Harry Potter was filmed at a wide range of locations across the UK (and a few abroad), with many iconic exteriors shot in Scotland and England and some interiors at studios in the UK. Here are the most notable places you can visit or learn about:

• Scotland
  • Glencoe (for Hagrid’s Hut, the Hogwarts bridge approach, and surrounding scenery): a standout Highlands location used in multiple films. Also features nearby lochs and landscapes used to evoke Hogwarts’ grounds in various scenes.
  • Loch Etive (near Oban): featured camp scenes in Deathly Hallows Part 1.
  • Fort William area (nearest rail access for Glencoe and surrounding filming zones): common base for Potter-location trips.
• England
  • Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire (cinematic interior and exterior shots associated with Hogwarts locations in early films): one of the most widely visited English sites on Potter itineraries.
  • Alnwick Castle, Northumberland (Gryffindor’s first Quidditch lessons and other exterior Hogwarts likenesses): a major exterior stand-in for Hogwarts in several installments.
  • Durham Cathedral (close to the city of Durham): used for Hogwarts exteriors and other scenes.
  • New College, Oxford (Gryffindor’s common areas and corridors; some interiors shot on location, with many interior scenes replicated on sets): a frequent reference point for fans tracing Hogwarts’ corridors.
  • Gloucester Cathedral (yards and cloisters used for certain Hogwarts interiors in some films): associated with the library and other cloister scenes.
  • Lacock Abbey (also listed above for England): featured in multiple early film scenes.
  • Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire, Wales: notable coastal scenery used for exterior shots in some installments.
• Studios and other practical locations
  • Leavesden Studios (near Watford, England): principal production hub where many interior Hogwarts sets and other key interiors were constructed and shot (you can visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter to see many of these sets).
  • Oxford University locations used for certain Hogwarts interiors and exteriors in conjunction with studio sets.
  • Other English villages and abbeys (e.g., Lacock) often feature on guided Potter itineraries as well.

If you’re planning a trip, consider a themed route that clusters these by region:

• Scotland: Glencoe, Fort William gateway trips, Loch Etive.
• South of England: Lacock Abbey (Wiltshire), Gloucester Cathedral, and nearby countryside.
• East/North England: Alnwick Castle (Northumberland), Durham Cathedral.
• Studio experience: Leavesden/WB Studio Tour near Watford.

Would you like a compact map-style checklist for a specific country (Scotland, England, Wales) or a suggested 3–5 day itinerary based on your starting point and interests (scenic landscapes, castle exteriors, or studio experiences)?