The Best Harry Potter Locations in Oxford
If you want to explore the magical world of Harry Potter in Oxford, you have made it to the right post! In this blog post, I will go through all of the must-see Oxford Harry Potter Locations, including some of the most famous filming locations and more.
If you are a Harry Potter fan and wish to experience books and movies in real life, then you must visit Oxford! You may already know that the United Kingdom has many Harry Potter locations, including Leadenhall Market and Kings Cross Station in London and the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland (The Hogwarts Express). Oxford is no different! You will find famous locations in Oxford, such as the Bodley Staircase and the Duke Humfrey’s Library.
Did they Film Harry Potter in Oxford?
Yes! There are many Harry Potter Filming Locations in Oxford. While a lot of the movies are more well known for being filmed in other British destinations like London, Blenheim (close to Oxford!) and Anwick, Oxford is just as important of a location for the Harry Potter films. You will, for example, find the famous Duke Humpfrey’s Library in Oxford. You will also find a few places that were not filming locations. Still, they were heavily inspired by the final outcome of the site. Both are guaranteed to make any Harry Potter fan want to visit.
What is the Best Harry Potter Tour Oxford?
I will go through a Self-Guided Tour of the Harry Potter locations in this blog post. This means you do not need to book any guide on the below listed. However, if you do wish to book a guided tour with an expert, local guide, these are some of the best Harry Potter Tours in Oxford:
- University and City Walking Tour with Alumni Guide
- Christ Church Harry Potter Oxford Filming Locations Tour
- Harry Potter Tour with Divinity School Entry
What are some other things to do in Oxford?
Suppose you are visiting Oxford and you are currently planning your trip. In that case, the Harry Potter locations are just one aspect of Oxford worth exploring. The city has excellent colleges, museums, cafés, and beautiful architecture. A few top things to do in Oxford include visiting the Ashmolean Museum, seeing the gorgeous view from St. Mary’s Church Tower, and going to the charming Covered Market. Oxford is a beautiful small city with much more to offer than it seems. If you want to know more about Oxford and what this fantastic city offers, you can find my complete guide to Oxford here. I will be posting more guides for Oxford, including bookshop guides, café guides, and more in the future. Remember to subscribe to my email list if you do not want to miss out!
You might also like
- The best Harry Potter locations in Scotland
- The best things to do in Oxford
- The best things to do in London
Oxford Harry Potter Locations You Must Visit!
1. Christ Church College – Dining Hall
The first Oxford Harry Potter location is the Christ Church Hall. Christ Church has several Harry Potter spots, and the Hall is just one of them! If you buy an entrance ticket to Christ Church, you will see the following 3 locations on this list.
The first place inside Christ Church College is the famous Dining Hall. You will immediately feel transported into dinner time at Hogwarts when you step into this space. This place’s resemblance and atmosphere are freakishly similar to the dining hall in the Harry Potter movies. The dark wooden walls, long dining tables, and incredibly detailed window seals make it feel like stepping into a film of Harry Potter in Oxford.
Although the Christ Church Hall was not actually used as a filming location for any of the movies, it inspired Hogwarts’ famous dining hall. While it was used for inspiration, the actual hall in the Harry Potter movies was filmed on a unique set in Warner Bros. Studios. Unfortunately, you will not be able to see the actual dining hall as it is not real. However, the hall was created with close reference to the hall in Christ Church, making the resemblance undeniable!
Buy tickets for Christ Church College here.
2. Christ Church College – Bodley Staircase
Another one of the Oxford Harry Potter locations in Christ Church is the Bodley Staircase. This is probably the most nostalgic and recognisable location in Christ Church. The staircase was primarily used in earlier movies when we spent much time inside Hogwarts.
The top of this staircase was used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone when the new students walk up to Hogwarts and are greeted by Professor McGonagall for the first time.
The staircase is featured again when Harry, Ron, and Hermione run to the stairs at the film’s end and when they are about to head home.
On top of this, it is also featured in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets when Harry and Ron are collared by Argus Filch after the scene of them in the flying car.
This is an iconic spot for those looking to experience the behind-the-scenes of Harry Potter in Oxford.
Book tickets for Christ Church College here.
3. Christ Church College – The Cloisters
This is yet another one of the Oxford Harry Potter locations in Christ Church! This one is a little more hidden than the others. Just like the Bodley Staircase, the cloisters of Christ Church were used as a filming location in The Philosopher’s Stone. This is used in the scene where Hermione shows Harry Potter that he was born to become a seeker. She shows him all the trophies that James Potter won. This beautiful destination will make you feel like walking inside a Harry Potter movie!
Book tickets for Christ Church College here.
4. New College – Courtyard & Tree
The following Oxford Harry Potter location is New College. While Christ Church is definitely the most famous place in Oxford for Harry Potter fans, they should not miss out on visiting this Harry Potter gem either! One of the prominent Harry Potter locations inside New College is the New College Courtyard.
Book tickets for New College here.
Here you will find the famous big tree shown in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This is the scene where Mad Eye Moody transfigures Malfoy into a ferret, before he is told off by Professor McGonagall.
5. New College – Cloisters
While many of these locations are famous and nothing new to Harry Potter fans, the New College Cloisters is more of a hidden gem. Many of the cloisters in New College have been used in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire a few times. One of them was when Harry Potter had to push through the Gryffindor students to go and speak to Cedric.
Book tickets for New College here.
New College could easily be mistaken for Hogwarts itself. With its imposing architecture and arched stone tunnels, this whole place feels like stepping into Harry Potter in Oxford.
6. Bodleian Library – Duke Humprey’s Library
This Oxford Harry Potter Location appeared in the first movie, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Do you remember when Harry Potter wore the invisibility cloak while looking for information in the restricted section of the Hogwarts Library? That library is Duke Humprey’s Library, otherwise known as Bodleian Library. This stunning library is breathtaking, and it is easy to see how it fits into the world of Harry Potter.
Book a ticket to Bodleian Library (£6 per person)
7. Divinity School
Next on our Oxford Harry Potter Locations list is the famous Divinity School. This is a great place to find more locations, from Harry Potter in Oxford. It is another prominent filming location in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Do you remember when Harry is recovering after his first encounter with Voldemort? It is also when Dumbledore comes to visit him. Or do you remember when Harry Potter and Hermione used a time-turner in Prisoner of Azkaban? Both of these scenes are shot in the Divinity School. It features Hogwarts Hospital and a hall where students practice Triwizard Tournament dances.
