If you love Harry Potter, one of the best places to visit in the world is Oxford, England. The movies were filmed here, and while Oxford is the oldest English-speaking University in the world, it’s also home to MANY filming locations from the Harry Potter series.
What I love so much about the connection between Harry Potter and Oxford is that Rowling came and got so much inspiration here. From characters, names, dress, and Hogwarts itself. Just walking the streets makes you feel like you’re on a movie set. Except it’s real life!
I live in Oxford, England and I’ve taken dozens of Harry Potter tours and explored as much as I can. While London boasts an amazing array of Harry Potter filming locations and of course, the Warner Brother’s Studio Tour, if you love the movie, Oxford is the best spot.
We could just switch Oxford’s name to “Ox-warts” at this point! (That’s Oxford + Hogwarts combined.)
It’s hard to tell what I’ve done more: explored the historic streets of Oxford, or watched the enchanting world of Harry Potter unfold on screen. The magical series is one of my all-time favorites, capturing the essence of adventure and wonder. From the majestic architecture of Hogwarts to the charming nooks of Diagon Alley, Harry Potter’s universe is intricately tied to the real-world charm of Oxford. The city’s timeless beauty and academic grandeur made it the perfect backdrop for many iconic scenes in the films.
See all the places Harry Potter film locations are in the UK and beyond!
Living here in Oxford, I embarked on a quest to discover some of the beloved Harry Potter filming locations that bring the magic to life. Join me as I walk you through these enchanting spots, complete with some of my favorite quotes from the series.
There are countless quotes that encapsulate the magic and mystery of Harry Potter. Oxford, with its storied history and breathtaking architecture, is the perfect place to experience that same sense of wonder. Here, I’ll share both the filming locations and quotes that make you feel like you’re stepping right into the wizarding world.
Not only will this guide give you all the Harry Potter locations in Oxford, it’s loaded with my top tips and tricks for visiting.
Was Harry Potter Filmed in Oxford?
Yes, indeed! Oxford’s historic charm and magnificent architecture made it the perfect setting for many iconic scenes in the Harry Potter films. The city’s grand colleges and libraries provided the ideal backdrop to bring the magical world of Hogwarts to life. From the moment you step into Oxford, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight into the wizarding world.
Which movies were filmed in Oxford?
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Harry Potter Filming Locations in Oxford
Where was Harry Potter filmed in Oxford? The city of Oxford, with its historic university buildings, was the perfect setting for some of the most iconic and mesmerizing scenes from the Harry Potter films. These stunning locations not only brought the magic to life but also inspired the filmmakers to create larger-scale sets at Warner Bros. Studios here in the UK.
Here are the places that Harry Potter was filmed. BUT, please note: all of the college require entrance fees and have hours. Which means you have to plan ahead of time. Many of the places do require that you come on a tour so if you want to go on a tour, I suggest you book in advance. Below I list my favorite tours.
- Christ Church College – Bodley Staircase
- Christ Church College Dining Hall
- Christ Church College Cloisters
- Bodleian Library – Divinity School
- Bodleian Library – Duke Humfrey’s Library
- New College – Cloisters
- New College – Courtyard & Tree
- Harry Potter Tree – Blenheim Palace
I will share more about each location and give you some hints and tips along the way that you won’t want to miss!!!
Inspiration and Places that Feel Like Harry Potter in Oxford
- Broad Street aka Diagon Alley
- The Earl of Pembroke State aka Nearly Headless Nick
- Red Telephone Booth
- The site outside of the Sheldonian Theater where J.K. Rowling got the inspiration for Harry’s lightning bolt scar
- The black and white robes that students wear
- Blackwell’s Bookshop
- Turf Tavern – where the Potter crew hung out after filming
- Magical Shops – House of Wonders and Scriptum
- St Mary’s Church – Harry Potter Stars
Guided Tours of Harry Potter in Oxford
Guided tours of Oxford are, in short, amazing. I’ve quite literally been on dozens of tours. Whether for Harry Potter or learning the history of Oxford, I highly recommend them. Here are some tours I recommend.
Please note: Harry Potter Tours sell out SO fast! Book in advance.
Footprints Harry Potter Tour of Oxford – I’ve done this one a few times and is my top recommendation. They have lots of tours and are hosted by students at the university.
