Harry Potter films were shot at a wide range of locations across the UK and Ireland, with many iconic sites used to represent Hogwarts, the surrounding countryside, and other magical settings. Here are the principal filming locations by region, along with notable sites fans often visit:
- England
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland — exterior Hogwarts scenes and broom training.
- Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire — interior corridor and classroom-like shots.
- Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire — various interior and exterior scenes, including corridors.
- Goathland, North Yorkshire — Hogsmeade station and Hogwarts Express sequences on the Jacobite-style steam route (a common stand-in for the real train scenes).
- Bath and surrounding areas — used for various landscape and village shots; near Bath, the appearance of some sets and town scenes was created.
- Oxford — colleges and streets served as several Hogwarts and student-life exteriors.
- Durham Cathedral and Durham University — Exteriors of Hogwarts and other interior/archway shots.
- Freshwater West, Wales — seaside scenes used for some Hogwarts lake or coast moments.
- Scotland
- Glencoe, Loch Awe and Loch Shiel areas — rugged landscapes standing in for Hogwarts surroundings and other outdoor battles.
- Edinburgh and nearby Scottish Highlands — various hinterland shots and atmosphere-creating landscapes.
- Wales
- Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire — coastal scenes used in several films.
- Ireland (ancillary background work and certain interior/venue productions)
- Certain interior sets and production shoots occurred in studios and locations in Ireland, contributing to specific scenes.
What fans typically visit
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – Leavesden (near London) – a primary on-site experience with many original sets, props, and costumes from all eight films.
- Alnwick Castle and Gardens (England)
- Gloucester Cathedral (England)
- Bath area locations and Lacock Abbey (England)
- Goathland Station (England)
- Edinburgh and Glasgow (Scotland)
- Glencoe and surrounding lochs (Scotland)
- Freshwater West (Wales)
Tips for planning a Potter-location itinerary
- Decide whether you want in-depth studio experiences (Warner Bros. Studio Tour) or external-location sightseeing (castle and countryside sites).
- Check opening times and film-specific highlights, as some sites are outdoors or require guided tours.
- Consider a guided Potter-themed tour if you want curated routes and background stories for each site.
- Respect private property and local regulations when visiting outdoor filming locations.
If you’d like, I can tailor a 2–3 day or a week-long itinerary focusing on England, Scotland, or Wales (or a mix) with routes, travel times, and entry details.
