Each Potterhead, sooner or later, has fantasized about strolling the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley with a Hogwarts letter in hand. While Diagon Alley sadly doesn’t exist besides on the London Warners Bros Tour and at Common Studios, Edinburgh remains to be the beginning place of Harry Potter and the Wizarding World, guaranteeing that there are many Harry Potter issues to do in Edinburgh.
From Diagon Alley lookalike Victoria Road, thrilling Harry Potter-themed escape video games, and Hogwarts filming location excursions to J.Okay. Rowling’s handprint, and the spooky Tom Riddle Graveyard, you’ll be each spoiled for alternative and all too excited to get began on the identical time!
Purchase original-looking wands, stuffed Hedwigs, and Hogwarts jumpers, or get your robes on, whip your wands out, and take pleasure in studying the artwork of potion making with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It’s your probability to fill your mundane muggle life with some magic! Preserve studying to seek out out all of the Harry Potter Edinburgh issues to do in your subsequent go to to the UK.
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Division Of Magic
Need to expertise the fun of getting out of a sticky state of affairs within the Wizarding World with none of the dangers? The escape rooms on the Division of Magic have gotten you coated! Discover hidden prophecies and defeat the Darkish Lord, Dumbledore Military model, or be a part of the darkish aspect as a substitute and turn into a Loss of life Eater your self! On this escape room, you begin on the Mausoleum of the Useless with one job: to resurrect the Darkish Lord. To convey him again, it’s essential to discover the appropriate spell, search for some magic artifacts, and brew a spell-binding potion!
Positioned in Previous City, the Division of Magic offers a wonderful alternative to whip out your wands and have some magical adventures of your individual!
Magic Potions Tavern
While you’re already on the Division of Magic, you would possibly as effectively benefit from the Magic Potions Cocktail Masterclass at their Magic Potions Tavern and brew your individual potions! With seasoned guides to point out you the ropes, you gained’t even discover that Snape isn’t there. One of the best half? The tavern has each alcoholic and non-alcoholic brews, so there’s one thing for everybody. Mother and father, make sure to strive the rum-butter-beer – it doesn’t disappoint!
Make some scrumptious Vials of Venom or Blood and Brains by donning your wizard gown and whisking your magic wand. If that sounds too darkish for you, there are alternatives akin to Magic Beans and Groundkeeper’s Cottage. And if none of those reduce it for you, there’s all the time the trusty outdated love potion you may rely on!
Between the spooky graveyard the place Lord Voldemort comes again and the Christmassy one within the final installment, it’s fairly clear that graveyards are fairly the prevalent factor in our favourite sequence. It’d lead you to marvel how else graveyards influenced J.Okay. Rowling when writing Harry Potter. One phrase: names!
The Greyfriars Kirkyard is the well-known Harry Potter Graveyard the place J.Okay. Rowling is claimed to have discovered the inspiration for most of the characters’ names. Mad Eye Moody, Professor McGonagall, Scrimgeour, and even Potter himself can all be discovered at Greyfriars. The grave of “Thomas Riddell” is a fan favourite for being remarkably near He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named aka Tom Marvolo Riddle. If you’re fortunate, you would possibly even discover a sure beloved “Black”!
This graveyard is open 24 hours a day, so head there for some Harry Potter spookiness and go on a hunt for the Potter household, simply as Hermione and Harry did at Godric’s Hole.
George Heriot’s Faculty
Have you learnt what else Greyfriars Kirkyard is great for? Getting a view of the enchanting George Heriot’s Faculty, which can also be extensively believed to be one other inspiration for Hogwarts Faculty of Witchcraft and Wizardry! This incredible Romanesque constructing stands at an excellent vacationer location amidst retailers and eating places on the Grassmarket. Though you may’t enter the varsity and stroll by means of the attractive grounds, you may all the time take a look at it from the skin and take some instagram-worthy pics!
With over 1600 youngsters who’re divided into 4 homes, this faculty displays lots of similarities with our beloved Hogwarts, that’s for positive. Home Lauriston is claimed to have impressed inexperienced Slytherin, Greyfriars has white stripes like Hufflepuff, Fortress is Ravenclaw blue, and Raeburn, which dons our favourite, Gryffindor crimson!
Historical past buffs will probably be delighted to listen to that, as the primary giant constructing to be constructed outdoors the Metropolis Wall, George Heriot’s Faculty has been described as a “prodigy of the Scots Renaissance.”
Edinburgh Fortress
With buildings that date again to the twelfth century, this citadel is one among Edinburgh’s hottest vacationer spots and a must-visit for Harry Potter followers! When you see it for your self, you’ll perceive why many consider this lovely Edinburgh citadel to have impressed the magnificent structure of Hogwarts. Perhaps it was mixture of right here and George Heriot’s Faculty?
Positioned at one finish of the Royal Mile, the view from the citadel affords a number of viewpoints to marvel on the metropolis.
The citadel is house to many historic relics, such because the Stone of Future, Mons Meg (the well-known gun from the fifteenth century), the Crown Jewels of Scotland, and extra! Part of the citadel even homes the Nationwide Battle Museum of Scotland.
