5 famous venues featured in Harry Potter
Monday 21 October 2019
This Halloween, release your inner wizard and explore 5 London venues featuring in the famous Harry Potter series. Prepare to be spellbound and enjoy what these venues have to offer this spooky season...
1. Leadenhall Market
This famous central London based market is featured in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as the secret Diagon Alley. Also found there, The Leaky Cauldron pub, a popular drinking spot for wizards, is in real life The Glass House Opticians. No less magical than in the movies, this passage and Leadenhall Market is well worth the visit.
Bedales at Leadenhall Market is located a mere 100ft from the famed Leaky Cauldron. Bedales is an ideal location for private parties, corporate events and wine tastings of all sizes. Or if you are looking for a fun team-building activity, Bedales can lead blind-tasting sessions that challenge your co-workers to trust their senses and communicate like never before.
The Lamb Tavern can cater for a range of events, with a private dining room and bar that overlooks Leadenhall Market. There is even the option to hire the entire pub for a wow factor event, with exclusive access to their secret basement bar.
2. King’s Cross Station
King’s Cross Station is home to one of London’s most iconic filming locations: Platform 9 ¾. Fans of Harry Potter can have a go at getting onto the platform themselves with a visit to the famous trolley at King’s Cross Station. Although it can’t be guaranteed that you’ll successfully find your way onto the secret platform, what is certain is that a stunning venue is just around the corner.
Rich in history itself, German Gymnasium was England’s first purpose-built gymnasium, and even hosted the indoor events at London’s first Olympic Games, way back in 1866. Now an elegant Grand Café and bar, German Gymnasium is a great venue choice, conveniently located less than a minute’s walk from the world’s most famous platform. With a range of areas available for a variety of events, for example private dining or a drinks reception,German Gymnasium is a sophisticated venue with a beautiful balcony for 32 to 500 guests.
3. St Pancras Renaissance Hotel
While the Hogwarts Express officially departs from Kings Cross Station, the exterior shots were actually filmed outside St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, which was deemed to have a greater resemblance to King’s Cross than the station itself. It was also outside this magnificent location that Harry and Ron took off in the flying Ford Anglia after missing the Hogwarts Express.
The interior of this venue is equally grand, and with a range of rooms that can cater to capacities of up to 575 for a standing reception as well as smaller rooms available for conferences of up to 48 delegates.
4. Millennium Bridge
The opening sequence of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince sees Millennium Bridge suffering a complete collapse, in what is now one of the most iconic and memorable scenes of the entire series. Thankfully, in real life, Millennium Bridge is very much not collapsed, and we’ve found a venue that offers jaw dropping views.
Northbank Restaurant and Bar is a stylish riverside venue offering a contemporary British menu and an excellent range of drinks, all with spectacular views of the Thames, and that iconic bridge. The entire restaurant, bar and terrace is available for hire, and is perfect for large lunches or dinners for capacities ranging from 20 to 110 guests.
Bonus: Northbank is located only a short walk from St Paul’s Cathedral, where the mesmerising Dean’s staircase was used a number of times in the filming of Harry Potter.
This studio housed the film series for over 10 years, and many of its sets and props endure in all their magical glory. From Dumbledore’s office to Gryffindor’s common room, the studio has it all. For those who dream of dining in the prestigious Hogwarts Great Hall or alongside the noble Hogwarts Express, Warner Bros Studio is the ultimate venue. Flexible interior and exterior spaces are also available for hire for a more bespoke experience. For a standing reception, the studio can hold up to 350 guests or cater for 240 with a seated dinner.
For more information on this or any other venue enquiries please get in touch with Venue Search London today.