Harry Potter is the symbol of the millennials’ childhood. Today, more than 10 years after the last movie was released, people of all generations still want to see the legendary locations the story was filmed in. 

London is one of the major places where filming took place. There are tour packages featuring locations like King’s Cross Station, Piccadilly Circus and Borough Market. All these places, however, are extremely crowded almost constantly. It takes away from the experience for a lot of people and many report it makes them feel rushed in a way. 

Luckily, Harry Potter was filmed in several spots across the country. Quite a few of the really important and magical places are in Oxfordshire. The area is easily accessible by various means of transport and it is perfect for short trips and weekends away. What a marvellous half-term adventure would that be for you and your family!

Hogwarts

The School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is supposed to be a Scottish boarding school, but the scenes of the Harry Potter movies were filmed in Christ Church in Oxford. The staircase of the church appeared in the first film of the series, where Harry, Hermione and Ron, along with other freshers, met Professor McGonagall for the first time. 

The magnificent dining hall from the movies, with floating candles and enchanted ceiling, was inspired by the Christ Church dining hall. Visiting this space is only possible if you have bought a ticket to the church.

The Infirmary 

The school hospital where Harry spent some time after his first fight against Voldemort is actually the Divinity School in Oxford. The same location also appeared in the third movie “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and in the “Goblet of Fire”, where Professor McGonagall was teaching Ron how to dance. 

A self-guided tour through the school can be arranged here. 

The Library 

The scenes in the Forbidden section of the Hogwarts library were filmed in the Duke Humphrey’s Library, which is part of the Bodleian Library. Walking between the shelves hosting hundreds of old books and manuscripts will certainly take your imagination to a magical land, even if that’s not where Harry spent his school years. 

The Snape Tree

A little north from Oxford is located Blenheim Palace – a very popular destination for tourists and filmmakers. On the grounds of the palace there is an ancient cedar that was used for the scene portraying Sirius Snape as a student being bullied by Harry’s father. Today, this tree is officially called “The Harry Potter Tree”. 

Blenheim Palace offers a lot of opportunities for entertainment for the entire family. They run frequent events and while you are on your Harry Potter themed adventure, you can also budget a couple of more days to explore the palace in detail. 

Where to Stay in Oxfordshire

Planning a family trip? We have the perfect accommodation for you! Serviced apartments for short holidays are the best choice. They are very comfortable, feel like your own home and allow you to enjoy your time just the way you want. 

Our short let apartment in Wheatley is a stone throw away from Oxford and other popular tourist destinations in the area. It is professionally maintained and serviced. You receive hotel quality and home comfort – two things that you won’t be able to match anywhere else. 

Ready for your Harry Potter themed half-term adventure? We are here to welcome you!