No one else, like a fellow Potterhead, quite knows that when you say you want to plan a trip to London, you really mean you want to plan a magical-filled Harry Potter London trip. Yes, yes, of course, you’ll see the other iconic sites in London too. You cannot visit this city without seeing Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the other top London sites and attractions. However, if you’re like me, you’ll want to spend a few days delving into all the best Harry Potter things to do in London. This Harry Potter London itinerary allows you to experience the best of the Wizarding World in London.
Due to the immense popularity of the Harry Potter books and films, it is no surprise that London has become a hot spot for Harry Potter enthusiasts. Harry Potter fans flock to London to see the iconic film locations, visit the Harry Potter Studios Tour, and see the Cursed Child. Aside from the official Harry Potter attractions, there are many magical ways to fill a few days in London.
Ready your wands, don your house scarves, and prepare yourself for a magical Harry Potter getaway in London. Whether you’re spending a Harry Potter weekend in London or adding this magical itinerary along with other planned days in London, you will surely have an incredible trip.
This itinerary is based on my experience from a couple of magical trips to London. Though, I also added a few things I plan to do on my next trip. Is it weird to want to plan a trip back to London from my own curated itinerary?
Before You Go
🧙♂️ Book this incredible Georgian House Hotel to stay in the Harry Potter-themed Wizarding Chambers. You must select a Wizard Chamber room when booking!
🎟️ Best tours: This Harry Potter Studio Tour with Transportation and this Harry Potter Walking Tour
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you purchase a product or book a stay through these links at no extra cost to you.
Table of Contents
Harry Potter London Itinerary
This three-day Harry Potter itinerary highlights the best magical things to do in London. P.S. If you have the time, I suggest extending your trip to four days to include the bonus day trip to Oxford.
Day 1: Harry Potter Film Locations, Potions Cocktail Class
Your first day in London is all about seeing the sites (both magical and muggle). Settle into the city at a Harry Potter-themed hotel and prepare for a magical Harry Potter weekend in London!
Depending on when you arrive on your first day in London, you may need to push visiting the Harry Potter Film locations to another day. I suggest waking up early to fit them in over the next few days in London. However, I recommend finding a flight that gets you to London early so you have a full first day.
Check into the Wizarding Chambers at Georgian House Hotel
Staying at the Georgian House Hotel is a must for Harry Potter fans! This hotel has Wizarding Chambers, which look like rooms in Hogwarts. With four poster beds, dark academia design elements, and even trunks at the end of the beds, you will feel like you’re in a real-life wizard room. Remember, this hotel has some muggle rooms, so you must book either one of the Enchanted Chambers for two people or one of the Wizarding Chambers that can accommodate four to six.
Staying at the Georgian House Hotel is definitely a bit of a splurge. However, it is undeniably worth it if it is within your budget.
Price: doubles from £370 per night and the family rooms cost £450-470 per night
Check Availability | Read Reviews | Book Here
See the Harry Potter Film Locations Around London
One of the best ways to begin your Harry Potter itinerary in London is to see the film locations around the city. This will allow you to explore London on foot, seeing some iconic spots from the movies and other popular sites.
Most of the major Harry Potter filming locations can be found around central London and can be all seen in one day. I opted for a self-guided walking tour to see these Harry Potter spots and other sites in London. I included all the Harry Potter film locations, including Leadenhall Market, Borough Market, Millennium Bridge, Tower Bridge, Scotland Yard, and Piccadilly Circus.
A visit to Platform 9 ¾ and St Pancras can be saved for your Harry Potter Studios Tour day.
While a self-guided tour is a great option if you prefer to explore independently and do things at your own pace, there are some incredible guided Harry Potter Filming Location Tours. These tours include a knowledgeable guide and all of London’s top Harry Potter locations.
Potions Cocktail Class at the Cauldron
There’s no better way to unwind after a full day exploring London than with a magical Harry Potter-inspired activity. The Cauldron offers potions-making classes where you can create cocktails as if in a potions class at Hogwarts.
This immersive experience includes three cocktails (one welcome drink and two you make yourself). So not only is it a fun experience, it’s also a pretty affordable night out in London.
P.S. The Cauldron has locations in various cities around the world. I had the opportunity to enjoy Wizarding Afternoon Tea in Edinburgh.
Price: £42.99 per person
Location: 5d Stoke Newington Rd, London N16 8BH, United Kingdom
Book Here: Potions Making Class
Day 2: Platform 9 ¾ , Harry Potter Studios Tour
The second day of the Harry Potter London itinerary includes running through Platform 9 ¾ and the Harry Potter Studio Tour. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to see sets and props from the Harry Potter movies and live out your wildest dreams, pretending that you’re off to Hogwarts.
Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station
Start your day off at King’s Cross Station, where Platform 9 ¾ is found in the Harry Potter movies. While you could wander to see the actual wall between platforms 9 and 10, you don’t have to. There is a Platform 9 ¾ photo opt next to the Harry Potter Store in King’s Cross Station.
There tends to be a rather long line, but I found that it moved pretty quickly. Once it is your turn, you’ll be provided with a house scarf and get a chance to pose running through Platform 9 ¾. There is a professional photographer snapping photos (which you can opt to purchase in the store). However, you are free to take your own photos and videos as well.
If you don’t have time to wait in line for a photo, don’t worry! There is a Platform 9 ¾ photo opt at the Harry Potter Studios Tour. However, I found that there was something special about taking the picture at Kings Cross Station.
Next to Kings Cross Station is St Pancras, the brick station Harry and Ron fly over in Arthur Weasley’s Ford Anglia. Don’t miss stopping for a quick photo here before heading to your Harry Potter Studio Tour.
Harry Potter Studio Tour
One of the highlights of this Harry Potter London itinerary is a visit to the Harry Potter Studios. The Harry Potter Studio Tour allows you to visit the studio where all eight Harry Potter movies were filmed and see iconic film sets, props, and costumes.
During the tour, you’ll learn all about the making of the Harry Potter films, explore the backlot, and indulge in all the wizarding sweets.
I’ve visited twice, and each time, I had an incredible experience. One of the best parts about the tour is that they tend to switch out some featured sets, so you can visit multiple times and see something new.
The official website states that an average visit to the Harry Potter Studios is 3.5 hours. On my first visit, that’s the amount of time I allotted myself, and quite frankly, I felt that I was rushing through half of the tour. On my second visit, I arrived for a 2 p.m. tour and stayed until around 7:30 p.m., when I had to catch the bus back to the train station. This was enough time for the tour; however, I could have spent longer so I had more time to look at the exhibits, browse the shops, and try more of the Harry Potter-themed wizarding sweets. Quite frankly, I think most Harry Potter fans should plan to spend most of the day at the studios.
Perhaps 3.5 hours is enough for the average fan, but if you’re planning an entire Harry Potter trip to London, chances are you are a die-hard Potterhead. So plan for longer at the studios.
Price: £53.50
Address: Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR, United Kingdom
Tickets from Official Website | Tour with Transportation Included
TRAVEL TIP: For a hassle free visit to Harry Potter Studios, consider booking a tour with transportation. These tours allow you to enjoy the studios without having to worry about getting to Harry Potter Studios. Check availability here.
Day 3: Cursed Child, House of MinaLima, Harry Potter Afternoon Tea
It’s another full day in London! However, you’ll spend much of your day inside the Palace Theater for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
I included visiting the House of MinaLima between Part 1 and 2 of The Cursed Child. It is a fun way to spend the intermission between the shows. However, while there is a little over two hours between Part 1 and 2 of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, that doesn’t give you much time to grab a bite to eat and explore the shop. You might want to consider carving out time before the show begins to visit this Harry Potter store.
Wizarding Afternoon Tea
For a quintessentially British and uniquely Harry Potter experience, treat yourself to a Wizarding Afternoon Tea. This is a relaxing and filling way to spend your afternoon before you’re set to be at Palace Theater for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Part 1. There are a few different locations that have Harry Potter-themed Afternoon Tea, so you have some options.
Here are the best options for Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London:
The Cursed Child Part 1
Seeing The Cursed Child was one of the highlights of my Harry Potter weekend in London. I had such high expectations for the show, and it blew me away.
Make sure to arrive at Palace Theater around 30 minutes before the show starts. This will give you enough time to get through the ticketing line, find your seat, and explore the theater. Palace Theater is absolutely stunning! Don’t miss visiting the ornate theater bar before the show starts. The bar is beautiful and worth checking out, even if you don’t get a drink.
Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Part 1 is 2 hours and 45 minutes with a 20-minute intermission. But trust me, it will fly by!
TRAVEL TIP: Book your tickets to the Cursed Child in advanced because they will likely sell out!
House of MinaLima
One of the best ways to spend the long intermission between Part 1 and Part 2 of the Cursed Child is by visiting the free Harry Potter Museum, the House of MinaLima. This shop and gallery is run by the graphic design duo Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, who created the graphic art seen in the Harry Potter movies. This small boutique shop and gallery in the Soho neighborhood allows you to enter the Wizarding World through prints, illustrated books, and props from the Harry Potter movies.