Oxford Harry Potter Tour with Entrance to Christ Church—This is probably one of the most popular tours, as you get to see THE inspiration for the Great Hall. This is also one of the biggest colleges, so it’s quite grand!
Oxford Harry Potter with Access to the Divinity School – Another super popular one as this gives you access to the Divinity School where the hospital scenes were filmed.
Oxford Harry Potter Tour with Entrance to New College – I love New College. It’s so beautiful and a great setting for exploring. This is where the Malfoy tree is as well as well as cloisters where many scenes were filmed.
Studio Tour And Oxford Day Trip – If you’re coming from London this tour is perfect. It gives you access to the studio plus a guided tour of Oxford.
Oxford Guided Tour – a general history tour of Oxford that is so so so fascinating!
Blenheim Palace Admission ticket – This is where the scene was filmed with Snape and James was filmed. The palace itself is magnificent and worth the 20 minute trip.
Oxford Ghost Tour—If you want something a little different, I really like this ghost tour! It usually doesn’t sell out, which is a huge plus! It’s also nice it goes at night.
Self-Guided Harry Potter Tour of Oxford
Prefer to explore at your own pace? A self-guided tour is the perfect option. Here’s a detailed itinerary to help you discover the magical locations on your own:
Christ Church
Christ Church is usually most associated with Harry Potter as so many significant and iconic scenes were filmed here! It was also the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland as Lewis Carroll was a math tutor here.
Please note that Christ Church requires an entrance fee. Visiting Christ Church can be a bit pricey at £16 per adult, but if you’re a Harry Potter fan, it’s absolutely worth it! The place truly looks and feels like Hogwarts. Just be sure to book your tour in advance. You can do so here directly or part of a tour.
Christ Church Hall – No place else feels like Hogwarts y’all! This magnificent hall served as the inspiration for Hogwarts’ Great Hall. Its grandeur, with long wooden tables and high ceilings, mirrors the magical feasts and sorting ceremonies. As you walk through, you can almost hear Dumbledore’s welcoming speech.
In truth, many of the dining halls in Oxford Colleges are quite grand! I love Magdalen’s!
Christ Church College – Bodley Staircase The iconic staircase is where in the first movie, Harry Potter and The Sorceror’s Stone, Professor McGonagall first greeted Harry, Hermione, and Ron, as well as the rest of the students. Standing on these steps, you can feel the excitement and anticipation of the young wizards entering Hogwarts for the first time. This is right before they enter the great hall and is one of my favorite scenes.
The staircase itself is so magnificent and you can see why the movies were so influenced by Oxford and Christ Church!
The staircase is used in:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Philosopher) meet McGonagal, and at the end of the movie as well- Ron and Hermione are at the top and ask if Harry is Alright.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets– when he’s late for School and inside Riddle’s Diary
Christ Church College Cloisters – We are lucky the studio ended up using so many actual places as scenes for Harry Potter. The reason is they didn’t have time to build all the sets. So many of the scenes of the students walking the halls is set in Christ Church Cloisters as well as some other places around Britain.
We also see the cloisters of Christ Church used in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when Hermione shows Harry’s dad trophy from Quidditch.
Get my guides for all Harry Potter filming locations, tips and so much more!
Harry Potter Tree – Blenheim Palace – Head just 20 minutes outside of Oxford to the GLORIOUS Blenheim Palace. Tour the palace and birthplace of Winston Churchill and check out the Harry Potter tree! Not to be confused with the Whomping Willow, this is the tree when Harry sees Snape’s memory from Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix.
We see, as Harry does too, Severus Snape at Hogwarts, sitting by this tree. He’s reading when James Potter arrives to bully him, casting a spell to make Snape float and threatening to pull his trousers down. Known as “Snape’s Worst Memory”, this moment happens in front of Lily, the love of Snape’s life. This scene is moving and revelatory, showing Snape’s vulnerability and giving us a deeper understanding of his character, making us sympathize with him for the first time.
Bodelian Library
Bodleian Library – Divinity School The Divinity School served as the Hogwarts Infirmary aka the hospital. The intricate stonework and vaulted ceilings create a space that’s both majestic and soothing, perfect for recovering from magical mishaps.
This is also where the students practice for the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Ron Dances with McGonagall.
Ron also winds up in the hospital in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince after being poisoned accidentally in Slughorn’s office.
