The mystery of Harry Potter conjured up on screen can be credited in no small part to the atmosphere provided by historic, moody backdrops in key scenes.
Luckily, the movie's producers had only to look around England and Scotland to find real-life set locations.
Today, the cathedrals, abbeys and castles that feature in Harry Potter films - for centuries the scene of political intrigues, royal marriages, or bloody battles - have suddenly gone Hollywood.
Glenfinnan Viaduct - The real-life 'set' used for many scenes featuring the Hogwarts Express, this famous viaduct was built in 1901. Today the surrounding area remains a prime stop for walking tours through the Scottish highlands. The Jacobite Steam Train takes modern day, muggle passengers for a scenic trip on the train that was featured in the Harry Potter films.
A trip to Glennfinnan, located 16 miles west of Fort William, also includes a friendly visitor center wher you can snap photos of the train .Stop by for brochures and related nearby attractions, including the Railway Museum and the monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Gloucester Cathedral - You'll almost certainly recognize part of the interior which doubled for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at this ancient cathedral, and the adjacent King's School, a day trip from London.
Originally built as an abbey in 1089, the cathedral features a medieval labryinth, world famous Gothic fan vaulting, and the stained glass of the Great East Window, along with the tombs of Edward II and Robert Duke of Normandy.
Bodleian Library, Oxford University - The Oxford library doubled as the Hogwarts Library in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and is especially noteworthy for the scene in which Harry hides under the invisibility cloak, as he searches for information on Nicolas Flamel. A visit to the Bodleian includes exhibits, visitor info, and a gift shop, and is usually featured on a London-to-Oxford day trip.
Kings Cross Station - The sprawling Underground and railway station featured in all Harry Potter films. It's the place where young witches and wizards hop the train - at Platform 9 3/4 - for the magic commute to Hogwarts.
Alnwick Castle - First glimpsed in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, this 11th century castle eventually took on a larger role in the flying-lesson and Quidditch match scenes in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.
Alnwick Castle has also prominently starred in other films such as as Becket with Peter O'Toole, Mary Queen of Scots with Vanessa Redgrave and Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner.
For more details read http://www.londonforidiots.com
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