The shop is just a 5-minute walk from Palace Theater, so it is an easy spot to visit during the intermission. Keep in mind that a lot of people who are at the Cursed Child have the same idea in mind. This is a busy time to visit this shop, and you will likely have to wait in line before you’re permitted to enter the shop.
I did have enough time to browse the shop, but I would suggest heading straight to the House of MinaLima as soon as Part 1 is complete.
After browsing the incredible designs at the House of MinaLima and perhaps leaving with a print or two, you can grab something quick to eat. After visiting the House of MinaLima, I only had time to get fast food before heading back to the Palace Theater.
READ MORE: 6 Magical Reason to Visit the House of MinaLima in London
Boy Wizard Statue in Leicester Square
If you have time, pop into Leicester Square to see the statue of the Boy Wizard! A small statue of Harry Potter riding a broom in this famous London square is only a 5-minute walk from the theater.
Cursed Child Part 2
It’s time for the second part of the Cursed Child! You’ll soon find out how this tantalizing story concludes. I found myself glued to the action on the stage the entire time. The plot drew me in, and the magical special effects made the story come to life.
The play wraps up after 9 pm, so there isn’t time to do much else after the show unless you’d like to indulge in some nightlife.
Day 4 (Bonus Day) – Day Trip to Oxford
If you have an additional day in London and want to experience more Harry Potter filming locations, you must take a day trip to Oxford. Several day trips bring you from London to Oxford and showcase spots that inspired JK Rolling and actual filming locations from the films.
Harry Potter London Trip Tips
Before you head on your whirlwind Harry Potter vacation in London, follow some of these tips for prepping for your trip.
Rewatch the Movies
A great way to prepare yourself for your Harry Potter trip to London is with a Harry Potter movie marathon! This way, you will have all the scenes fresh in your memory, so you’ll easily be able to connect them when exploring all the Harry Potter filming locations around London and at the Harry Potter Studios Tour.
Get Sorted in your Hogwarts House
If you don’t already know your Hogwarts House, a fun thing to do before your trip is to get sorted on the official website. Perhaps when you know your house, this will inspire you to don your house colors and really get into your Harry Potter vacation to London.
Book Tickets in Advance
Securing tickets for Harry Potter-related attractions can be a challenge, as they tend to sell out quickly. To increase your chances of obtaining tickets, it’s recommended that you book in advance. Most attractions, such as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play, offer online ticket sales. Keep an eye on their websites for release dates, and be ready to make your purchase as soon as tickets become available.
If you cannot secure tickets to the Harry Potter Studios Tour, don’t lose hope. You can get last-minute tickets with transportation.
Additionally, if you opt for Wizarding Afternoon Tea and/or drinks at the Cauldron, you will need to book that in advance.
Pack Your House Scarf
You may be planning on purchasing some house memorabilia and souvenirs at the Harry Potter shops in London or the Harry Potter Studios. However, it is a good idea to already have some Harry Potter items for the beginning of your trip especially if you want to wear your house scarf in photos on your first day exploring the Harry Potter filming locations. They were actually sold out of Gryffindor scarves when I visited the Harry Potter Studio.
Plan on an Expensive Trip
Unfortunately, if you follow this itinerary, this will be an expensive trip. However, there are some money-saving tips that you can use to make this trip more affordable. While the Georgian House is magical, you can opt to book a hotel cheaper hotel stay. Consider doing a self-guided walking tour, visiting the Harry Potter Studios independently, and booking cheaper seats for the Cursed Child play.
If you choose to do everything on this list (which I recommend), just be sure to save up!
London Harry Potter Itinerary: Wrap-up
This wraps up this magical Harry Potter London itinerary. Following this itinerary will ensure you make the most of your Harry Potter London trip. However, be sure to rearrange days as needed. The most important thing to keep in mind when planning a Harry Potter trip to London is that many of these experiences sell out well in advance. Be sure to book all your tickets, excursions, and hotels as soon as you plan the dates for your visit.
For more travel inspiration, check out these posts:
🧙♂️ 5 Free Harry Potter Things to do in London
🎟️How to Get Last-Minute Tickets to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London
✨ 6 Magical Reasons to Visit the House of MinaLima in London
🪄Leadenhall Market Harry Potter Film Location | Entrance to the Leaky Cauldron
✨12 Best Harry Potter Tours in London
For more UK travel, check out my UK section!
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