London Harry Potter Locations Walking Tour: Is It Worth It?

So, you like Harry Potter, too? Maybe you’re planning a trip to London, and maybe you’ve spotted a walking tour that takes you to different spots from the movies. Is that Harry Potter walking tour worth your while? It really depends! I’ve been on a bunch of tours around London, and honestly, the trick is knowing what you’re signing up for. I mean, some are kinda magical, and others, not so much.

What To Expect From a Harry Potter Walking Tour

Generally, the Harry Potter walking tours don’t actually go into movie sets, just to be clear. Instead, they usually stroll by different spots that were either inspirations or places where scenes were actually filmed. Usually, that tour guide knows their stuff. You will probably find yourself listening to behind-the-scenes tidbits and learning a little bit about London at the same time. Some tours might act out a scene or two. The thing is, tours have varying degrees of… theatricality.

What really makes that walking tour stand out is the guide. Someone who really loves the books, and loves chatting about the whole magical story? I feel that guide makes the experience ten times better. You might like it if the tour brings along cool visuals. A few photos, stills from that movie, anything that shows just how those places in London fit into the films can really deepen that whole connection for you.

Popular Spots You Might Visit

King’s Cross Station: Clearly, this is practically a must. It’s almost impossible to imagine a Harry Potter tour that skips past King’s Cross, is that so? Actually, you can even see Platform 9 ¾ . They even have a photo spot there, too. Get your camera ready for that picture of you “running” through the wall.

Good ol’ Leaky Cauldron. That’s an iconic place, right? In that movie, the entrance to that pub was shot at Bulls Head Passage. Now, don’t actually expect a magical pub when you arrive, is that okay? It’s more about just standing where history went down.

Australia House might strike your eye. That building stands in for Gringotts Bank. Keep an eye out for that impressive interior. Actually, the films feature the place, but really, that outside is worth checking out by itself.

Claremont Square has been featured as the number 12 Grimmauld Place in that movie, you probably might remember. See those quiet streets change right before your eyes. Your guide may even use pictures to really show just how much it all fits together. Just be prepared for a walk. Expect a few other things as well. See Westminster Station – see the spot used as a working entrance to that Ministry of Magic. And look for other random inspirations tucked away here and there throughout London’s older sections, is that cool?

Picking the Right Tour for You

So, shop around a bit before booking anything. Those tours will have pretty different styles, after all. That length can vary, so very much, too, and also that size of that tour group as well. Ask yourself some things. Does that size of that crowd really bother you? Actually, you will like those smaller groups more if you want to ask more stuff and actually talk to your guide as well. Want to walk quickly or slow? Take a quick gander. See what parts of London that trip really hits as well.

Then check out those reviews, I recommend. Pay special attention to what guests had to say about their tour guide. The way people tell it, did they love that guide’s knowledge or maybe just the fun little details and way they told their stories? It almost always comes down to whoever leads it, anyway.

Pricing really can be all over the place as well. Do a basic check – that price does seem fair for a walking tour of this kind? That tour needs to cover a bunch of major locations. It’s quite a detailed walk, after all. Is that tour throwing in anything extra that has any value?

Be very certain of your level of Harry Potter enthusiasm, and in that way, gauge that tour style. A family with more casual fans of those films probably doesn’t want some hardcore lecture series packed full of obscure wizarding facts, is that fair? Think about matching that tour to you, the person that you are, so too it’s an actually joyful, not a painful experience.

Extra Tips for an Even More Magical Experience

You are probably very aware to check the weather beforehand. The weather in London is kinda all over the place. You know, dress accordingly for rain or sun.

Show off a house pride – you might actually show up in house colors, very cool. Adding house scarves or other little details that rep that house. It definitely boosts up that fun element.

Charge up that phone or bring a power bank! So too you’re gonna take loads of pics, that goes without saying.

So too you’re hoping to take shots at a specific location, that thing from the movie you loved most? Ask your tour guide to point it out! They generally can get you to the very spot. If, maybe, your group is not massive, ask if they can stop there for a bit so that you can snag pictures or anything.

So, Is the Harry Potter Walking Tour Worth It?

Is that tour right for you? Honestly, maybe yes, it might be totally great, yet that really depends. See, these Harry Potter tours in London are really best if you are someone with love for those books, you really get what’s being offered, you know? So too you enjoy those movie details, little stories, things that go on behind the scenes. You may enjoy taking pictures, especially. But mostly, you feel ready to walk. All around. In London!

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