The Ultimate List of Harry Potter things to do in London

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, then taking a Harry Potter tour of London is an absolute bucket list necessity. Sure, you can hire a tour company to arrange it for you, but it’s not hard to plan a great Harry Potter trip to London on your own.

This guide to the best Harry Potter things in London will help save you time on research and save you some money that you’d otherwise be paying to an expensive all-inclusive tour company. I’d call that a win-win.

I recently took my son to London for his eleventh birthday and to celebrate finishing the Harry Potter series. We packed our time with the best Harry Potter things to do in London, and now you can reap the rewards of all my research, because I’m not going to gatekeep what I learned!

In this guide, I’ll tell you all the Harry Potter attractions in London and what you need to know about them to make it the best trip ever.

If you don’t have time to read now, make sure to pin this post for later.

Whenever possible, I recommend buying books at local bookshops or through Bookshop.org, because shopping there puts the profits right into the hands of indie bookstores all over the country.

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Stay in a Harry Potter themed hotel

If you’re going all out for your Harry Potter tour of London, you can make your entire trip magical down to the very hotel you sleep in. There are aren’t a lot to choose from, but here are your options for London Harry Potter hotels as of 2024.

Georgian House Hotel

The Georgian House Hotel has really branded itself as the Harry Potter hotel in London, offering Potterheads a variety of “wizard experiences” from which to choose. One of those experiences is to stay in one of their magical hotel rooms.

Guests can choose between Wizard Chambers and Enchanted Chambers, both of which give the feel of staying in a Hogwarts dormitory, with strong gothic castle vibes. One guest room is even concealed behind a bookcase door! That’s just my cup of tea.

Of course, you’ll need to shell out some money for these themed rooms. On our trip, we opted to save on accommodations to splurge on activities. But I think a stay at a Harry Potter-inspired hotel can be a fun splurge if it’s in your budget.

Hagrid’s Hut in Watford

To stay in the Hagrid’s Hut themed hotel, you’ll have to travel a little ways outside of London proper. You’ll get the feel of staying in the game keeper’s cabin, including being away from the bustle of the city.

You’ll find miniatures of many of Hagrid’s pet beasts, like a hippogriff, owls, and even a mini acromantula (the giant spiders in the Forbidden Forest). Hagrid’s Hut features two bedrooms and a living area, making it a good choice for families and groups. 

It’s best to stay in Hagrid’s Hut if you are planning to drive, including driving to the Harry Potter studio tour. Keep in mind that you’ll need to plan for extra time to commute into the city to visit the other Harry Potter attractions in London.

If you want to find more Harry Potter themed rentals near the Harry Potter studio tour, check out my complete guide and breakdown of the choices.

Glamping in Hagrid’s Hut

How’s this for a unique Harry Potter hotel? You can go glamping inside of Hagrid’s Hut near the Harry Potter studio tour. Simply known as “The Hut,” this one-of-a-kind accommodation is a dead ringer for Hagrid’s hut as shown in the Harry Potter movies. 

It sleeps up to five people, which makes it great for families or groups. You’ll have bunk beds, a deep soaker tub, and a kitchenette to reduce food costs on your holiday.

Note that this Harry Potter hotel of sorts is not in London proper, so it won’t be very close to the rest of the Harry Potter things to do in London. Plan accordingly. 

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Take a Harry Potter walking tour

A London Harry Potter walking tour was one of the highlights of my magical Harry Potter tour of London long weekend, and I think it should be high on your list of priorities. It’s a chance to take in London in my favorite way — by walking. 

Along the way, you can visit many of the Harry Potter filming locations in London and hear behind-the-scenes anecdotes about filming the movie series. Depending on the tour you take, you may also get to play games like Harry Potter trivia.

