Harry Potter and the Filming Locations

It all ends.

That’s the tagline on all the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 posters.  And it’s true. The books are done and now films are done and for many people, it feels like the end of an era. I’ve been involved in the world of Harry Potter for nearly 15 years and it’s been, well, magical. I’ve eagerly awaited each book, only to read it too quickly, and watched and re-watched the movies. I’ve warned my friends that I’m going to see DH Part 2 with that I’ll probably (definitely) cry.

But it’s not really the end for Potter fans. Parts of Harry Potter exist in the real world and you can go visit.

For example, Platform 9 ¾ has been recreated at Kings Cross station. Despite wanting to visit both times I’ve been in London, I haven’t been able to make the trip yet so it’s still on my list. Also, on my list for HP fun is Oxford. I know a few people studying there and I want to visit with the secret intention of visiting the inspiration for Hogwarts Great Hall – Christ Church. Unfortunately, they won’t serve you butter beer.

Christ Church, Oxford University. Photo courtesy of David Jones on Flickr

You can also walk through the cloisters at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire and pretend you’re on your way to Charms class. I’m far from being school-aged but I’d use my imagination.

Lacock Abbey. Photo courtesy abbeyman2002 on Flickr.

If you’re more of an outdoorsy type (which I am admittedly not), The Deathly Hallows Part 1 offers a lot of stunning locations. Watching that film, I was really blown away by some of the vistas, shot in locations around the UK such as Yorkshire Dales National Park, Burnham Beeches and Malhem Cove to name just a few.  Or you can check out Freshwater West Beach, the idyllic setting of Shell Cottage.

Freshwater West Beach. Photo courtesy Synwell on Flickr.

Perhaps the most popular tourist destination for Harry fans is Alnwick Castle, the stand in for Hogwarts. Yes, Hogwarts really exists and yes, someone actually lives there. Alnwick Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Northumberland and is used as a residence.  (Side note: The heir to the dukedom is rumored to be dating Pippa Middleton. If they get married and she gets to live in Hogwarts, my jealousy of the Middleton family will be beyond overwhelming.)  Alnwick Castle has served as a film set many times over but Hogwarts will always be its greatest claim to fame to most of us.

Alnwick Castle. Photo courtesy Eugene Regis on Flickr.

With 8 films shot over 10 years, the locations listed here are obviously only a small selection of all the locations Harry Potter has used. Rick Steves list some others and there are many organized tours around the UK that you can take.  If you’re stuck in the US, you can also visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida

When the music swells over the end credits this weekend, many fans will feel that it’s truly the end of 15 great years. But the magical world of Harry Potter is entwined with our real one if you know where to look.

Royal Wedding Week: Top 5 Castle Filming Locations in The UK

The British countryside is rife with gorgeous castles. Some are ruins, some are museums, some are still used as residences and many are used as shooting locations for film and television. I mentioned Hever Castle and Blairquhan Castle earlier this week, but here are 5 more castles that you may recognized from your favorite movies.

5. Arundel Castle
Located in West Sussex, Arundel Castle is primarily the family home of the Duke of Norfolk (lucky fellow!) but the Duke has generously allowed for filming in the grand halls and grounds of the castle. The building was used in 2009's The Young Victoria as a stand in for the Chapel Royal, St. James’s Palace and St. Georges Hall at Windsor Castle. Although Arundel was used as a substitute in The Young Victoria, the real Victoria made a visit to the real castle in 1846 with Prince Albert. The castle was refurbished for her visit and upon leaving, the Queen commented on how beautiful it was. Arundel was also used as a stand-in for Windsor Castle in the feature film The Madness of King George,  the TV serials Victoria & Albert and Henry VIII, and a 1988 episode of Dr. Who.

Photo by Wolfiewolf on Flickr

4. Dover Castle
Another Dr. Who filming location (in 1971's "The Mind of Evil"), Dover Castle is a 12th century castle situated strategically on the famed white cliffs of Dover. It is the largest castle in England and has the only underground barracks built in the country. During WWII, these barracks and tunnels were used as a military hospital and headquarters. As a set, Dover Castle was used as a substitute for the Tower of London in The Other Boleyn Girl, To Kill a King, and Lady Jane. It was also featured in Zeffirelli's Hamlet starring Mel Gibson and in The Wind in the Willows produced by Monty Python's Terry Jones.

Photo by *saxon* on Flickr

3. Broughton Castle
Built in 1300 by John Broughton, this castle was later passed by inheritance to the Fiennes family (ancestors of actors Ralph and Joseph) in 1451. In a strange turn of events, Joseph Fiennes filmed in his ancestral home when it became the set for Shakespeare in Love. The interiors of the castle were used as Viola's (Gwyneth Paltrow's) house and the exteriors can be viewed in the balcony scenes that echo Romeo & Juliet.  The castle has also been used as a stand-in for Jane Grey's home in Lady Jane, Queen Charlotte's apartments in The Madness of King George, and execution grounds in The Scarlet Pimpernel. American stars have also been center stage at Broughton as Three Men and A Little Lady with Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson and Made of Honor with Patrick Dempsey have filmed scenes at the castle and around Banbury, Oxfordshire.

 

Photo by David Stowell on Wikimedia Commons

2. Doune Castle
This 14th century castle in Central Scotland has been the setting for several films starting with 1952's Ivanhoe starring Richard Burton. It is also currently being used for filming the TV series Game of Thrones. But perhaps greatest role Doune has played in pop culture is a variety of places in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Because of difficulties with filming permits, the producers were forced to used tight angles to make the castle appear as different locations. Scenes filmed at Doune include the opening of the film where King Arthur argues with soldiers at the garrison, the "Knight of the Round Table" musical number, the kitchen where Sir Galahad the Chaste is chased by women and the wedding disrupted by Sir Lancelot. The castle has become a bit of a mecca for Python fans and in recent years, an annual "Monty Python Day" has been organized on the grounds.

Photo by pyntofmyld at Flickr

1. Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle in Northumberland is still used as the residence of the Duke of Northumberland and as such is the second largest inhabited castle in England. It also has the largest number of film and television credits of any of the castles on this list. It can be see Becket, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Ridley Scott's Robin Hood, Elizabeth starring Cate Blanchett, and the TV series The Black Adder amongst many others. But like Doune Castle, there is one role Alnwick Castle has played that will always be itsmost well known and iconic and that is the role of Hogwarts in all 8 of the Harry Potter films. The Hogwarts of J.K. Rowling's book is a magical place limited only by the reader's imagination. To find a real life setting for Hogwarts in film was undoubtedly no easy feat for the production designers, but Alnwick steps admirably into the role. In the films, it is aided by CGI and special effects, but its real life appearance is still incredibly impressive.

Photo by Thirsty Robot on Flickr