When it comes to pop culture holiday in May, “May the 4th” aka Star Wars Day usually steals the show. But two days before that, there is another holiday celebrating a franchise you are most likely familiar with as well.
The franchise in question stars a heroic young wizard named Harry Potter.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film’s release – Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone opened globally in November 2001.
But that is not the only major thing the fandom, Potterhead, is anticipating this year. There is a new adaptation of the books coming to the small screen in December. (Buzz around it hasn’t exactly been positive, but that’s neither here nor there.)
Since May 2 is International Harry Potter Day, today feels apropos for a list of destinations that wizards and muggles – Potterheads will understand – would enjoy.
As per VisitBritain’s information, here are a few places used as filming locations for the Harry Potter movies and the upcoming TV show.
Alnwick castle (Northumberland)
Learning to fly is one of the things you can do at Alnwick Castle, located in England’s northernmost county Northumberland. Bookings for the “Broomstick Training” sessions can be done on the official Alnwick Castle website.
The quirky activity is a nod to the broomstick flying lessons seen in the first movie which, along with the second movie, was filmed at the castle.
Cadgwith Cove (Cornwall)
The scenic county of Cornwall is famed for its coastal vibes. A spot you’ll want to visit is Cadgwith Beach, which will reportedly feature in the titular TV series. Filming crew were spotted at Cadgwith Cove, where the beach is located, late last year.
Windsor Great Park (Berkshire)
Plenty of major motion pictures were filmed at Windsor Great Park, located in the “royal county” Berkshire. You might know this as the place where the two-part finale Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows was filmed.
Within the park is Virginia Water, one of the lakes used as Hogwarts’ Great Lake in the movies. The park is likely to appear as Hogsmeade Station in the TV series.
Borough High Street (London)
Also said to appear in the TV adaptation is London’s Borough High Street. Previously, the area, which includes Borough Market, was featured in the third instalment of the film franchise.
In the new TV show, it will once again be used for scenes involving the wizarding pub Leaky Cauldron. You can’t visit the fictional pub, but you can spend time shopping at the market.
Leadenhall Market (London)
Also serving as the filming location for the Leaky Cauldron entrance is Leadenhall Market.
The Victorian indoor marketplace was featured in the first and fourth movies, primarily in scenes involving the wizarding shopping district, Diagon Alley.
To make your visit feel more magical, go in December, when the market is all decked up for Christmas.
King’s Cross (London)
No Harry Potter tour in London is complete without a visit to King’s Cross railway station. Specifically, to Platform 9 ¾.
At this photo spot, located near the station’s Harry Potter souvenir store, you can pose with a luggage trolley that is seemingly “disappearing” through the wall.
This replicates scenes in the movies when Harry and his friends are boarding the Hogwarts Express to their wizarding school.
The station will be returning for more magical train moments in the TV series.
