A Magical Harry Potter Walking Tour in London + Map 🚇🧙♂️
If you’ve ever secretly waited for an owl to deliver your Hogwarts letter, London is the next best thing. The city is scattered with filming locations, stage magic, and little nods to J.K. Rowling’s world, and the best bit? You can see a load of it in one day with just your feet and an Oyster card. This walking and tube-friendly route starts at the only place it could: King’s Cross. *Wand not included. 🧙
Harry Potter Walking Tour in London 🚶
🚗 Quick Trip Facts
- Starting Point: King’s Cross Station (Platform 9¾) 🚂
- Total Distance: ~8.5 miles walking (shorter with tube hops)
- Duration: 1 full day at a relaxed pace / 4–5 hours if you power through
- Best For: Potter fans, film buffs, families, first-time London visitors
- Transport Needed: Oyster card or contactless for tube rides
- Accessibility: Most stops are street-level or tube-accessible, though some (like St Paul’s staircase) require tours/tickets
- Highlight Stops: Piccadilly Circus, Millennium Bridge, Leadenhall Market, Palace Theatre 🎭
- Cost: Free to walk and spot locations; extras like London Zoo or theatre tickets are paid
🗺️ Let the Tour Commence!
📍 Stop 1: King’s Cross Station – Platform 9¾ 🚂🧳
Begin your adventure where countless fans make their pilgrimage. The famous Platform 9¾ photo spot (complete with luggage trolley halfway through the wall) sits near the Harry Potter shop, which is stacked with wands, house scarves, and souvenirs. Even if you’re not big on merch, it’s worth a look.
👉 Good to know: Queues build quickly, so mornings are usually calmer.
🔥 Recommended Tour: Harry Potter Walking Tour
📍 Stop 2: London Zoo – Reptile House 🐍
From King’s Cross, hop on the Northern Line to Camden Town and stroll across Regent’s Park to the London Zoo Reptile House. This is where Harry first discovered he could talk to snakes in Philosopher’s Stone. The actual enclosure is still there, though the boa constrictor has long since slithered off.
📍 Stop 3: Piccadilly Circus ⚡📸
Tube it down to Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo or Piccadilly Line). Remember the scene in Deathly Hallows Part 1 where Harry, Ron, and Hermione leg it through the traffic after the wedding attack? This is the very spot. It’s busy, chaotic, and unmistakably London.
Recommended Tours and Tickets From Get Your Guide
📍 Stop 4: Palace Theatre – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 🎭
A short walk from Piccadilly brings you to Shaftesbury Avenue, where the Palace Theatre hosts Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Even if you don’t catch the play, seeing the dragon-clad façade feels special.
👉 Tinker’s Tip: Tickets sell out months ahead. If you’re keen, book long before your trip.
📍 Stop 5: Scotland Yard – Magical Law Enforcement 🕵️♂️✨
From Leicester Square, it’s just a couple of tube stops to Westminster. Here sits the real Scotland Yard, the Muggle-world counterpart often tied in fan lore to the Ministry of Magic. While you can’t wander inside waving your wand, it’s a cool stop for the theme.
📍 Stop 6: Westminster Tube Station 🚇🏛️
Speaking of the Ministry, this station itself starred in Order of the Phoenix, when Harry followed Mr. Weasley through the barriers. Pop out and you’ll also get one of the city’s best views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, magic in their own right.
📍 Stop 7: Millennium Bridge 🌉🔥
Take the District Line to St. Paul’s and wander across the Millennium Bridge, instantly recognisable from Half-Blood Prince. In the film, it’s ripped apart by Death Eaters, but in reality it’s one of the best river crossings in London, with dramatic views of St Paul’s behind you and Tate Modern ahead.
📍 Stop 8: St Paul’s Cathedral – Divination Staircase 🔮
Just a short walk from the bridge, the spiral staircase inside St Paul’s doubled as the route to Professor Trelawney’s Divination classroom in Prisoner of Azkaban. While guided tours are the only way to peek inside, the cathedral alone is worth the stop.
