A Self-Guided Harry Potter walking tour of London
Monday, 22 October 2018
One of the amazing things about London is that you can walk in the footsteps of your favourite movies practically on every street corner.
It may come as a surprise to you but I, of all people, haven't been on a Harry Potter walking tour of London yet. At least, I haven't paid for one. I have done pirates, ghosts and general history, but never one of my favourite things of all time.
One sunny day in the Summer, Gary and I decided to have one of our rare 'date days' around London. It mostly consisted of doing our own self-guided walking tours of Harry Potter areas, lord knows why Gary agrees to do all of these things with me but he is a bit of a hero.
There are obviously way more places around London that have been used for Harry Potter orientated things, but we did not leave in enough time... typical us. Here are just a few things every Harry Potter nerd should visit when they're in London.
The Harry Potter floor of Hamley's
Not exactly hidden away in the basement with a Diagon Alley inspired archway entrance is the the dedicated area to all things Harry Potter. As you enter you a greeted by Hogwarts 'students' in their robes showing off all the toys and merch, a giant Hagrid, which I really hope is to scale, and the soundtrack playing in areas.
Leadenhall Market at the Leaky Cauldron
All Londoners know of Leadenhall Market and a weekend is the perfect time to go and see it, especially if it's mostly for the gram. On a weekend, that whole area of London is pretty much a ghost town. Even the New Look on the corner isn't open when the banks and businesses aren't. Obviously, it would have been lovely to see the market in action, but I was having one of those weird head moments where I'd much rather not have to deal with people! I also work 9-5 so I guess the only time I can bloody go to the market is when it's bloody closed!
It's not nearly as creepy looking as in the movies and it's actually an opticians... but it's the Leaky Cauldron, guys! I promise!
Trying to find the Ministry of Magic in Westminster
This one was a little bit tricky because my GOD DAMN SCAFFOLDING CURSE STRUCK AGAIN. Also, I was an idiot and forgot the red phone box Mr. Weasley and Harry used to get to the Ministry was actually a prop. Out of my annoyance I didn't get a picture but you can find it 5 minutes walk from Westminster Tube Station, just past Downing Street.
Grimmauld Place - AKA Claremont Square near Angel
You know that Scaffolding Curse? Yeah, it struck again here too. Fan-fucking-tastic, right? Luckily for me, most of the houses on Claremont Square look exactly the same so I staged a photo in front of one of the scaffolding free houses anyway, much to the bemusement of one of the residents who was playing in the street with his little girl.
Not as dark and dingy as the House of Black is in the movies and the majority of them are covered in beautiful flowers. Kind of dampens the aesthetic a touch but I have to remind myself that Harry Potter isn't real sometimes and that set design is a thing...
Platform 9 3/4 King's Cross
Everyone knows this one but it is most definitely my happy place. I go here often even if it's just to feel a bit happier after a bad day. It's one of the few places in London where I can deal with lots of people in one place and that's only because I know it's a magical pilgrimage all Harry Potter fans go on and that not everyone is as lucky as I am. I only live 20 odd minutes away so can go as often as I like!
We missed so much off, including the Millennium bridge! Bless Gary, he has already agreed we can do another one again soon and has promised that we'll wake up earlier to fit more in. Maybe even do it over two days!
Regardless of how much we missed, I well and truly had the best day nerding out with one of my favourite people and I cannot wait to do it again.
Have you ever done a Harry Potter walking tour of London?