.

Northern England's Harry Potter Filming Locations

While the list of filming spots in the North of England is much shorter than that of the South of England, it is not of any less importance. Some of the locations in North England are some of the most important, in fact, in the series.

So, let's not give them any less love!

13. Malham Cove, North Yorkshire

Malham Cove in North Yorkshire is an interesting and mysterious stretch of natural beauty in Malham. It is a limestone formation that was formed during the Ice Age and remains a popular visitor spot to this day.

It was also, importantly for us, used for a very pivotal scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

This spot is where Harry and Hermione part ways with Ron for the first time, as he is being negatively impacted by a Horcrux he has been wearing around his neck. Up until this point, the triad has been camping out in the area in the middle of their Horcrux recovery expedition.

This mysterious limestone area brought the perfect element of isolation and gloominess to these scenes and the production team couldn't have picked a better location for this part of the movie!

14. Goathland Train Station, Yorkshire

The quaint Goathland Train Station in North Yorkshire is depicted as Hogsmeade station in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. It is this station that welcomes Hogwarts students back to school for the year or sends them off again for their holidays.

We see it in the first film when Harry gets off the Hogwarts Express for the first time, and when he gets back on again after his first year is complete, seen off by an emotional Hagrid.

15. Durham Cathedral, Durham

There are multiple locations within the majestic Durham Cathedral that have played host to Potter filming, especially for the first two instalments in the film franchise.

Durham Cathedral's Chapter House was home to Professor McGonagall's classes, and the cloisters became the quadrangle where Cedric Diggory debuted his 'Potter stinks' badges and where Ron fell ill with slugs due to a nasty curse in the Chamber of Secrets.

Even stepping into Durham Cathedral feels like stepping into Hogwarts Castle—you can easily see the producers' thought processes behind this one.

If you fancy a trip, the Cathedral is open to the public for free visiting, which is always a great thing to know. Right?

16. Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

Alnwick Castle was used for a lot of the exterior shots of Hogwarts and its grounds in the first two Potter films.

You can see the beautiful English castle and its grounds when Harry and his classmates first learn to fly, when Harry first begins to learn how to play Quidditch, when Harry and Ron crash Mr Weasley's flying car, and when the young triad head out to Hagrid's hut and the Forbidden Forest.

In short, you can see this spot lots of times in the first two films, and it is a must-know spot for all fans of the books and films.

You can't get any more English than Alnwick Castle, and you can't get any more Potter than a castle with impressive grounds!

Scotland's Harry Potter Filming Locations

There are two main locations for filming in Scotland, and I have a feeling that you will definitely recognise them straight away.

If you don't, have you even seen the films?

17. Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scottish Highlands

Could it even be a Harry Potter film without the beautiful sight of the Jacobite steam train known as the Hogwarts Express?

No, it couldn't.

If you have ever watched the Hogwarts Express travel to and from Hogwarts Castle and have been in awe at the beautiful sights it traverses, I'm sure you have wondered where on earth these sights are and how you can get to them yourself!

Luckily for you, we will fill you in right now.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Scottish Highlands is home to the Hogwarts Express. The spectacular sight is the perfect choice for the significant journey the train takes from reality to wizardry, and it simply couldn't look any more magical!

18. Glencoe, Argyll, Scottish Highlands

The peaks and troughs of the lush Scottish Highlands made the perfect setting for much of the Quidditch scenes we see throughout the HP franchise. We also see this spot during the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Basically, if you see Harry taking a long detour on his Quidditch broom and flying through open landscapes and mountain scenes, you can be pretty sure the setting behind the scene is Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands.

(And a little bit of green screen, too. But let's not ruin the illusion.)

Wales' Harry Potter Filming Location(s)

Now it's over to Wales for their part in the magical filming process! A small part, but an essential one, too.

19. Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire, Wales

The only site (that I know of) in Wales that lent itself to the filming of our beloved Harry Potter films was Freshwater West in Pembrokeshire.

This stretch of land beside the freshwater sea was used as the home of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour. The quaint cottage became a stowaway spot for Harry and his allies during Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows when things with Lord Voldemort and his army of Death Eaters had been really kicked up a notch.

The cottage itself where the couple resided, unfortunately, doesn't exist in real life and was only used for filming, but the stretch is a beautiful place to visit if you ever want to re-enact Harry's wistful beachside thinking.

Ireland's Harry Potter Filming Location(s)

And last, but certainly not least, we turn to Ireland to see what part their Emerald Isle had to play in the creation of Harry Potter.

20. The Cliffs of Moher

Ireland only had a very small part to play in the production of the HP films, but one of their most iconic sights did feature in The Half-Blood Prince, and we would be remiss to not mention it in our list.

The Cliffs of Moher are the real-life location of the ominous cave in The Half-Blood Prince in which Harry and Professor Dumbledore take their quest to find another Horcrux. Inside this cave, Harry and Dumbledore face horrors and challenges that try and stop them from claiming the Horcrux for their own, but they ultimately succeed.

The dark and broody cliffs were definitely a spot-on choice for this intense scene. It was sure worth the extra bit of filming budget on flights, don't you think?

And with this final spot, we conclude our list of the top 20 Harry Potter filming locations!

If you made it this far, thank you for sticking around. You must be up there with some of the best Harry Potter fans on the scene.

Now, the next time someone asks you, 'Hey, where was Harry Potter filmed?' You will know exactly what to tell them!