Visit Oxford in the footsteps of Harry Potter!

Oxford, the city of dreamy spires, is a popular destination for fans of the Harry Potter saga!

If you’re going to London to visit the Harry Potter studios, don’t miss the chance to drop in on Oxford and take a tour of the city using our itinerary and its 26 audio guides, and discover the real sets that brought the incredible wizarding school to life!

This so-British city and its famous university provided the backdrops for many of the scenes used in the 8 films.

You can easily join one of the various themed excursions organised to visit the filming locations and the main sites in the city, but if you prefer to do the tour at your own pace and on your own, here are the places you absolutely must put on your list!

Where is Harry Potter filmed in Oxford?

# 1 Christchurch College

This is certainly the place in Oxford where you feel most immersed in the fascinating world of the saga. Here are the places not to be missed during your visit.

• The college dining room is truly impressive! In its day, it was the largest university dining room on the planet! No wonder it was chosen to be the splendid Hogwarts / Hogward dining hall! The large wooden tables add to the resemblance and you can almost hear the cheerful sounds of banquets.
• Bodley stairs: the imposing staircases will make you feel as if you were greeted by Mc Gonnagall in your first year at Hogwarts. The scenes in the entrance hall were shot here. They were also the inspiration for the moving staircases that give the school its magic.
• The cloister: when you enter the cloister corridors, you’ll quickly recognise the scenes that were filmed here, such as those where we see the heroes running to get to their classrooms, or where Harry hears strange whispers that only he seems to understand, in the 2nd film: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

#2 Bodleian Library

This famous and splendid bookshop, whose history you can discover on our dedicated audio guide, is one of the largest in England and is absolutely fascinating with its 13 million books! It’s actually a collection of buildings whose impressive Gothic architecture has been used several times as film locations for different films:

1. Divinity School : certainly one of the most beautiful sculpted ceilings you’ll ever see! It was used as a hospital ward in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” and you’ll see it again when Harry fights the Deceivers in “The Prisoner of Azkaban”. This is also where Ron dances with Professor McGonnagall in the Goblet of Fire, and where Ron drinks the poison meant for Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
2. Duke Humphrey’s librairy: dating from 1447, this is the oldest room in the complex. It contains some very precious texts and is only accessible on guided tours. This is where Harry, Ron and Hermione look for information about the mysterious Nicolas Flamel and the Philosopher’s Stone.

#3 New College

Here, the exteriors were used by director Mike Newell for the filming of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (4th instalment). Used extensively in the film, you’ll easily recognise the cloister and gardens.

Your first glimpse of the college’s exterior shows you where Harry is going to warn Cedric Diggory that the first task of the Three Wizards Tournament involves dragons!

Another famous spot at New College is its magnificent hundred-year-old tree. This is where Draco taunts Harry by telling him he won’t last 5 minutes in the touroi and where Professor Mad Eye turns him into a ferret!

#4 Bleinheim Palace

Although technically outside Oxford, be sure to visit this incredible UNESCO-listed palace!

You can stroll along the beautiful footpaths and see Harry Potter’s famous Hopping Willow!

If you want more…

The whole town seems to have inspired J.K. Rowling to create this fabulous universe.

Even if some of the locations weren’t used in the films, they can take you straight back to the books! The little alleyway leading to the famous Turf Tavern near the Bridge of Sighs, for example, will remind you of Diagon Alley.

A number of shops specialise in Harry Potter merchandising and are truly magnificent:

• The Shop of Secrets: 9 Broad St
• House of Wonders: 48 Cornmarket St
• Watsons of Oxford : 7 Broad St

And then, for a total and original immersion, why not attend a Quiddicht match?

Crazy as it may sound, Quidditch has become a real sport! Commonly known as Muggle Quidditch. The participants don’t fly on broomsticks, but they do run with a broom between their legs and try to catch a golden snapper!

The rules were laid down in 2005, inspired by those in the novel, and in 2012 the first international competition was held in Oxford! On the podium, first place went to the USA, 2nd to France and 3rd to Australia!

In 2022, Muggle Quittich changed its name to Quadball to free itself from Warner, which owned the brand!

In conclusion

Oxford is an absolutely fascinating city, with gothic architecture that makes you dizzy and so much to do and discover. It’s a plunge into English heritage and a visit not to be missed, less than 100 km from London.

For Harry Potter fans, it’s love at first sight, but for others too! It’s impossible to resist the English atmosphere and sumptuous architecture.