I wrote a detailed breakdown and review of the London Harry Potter walking tour I took as well as a comparison with the other major tour companies. If you don’t need the detailed breakdown, go ahead and book directly here:

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Reminder: When booking a tour on Viator, always make sure you’ve started a session with Rakuten! If you install the extension in your browser, all it takes is one click, and you get anywhere from 2-10% cash back from your Viator booking! I have personally gotten more than $1,000 back that way.

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Enjoy a Harry Potter themed afternoon tea

Afternoon tea is a quintessentially London experience and a must-do on any trip to the city. Luckily, there are seemingly infinite options when it comes to unique afternoon teas in London, including several options for a Harry Potter afternoon tea. 

Note that for any of these afternoon tea experiences, you’ll want to book early. Not booking your afternoon tea in advance is one of the most common tourist mistakes when visiting London. Make your reservations well in advance so you don’t miss out! 

Wizard afternoon tea at the Wands & Wizards’ Exploratorium

The afternoon tea at the Wands & Wizards’ Exploratorium is probably the most famous and most popular Harry Potter afternoon tea in London. It’s conveniently located in Soho within easy walking distance of other Potter attractions, like the Palace Theater (home to the Cursed Child Play) and the MinaLima bookstore. 

In this interactive Harry Potter afternoon tea experience, the entire building is Potter-themed. You’ll use a magic wand to do things like open up locked boxes, turn the lights on, and brew your potions. For adults, there are a few adult potions you can make as well. 

This Harry Potter afternoon tea experience starts at £32.00 for children and £42.00 for adults. 

Option: for ease of planning, you can combine a London Harry Potter walking tour with a magical afternoon tea all in one. This tour company includes the walking section and then takes you right to The Wands & Wizards Exploratorium for tea. 

Cutter and Squidge afternoon tea at the Common Room

Cutter and Squidge is another company accommodating Harry Potter fans with a unique afternoon tea experience. Cutter and Squidge is a bakery run by a pair of sisters that specializes in cakes, so guests rave about the quality of the food and sweets here.

Their Harry Potter afternoon tea follows a theme; it was once a potions room theme, but it’s currently a Gryffindor Common Room theme.

Cutter and Squidge is also located in Soho, making it a convenient location when touring the other Harry Potter attractions in London. Prices begin at £34.99 for children and £44.99 for adults. 

Georgian House Hotel

The Georgian House Hotel offers Harry Potter afternoon teas in addition to Potter-inspired hotel rooms. At their afternoon tea, you will be given a wizard’s hat to wear during your afternoon tea experience and have the opportunity to brew your own potion in a cauldron — complete with dry ice to contribute to the ambience. 

Your afternoon tea treats are served inside Hedwig’s owl cage, and there are several menu options available, including a vegan menu. Note that this Harry Potter afternoon tea experience is only available on weekend afternoons. 

The Harry Potter afternoon tea at the Georgian House hotel starts at £20 for children (“mini wizards”) and £40 for adult wizards. 

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Related: If you’re looking to branch out from Harry Potter sights in London and explore more bookish destinations, check out the Charles Dickens House Museum and the Sherlock Holmes Museum, two of my favorites.

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Visit Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station

When JK Rowling chose King’s Cross Station as the location where Harry and his schoolmates would catch a train to Hogwarts, I don’t know if she ever could have imagined how much that would leave its mark on one of London’s busiest transportation hubs. 

Over the years, the location of the real life Platform 9 ¾ within King’s Cross has changed many times. When I first visited back in 2009, there was a simple trolley placed to look like it was halfway through a wall, and you could wander up at any time for a photo. Over the years, as the sight became increasingly more popular, they had to relocate the Platform multiple times to accommodate the crowds of people who wanted to see it in person and take that iconic photo — off to Hogwarts!. 

Now, Platform 9 ¾ has a more permanent home alongside the Platform 9 ¾ shop, one of the official Harry Potter shops in the city. And if you’re looking for Harry Potter things to do in London, a visit to Platform 9 ¾ is simply essential. 

