Only true Harry Potter fans will recognise these places (are you one of them?).

You still haven't received your letter of admission to Hogwarts, and what's more, the only letters you receive are from the tax authorities? Take solace in escaping to places filled with magic: the filming locations of the Harry Potter saga! Our selection of locations has focused on those places where you can combine an all-consuming passion for wizardry with a legitimate visit to London while blending in with the mass of Muggle tourists.

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The Reptile House at London Zoo

The 1st place and 1st film, the Reptile House is the place where the famous wizard takes revenge on his hated cousin Dudley, and we all rejoiced at the scene where the vivarium glass disappears! In any case, whether you're a fork-tongue or not, the reptile house is a great place to visit in the world's oldest zoo. The establishment opened its doors in 1828 thanks to the joint efforts of a British officer and inventor. Although the reptile area is sure to be the one that attracts you most, the other parts of the park are just as interesting, as well as being diverse and numerous.

Practical information

👛 Tickets: £29 for adults (+16 years) and £19 for children, approximately €33 and €21 respectively.

Opening times:

Late October to mid-February: daily 10am to 4pm

From mid-February to the end of March: daily from 10am to 5pm

Late March to early September: daily from 10am to 6pm

From early September to late October: daily from 10am to 5pm

🚌 Getting there: the easiest way is to take the Northern line and get off at Camden Town station. It's also possible to get there by bus via line 88 and the Prince Albert Road stop.

Leadenhall Market (cauldron and crossroads)

Also in the first film, but also in several others, Leadenhall Market was used as the setting for the famous Diagon Alley. The place is clearly recognisable from the huge, iconic arcades above the wizards' hats. Further down the street is the entrance to the Cauldron, the gateway between Leadenhall market for muggles and the Wizard's Way. In truth, the famous pub is nothing more than an optician's shop on Bull's Head Passage, which is not nearly as attractive as a good old-fashioned reparo oculus.

Practical information

🚌 Getting there: The nearest lines are the 25 and N25 buses, stopping at St Mary Axe. On the underground, the Circle and District Line drop off at the Monument stop not far from the street.

Le Leadenhall Market entièrement vide comme par magie

- © Tupungato / Shutterstock

Westminster district

Fast forward 4 years, Harry Potter is 15, and Mr Weasley takes him to the Ministry of Magic in the film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The two wizards took the Underground through Westminster station. This station is particularly noteworthy as it also provides access to Westminster Palace and Westminster Bridge, both of which the bespectacled wizard and his friends fly over in the same film.

Vue aérienne du Westminster Palace, dans la peau d'un sorcier

- © dade72 / Shutterstock

Millenium Bridge

The following year, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the hero's battle took a completely different turn: everyone knew about Voldemort's return and the Death Eaters were no longer in hiding. One of the first scenes in the film shows them destroying an iconic London landmark: the Millennium Bridge. Don't worry, no one should be able to destroy it, even with the most expensive wand in the Harry Potter shop. It is a must-see in London and can be used to get to the Tate Modern museum or St Paul's Cathedral, two other places of interest in the capital.

Piccadilly Circus

1 year later, in the first part of the last film, the protagonist runs away from his best friend's brother's wedding with his best friend and Hermione, heading for Piccadilly Circus. A place dear to Hermione's heart and therefore the first place she thinks of before transplaning. After all, it's London's most famous landmark and surely the first place some of you think of when you think of the Great Fog. So it's a perfect place to combine a visit to London with a Potterhead's passion.

Piccadily Circus de nuit, après transplanage

- © Stuart Monk / Shutterstock
by Editorial Team
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