📍 Stop 9: Leadenhall Market 🛍️✨
A few stops east gets you to Bank station, from which you can stroll to Leadenhall Market. Its ornate, covered arcades stood in for Diagon Alley, and one of the shops was used as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in the first film. Plus, it’s a great place to grab a coffee.
📍 Stop 10: Australia House – Gringotts Bank 🏦🐉
From Leadenhall, head to Temple station and walk over to Australia House. This grand building provided the interior shots of Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Sadly, the public can’t go in (it’s an embassy), but the exterior is imposing enough for a good snap.
📍 We also have another Road Trip: Harry Potter Road Trip Across England + Map 🚗🧙♂️
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
Map will be located under "YOU" and then under "MAPS".
ℹ️ Add the map to your Google Maps app.
After opening Google maps, click YOU and then scroll down to MAPS. It should be located there. Any issues, just get it touch, it’s no problem!
🛑 Pit Stops & Side Detours
House of MinaLima (Soho) – A quirky little gallery/shop run by the graphic designers behind the Harry Potter films. Posters, props, and prints galore.
Cecil Court (near Leicester Square) – Nicknamed “Booksellers’ Row,” this Victorian street is thought to have inspired Diagon Alley.
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel (King’s Cross) – That iconic red-brick building where the Weasleys parked the flying Ford Anglia in Chamber of Secrets.
Trafalgar Square – Not in the films, but the site of the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 world premiere. A fun detour if you’re in the West End.
Borough Market – Foodie heaven and also the stand-in for the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in Prisoner of Azkaban.
Claremont Square (Islington) – The exterior filming location for 12 Grimmauld Place, Sirius Black’s family home.
🍽️ Local Eats Worth Chasing
Dishoom (King’s Cross) – Legendary Bombay-style café vibes. Great spot for breakfast before you set off (their bacon naan roll is wizard-level good).
Camden Market (near London Zoo) – Street food central: vegan burgers, bao buns, churros… you’ll find something for everyone.
Borough Market (London Bridge) – A feast for foodies. Grab a grilled cheese from Kappacasein or a scotch egg to fuel your wand-waving.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (Fleet Street) – A centuries-old pub with hidden nooks and literary history. Perfect for a butterbeer-alternative pint. 🍺
Paul Rothe & Son (Marylebone detour) – Old-school sandwich shop with Hogwarts-lunchbox energy. Quirky and wholesome.
Leadenhall Market Pubs & Cafés – Sip a coffee or pint in the same spot where Diagon Alley was filmed — extra magic points if you sit outside.
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
What to know How to Plan or Save for a Trip? Here are our best:
FAQs
How long does the Harry Potter walking & tube tour take?
If you walk the full route, allow around 7–8 hours including photo stops, coffee breaks, and tube rides. You can condense it into 4–5 hours if you skip extras like London Zoo or don’t linger too long at each location.
Do I need to buy tickets for any of the stops?
Most of the locations are free to see — streets, markets, bridges, and stations. The only paid extras are London Zoo (to see the Reptile House) and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre if you want to watch the play.
How do I get the FREE map?
The free map is available via Google Maps with no signup required. After clicking the “View Map” link, go to “Your Places” > “Maps” in the Google Maps app to find the route. Save it for offline use, especially in areas with spotty signal.
Is this tour suitable for kids?
Absolutely! The route is flexible and you can shorten it with the tube if little legs get tired. Stops like Platform 9¾, the zoo, and Leadenhall Market are especially fun for younger fans.
What’s the best time to do the tour?
Morning is your best bet to avoid big crowds at King’s Cross and Piccadilly Circus. Evenings are magical too — seeing the city lit up around Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s feels properly cinematic.
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Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! The Travel Tinker is a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel! Tinkering your plans as you browse!
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