When you only have one day to explore London’s Harry Potter-related attractions, every minute counts. For that reason, we’ve put together an itinerary to make the most of a day in the city seeing your favourite places from the story, whether from the books or the movies.
Maximise your day in London by staying in the city the night before so you can start sightseeing the next day as soon as possible. You can even turn your stay into part of the Harry Potter experience by booking a room at a hotel connected to the series, like the Georgian House Hotel, St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London, or Hazlitt’s Hotel.
The Georgian House Hotel has Hogwarts-themed rooms you can stay in, making you feel like you’re attending the school of witchcraft and wizardry. St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is a building you’ll recognise from the second Harry Potter movie – it’s in the background when Harry and Ron take off in the flying car. Hazlitt’s Hotel doesn’t have a connection to the films, but it is a favourite spot for J.K. Rowling, and visitors can see two books from the series she signed.
These hotels fill up quickly because of their links to the movies and books, so book well in advance. Failing that, you could stay at another nearby accommodation like the Ritz and enjoy the lavish lifestyle and casino games – although it’s probably best to play online through a leading authority in online gambling when you’re back in your hotel room so you can maximise your time exploring the sites and attractions of the magical world.
Beyond the Harry Potter-themed accommodations, here are a few activities to tackle in your jam-packed Harry Potter day – just remember to wear comfortable walking shoes!
Platform 9 ¾ (30 Minutes to 1 ½ Hours)
Start your journey into the magical world of Harry Potter the same way students start their journey to Hogwarts: by heading to King’s Cross Station. There, you’ll find Platform 9 ¾, where you can pose for a photo. On average, people spend 30 minutes to an hour here, but if you book ahead of time for a VIP pass, you can bypass the waiting and get your photo more quickly (and when you only have a day, it may be worth the extra price!).
Before heading to your next destination, take a moment to look across the street from King’s Cross Station. You’ll see St. Pancras Station and the hotel where you can imagine the flying car taking off.
Guided Tour (3 Hours)
Get your bearings in the city and see the main movie or book stops by signing up for a guided tour. Not only will you get to see the exciting places, but your guide will also have more details about each one, enriching the experience. You’ll be able to dive even deeper into your love for the series.
Within London, you’ll find a few different tour options, including a Harry Potter Tour of London, a walking tour called the ‘Tour for Muggles’ and a taxi tour where you’ll be chauffeured from site to site by a knowledgeable guide. The walking tour typically takes two hours, and the taxi tour can take three to five hours.
Souvenir Shop and Lunch (1 to 2 Hours)
Primark Harry Potter is a marvellous place to buy Harry Potter merchandise at lower prices than you’ll find at gift shops at Platform 9 ¾ or other locations significant to the series. You can commemorate your trip and bring something back for friends and family without breaking the bank.
By this point in the day, you’ll likely also want to stop for lunch. You could walk through the streets surrounding Primark or head back to St. Pancras Station to have lunch in the building that served as King’s Cross Station in several of the movies.
Alternatively, you could go to Leadenhall Market. The market is said to have inspired Diagon Alley and is also the site of the Leaky Cauldron, making it a worthwhile stop for fans. The stop doesn’t take long to walk through (most people say you only need 15 to 20 minutes), and it has several dining options you may want to consider to fuel your day.
Catch a Showing of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (6 Hours)
After all that walking and sightseeing, sitting down for a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child performance is just what you need. You can be immersed in the story of Harry and Ginny’s son and his friendship with Draco Malfoy’s son. The play is quite long and is split into two showings with an intermission in each.
If you’re more interested in the movie-making process, consider going on ‘The Making of Harry Potter’tour with Warner Bros. Studio instead of the play. It’s a seven-hour tour jam-packed with all the big and small details from the movies. At the studio, you’ll also have the opportunity to fly your own broom using a green screen, board the Hogwarts Express, walk through Diagon Alley, and stop for butterbeer before heading to dinner.
Dinner and Drinks (Set Your Own Pace)
After the show or tour, head out for dinner and drinks at one of the Harry Potter-themed eateries in London, like The Cauldron. Here, you can experience what it would be like to take a potions class at Hogwarts, or you can simply sit down for a drink in the Hogwarts-like atmosphere.
Conclusion
A day exploring all things Harry Potter in London will be a day well spent, whether you follow our itinerary or not. You’ll be busy from beginning to end but even more in love with the Harry Potter books and movies than ever before–and likely plotting a trip to Scotland to see more sights (and sites) from the films!
Like it? Pin it!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this website are “affiliate links.” This means that if you click on the link and do a purchase, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. This helps me keep my website running and continue to share my travelling knowledge with you. I thank you for booking your flights or hotels using the links on my website. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
