2km Walk Harry Potter in Oxford

This easy route takes you to Oxford’s iconic Harry Potter film spots. Walk in the footsteps of Ron, Harry, and Hermione in the halls of Christ Church, see the inspiration for Hogwarts’ Dining Hall, and grab a bit to eat at the cast’s go-to pub. Additionally, some Harry Potter shops are included on this route if you’d like to have something to remember your excursions by. To guarantee entry to the film spots, links to buy tickets have been provided accordingly.

Without further ado, let’s step into the world of Harry Potter in Oxford.

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Our first Harry Potter in Oxford stop is Christ Church, where you can see the Bodley staircase, dining hall, and cloisters featured in the films. To guarantee entry, tickets need to be booked online here. There is the option for a self-guided multimedia tour or a guided tour ranging from 30 to 60 minutes. This stop is sure to bring back all the nostalgia from the films as numerous scenes were filmed here. The staircase was used in the entrance scene where Ron, Harry, and Hermione were introduced to viewers and Professor McGonagall. Walk up, and you will see the grand dining hall, which inspired Hogwarts’ Dining Hall. In the Cloister Halls, listen carefully if you can hear the same whispers Harry did in the Chamber of Secrets.

When leaving the hall, turn left down St Aldate’s for 130m, then turn left onto Broad Walk. After 260m, turn left onto Grove Walk.

Walk another 200m and turn right onto Merton, then the first left onto Magpie Lane. On High Street, turn right then left into Catte Street. Look out for Radcliffe Camera on your left, and Bodleian Library will be a few metres ahead on your left.

Our second film spot of Harry Potter in Oxford is at the Bodleian Library, specifically the Divinity School and Duke Humphrey’s Library. The ceiling of the Divinity School will take you back to the Philosopher’s Stone, where Harry lay in the hospital bed after his first encounter with “He Who Shall Not be Named”… Additionally, Professor McGonagall taught students the art of the waltz in preparation for the Christmas Ball during the Tri-Wizard tournament. The iconic scene where Harry uses his invisibility cloak to attempt to steal a book takes place in the “old” part of the Bodleian Library, the Duke Humphrey’s Library, which is only accessible via private tour. You can book a tour here to see various parts of the Bodleian Library.

Exiting the library, turn left to continue down Catte Street, then turn right into New College Lane. You will pass under the Bridge of Sighs. Follow the curves of the Lane to find the visitor’s entrance into New College.

Remember the hilarious scene where Malfoy was turned into a Ferret by Mad-Eye Moody? The vast oak tree Malfoy was sitting on grows in New College’s quadrangle. Founded in 1379, you could say little about this college is “new”. Built around the quadrangle, it was the first of its kind, and naturally, the entire building is steeped in history. You can find out more about visiting this Harry Potter in Oxford spot here.

Leaving New College, continue the way you came on New College Lane and turn right into St Helen’s Passage (it is quite narrow), following the curves for about 60m, where you will see Turf Tavern ahead of you.

Our last little Harry Potter in Oxford stop is Turf Tavern. It was the chosen lunch spot for the actors and actresses during filming, so why not have a sit-down and pretend you deserve it after a long day of “filming”? After all, you walked the same halls and streets as Ron, Hermione, and Harry did once. Not only would you be vicariously having a moment with the actors, but you would also be sitting in a place of history as The Turf has had its foundations there since 1381.

If you’re looking to buy a souvenir or two to remember this walk, here are a few Harry Potter shops in Oxford you can look at. They are easy to find and mainly on Broad Street, not too far from Turf Tavern.

Leaving Turf Tavern, turn right down Bath Place to end on Holywell Street. Turn left to continue straight onto Broad Street towards the Harry Potter shops.

First Harry Potter shop in Oxford: Flaggs

Second Harry Potter shop in Oxford: Watsons of Oxford also sells some Oxford memorabilia.

Third Harry Potter shop in Oxford: Shop of Secrets

About 100m after the Shop of Secrets, turn left into Cornmarket Street.

Fourth Harry Potter shop in Oxford: House of Wonders

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If you enjoyed this route, see our 7.5km Nature Walk

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