If you happen to visit on September 1st, you can take part in an annual celebration marking the day the Hogwarts Express leaves from King’s Cross station each year to begin another year at Hogwarts. 

You can read more about the Platform 9 ¾ shop and my tips on navigating the crowds at the photo spot in my guide to London Harry Potter stores. 

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Seek adventure in a Harry Potter escape room 

Another fun and unique idea for Harry Potter things to do in London is to do a magical escape room! There are several options for these in the city. Here are the three main ongoing Harry Potter escape rooms, though always check and see if there happen to be any seasonal escape room offerings anywhere during your visit! 

Breakin’ Wizarding School 

In this Harry Potter escape room, you are a student tasked with finding a precious artifact. It will involve exploring areas of your castle school that have never been explored before. The Breakin’ Wizarding School escape room has a minimum of 2 players and costs from £82. 

Location: 89 Holloway Rd, London N7

Enigma Quests 

Enigma Quests hosts a Magical Witchcraft and Wizardry Escape Room in London. In this one-hour escape room, your magical group become students of a “prestigious School of Witchcraft and Wizardry” — taking your O.W.L.s — I mean generic end of year exams. Can you get out with an “Outstanding” or will you walk away with a “T” for “Troll?” 

The Enigma Quest Harry Potter London escape room is intended for teams of 3-5 people, though their website claims the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry can be completed by a team of 2 if you really know your stuff. 

Location: 2-12 Wilson Street, EC2M 7LS, Shoreditch

Cost: From £105

City of Wizards outdoor escape

City of Wizards is a different sort of escape room — instead of being locked in a physical room, you are set with tasks and clues to solve throughout London City. To play the game, you download an app and take on the role of Theodgar, a wizard who wants to protect non-magic folk. 

This variation of a Harry Potter escape room begins at Westminster station and takes you to many of the Harry Potter filming locations in London. This might be a nice choice for someone limited on time who wants to combine the experience of an escape room with a Harry Potter walking tour. 

This costs from € 9.99 per person. 

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Spend a day at the Harry Potter studio tour

Of course you can’t miss the number one Harry Potter attraction in London: the Harry Potter studio tour. This gives you access to the actual film studio where the eight Harry Potter films were made. 

You’ll get to see the actual sets like the Gryffindor common room, the potions room, Gringotts Bank, the Great Hall, and Dumbledore’s Office. You’ll see what it feels like to stroll down the real Diagon Alley and relax in the Weasleys’ kitchen. 

You’ll also get to try butterbeer on tap as well as butterbeer ice cream — this is one of only a few places in the world where you can do so, the Harry Potter store in NYC being one of the others. It’s also one of the best places to buy official Harry Potter merchandise in London. 

Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the Harry Potter studio tour, because it’s so much bigger than people think. It’s also a little ways outside of the city center, which means you’ll need to take a train and then a free bus, or book your tour through a third party tour company. 

Whichever way you choose, make sure you book this early! Slots for the studio tour sell out literally months in advance. 

Related: Wondering if the Harry Potter studio tour in London is worth your time? Or want to know the easiest way to get there, how much time you need, or best tips to get the most out of your experience? Make sure to check out my detailed Harry Potter studio tour review.

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Watch the Harry Potter & the Cursed Child play

I’ll be the first to say that my feelings about the plot and script of Cursed Child are — mixed. If you’re not aware, Potter author JK Rowling developed the storyline for the play, which takes place when Potter and his friends are adults sending their children to school.

But the Cursed Child play was written by another writer, Jack Thorne. Some people consider it a disgrace, others love it, and still others — like me — mostly enjoy it but prefer to consider it fan fiction as opposed to actual Potter canon. 

Anyway, if you haven’t seen Cursed Child live, then you really need to, if for no other reason than the amazing special effects. Yes, they do magic on stage! 

