This one’s for my fellow nerds. If you’re anything like me, Harry Potter has played a significant role in making London the ideal place to visit. Ever since I picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone all those years ago, I knew I wanted to wander these English streets.
After all this time?
Always.
I didn’t realize just how much of a bucket list item this was for me until we were actually there, embraced in the magic of the city. While there’s plenty to do in Muggle London (which we set aside time for, too!), you’ll find plenty of wizarding ways to spend your days.
Welcome to the magical version of our London to-do list.
Stay in the Enchanted Chambers of the Georgian House Hotel
Tube station: Victoria
Address: 39 Saint George’s Drive London SW1V 4DG
Have you ever wanted to stay at Hogwarts? Join the club. While it’s not exactly possible to stay at the actual castle, the Georgian House Hotel is one of the best alternatives I’ve found. Even though it’s only a few minutes’ walk to Victoria Station, in the heart of bustling London, the Georgian House Hotel transports you to Hogwarts in their secret chambers. Chambers of Secrets?
Muggles might not notice the secret entrance to the wizarding wing as they go upstairs to their rooms. You’ll step through a bookcase into a candlelit stairway that leads you down into your very own magical corner of London.
Whether you’re traveling with family, or that special someone, or taking London by storm solo, there’s a chamber for you. They book up pretty fast though, since the wizarding community is so exclusive, so make sure to check your dates ASAP. You wouldn’t want to miss the magical breakfast that Pimlico Pantry, the hotel’s restaurant, is serving up every morning! Not to mention it’s included with the room. It’s a delicious way to kick off a day full of adventure.
Speaking of things included with the room, international travelers rejoice! For the length of your stay, the Georgian House Hotel offers one Handy phone per room – a cell phone that you can take out on the town with you, armed with unlimited data and phone calls. Perfect for sending Howlers back home and navigating the pipes (I mean, the tube) – no Parseltongue required.
Visit The Cauldron Pub
Tube station: Dalston Kingsland
Address: 5d Stoke Newington Road London N16 8BH
Fancy a drink? Don your house colors and grab your wand (don’t worry, they’ll give you one) – it’s time for potions class! But this isn’t Snape’s typical dungeon. This is the Cauldron Pub – a magical experience that combines
science & technology to bring the magic from fantasy books to life in an immersive, interactive experience
And believe me – it succeeds. Brew your very own (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) concoctions with the help of a little magic. If you’re still eagerly awaiting your Hogwarts acceptance letter, this is the perfect place to kick off your magical trip. Just make sure to make your reservations sooner rather than later, because this is one potions class that everyone wants to take. It was our very first stop on the Hogwarts Express, and it really got me in the magic mood. Not to mention a little tipsy!
PS – If you like the wand you used during your visit, you can buy one for yourself! These wands are handcrafted in Ireland, and they’re the perfect addition to any wand enthusiast’s collection.
PPS – When your potions master asks if you’d like to visit the Tree of Life, make sure to say YES. You’ll want to see (and taste) the delicious magic it brings forth. I’d tell you what it is, but we have a saying in the Harry Potter fandom: #KeepTheSecrets!
See Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Tube station: Leicester Square
Address: Shaftesbury Avenue London W1D 5AY
Okay, so that hashtag/saying is really for Cursed Child. So, in light of that, I’m just going to leave it at that and not spoil anything. Moving on…
Just kidding! Obviously I won’t spoil anything, but this is definitely a must on this list. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child continues the story we all know and love 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts. When it first came out in the form of the rehearsal script for the stage play, Sohrab and I made a beeline for Universal Studios Hollywood to pick it up from Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, the shop at the end of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. I read it in less than three hours, and then put it away in anticipation of eventually seeing the stage play. That was in July 2016.
That anticipation paid off! In fact, it’s the very reason Sohrab and I (mainly Sohrab, especially initially) planned our April 2018 trip to London. He was able to snag tickets for same-day shows (you have the option to split the parts up over two days or afternoon/evening) more than a year in advance! Read all about his Christmas surprise to me here. *heart eyes* Bucket list checkmark achieved.
The Palace Theatre is the perfect setting for this one-of-a-kind play. It opened at the beginning of 1891 and holds its history close while still embracing the needs of a modern show. And, since it’s on Shaftesbury Avenue (Has anyone else noticed that Easter egg from Deathly Hallows?!), you’ll have plenty of options to eat and entertain before and after showtime.
