Most of the Harry Potter films were shot across real locations in the United Kingdom, mainly in England and Scotland, with interiors and large sets built at Leavesden Studios near London.

Main Hogwarts locations

  • Alnwick Castle, Northumberland (England) – Used as Hogwarts’ exterior and grounds in the first two films, including broomstick lessons and courtyard scenes.
  • Durham Cathedral, Durham (England) – Its cloisters and courtyards appear as Hogwarts corridors and exterior walkways in several films.
  • Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire (England) – Many spooky and atmospheric Hogwarts corridor scenes, especially in the early films, were shot here.
  • Oxford sites (England) – Christ Church, New College, and the Bodleian Library provided staircases, halls, and classrooms that stand in for Hogwarts interiors.

Scottish Highlands and landscapes

  • Glenfinnan Viaduct, Loch Shiel, Rannoch Moor & other Highland spots (Scotland) – These landscapes are seen whenever the Hogwarts Express travels north and in many sweeping exterior shots of Hogwarts and the Black Lake.
  • Glen Coe and nearby lochs (Scotland) – Used for the area around Hagrid’s Hut and surrounding Hogwarts grounds in later films.

Key London and “Muggle world” locations

  • King’s Cross Station & St Pancras (London) – King’s Cross is home to Platform 9ž, with some exterior shots using the nearby St Pancras building.
  • Leadenhall Market & other London streets – Parts of Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron entrances were filmed around Leadenhall Market and other central London spots.
  • London Zoo (Regent’s Park) – The Reptile House where Harry speaks to the snake appears in the first film.

Countryside, villages, and coastal spots

  • Lacock village and Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire (England) – Used as Godric’s Hollow streets and various Hogwarts interiors, including early potions classroom scenes.
  • Goathland Station, Yorkshire (England) – Doubles as Hogsmeade Station where students arrive by train.
  • Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex (England) – The chalk cliffs appear in “Goblet of Fire” as the place where Harry reaches the Portkey to the Quidditch World Cup.
  • Freshwater West, Wales – Used for Shell Cottage and Dobby’s grave in “Deathly Hallows”.

Quick HTML table of notable locations

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Location Country Used for in films
Leavesden Studios England Main sets, interiors, large-scale studio filming
Alnwick Castle England Early Hogwarts exteriors, broomstick lessons, school grounds.
Durham Cathedral England Hogwarts cloisters and snowy courtyard scenes.
Gloucester Cathedral England Hogwarts corridors and mysterious interior shots.
Oxford colleges (Christ Church, New College, Bodleian) England Hogwarts staircases, dining-style halls, classrooms and library areas.
King’s Cross & St Pancras England Platform 9¾ approach and rail station scenes.
Leadenhall Market England Leaky Cauldron entrance and Diagon Alley street views.
Lacock village & Abbey England Godric’s Hollow streets, early Hogwarts interiors including classrooms.
Glenfinnan Viaduct & Loch Shiel area Scotland Hogwarts Express journey shots and views of the Black Lake and Hogwarts region.
Glen Coe Scotland Setting around Hagrid’s Hut and dramatic Hogwarts surroundings.
Seven Sisters cliffs England Portkey hill walk to the Quidditch World Cup in “Goblet of Fire”.
Freshwater West Wales Shell Cottage and Dobby’s grave in “Deathly Hallows”.

Mini “story” way to remember it

Imagine Harry leaving Privet Drive near London, passing through real London landmarks to reach King’s Cross, then riding the Hogwarts Express over the Glenfinnan Viaduct into the wild Scottish Highlands where Hogwarts sits among lochs and mountains. When he returns to school, the hallways and staircases you see are really cathedrals and colleges in historic English cities like Oxford, Durham, and Gloucester.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.