Discover Harry's world
We hope you've got a wand to hand when you visit Britain; the home of Harry Potter. When you take the Harry Potter Trail through the UK you get to discover the wizarding world of Harry, Ron and Hermione. You can see where J. K. Rowling drew her inspiration from, where she wrote her early novels and you can even step into the real-life Harry Potter sets and make the magical world come alive:
Hogwarts Express
For the Harry Potter fan, walking through the wall at platform 9 ¾ and boarding the Hogwarts Express would be beyond a dream. Now a little part of that dream can come true with the West Highland Railway Line. The train used for the Harry Potter films travels 42 miles from Fort William to Malaig in Scotland. The steaming Hogwarts Express passes through lots of the scenery seen in the film, such as Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis. The journey gets even more exciting when you reach Steall Falls, where Harry battled a dragon in the Triwizard Tournament. Next stop is Glennfinnan Viaduct, the stunning archways that Harry and Ron fly the Weasley's battered, blue car through. The West Highland Railway Line will recapture the fun of the Hogwarts Express — sadly there's no Honeydukes food trolley though so take a snack.
The Elephant House
The Elephant House cafe is a cosy coffee shop with a bright red front. It is nestled in the very heart of Edinburgh and overlooks the beautiful Edinburgh Castle. The Elephant House opened in 1995 and its inviting atmosphere and friendly staff made it one of J. K. Rowling's favourite spots in the Scottish city. The Elephant House cafe is very special, not only because of its tasty cakes, but because it was where Rowling wrote most of the first two Harry Potter books. The coffee shop explains that the author preferred writing in the coffee shops back room because from here she could look over Edinburgh Castle. Today you can grab a coffee, tea, beer, cake or main meal for an affordable price and soak up the fantastic, lively atmosphere that J.K Rowling found so inspiring. Or if you don't have the time, you can buy some of the gorgeous coffee beans to take home and enjoy.
Warner Brothers Studio Tour
Grab your wand and become a wizard or a witch for the day and book a place on the Warner Brother's Studio Tour. This thrilling excursion takes you onto the actual, real-life Harry Potter film sets and gives you full access to the magical world. You can walk through the streets of Diagon Alley and see Olivanders, Flourish and Blotts, the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and the impressive wizarding bank, Gringotts. Once you've seen where the wizards and witches shop you can wander through the Great Hall at Hogwarts and read all of the student's graffiti on the house tables. Make sure you look down at the floor of the Great Hal too; its real York stone and was laid 11 years ago. Then it's time to see Dumbledore's office where the Gryffindor Sword and the Sorting Hat can be seen. The tour also allows you to rediscover other Harry Potter moments in Hagrid's hut, the Gryffindor common room and even the dreaded Potion's classroom.
Platform 9 ¾
If you want the perfect Potter picture you need to visit King's Cross Station in London. This is the place where all of the Hogwarts children pass through the arched wall at platform 9 ¾ and catch the Hogwarts Express to school. The wall has been enchanted so that only witches and wizards can access the platform, but if you want to give it a go you can. King's Cross Station have created a luggage trolley that appears to be travelling through the wall. Half of the trolley remains in the muggle world and half seems to have reached platform 9 ¾. If you'd like to have a magical photo, take your camera to the station and head towards the entrance of platforms 9, 10 and 11. Here you'll find the disappearing luggage trolley and a sign that reads: Platform 9 ¾. Snap away Potter fans!
Privet Drive
Did you know that the Dursley's house was real? It's true; if you travel to a small town called Bracknel in Berkshire you'll find Privet Drive and you will be able to see the house Harry hated. However, the house is not on Privet Drive and is in fact on a street called Picket Close; the Dursley's house is number 12. Be warned though, the house is still lived in so don't try to wander inside. The owner of the house, Sandra Smith, got so annoyed at expectant Potter fans that she tried to sell the house in 2003. Sadly for Sandra no-one wanted to pay the expected price for the Dursley residence, which J. K. Rowling described as "a perfectly ordinary house on a perfectly ordinary street". The property sold for £249,000; £1000 under the reserve price.
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