Harry Potter- United Kingdom
Airing Date: Jul 14th, 2007
The phenomenon that is Harry Potter has not only re-revolutionised the book industry worldwide, but has sparked global interest on a fanatical scale towards not only the novels themselves, but also the box office movies, DVD's and merchandise.
England is the home of Harry Potter and what better place to start your Harry Potter adventure than in
London. Many of the film scenes were shot in
London, however for the avid Harry Potter enthusiast, a trip out from
London to towns such as
Oxford,
Gloucester,
Lacock,
Bracknell and
Northumberland is a must.
Starting in
London's Kings Cross Station, any Harry Potter fan will recognise platform 4 as the famed platform 9 from the movie, where the Hogwarts Express departed from. Yet tempting as it may be, running through the wall under the 'platform 9 ' sign will not actually take you to the secret platform as shown in the movie. A photo under the sign however is a must. Still in the
London region, a visit to
Australia House, home to the
Australian High Commission, will not only allow you to seek passport and other government travel information, but will let you see the setting for
Gringotts Bank in the first movie.
A short 60km drive out from
London will take you to the university town of
Oxford, where the historical colleges and schools such as
Christ Church college were the setting for many of the scenes of Hogwarts School including the library, Hogwarts hospital wing, the dining hall and the enigmatic staircase where the pupils were welcomed by Professor McGonagall. 30 minutes south of
Oxford will bring you to
Bracknell in
Berkshire, where number 12
Picket Post Close is where you'll find the house Harry lived in with the Dursleys.
Lacock and
Gloucester are both within an hours drive west of
Oxford where the
Gloucester Cathedral is famed for being the set of the Gryffindor house secret entrance, dormitory room, ghost scenes, Moaning Myrtle, talking paintings and the eerie writing on the wall scene.
Lacock Abbey also set the scene for Professor Snape's laboratory, the hallways of Hogwarts and the scene where Harry first saw his mother and father in the Mirror of Erised. Finally
Alnwick Castle (pronounced Annick) in
Northumberland was the setting for the Quidditch games where Harry who took on the seeker position would fly around on his broomstick in search of the Golden Snitch.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Thai Airways- fly international return to London: from $1820 ex West Coast; or $1890 ex East Coast. For more information visit
www.thaiairways.com.au Prices correct at 21/06/07. Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation, Conditions apply.
Easy Hotel- Rooms from $60 per night. For more information visit:
www.easyhotel.com.au Prices correct at 14/07/07. Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation, conditions apply.
For more information, go to:
www.visitbritain.com.au or phone
1300 85 85 89