While Cursed Child has been condensed in some cities — like New York — into one single play, it’s still done in the original two parts at the Palace Theater in London, so this will take up a chunk of your time on your Harry Potter tour of London.

Tip: If you book the Original Harry Potter Locations walking tour on a weekend morning, it takes you right to the Palace Theater before the first part of Cursed Child starts.

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Check out the London Harry Potter shops 

If you’re a Potterhead doing a Harry Potter tour of London, of course you’re going to want to load up on magical souvenirs. London has really embraced its Harry Potter tourism, and there are always new Harry Potter shops popping up all over the city, some that are better than others. 

You probably already know about the Platform 9 ¾ shop at King’s Cross Station, but there are lots more to choose from as well, depending on the type of souvenirs you’re looking to buy. There’s also a lot of stores that are selling cheap versions of merchandise at premium prices. 

To make the best choices for the best Harry Potter shops in London, check out my guide to the best and worst shops, including details on pricing and what you’ll find at each. 

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Visit a Harry Potter pub: the Cauldron

The Cauldron Bar in London is a Harry Potter potions making experience for grown-ups. You can get the experience of being in a Hogwarts potions class with the added benefit of enjoying an adult beverage, creating your own cocktail or mocktail. 

This Harry Potter pub in London has really committed to the theme, with an all-out magical decor and environment. They change up the themes of their classes depending on the season and even have special events for holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day (love potion, anyone?). 

While the Cauldron seems to be geared toward adults, there are options for children to participate as well. You can even get a “season pass” to come back for each new themed experience in the year. 

Adult tickets start at £35.99 at off-peak times and increase at more popular times. Make sure you book in advance. 

Location: 5D Stoke Newington Road, London

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Photograph the Harry Potter statue in Leicester Square

If you don’t already know, Leicester Square is a big deal in cinema. It’s the site of the biggest movie premieres in England, including the Harry Potter films. Over the years, they’ve added some statues to the square as a tribute to some of the popular films that have premiered there, including Mary Poppins, Paddington Bear, and Mr. Bean. 

In 2023, there was another magical addition — a bronze statue of the boy wizard himself atop his Nimbus 2000. While there’s not much to do here except admire and take a photo, it’s probably worth stopping by in between other Harry Potter attractions in London. 

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Try your hand at Harry Potter Pub Trivia

It’s going to require a bit of luck (or obsessive planning) to enjoy this activity on a list of Harry Potter things to do in London: participate in Harry Potter pub trivia. But if you’re an avid book or movie fan, you’ll want to try to find an event if you can! 

There aren’t currently any pubs that have a regular Harry Potter trivia night that I’ve been able to find. Some pubs that host occasional events that you should check out are: the Market House Brixton, the London Pub, and The Albany London. Also, poke around on Facebook events and Eventbrite to see if you can find one. 

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Bonus: Day trip to Oxford to visit several filming locations

If you have more time on your ultimate Harry Potter tour of London, consider taking a day trip to nearby Oxford University. In addition to being one of the most famous and prestigious universities in the world, it’s also rife with Harry Potter sights.

At Oxford, you can visit the real-life inspiration for the Hogwarts great hall as well as some Harry Potter filming locations, like where they filmed the Hogwarts Hospital Wing, a Hogwarts staircase, part of the Hogwarts library, and the courtyard in which Moody transforms Malfoy into a ferret. 

Related: To find other places with a Hogwarts feel, take a train up to Manchester, UK for the weekend, and check out the John Ryland’s Library and Chetham’s Library. 

For this day trip, you can do a self-guided tour using public transportation (check for trains using Omio), or sign up for a third party that will transport you and potentially give you a Harry Potter guided tour of Oxford as well. 

There are also tours (I’ve done one myself) that combine transportation to the Harry Potter Studios with a short stop in Oxford to explore. 

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That concludes my ultimate list of Harry Potter things to do in London. With this information, you should be able to plan an amazing trip and see all there is to do for Potterheads in London.

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