Wizarding World Inspired Days Out & Places to Stay

With staycations at an all-time high this year, why not check out our list of top Harry Potter and Wizarding World-inspired days out and places to stay around the UK.

Days Out & Attractions

1. Warner Bros. Studio Tour, London
   Walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter and explore the wonders of the Wizarding World.
2. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Palace Theatre, London
   Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne. It is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The critically acclaimed production is most awarded West End play in the history of the Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play and Best Director in 2017.
3. Platform 9¾, Kings Cross Station, London
   In the wizarding world, Harry and his friends get to the platform by dashing through a brick wall between platforms 9 and 10. Meanwhile, in the real King’s Cross, platforms 9 and 10 are separated by tracks, but you can find a platform 9¾ on the wall in the station concourse. Look out for a luggage trolley embedded in the wall, and make-believe that you are off to start your magical school journey. The trolley is accessible at all hours, and you don’t have to pay to take your own photographs. You can have a professional photograph taken with a scarf in your house colours, which is then available for you to view and purchase inside the Harry Potter shop next door.
4. Harry Potter Walking Tour, London
   Walk the streets of London and make your way to some of the most iconic film locations of the Harry Potter Films - an 8 series franchise that inspired an entire generation to read and dream. Marvel at famous locations such as Gringott's Bank, Daniel Radcliffe's School, 900-year-old Clink Prison and so much more on this 2.5 hours guided tour. Enjoy the company and the commentary of your fellow Harry Potter enthusiast guide, who will even click a picture of you with the disappearing trolley - the perfect souvenir for wizarding folk at Platform 9¾.
5. Tour For Muggles, London
   The Department of Magical Tourism invites you to discover the magical side of London. The new initiative aims to educate the non-magical world of our existence and show you a glimpse into our  world full of rich history and traditions.
6. The Potter Trail, Edinburgh
   Grab a wand and join your robed guide on the original tour of Edinburgh designed especially for Potter fans! You’ll discover the magical locations that inspired characters and scenes in the series, visit the places where JK Rowling wrote the books, and even learn a spell or two along the way.
7. Jacobite Steam Train (The Hogwarts Express), Fort William, Scotland
   Its real name is the Jacobite Steam Train, and it doubled up as the magical locomotive. What’s even more magical is that you’ll journey through countryside made famous by the Harry Potter films. It doesn’t go to Hogwarts unfortunately but it does offer stunning views, travelling between Fort William and Mallaig in Scotland. The scenery includes Ben Nevis, Loch Morar and Loch Nevis, to name a few.
8. The Cauldron, London
   An immersive (social distance-friendly) cocktail class where you don a cloak, wield a working magic wand & use molecular mixology to brew drinkable elixirs. Both adult-only and family-friendly tickets and experiences available.
9. The Cauldron, Edinburgh
   An immersive (social distance-friendly) cocktail class where you don a cloak, wield a working magic wand & use molecular mixology to brew drinkable elixirs. Both adult-only and family-friendly tickets and experiences available.
10. Wizard Exploratorium®, Soho, London
    A fantastic selection of experiences such as Wizard Afternoon Tea, Magic Wand Experience, Potion Making classes and even a sweet shop & ice cream parlour specialising in sweets and homemade ice creams of an unusual nature, which showcase fun and delicious science.
11. Magical Map Quest, Soho, London
    A self-guided, magic wand-activated walking tour of Soho, featuring “unsung heroes” of the Queer Community!
12. The Hole in Wand Wizard Golf, York
    Visit the World’s Most Magical Golf Course in York’s Coppergate Shopping Centre in York, and take on 9 magical golf holes. Along the way there will be bubbling cauldrons, magical portals, a giant picture frame where you become part of the painting…and can you do a Light Spell to illuminate the way in our dark hole?
13. Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland
    Alnwick Castle was used as a filming location of both the Philosopher’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets. Harry and his classmates learnt to fly broomsticks on the Outer Bailey. This is also where Harry learned to play Quidditch. You can walk around the castle’s courtyards and baileys. Try and spot where Harry and his friends walked to class and where Ron crashed his dad’s flying car.
14. Bothwell School of Witchcraft, East Sussex
    Fancy yourself as an aspiring wizard? We’ve got just the school for you. Students can enroll themselves in a four-day immersive witchcraft programme at the Bothwell School of Witchcraft in East Sussex, England. In tune with the books, each ‘wizard’ will first be sorted into a house before the classes start. A character will be assigned to each student to role-play during the session. For authenticity, robes and ties will be provided as well. Lessons include  alchemy, beastology, falconry, magical history and defence, demonology and much more.
15. Steam Trains, Whitby, and the North York Moors Full-Day Tour from York
    There's a steam train experience that travels across the North York Moors to Whitby that looks similar to the Hogwarts Express and stops off at Goathlands Station which was used as Hogsmeade in the first three films.
16. Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire
    Not only is Lacock a picturesque village in Wiltshire worth stopping by because of the quaint little cottages and quintessentially British heritage,  but is also the location of the stunning Lacock Abbey, which stood in as Hogwarts in the first movie, and also features in the new Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald movie, too.
17. Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester
    Harry Potter fans can take a tour of Gloucester Cathedral – a remarkable building steeped in medieval history –  which also features in several pivotal moments from different films including the troll scenes for The Philosopher’s Stone, as well as being home to the original door from the Gryffindor common room.
18. Cutter and Squidge Potion Room Afternoon Tea, London
    Leave the busy streets of London behind as you descend downstairs into the potion class. Get cloaked up, and then take your seat at the school-style desks and await your Potions Master. They will have you whisking up potions and all manner of concoctions in no time.
19. School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Escape Room, London
    Fancy getting locked in a Harry Potter themed room for 60 minutes and having to work as a team solving Harry Potter clues to escape? Sounds like fun to us. Check out Enigma Quests’  School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. No age limit but recommended age is 9+.
20. The Department of Magic Escape Room, Edinburgh
    Take part in two different escape rooms (Prophecies Quest and Dark Lord Resurrection) or don your wizard robe and enter the Magic Potions Tavern to brew up a delicious concoction!