PRO TIP: As you go into the Divinity School, look for the statue of the Earl of Pembroke. Look familiar? It looks like Nearly Headless Nick. But it gets even better!
Not only does the statue resemble Nearly Headless Nick, but Rowling also got all her inspiration from him. The bronze statue of William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke stands in front of the main entrance to the Old Bodleian Library, looking across the Quadrangle. Apparently, he and Shakespeare were good friends as well and he was Shakespeare’s patron! When the statue was put up, apparently, students didn’t like him and tried to remove his head. J.K. Rowling heard this story and used it for Nearly Headless Nick!
Bodleian Library – Duke Humfrey’s Library This historic library was used as Hogwarts Library, where Hermione spent countless hours researching spells. The scholarly atmosphere is palpable, making it a must-visit for book lovers and Potter fans alike.
New College
New College – Cloisters Our first glimpse of New College comes during the build-up to the Triwizard Tournament. Remember when Harry seeks out Cedric Diggory to warn him about the dragons in the first task? During these scenes, Harry is quite isolated, with many students sporting ‘Potter Stinks’ badges and even Ron turning against him. These memorable moments are all set within the cloisters and the central courtyard of New College.
There are also a few scenes with students walking through the halls of Hogwarts here.
New College – Courtyard & Tree This tree provided the setting for Draco Malfoy’s memorable encounter with Mad-Eye Moody in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when he’s turned into a ferret! You can see the tree going over the top of the walls of the college.
It’s also the place where Cedric Diggory and Harry have a chat before the next task.
Get my guides for all Harry Potter filming locations, tips and so much more!
Places that Feel Like Harry Potter in Oxford
Of course, just walking around Oxford gives you Hogwarts vibes! But here are a few more.
Broad Street aka Diagon Alley
Broad Street in Oxford, with its bustling atmosphere and eclectic mix of shops, mirrors the magical vibrancy of Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter series. No, it’s not quite as crampt, but it has many similar shops including book stores, robe stores, and more.
As you stroll down this historic street, you can almost imagine wizards and witches popping into Ollivanders for a new wand or browsing the latest brooms at Quality Quidditch Supplies. The architecture, with its charming facades and centuries-old buildings, provides a perfect backdrop reminiscent of the wizarding shopping district, making it a must-visit for any Potter enthusiast looking to experience a slice of Diagon Alley in the heart of Oxford.
The Earl of Pembroke State aka Nearly Headless Nick
The Earl of Pembroke College in Oxford holds a special place in Harry Potter lore as the inspiration behind Nearly Headless Nick, the ghostly figure who roams the halls of Hogwarts. I mentioned him above, you really can’t miss it when you go to the Divinity School. And 10 points to Gryffindor because it’s free and no hours!
Red Telephone Booth
Just near the Divinity School and across the street from the Bridge of Sighs is a PERFECT red telephone booth that looks very similar to the one Harry uses to get into the Ministry of Magic.
The site outside of the Sheldonian Theater where J.K. Rowling got the inspiration for Harry’s lightning bolt scar
Just outside the Sheldonian Theatre, a notable spot in Oxford, lies the inspiration for one of the most iconic symbols in the Harry Potter series: Harry’s lightning bolt scar. It was here that J.K. Rowling, while taking in the majestic views and the historical ambiance of Oxford, envisioned the distinctive mark that would forever link Harry to his past and his destiny. She actually was asked by her publisher to give a clearer idea of the scar. And there she saw what is actually a mason’s mark!
The Sheldonian Theatre, with its grandeur and historical significance, provided the perfect backdrop for this moment of creative inspiration, making it a landmark of literary history as well as architectural beauty.
St. Mary’s Church
I have never heard anyone talk about this! But if you go into St. Mary’s Church, which is gorgeous and a great place for the best view of Oxford, look up at the ceiling. What do you see? I see Harry Potter stars that look like the exact stars in the book!
The black and white robes that students wear
Okay, not a place, but you might notice this walking around! During ceremonies such as formals or Matriculation day, students don robes. The black and white robes worn by students at Oxford University bear a striking resemblance to the traditional Hogwarts uniforms, adding a touch of magic to the academic atmosphere of the city. These robes, steeped in tradition and history, create a visual connection between the prestigious university and the fictional school of witchcraft and wizardry. Walking through the university’s historic halls and seeing students clad in their scholarly attire, one can’t help but feel a part of the magical world, where knowledge and enchantment intertwine seamlessly.
