The magic of Harry Potter in London
“>We’re in the -ber months, meaning the cosy, spooky season is officially upon us! It’s the time of year where witches, wizards, ghosts and ghouls get to come out in force and make themselves known. Harry Potter is one of the most famous and beloved wizards of the 20th century and fans still flock to London’s King Cross every 1st September for the start of the Hogwarts school year.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone had its world premiere in London 25 years ago and on Christmas Day, the new Harry Potter TV show will launch on HBO Max.
To celebrate this milestone and the new show, London is becoming Harry Potter obsessed (even more so than usual!) with a new official Harry Potter shop opening on Oxford Street, themed Christmas lights and lots more across the city.
The good news? The Belgrave is in a perfect location to see and do everything if you’re a Potter fan. With Pimlico tube station on our doorstep and Victoria is just a 12-minute walk away, you can be shopping on Oxford Street, crossing the Millennium Bridge or boarding the bus to Warner Bros. Studios in no time. Here’s our guide to the most magical spots during November and December.
Harry Potter on Oxford Street
Opens 4th November 2026
The Ribbon, 134-140 Oxford Street, London
15-20 minute tube journey. From Pimlico, take the Victoria line three stops to Oxford Circus. The shop is around a 10-minute walk along Oxford Street, or you can change onto the Central Line for one stop and get off at Tottenham Court Road.
4th November marks the 25th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film premiering in London and the UK’s largest official Harry Potter shop will open its doors in celebration. Spread across two floors, the whole shop is based on Diagon Alley, the shopping district where witches and wizards can get their supplies.
As well as wands, robes and gifts, there’s a Leaky Cauldron where you can grab a bite to eat and try some Butterbeer. There are also some exclusives not found anywhere else, including Oxford Street-based merchandise and a MinaLima artwork inspired by the Knight Bus.
It will be busy for those first few weeks, so go early in the morning or on weekdays if you can and expect to be involved in queuing.
Harry Potter Christmas lights
This year, Oxford Street’s famous Christmas lights are being transfigured into a wizarding delight. HBO Max and the New West End Company are adding specially designed Harry Potter lights to the street’s 5,000 twinkling stars and there’ll be Harry Potter themed events planned throughout the entire festive season.
The switch-on date is still to be confirmed, but it usually happens in early November and stays illuminated until early January so there’s plenty of time to go and take a look.
A traffic-free Oxford Street
From Monday 26th October, a section of Oxford Street (between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street) will be traffic-free as the first phase of making it pedestrianised begins.
That means there’ll be more room to wander, look up at the lights and take in the Christmas window displays without having to dodge buses. As buses are now diverted off this stretch of road, the tube is the easiest way to get there: Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road Stations will all be open as normal.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7LR
12-minute walk to the shuttle bus, then around an hour’s drive.
Walk to Victoria and head down Buckingham Palace Road to Bus Stop 1 on Bulleid Way. The branded bus leaves from here.
Not one to be missed, this studio tour is an incredible mix of sets, props, costumes and fun facts. Walk through the Great Hall (after getting a video introduction from the mischievous Weasley Twins) and wander down Diagon Alley. You’ll also step inside Dumbledore’s office, step foot on the famous Hogwarts Express and even see the famous Gringotts battle. You may even see a dragon! There are also opportunities to learn to fly, see what it’s like to be on a wanted poster, get some Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and have a drink or two of Butterbeer.
The easiest way to get there is the official branded shuttle bus, which runs from Victoria straight to the studio entrance. Buses start leaving from 7:30am and you even get to watch the films on the way! You’ll need to book a ticket that includes return transport and make sure you’re at the stop at least 15 minutes before the bus leaves.
It is better to book as early as possible. Tickets can sell out quickly, especially around Halloween and Christmas and the festive period is one of the most popular times to go.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 5AY
25-minute bus or tube journey.
The 24 bus from Belgrave Road takes you up through Trafalgar Square and along Charing Cross Road. Hop off at Cambridge Circus and the Palace Theatre is directly in front of you. Alternatively, take the Victoria Line to Oxford Circus and change to the Central line for one stop to Tottenham Court Road, a five-minute walk away.
We’ve mentioned this one previously, but it’s recently had a big change that is worth noting. After a decade of being a two-part series play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is now a single show, meaning you can see the whole story in one go at the Palace Theatre.