Places to Stay

1. Georgian House Hotel, London
   Concealed in the lower ground floor, curious guests can enjoy venturing to the Wizard Chamber on the lower ground floor of our 19th-century hotel. Pass through a portrait-lined passageway that is bathed in candlelight that casts dancing shadows across the walls. Created to conjure a mysterious and gothic feel, each room features faux castle details such as stained glass windows, stone walls, archways, trunks, cauldrons, four-poster beds hung with velvet curtains and an abundance of other curious artefacts. Wood burning stoves, cauldrons in fireplaces and tapestries complete the look.
2. Canongate Luxury Homestay, Edinburgh
   A Gryffindor-themed bedroom complete with an illusion of floating candles, heaps of memorabilia (including a desk that reportedly belonged to J.K. Rowling herself), a living room decked out to look like the Gryffindor common room, and of course, heaps of Harry Potter books. Even the doors are painted in the Hogwarts houses' signature colours.
3. Gryffindor Dorm Room Cottage, Liverton, North Yorkshire
   The Grffindor Dorm Room Cottage comes with 6 single sized four poster beds, a grand fire place, stained glass and flickering candles all surrounding a cosy living space with it’s own fully equipped kitchen for self catering. You can just imagine Harry, Ron & Hermione in this Harry Potter dorm room!
4. Grounds Keepers Cottage, Liverton, North Yorkshire
   The Ground Keepers Cottage sleeps 6 and is on the same property as the Gryffindor Dorm Room Cottage above. This charming themed cottage houses a plush emerald tiled bathroom with copper bath, a fully equipped kitchen, 2 bedrooms (one with a double bed and a bunk bed) and lots of artefacts and lanterns. Outside is the Weasley’s car!
5. De Vere House (Godric’s Hollow), Lavenham, Suffolk
   A beautiful historical grade 1 listed place and used in the Harry Potter films, (Godric’s Hollow where Harry’s parents James and Lily lived) however children (under 18’s) are not allowed to stay.
6. The Enchantment Chamber, York
   Whilst this wizarding world-themed apartment comes with 1 bedroom with one large double bed making it not ideal for families it is beautifully themed with an unconventional four poster bed, realistic open fire, real wood flooring and furnished with an eclectic collection of magical artefacts from the wizarding world.
7. Harry's House, Watford (near Warner Bros Studio)
   This apartment features 2 themed bedrooms and wizarding touches throughout the house. The house comes with a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Watford is close to the Warner Bros Studio – Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Studios.
8. Harry Potter Airbnb, York
   This one bedroomed airbnb room is filled with magical touches and theming. The room has its own entrance, one double bed, en-suite bathroom with shower and mini-kitchen. The property is located 15 minutes walking distance from the University and few minutes walk from the bus station that connects with the city centre, train station and shopping centres. There is a private entrance through the garden that gives you access to the ‘Mansion’. If you like long walks, in only 25 minutes you will be in the city centre.
9. J.K. Rowling Suite, Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
   This is the exact room where J.K. Rowling finished writing the Deathly Hallows. The luxury room sleeps 2 adults in a comfortable king-sized bed that can be twinned plus 2 extra beds for children are available upon request. The rooms offers views of Calton Hill and luxury decor evoking the Scottish countryside. The room is also home to the the marble bust of Hermes that J.K. Rowling signed after finishing the book but expect other little nods to the wizarding series.
10. Magical Harry Potter-Inspired Flat, West Bow, Edinburgh
    A great centrally based one bedroom flat with sofa bed in the living area can sleep a family of four. The panelled effect walls, books and magical artefacts help give this accommodation the wizarding vibe: There’s even a secret cupboard to find.
11. Wizarding Residence on Grassmarket, Edinburgh
    The Wizarding Residence is a one bedroomed Harry Potter inspired apartment. It’s central location (and allegedly inspiration for Diagon Alley) means that Edinburgh’s famous castle, Royal Mile, Grassmarket and much more are all a short walk away. The accommodation is filled with quirky items and decorations from J K Rowling’s Wizarding world. The downside it is a one bedroomed place with a double bed so not ideal for families.
12. The Witchery by the Castle, Edinburgh
    Sadly, each of the nine opulent Witchery Suites occupy just 2 guests in double beds and are not suitable for children but perhaps for an adult getaway? With rich furnishings, velvet walls, gothic and antique touches it is certainly a unique place to stay and reminiscent of what a Harry Potter suite may look like for Bellatrix Lestrange.
13. Draiocht (Magic) House, County Roscommon, Ireland
    This large 4 bedroomed house in County Roscommon has each Harry potter themed room themed with Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Slytherin or Ravenclaw Hogwarts house team colours. The back garden even has a treehouse for kids!

Let us know if you have any other locations around the UK that should make it onto our list.