Blackwell’s Bookshop
Blackwell’s Bookshop in Oxford is a paradise for book lovers and a treasure trove for Harry Potter fans. This iconic store, with its vast collection of books and inviting atmosphere, is reminiscent of the magical bookstores like Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Alley. It’s easy to imagine Hermione Granger spending hours here, surrounded by towering stacks of spell books and ancient tomes. Blackwell’s has been a cornerstone of Oxford’s literary scene for over a century, and its labyrinthine shelves and rich history make it a perfect stop for anyone looking to delve into the magic of reading.
Turf Tavern – where the Potter crew hung out after filming
Turf Tavern, a historic pub tucked away in a narrow alley in Oxford, was a favorite haunt of the Harry Potter crew after long days of filming. This charming tavern, with its cozy interiors and traditional British pub fare, provided a much-needed retreat for cast and crew to unwind and share stories. The walls of Turf Tavern have witnessed centuries of conversations and camaraderie, and knowing that it played host to the creators of such a beloved series adds an extra layer of magic to this already enchanting spot. Whether you’re a Potterhead or just looking for a quintessential Oxford experience, Turf Tavern is the perfect place to relax and soak in the city’s rich history.
Magical Shops
There are TONS of magical shops selling Harry Potter trinkets, costumes, and goodies. But my favorite is House of Wonders. It is a beautiful shop and has tons of unqiue things in the store.
I also HIGHLY recommend checking out Scriptum. It’s a stationery store that feels magical. The store is literally overflowing with quills, quirky objects and more. Think Flourish and Blotts meets Borgin and Burkes. But not in a dark way.
Laird Hatters – This shop looks like it comes straight from Diagon Alley! And it sells hats!
Visit a College
Many of the colleges feel like Hogwarts and are much cheaper to visit. I personally love Bailliol, Magdalen (their great hall rivals Christ Church’s) and they have a deer park, Queen’s college, Keble (adore the church!), Exeter, and many more.
Map of all the Harry Potter Locations
Here’s a map so you won’t miss a thing!
Tips for Visiting Harry Potter Locations in Oxford
PLEASE read this before you go! All of the places listed have hours and many have entrance fees. So please plan ahead.
If you want to do a self-guided tour, many of the colleges have certain times they are open. Check their official websites to ensure they are open. For example, Christ Church requires you pay an entrance fee and it’s quite expensive.
There are 39 colleges spread throughout the city that make up Oxford. You don’t just have to go to New College or Christ Church to get Harry Potter vibes.
If you want to visit a college but don’t want to pay, check out Evensong. Various colleges offer this each evening. It’s a 30 minute service with a beautiful choir and a chance to go into the colleges with out paying.
Tours often sell out. I suggest booking at least a week in advance.
There are many places nearby that feel like Hogwarts or are actually Harry Potter filming locations. See the full list here.
Get my guides for all Harry Potter filming locations, tips and so much more!
How to Get from London to Oxford
In truth, it’s very easy to get from London to Oxford by taking the train for a short, one hour journey.
Direct services run from London Paddington (serving Oxford station) and London Marylebone (serving Oxford and Oxford Parkway stations).
I recommend this train from London Paddington.
The History of Oxford
Oxford, one of the oldest and most prestigious university cities in the world, has a rich and storied history that dates back over a thousand years. Its origins can be traced to the late Saxon period, with the establishment of a settlement at a strategic river crossing. The University of Oxford itself began to take shape in the 12th century, evolving from informal gatherings of scholars to a formal institution of higher learning.
Throughout the Middle Ages, Oxford grew in prominence as a center of education, producing notable scholars and contributing significantly to intellectual and religious life in England. The city’s medieval architecture, including its iconic colleges, libraries, and churches, reflects its long-standing tradition of academic excellence and cultural heritage. Over the centuries, Oxford has been at the heart of significant historical events, from the English Reformation to the Civil War, and continues to be a symbol of scholarly pursuit and historical significance.
Oxford is made up of 29 colleges spread throughout the city. So you don’t just visit one, but many of the colleges.
Oxford’s enchanting scenery also served as a backdrop for many scenes in the Harry Potter films, further cementing its place in modern pop culture.
See all the places Harry Potter was filmed.
Source: Helene in Between – heleneinbetween.com