The show is set 19 years after the final book and follows a grown-up Harry and his son Albus as they start a new adventure. Draco Malfoy and his son Scorpius also feature heavily. The stage effects are something else and it’s the most awarded play in Olivier Awards history.
The show runs for 2 hours 55 minutes with an interval and is recommended for those 10 and over. With it being a direct bus ride from the Belgrave, it’s easy to get back after the curtain comes down.
House of MinaLima
157 Wardour Street, Soho, London W1F 8WQ
Open daily, 11am – 6:45pm. Free entry.
20-minute tube journey.
Take the Victoria line from Pimlico to Oxford Circus, then it’s a 10-minute walk into Soho.
Every Hogwarts letter, Marauder’s Map and copy of the Daily Prophet seen on screen was designed by the magical graphic design duo, Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, who have been involved in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.
At the House of MinaLima, their Soho townhouse, you can explore a free gallery of their posters, props and illustrations, with some authentic film props on loan from the Studio Tour. It’s a wonderful, slightly quieter alternative to the bigger tourist attractions and the in-house shop is perfect for picking up a print or gift for other fans in your life.
It’s also only a short walk from both Oxford Street and the Palace Theatre, so it’s easy to do all of them on the same day.
Harry Potter film locations in London
London has played a starring role in all the films, and many of the most famous locations are free to visit. The first three below are ideal for a half-day trip across the city.
30-minute tube journey.
From Victoria, take the District or Circle line to Mansion House or Blackfriars, then it’s a short walk to the bridge.
Crossing the Thames between St. Paul’s Cathedral and Tate Modern, this pedestrian bridge is instantly recognisable from the opening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, when the Death Eaters bring it crashing down into the river. Thankfully, that was just in the film and it is completely safe to cross, allowing people to see the fantastic view of St. Paul’s.
While you’re there, look out for the Geometric Staircase inside St Paul’s Cathedral, which became the stairs to the Divination Tower in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Leadenhall Market (Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron)
18-minute walk from the Millennium Bridge, or 15 minutes on the District or Circle line to Monument.
This beautiful covered Victorian market was used for the Diagon Alley scenes in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Spot the blue door in the Bull’s Head Passage, which was used as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.
Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station
15-minute tube journey from Pimlico, or 23 minutes from Leadenhall Market on the Circle line. From Pimlico, the Victoria line takes you straight to King’s Cross St Pancras with no changes.
No Harry Potter trip to London would be complete without a photo at Platform 9¾. You’ll find the famous luggage trolley disappearing into the wall on the station concourse, along with the official Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾. Taking your own photo with the trolley is free, but there’s usually a queue so be prepared to wait.
More locations close to the Belgrave
Lambeth Bridge: In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Knight Bus squeezes between two red buses on this bridge. It’s a 15-minute walk from the hotel along the river at Millbank.
Westminster and Great Scotland Yard: Harry and Mr Weasley use the red phone box to get into the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, filmed on Great Scotland Yard just off Whitehall. Westminster station also appears in the same film. Take the 24 bus from Belgrave Road to Whitehall, or the District or Circle line two stops from Victoria to Westminster.
Australia House: The grand hall of this building on the Strand became the inside of Gringotts Bank. It isn’t open to the public, but the exterior is worth a look. Take the District or Circle line from Victoria to Temple.
London Zoo: The Reptile House is where Harry first discovers he can talk in Parseltongue in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Take the Victoria line to Oxford Circus, then change to the Bakerloo line for Regent’s Park.
Take a guided tour: The Wizard Walk fo London
Meeting point: Leadenhall Market, London EC3V 1LR
Daily at 11am. Adults from £19, children from £12.
30-minute tube journey. From Victoria, take the District or Circle line to Monument, then it’s a five-minute walk to the market.
If you’d rather leave the planning to someone else, The Wizard Walk of London is a two-hour guided walking tour of the city’s filming locations.
Starting at Leadenhall Market, your guide will take you past the Bank of England (the inspiration for Gringotts), St Paul’s Cathedral and across the Millennium Bridge. The tour finishes at Borough Market, where the Knight Bus scenes were filmed, so you can grab some lunch at the end. Suitable for ages 5 and over.