Christ Church — Great Hall StaircaseThe grand staircase leading to Christ Church's dining hall directly inspired the Hogwarts entrance staircase and the hall was the model for the Great Hall (though interior scenes were shot at the studio). Visit the hall when it's not in use — check opening times. Entrance fee applies.
Bodleian Library — Hogwarts Library & InfirmaryDuke Humfrey's Library (built 1488) was the Hogwarts restricted section where Harry uses his Invisibility Cloak in Philosopher's Stone. The Divinity School next door served as the hospital wing. Visit on the guided Divinity School tour — book ahead, entry fee applies.
New College Cloisters — 'Potter Stinks'The medieval cloisters of New College (founded 1379) were used in Goblet of Fire: the corridor where Harry pushes through crowds wearing 'Potter Stinks' badges during the Triwizard Tournament. Small entry fee. Easy to combine with the Bodleian on the same Oxford day.
Gloucester Cathedral — Hogwarts CorridorsThe magnificent fan-vaulted cloisters appeared in Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets and Half-Blood Prince as Hogwarts corridors — including the scene where the writing on the wall warns 'The Chamber of Secrets has been opened'. Free to enter. The cloisters are unmissable even without the HP connection.
Lacock Abbey — Snape's Potions ClassThis 13th-century abbey (National Trust) appeared in Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets as Hogwarts classrooms — including Snape's potions class and the scene where Harry is chosen for Quidditch. The cloisters look eerily like Hogwarts. Entry fee applies.
Lacock Village — Potter Family HomeA family home in Lacock village itself served as Lily and James Potter's house in Philosopher's Stone — the house Harry sees in the Mirror of Erised. The entire village is a National Trust property and looks almost unchanged since the Middle Ages. Combine with a visit to the Abbey.
Durham Cathedral — McGonagall's ClassroomOne of Europe's finest Norman cathedrals appeared in Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban. The cloisters were Hogwarts corridors; the Chapter House was Professor McGonagall's classroom. Free to enter (donations welcomed). The setting high above the River Wear is breathtaking.
Alnwick Castle — First Flying LessonThe outer bailey was where Gryffindors had their first broomstick lesson with Madam Hooch in Philosopher's Stone — where Harry flew for the first time to retrieve Neville's Remembrall. The castle still runs broomstick training for kids. Second largest inhabited castle in England. Entry fee applies.
Goathland Station — HogsmeadeThis perfectly preserved Victorian steam station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is Hogsmeade in Philosopher's Stone. It looks almost unchanged from the film. Ride the heritage steam railway — the journey through the moors is spectacular and very Hogwarts Express.
Malham Cove — Deathly Hallows CampThis dramatic 80-metre limestone cliff in the Yorkshire Dales was the rocky hillside where Harry and Hermione camp while hunting Horcruxes in Deathly Hallows Part 1. The limestone pavement at the top also features. A 20-minute walk from Malham village. Free.
Virginia Water — Hogwarts LakeThis large lake in Surrey was used to represent the Hogwarts lake in Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry's hippogriff ride) and Goblet of Fire (Hermione passing messages across the lake). Free to visit. The lake was drained in WW2 as its distinctive shape guided enemy planes towards Windsor.
Ashridge Wood — Quidditch World CupThese ancient beech woods in Hertfordshire were the campsite for the Quidditch World Cup in Goblet of Fire. The Visitor Centre is open daily. Famous for its bluebells in spring. Free to walk.
Seven Sisters — Portkey LandingThese dramatic white chalk cliffs on the East Sussex coast are where the Portkey drops Harry and the Weasleys at the start of Goblet of Fire. Free and stunning — a bracing walk along the clifftops with views across the English Channel.
Hardwick Hall — Malfoy ManorThis grand Elizabethan mansion in Derbyshire (National Trust) was the exterior for Malfoy Manor in Deathly Hallows. Its large windows and austere facade make it one of the most striking buildings in England. Entry fee applies.