Happy Birthday, Harry Potter! How To Celebrate Around The World
For Harry Potter's birthday, we've rounded up the best related activities around the world for the most magical summer!
Unless you’re a muggle, you’ll know that not only does July 31st mark Harry Potter’s birthday but that this year also saw the 20th anniversary of the first film (feel old yet? We do.). As such, we thought we’d do what we do best: Round up the best Harry Potter-related activities around the world for a magical summer! (There are 13 of them, in true superstitious style!). In other words, here are the most Fantastic Treats And Where To Find Them (get used to it: there’s going to be a lot more of this. #sorrynotsorry). Harry Potter for kids? Harry Potter for adults? No matter your search term, we’ve got you covered!
1.Tour for Muggles, London
The first, but very much not the last, mention of England on this list (obviously!). This award-winning walking tour will immerse you in Harry’s world as you explore many of the movie locations and iconic landmarks featured (including platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station!), not to mention more behind-the-scenes facts and nuggets of trivia that inspired JK Rowling than you’ll know what to do with. An absolute must for any Potterhead.
2.Glencoe, Scotland
The primary outdoor filming location for The Prisoner of Azkaban - as well as the backdrop to Hagrid’s hut - this picturesque slice of the highlands will not only give you major “OMG, I recognize this” moments, but is - even without the references - just a stunning place to explore and take some seriously beautiful pictures. We stan.
Spend the day exploring Oban, Glencoe and West Highland Castle
3.The Warner Bros. Studio Tour of Harry Potter, England
One of the crème de la crème hotspots for a true Potterhead, this is a treasure trove of detailed props, stunning costumes, show-stopping special effects and iconic sets (Diagon Alley! The Great Hall!) made especially for the Harry Potter movies, in a studio just outside London.
This award-winning experience will invite you to get up-close and personal with all things Potter, not to mention the interactive activities on offer, such as taking wand lessons, riding a broom, hopping on the Knight bus and enjoying a glass of Butterbeer - to name but a few! You will learn so much about what went into the films you won’t quite know what to do with it all after. Leaving no ‘stone’ unturned, this is - quite simply - the ultimate experience for any Harry Potter fan.
This is hugely popular so you must book well in advance!
4.Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Hollywood
Can’t make it to England? This is a great alternative that might be closer to home. Here you can sit under the sorting hat to be told which house you belong in, fly on a broomstick (with the help of some green screen magic) and see some original exhibits from the Harry Potter movies, such as the original Triwizard Cup.
5.Alnwick Castle, England
Not only did this majestic 14th-century castle star as Hogwarts in the first two movies, but it was also the setting for many an iconic moment, such as Harry’s introduction to Quidditch, Ron crashing the Weasley’s flying car into the Whomping willow tree and Madame Hooch’s broomstick training - something you yourself can participate in, too, as well as a whole host of other Potter-inspired activities! Afterward, you can enjoy exploring the gardens and having a bite to eat in the Treehouse Restaurant.
6.Livraria Lello, Portugal
We’ll forgive you if you didn’t know that JK Rowling spent a few years teaching English in Portugal before, y’know, becoming one of the most famous authors of all time, but it was here - in this century-old gothic bookstore, known for its whimsical staircases and stained glass ceiling - that she received a big dose of inspiration for a typical Diagon Alley boutique (as well as the moving stairs featured in Hogwarts).
7.Universal Studios, Global
Whether you choose Orlando, Florida (connected by Hogwart’s Express to transport you between the two!), Los Angeles or Japan, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is now available at multiple branches of Universal Studios around the world. And, true to form, there’s just a riddikulus amount to do here!
Hop on a whole host of different broomsticks, er, we mean rides, before indulging in a spot of wand shopping at Ollivanders (where you can then practice your own magic around the park!). Meet Hagrid’s three-headed dog, Fluffy, enjoy a British-inspired pub dinner at the Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks Tavern and wash it all down with drinks at the Hogshead pub or Hopping Pot. There is so much attention to detail that you can even hear Moaning Myrtle in the women’s restrooms (not to mention more merchandise than you could dream of!).
Book Universal Studios Japan here
Book Universal Studios Orlando here
8.Edinburgh, Scotland
Scottish-born JK Rowling, understandably, got much of her ideas and inspiration from her local surroundings, which makes a tour of Edinburgh vital if you really want to walk in the shoes of the author. From the early days cafés she wrote in (such as Elephant House) to the five-star Balmoral Hotel, where she finished writing The Deathly Hallows, there’s even a real-life Diagon Alley (two, in fact) - complete with plaques to confirm their importance in creating the magic! Let’s just say … you should expecto the unexpected!
9.Oxford, England
Not only were some of the Harry Potter movies filmed in this 900+ year-old city, but it also served as inspiration for the books. The Great Hall was allegedly designed with the Christchurch College Dining Hall in mind, and the sweeping staircase is also where Professor McGonagall greeted Harry, Ron and Hermione in the Sorcerer’s Stone. The oldest reading room in Bodleian Library, where Harry uses his invisibility cloak, is another must-see while you’re here.
10.Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
In order to see the cave and surrounding rock cliffs that feature in the Half-Blood Prince you’ll need to take a boat ride - but boy, is it worth it!
11.Lacock, England
This lovely little village, made up of picturesque cottages, makes up Godrick’s Hollow and Lacock Abbey - a 13th-century monastery - was not only used as the exterior of Hogwarts for two of the Harry Potter movies but was also the site of several iconic shots, such as Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall and Professor Quirrell’s classrooms.
12.Durham Cathedral, England
A CGI-enhanced Durham Cathedral - coupled with some other buildings - was sometimes used as the exterior for Hogwarts, while other classroom scenes were filmed here, too.
13.4 Privet Drive, England
For the true Potterheads among you, you may want to take a trip to the suburbs to visit where Harry grew up (real address 12 Picket Post Close). With all the crowds outside taking pictures, it shouldn’t be too hard to find!
See what else there is to do in Surrey
Wingardium Leviosa! Where will you magic yourself to first?