Visit the House of MinaLima
Tube station: Leicester Square
Address: 26 Greek Street London W1D 5DE
Need to pass the time between Cursed Child parts one and two? Spend it here. The House of MinaLima is a four story gallery papered top to bottom with Harry Potter art created by the graphic designer team for the movies. We went on a Saturday afternoon, and it was just the right amount of busy. We had full reign to wander around at our own pace without feeling rushed by crowds, but it wasn’t empty either. Oh, and it’s a free exhibit! Which is probably for the best, since everything you see is for sale. So make sure to mind your wallet, because it might get distracted by all of the goodies. Pro tip: they ship!
Visit the Warner Brothers Studio Tour
Tube station: Watford Junction
Address: Studio Tour Drive Watford Leavesden WD25 7LR
All the butterbeer! The Warner Brothers Studio Tour is a gigantic, interactive exhibit of the actual props and sets used for the Harry Potter films. You can spend hours wandering these halls (we were there from 12 pm to 10 pm!), learning about everything from how Quidditch was filmed to how they made Hagrid look so tall. It’s an exhaustive step into the films, from the Great Hall to the Hogwarts Express to the Forbidden Forest.
Of course this is a must, and although it’s a little bit of a hike from central London, it’s absolutely worth riding the rails up to Watford. Keep in mind that you’ll have to hop on the National Rail from Euston up to Watford Junction, which costs a little bit more than your average Oyster tap. Once you get there, though, the magic begins. Hop on a double decker bus (show your Studio Tour reservation – the ride is included in the price!) and they’ll take you straight to the front gates of the tour.
Depending on when you go, you’ll get a different experience: the Goblet of Fire is on display in the Great Hall until September 2018, followed by a Dark Arts focus until mid-November (for Halloween!), and then, appropriately, Hogwarts in the Snow until the end of January 2019. Um, does anyone else want to go to London with me a few more times this year so we can see all of these?!
Pro tip: If you’re willing to shell out a handful of extra galleons, the Deluxe Tour is absolutely worth it. A private tour guide will dish out the secrets, they’ll serve you lunch in a private area, you get free butterbeer (there’s even butterbeer ICE CREAM, people!), and oh – you’ll get to skip to the front of every line. Except the butterbeer line. Sorry.
Not to mention you get free professional photos and videos from throughout the tour, like these gems:
Take a Harry Potter walking tour of the city
Tube station: London Bridge
If you’re looking for a proper guided walking tour of even the most particular filming locations, Tour for Muggles is the one to book. With a maximum of 20 people per tour, you’ll get an up close and personal look at the wizarding world throughout London. Just make sure to top off your Oyster card before your tour, because even Arthur Weasley can appreciate the London Underground.
PS – Shout out to Scott! He was the perfect tour guide – upbeat, witty, and super engaging. Tell him hi if you get to tour with him! Even though he’s a Slytherin.
Visit Forbidden Planet
Tube station: Leicester Square or Covent Garden or Tottenham Court Road
Address: 179 Shaftesbury Avenue London WC2H 8JR
For Harry Potter trinkets and all your other nerdy needs, visit this geeky superstore. It’s a quick jaunt from the Palace Theatre, so if you still have some time to kill after visiting the House of MinaLima, this one’s worth a visit. They don’t call it a worldwide cult entertainment megastore for nothing.
Visit Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross
Tube station: King’s Cross/St. Pancras
Yes, it’s real. The queues will be a bit long for both the store and the cart, so make sure to give this a bit of time. The store was a delight – tight corridors filled with lots of goodies that I hadn’t run into before, despite having visited so many other official stores. Even if you’ve already taken a cart photo (at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, perhaps?), it’s worth stopping by for the store alone!
Pro tip: When you step into King’s Cross station from the courtyard, take a minute to balk at the architecture and then head left to get to the store and cart. You don’t need a ticket!
By the way, they take the cart away after business hours. We checked.
Walk across the Millennium Bridge
Tube station: Mansion House
You know that bridge in Deathly Hallows that gets obliterated by Death Eaters? It’s real! And it’s a bit wobbly – a great place for a Dark Mark selfie.
Tour Muggle London
Just the vibe of the city alone is enough to make you feel like you could see the trio around any corner! So, If you’re into Muggle activities too, check out my Muggle-worthy list of 10 things you absolutely must do in London!
Psst. It’s true. I’ve used a few affiliate links in this post, and I’ll be compensated if you click and buy. But I only link to stuff I use and recommend! <3