Unsurprisingly, this Scottish Nationwide Heritage Attraction has lately been voted the highest UK Heritage Attraction within the British Journey Awards.
J.Okay. Rowling’s Handprints, The Metropolis Chambers
Head to the Edinburgh Metropolis Chambers’ flagstone courtyard to seek out golden handprints of a number of of the Edinburgh Award winners immortalized in bronze. You’ll discover winners akin to Ian Rankin, Sir Chris Hoy, Nobel Prize winner Professor Peter Higgs, and, in fact, J. Okay. Rowling, who gained the award in 2008 after finishing the Harry Potter books.
This little-known secret on the Royal Mile is without doubt one of the many Harry Potter Edinburgh issues sure to make Potterheads really feel nearer to the creator. It is usually one of many least crowded Harry Potter Edinburgh vacationer sights as it is vitally underrated. Even most Harry Potter followers residing in Edinburgh appear not to concentrate on this magical handprint of our favourite creator!
Harry Potter Excursions to Filming Areas
Hogwarts Categorical
What higher technique to start your Harry Potter journey than by taking the Hogwarts Categorical to go to quite a few picturesque Harry Potter filming places in Scotland? At the present time journey takes you on the Jacobite Steam Practice, famously referred to as the Hogwarts Categorical. It’s a must-do for folks of little Potterheads, because it affords you each the precise feeling Potter felt on his first trip to Hogwarts!
What makes this journey extra fascinating is the truth that the practice takes you thru taking pictures places from all eight Harry Potter films. For example, the well-known Glenfinnan Viaduct is the place the setting of Harry and Ron’s mishap within the flying automobile takes place.
Whereas on the practice, don’t neglect to catch a glimpse of Loch Shiel, the freshwater lake, which is an enormous a part of the Potter films. It’s the background in scenes such because the Hogwarts Categorical journey and Harry’s trip on Buckbeak’s again. The second job throughout the Triwizard Match takes place within the Loch too! Get your tickets right here.
Alnwick Fortress Day Tour
What comes after the Hogwarts Categorical? Hogwarts Faculty of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in fact! This well-known construction isn’t just the filming location of Harry Potter, but additionally Transformers, and even a number of Downtown Abbey scenes had been shot right here!
Take the Alnwick Fortress Tour, a 9.5-hour tour crammed with castles, seashores, and the country moors of Scotland’s borders, to finish your Harry Potter trip!
For youths over 6 years outdated, broomstick coaching is offered at Alnwick Fortress at the exact same spot that Harry had his first flying lesson within the films! Simply hold looking out for rain, as classes will probably be canceled if the grounds are moist and slippery.
Victoria Road
Tapping on the brick wall on the courtyard by means of Leaky Cauldron to enter the hidden magical world of Diagon Alley is each wizarding worlds followers fantasy. There is probably not an actual Leaky Cauldron or Diagon Alley however you may definitely think about so right here. Victoria Road, simply as cobbled and winding as Diagon Alley, is crammed with wizarding shops and boutiques promoting wands, broomsticks, and pets. It’s situated on the hub of Edinburgh, connects the Royal Mile with the Grassmarket, and will presumably have been in Rowling’s thoughts when she was describing Diagon Alley. E-book a Harry Potter magical themed strolling tour to profit from Victoria Road and Edinburgh.
Museum Context
Positioned at 40 Victoria Road, Museum Context is a haven for Potter followers. The place is crammed with Harry Potter issues, from home jumpers, scarves, robes, books, marauders’ maps, headbands, Hedwig (stuffed, in fact), and wands! This magical retailer even comes with replicas of Nimbus 2001 broomsticks!
This constructing really was “Robert Cresser’s Brush Store”. Is it simply me, does that sound lots like High quality Quiditch Provides? It’d as effectively have been the inspiration, however we’ll by no means know! Nevertheless, what many do say is that buying at Museum Context provides you a sense that’s akin to purchasing your first wand on the much-loved Ollivander’s Wand Store!
Different Harry Potter Edinburgh Shops
The Enchanted Galaxy is the place to go in case you haven’t bought your fill of magical trinkets but! Get enchanted by all of the wands, film props, and Harry Potter candies. One other glorious place to get some Harry Potter souvenirs earlier than you exit Victoria Road is The Nice Wizard, a retailer that was beforehand named The Boy Wizard.
From Victoria Road, head in direction of Grassmarket and take a left to seek out Black Moon Botanica within the well-known Candlemaker Row (additionally mentioned to be one of many inspirations for Diagon Alley). It’s mentioned to have an ambiance that resembles Professor Sybill Trelawney’s classroom crammed with crystals, candles, herbs, and tarot playing cards!
The Galaxy Geek Retailer is yet one more retailer the place you should purchase every part Harry Potter. Positioned on South Bridge, this place is a haven for not solely Potterheads however even Marvel followers, Sport of Thrones followers, and extra!
Potterrow Road
Sure, we all know the scene from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix the place the Dementors assault Harry and Dudley in Little Whinging was scary. However now that outdated Voldie’s achieved and dusted, why not go to the spot the place it was filmed to see what the Potterrow Port tunnel is de facto like!
