We tell you the secret locations of Harry Potter movies filming

Harry Potter films are full of magic, Dementors, elves, Quidditch matches, centaurs and more. Their stories are so incredible, it is hard to believe that somebody wouldn’t like their adventures. Eight Harry Potter films were made between 2001 and 2011, the main setting being England, in the United Kingdom, and many locations were picked for this saga.

However, England is not the only place in the UK that served as an inspiration and source of excitement for both the author of the stories and her production company. Other locations took place in the wonderful countries of Scotland and Wales, which along with England are the three countries that make up the island of Great Britain, as well as the facilities of Warner Brothers studios. Next we will show you some of them

Some Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland and Wales

• The Glenfinnan railway viaduct in Scotland: It rises about thirty metres above the ground, and appeared in several of the films of the saga. For example, in the journey through the Jacobite train or the Hogwarts Express, which Harry and his companions took to reach the College of Witchcraft and Wizardry of the same name.
• Spectacular scenery of Glencoe in Scotland: A landscape of valleys, mountains and streams. Used in the early films, especially in the game with the ball and brooms flying in the tournament of the Goblet of Fire and the Three Wizards of Harry Potter; that is, in the Quidditch matches, which is the name given to the sport they played. It was also used in Prisoner of Azkaban.
• Freshwater West, beach near Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire, Wales: This is the location of Shell Cottage, i.e. Weasley and Fleur’s house in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows film. It was a golden sandy beach where Harry, when he was inside, could only hear the waves of the sea.

Some locations from the filmings of Harry Potter in England:

• The medieval castle of Alnwick in Northumberland: This castle is located in the north of England and was used in the first Harry Potter films as the location for the wizarding school at Hogwarts, and Madame Hooch’s broomstick flying lessons took place outside the castle.
• The Norman Cathedral of Durham, in the north of England: it was used for the classrooms and corridors of the school, the famous chapter house, where Professor McGonagall teaches the wizard students how to transform animals into water goblets. Also in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, when Harry flies Hedwig the owl. How could we forget when, in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Ron vomits because of the slug spell.
• Gloucester Cathedral in the southwest of England: A 1300 years old cathedral where several scenes were filmed. For example, the Gryffindor common room and corridors, or the writings that appeared on the walls, threatening the young people of the school.

The corridors are where Harry and Ron were hiding from the famous troll. They also had to find Moaning Myrtle, or Nearly Headless Nick. An important point is that some modifications had to be made to the place, such as the electricity sockets, which were disguised as stones. 

• Lacock Abbey, in the southwest of England: This abbey is located in the county of Wiltshire. Professor Quirrell’s famous Defence of the Dark Arts classroom is located on the same site as the abbey’s huge cauldron. The vestry is where Professor Snape’s potions classes were held.

Similarly, Harry places the Mirror of Oesed in the chapter house of the Abbey. There was also the scene when Harry, covered in his invisibility cloak, starts to head towards the forbidden part of the famous library, and is almost discovered when he crosses paths with Filch, the cat.

 Filming locations at Christ Church College in Oxford, England:

• Oxford University’s spectacular library has its origins in 1602, and features in several of the Harry Potter films; such as the Hogwarts library. Then in the fan-vaulted hall, it was converted into the college’s hospital or infirmary. 
• The stairs of Christ Church College, which date back to the 16th century, were also used. It should be noted that the Oxford College staircase, dining hall and Great Hall are real, but were used as inspiration for a copy of each to be filmed at Warner Brothers studios.

Other Harry Potter filming locations in England: 

• Virginia water in Surrey, representing Hogwarts lake. 
• Ashridge Wood Forest, where the Quidditch World Cup is held.
• The 1881 Victorian Leadenhall Market in London: used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as a magical alley, to buy wizarding and magical items.
• London Zoo, dating from 1828: in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, where he discovers he could communicate with snakes on a visit to the reptile terrarium.
• Australia House building in London: opened in 1918 by King George V and used as the setting for the wizarding Gringotts Bank.
• Westminster, London’s oldest underground station, which was used in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
• Goathland railway station, used as the station where Harry disembarks before continuing on to school.
• Malham Cove field in the north of England, where Hermione and Harry hide from Voldemort.