A Harry Potter Weekend in London: Magical Things To Do

Fancy a Harry Potter weekend in London? Are you also looking for Harry Potter things to do in London? We’ve got you covered!

This is the same itinerary we followed for our trip. We hope you find it helpful. Accio Harry Potter fun!

The Most Magical Harry Potter Weekend in London

Friday

Travel to London & check in at your hotel

For this itinerary, we recommend you spend a long weekend in London to fit in the very best of Harry Potter things to do.

By travelling to London on a Friday morning, you can check into your hotel in the afternoon and then make your way to the first Harry Potter activity on this itinerary (the Making of Harry Potter studio tour) in the evening as it’ll be much quieter than on a Saturday or Sunday.

But first, back to the hotel…

As this is a Harry Potter weekend in London, you might want to splurge a bit to stay in a Harry Potter / Hogwarts-inspired room at the Georgian House Hotel.

But it’s okay… we won’t tell anyone if you choose to save some money by staying in a bog-standard Muggle hotel instead!

We’d recommend staying near the districts of either Blackfriars, Newington or Shepherd’s Bush. It’ll still be easy to get to all the Harry Potter things to do in London via the tube while saving you money compared with staying in the major tourist hubs.

Check hotel prices in Blackfriars here >>>
Check hotel prices in Newington here >>>
Check hotel prices in Shepherd’s Bush here >>>

As for travelling to London itself, we’d recommend the coach above all other transport. Driving is way too stressful. Trains often get cancelled and delayed during weekends (especially Bank Holiday weekends). Although coaches can be delayed or get stuck in traffic, if you give yourself ample time to get to London, you’ll often find this to be the most straightforward and carefree approach to UK travel.

Check National Express coach prices now >>>
Check Megabus prices here >>>
Check Flixbus prices here >>>

Harry Potter Studio Tour

There are so many wonders to behold at the Harry Potter studio tour.

After marvelling at The Great Hall, you’ll find yourself walking alongside impressive film sets such as The Burrow, Gryffindor Common Room and Dumbledore’s Office, and famous props such as Quidditch equipment, Yule Ball decorations and Ministry of Magic books and pamphlets.

From there, you can head to the cafe for some warming Butterbeer before venturing outside to see The Knight Bus, Privet Drive, Hagrid’s Motorbike and The Weasley’s Flying Car, before seeing how CGI parts of the movie were filmed.

Then comes the bit you’ve been waiting for – a wander through Diagon Alley!

The studio tour has also improved since we last visited as you can now see the Hogwarts Express and Gringotts Bank in addition to all the other amazing sets and props mentioned above!

Check prices and book studio tour tickets here >>>

Read More: The Making Of Harry Potter (Studio Photo Tour)

Saturday

Find some Harry Potter filming locations

As you won’t be seeing the Harry Potter play until later in the afternoon (from around 2pm), you’ve got some time in the morning to wander through London in search of Harry Potter filming locations.

There are a number that are well worth seeing, such as:

• The Millenium Bridge: The same bridge that collapses during the dramatic opening scenes of the sixth Harry Potter film. In real life, it’s a popular footbridge connecting the City of London to Bankside.
• London Zoo: The Reptile House was used in the first Harry Potter movie where we first get a glimpse of Harry talking to snakes… and setting a Boa Constrictor on his cousin Dudley!
• King’s Cross Station: Frequently used in the movies as the train station used to get to Hogwarts via Platform 9 ¾. Today, you can get a photo underneath the Platform 9 ¾ sign and even look like you’re running through the barrier (just like Harry) complete with a trolley full of trunks. It can get quite busy here though, so the VIP Photo Pass Lanyard is a valuable purchase for £15 as it allows you to skip the queue and get a free photo!
• Leadenhall Market: This market served as some strong inspiration for Diagon Alley, which was partly filmed here, including the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron which is actually an Opticians in real life. For Potterheads, you should definitely take a slow ramble through the market – you may even find some magical products to buy!

You could also opt for a walking tour to help you see other Harry Potter filming locations in London.

Read More: Harry Potter Filming Locations & Magical Things To Do

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Part 1

The Harry Potter and the Cursed Child theatre show is probably the main activity to inspire your Harry Potter weekend in London.

The show is an original 8th story, which follows Harry, Ron and Hermione in their later years and their children at Hogwarts.

Although the story is a little iffy at times, it’s a truly magical production – with the magic really setting it apart from anything else.

Both parts are around 2hrs 30mins each with 20-minute intervals.

Check dates and book your theatre tickets now >>>

House of MinaLima

If you’re looking for something to do in the couple of hours you’ve got between each ‘Cursed Child’ part, then a great option is the House of MinaLima, which is just around the corner from the Palace Theatre.

This FREE museum belongs to Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima who have worked as Graphic Designers across the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises.

Inside, you’ll get the opportunity to explore four floors of Harry Potter artwork, artefacts and other memorabilia that they helped to design, which is great fun for all our fellow Potterheads.

You can even see a fireplace on the fourth floor exploding with Harry Potter’s Hogwarts letters!

We saw everything inside the museum (and gift shop) in about 45 minutes, although it was very quiet when we were there. If it’s a bit busier, you may need about an hour to see everything.

The museum is open every day from 12-7pm with last entry at 6.45pm.

RELATED: 20+ Very British Souvenirs From London

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Part 2

And now we’re back to more magic!

The second part is a similar length of time to the first part – also with a 20 minute interval.

Although it contains a little less magic compared with the first part, it’s still a truly impressive theatre production.

Check dates and book your theatre tickets now >>>

Sunday

Catch up on your sleep!

As you were out late last night getting back to the hotel from the theatre, it’s worth spending this time on Sunday morning sleeping in late and grabbing a light bite to eat for breakfast at your hotel.

Cutter & Squidge Potion Room

Once you’ve caught up on all your zzz’s, it’s on to Cutter & Squidge on Brewer Street for the most magical afternoon tea!

The Cutter & Squidge Potion Room isn’t affiliated with Harry Potter in any way, but it’s magically inspired and will certainly transport you into a Hogwarts-like world.

Down in the bakery’s basement, you’ll find yourself inside a Potions classroom – complete with wizard’s robes and wand waving!

Throughout the experience, the Potions Professor will keep you thoroughly entertained, while providing you with the instructions you need to make your very own potions, elixirs and bubbling concoctions.

And as can be expected from an afternoon tea experience, you’ll also get the opportunity to try all kinds of delicious finger sandwiches, cakes and magical teas.

It’s an experience that’s well worth doing and will have you wand waving, laughing and eating for around 2 hours.

Book your magical afternoon tea experience now >>>

Travel home

Sadly, it’s now time to head back home after your magical weekend in London to dream of your wizarding adventures…

…and make all your friends and family jealous of how you spent your weekend!

Got more time to spare?

We’d recommend splitting the two Harry Potter theatre shows across separate evenings if you can.

At around 2hrs 30mins for each part, seeing both on one day can be a little tiring, so being able to split them across a Thursday and Friday night really helps!

Of course, this would mean making your Harry Potter weekend in London a midweek affair instead of a traditional Saturday or Sunday weekend getaway.

Want more Harry Potter things to do? Check out some of these! >>>

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So tell us… when are you embarking on your own Harry Potter weekend in London? And what are some other magical Harry Potter things to do in London? Let us know in the comments below…

Feeling “potty”? Share the Harry Potter wanderlust around now!