Step into the Magic: Harry Potter Experiences for Your Weekend Adventure
Calling all witches, wizards, and Muggles alike—if you’ve ever dreamed of walking in Harry Potter’s footsteps, you’re in the right place. This Harry Potter weekend ideas section brews up some magical weekend trip suggestions, filled with Harry Potter-themed activities and real filming locations.
Whether you want to explore the spellbinding sets at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London or chase the Hogwarts Express across the breathtaking Glenfinnan Viaduct, this page covers all the top spellbinding places for Potter Heads.
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A Walk Through Hogwarts
Fancy walking through the magic corridors of Hogwarts? Then you’ll want to make a weekend visit to Gloucester Cathedral.
The fabulously ornate corridors were used in the Philosoper’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Half-Blood Prince.
Read all about it…
Lacock Village and Abbey
Follow in the footsteps of Harry, Ron, and Hermione by taking a stroll through the halls of Hogwarts at Lacock Abbey. Or why not visit the charming village of Budleigh Babberton (Lacock Village).
Harry Potter Studio Tour
Is this the most famous Harry Potter related ‘thing to do’ in the world? Quite possibly. Everyone has to visit this place at least once in their life (I think we are up to 5 times!). It’s cool and different every time though.
Gloucester Cathedral
If you are working through a Harry Potter bucket list, the Gloucester Cathedral has to be high up in terms of priorities. Wander through the corridors of Hogwarts and imagine you have just received your letter.
Harry Potter Activity Ideas
We may have covered a few in our travels, but there are still so many Harry Potter related activities to do!
Below, we’ve listed out a few Harry Potter weekend activity ideas that we haven’t got round to yet, but are are definitely on our to do list.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Take a ride on the Jacobite Steam Train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct and imagine you are riding the Hogwarts Express to your very first sorting ceremony. Don’t forget to change into your robes. We borrowed the image from West Coast Railways.
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Caste has been on our to-do list forever – ever since we started What to do at the Weekend. Located in Northumberland Alnwick Castle played host to several scenes in the Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets. We’ll get there eventually!
Oxford University
Step inside Oxford University’s ancient colleges, where several iconic scenes from the early Harry Potter films were brought to life. From grand halls to cloistered courtyards, you’ll discover real-world locations that doubled as parts of Hogwarts.
Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market in London was used as a filming location in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Its ornate Victorian architecture stood in for the magical shopping street of Diagon Alley, and one of its storefronts at 42 Bull’s Head Passage served as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.
King’s Cross Station
“Platform 9¾? Think you’re being funny do you?” Although the actual scenes were filmed between Platforms 4 and 5, the station now features a dedicated Platform 9¾ photo spot with a luggage trolley embedded in the wall and a Harry Potter shop nearby—making it a must-visit for fans.
Durham Cathedral
Another one we’ve been trying to get to for a long time! Much like Gloucester Cathedral and Lacock Abbey, the ornate cloisters at Durham Cathedral served as the corridors of Hogwarts in two of the films. We’ll definitely be heading to to check this one out as soon as we can!
