Harry Potter is undoubtedly one of the most beloved franchises of all time. Having sold over 500 million copies, and been translated into 70 different languages, there isn’t a corner of the world that hasn’t been touched by the legacy of this work of fiction.
But despite its global impact, Harry Potter is also widely regarded as a hallmark of UK culture, and one of the country’s leading contributions to literature and film.
As well as being home to popular tourist destinations such as Warner Bros. The Making of Harry Potter, and London Kings Cross’ Platform 9 and ¾, the UK and Ireland also offer a wealth of more rural locations where you can step into the wizarding world away from the crowds. For those wishing to experience the birthplace of Harry Potter, the UK and Ireland are home to countless filming locations, sites of inspiration and more.
harry potter in scotland
Of all the countries in the UK, Scotland is the place where you’ll find the majority of key locations and filming sites from across the eight Harry Potter movies.
rannoch moor
This picturesque part of Scotland is shown in The Deathly Hallows: Part 1, when the Death Eaters board the Hogwarts Express in search of Harry. Stretching from Rannoch station, this vast expanse of breathtaking moorland is the perfect place for a country walk in the Scottish countryside.
nevis gorge and steall falls
Located near Fort William you’ll find these filming locations which appeared in the fourth movie, The Goblet of Fire. It’s here that Harry faces a dragon as part of his challenges in the Triwizard tournament. But don’t worry, you won’t have to face any dragons as you explore Nevis Gorge and Steall Falls. The only thing you’ll find here are gorgeous natural landscapes.
jacobite steam train
Experience one of the most iconic train journeys in film by taking the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig. With sweeping views of the Glenfinnan viaduct and the Scottish highland, this two-hour train journey is featured in each of the films as the annual Hogwarts Express journey taken by the students each September.
glen coe
After facing dragons for the day, you might be looking for a more warm and welcoming location to head to. No place in the films is more comforting than Hagrid’s Hut. Although the hut structure was built specifically for filming before being removed, the area surrounding the hut can still be visited, just outside Glen Coe. Here you can explore the hillside that Hagrid’s dwelling was nestled in for several of the movies, and comb through the nearby forest looking for escaped werewolves and rogue dementors.
loch shiel
Located just outside Lochalsh and Fort William you’ll find the picturesque Loch Shiel, known to Hogwarts students as the famous Black Lake. So named for the dark appearance of its surface, the Black Lake features throughout all of the Harry Potter films, but most prominently in the fourth, The Goblet of Fire.
special mention: harry potter in edinburgh
As well as the many highland filming sites that can be found in Scotland’s countryside, arguably the location that had the greatest impact on the creation of the books and subsequent movies is the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh.
It was in this city that author JK Rowling was first inspired to write the books. Or, more specifically, in The Elephant House cafe, which you can still visit today, where JK did some of her writing for the first few books.
After stopping for a drink and a snack at the cafe, head over to Greyfriars Kirkyard, the located where JK Rowling conducted research for some of her character’s names. See if you can spot Sirius Black, Robert Potter, William McGonagall and even he who must not be named himself, Thomas Riddell.
You could even head to Balmoral Hotel, the site where JK Rowling wrote the famed final chapters of The Deathly Hallows.
If you’re looking for more sites of interest in the life of JK Rowling and the films, we’d recommend signing up for a Harry Potter walking tour around the city.
harry potter in england
England’s rolling countryside and historic landmarks are featured throughout the eight films. To experience a slice of the movie magic, be sure to head to the following locations:
lacock, wiltshire
This quaint, traditional English village made an appearance throughout several of the films, and in a few different capacities. It was in this village that some of Godric’s Hollow scenes were filmed, as well as featuring Budleigh Babberton, the village that Harry and Dumbledore visit in order to try and recruit Horace Slughorn for the coming school year. In Lacock, you’ll also find Lacock Abbey, which served as the location for Professor Quirrel’s Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, Professor Snape’s Potions Class, and the home of the Mirror of Esired.
hardwick hall
Located in Derbyshire, Hardwick Hall is an Elizabethan-style country house that featured in the movies as the exterior to Malfoy Manor. Whilst the interior was shot in another location, the grand exterior of the house features in the final two movies, and when Harry, Ron and Hermione are captured by snatchers and taken to the Malfoys. As well as having a striking exterior appearance, Hardwick Hall makes for a fantastic afternoon spent in the English countryside. Enjoy the many rooms and bedrooms, decorated in the Renaissance style, as well as beautifully kept gardens.
alnwick castle
In the very first Harry Potter film, The Philosopher’s Stone, we see Harry and his classmates being taught to ride a broom for the very first time. This sequence was shot in The Outer Bailey of Alnwick Castle, Northumberland. The castle was also used for other scenes in the film, including many of the courtyards and baileys being used for scenes in between classes, and the castle’s Lion Arch, which featured as one of the main ways in and out of Hogwarts.
harry potter in wales and ireland
Across Wales and Ireland, you’ll also find some more natural Harry Potter filming locations that the UK has to offer.
wales
shell cottage
Along the Welsh coast, on Freshwater West Beach, you’ll find Shell Cottage. This structure is featured in the final two movies of the franchise, as the home of Bill and Fleur Weasley. It is also on this beach that Dobby’s burial was carried out. Although there is a small monument on the beach to Dobby which you can visit, visitors are asked to not leave any tokens or memorabilia at the site.
ireland
cliffs of moher
It’s no wonder that this spectacular piece of natural architecture is featured at a pivotal moment in one of the films. In Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince, we see Harry and Dumbledore come here in search of one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes. This stunning piece of coastline certainly deserves to be captured on the silver screen.
When visiting the UK and Ireland, it’s not just the filming locations that make you feel like you’re in the movies. On a self-drive tour of the UK and Ireland, you can explore the Scottish Highlands, Welsh castles and Irish coastlines that look like they come straight from the wizarding world.
Get in touch with the Celtic Routes team today, and let us start planning your Harry Potter trip across Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Wales or Scotland.