Whereas it’s true that Victoria Road has essentially the most Harry Potter Edinburgh issues to do, Potterrow Road might have impressed J.Okay. Rowling to provide Potter his fictional identify. In spite of everything, she is sure to have come throughout the road whereas writing the books in Edinburgh. Taking a traditional Potterrow image is a should right here!
Harry Potter Strolling Excursions
Take the award-winning ninety-minute Potter Path to get bewitched by the enchanting path from the Greyfriars Bobby Statue to the Victorian Terrance. The course takes lower than an hour and a half and covers all of the Harry Potter issues to do alongside the best way. This one‘s a free guided tour, however ideas and donations are welcome.
Alternatively, you may also take a look at the two-hour Harry Potter Magical Guided Strolling Tour that covers a number of Harry Potter Edinburgh spots, from Greyfriars Kirkyard to the Royal Mile.
Harry Potter Edinburgh Cafes
For some magnificent magical drinks, head to the Cauldron Bar. Positioned on Frederick Road, the bar makes use of science and expertise to brew some magical drinks. You possibly can even attend the potion-making courses headed by the institution’s Potions Grasp to study the artwork of magic and molecular mixology whereas donning a cloak and holding a working magic wand! For fogeys with children, in addition they provide non-alcoholic potions and courses.
If having a day tea sounds extra magical to you, the Cauldron Bar’s Wizard Afternoon Tea is an interactive magic expertise you can take together with your little children. As a substitute of alcoholic and non-alcoholic brews, you brew tea!
On Princess Road, Juniper has a fascinating assortment of cocktails. The “Strawberries and Steam” smoking cocktail teapot is to die for! Tattu is a comparatively new Chinese language restaurant specializing within the magical “Dragon Egg Nest” and “Cherry Blossom.” Or Head to Monteith’s at 61 Excessive Road for some Sizzling Buttered Beer.
For a humorous image and a few completely non-magical (however tasty) eats, head to Artisan Roast, which boldly promotes itself with an enormous signal that claims “J.Okay. Rowling By no means Wrote Right here”!
Nicolson Cafe
Everyone knows that J.Okay. Rowling bought the thought for Harry Potter on the practice, however do you know she wrote the primary guide in cafés round Edinburgh? Sure, that’s proper, and Nicolson’s cafe was one of many locations that had been most frequented by the then newly divorced, single mom Rowling!
Though Nicolson’s has lengthy since closed, you may nonetheless go to the brand new cafe as a replacement, “Black Drugs Espresso” for some scrumptious espresso. Questioning if it’s genuine sufficient? A plaque on the nook of the road says, “J.Okay. Rowling wrote among the early chapters of Harry Potter within the rooms on the primary flooring of this constructing,” and Rowling has confirmed it too.
J.Okay. Rowling’s Grand Suite on the Balmoral Resort
For these able to splash some money, this can be a luxurious Harry Potter-themed keep that you just can’t miss! Since its opening in 1902, the Balmoral Resort has made itself a landmark within the metropolis of Edinburgh. Positioned subsequent to the Waverley practice station in New City, Balmoral’s room 552 is claimed to be the place the place J.Okay. Rowling accomplished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final Harry Potter guide.
THE room, now renamed the J.Okay. Rowling Grand Suite, has been redecorated to provide the customer a very immersive Harry Potter keep. The magic begins even earlier than you enter, with an owl door knocker and a star-filled lounge entranceway. The suite contains a Hermes marble bust that’s mentioned to be signed by Rowling when she stayed there. With a king-sized mattress and an Italian marble toilet with a separate bathtub and bathe, the suite guarantees luxurious at its greatest.
The Elephant Room
The Elephant Room, in essence, is the “birthplace of Harry Potter”, as J.Okay. Rowling wrote lots of her first guide in its again room, overlooking Edinburgh Fortress! Since its opening in 1995, the place has additionally been frequented by different well-liked authors akin to Alexander McCall-Smith and Ian Rankin.
Delight your self with among the restaurant’s signature tea and low. Make a fast journey to the toilet earlier than heading out to see graffiti and written messages on the partitions, all about Harry Potter. It’s in all probability what it seems like to go to one among Hogwarts’ bogs if you consider it!
Harry Potter Themed Locations to Keep in Edinburgh
For the final word wizarding keep, why not strive one among these themed Harry Potter lodging in Edinburgh?
Harry Potter Themed Lodges in Scotland
That is the precise room the place J.Okay. Rowling completed writing the Deathly Hallows. The luxurious room sleeps 2 adults in a comfy king-sized mattress that may be twinned plus 2 further beds for youngsters can be found upon request. The rooms affords views of Calton Hill and luxurious decor evoking the Scottish countryside. The room can also be house to the the marble bust of Hermes that J.Okay. Rowling signed after ending the guide however count on different little nods to the wizarding sequence. Availability on Reserving.com.
An ideal centrally based mostly one bed room flat with couch mattress within the residing space can sleep a household of 4. The panelled impact partitions, books and magical artefacts assist give this lodging the wizarding vibe: There’s even a secret cabinet to seek out. Availability on Reserving.com
The Wizarding Residence is a one bedroomed Harry Potter impressed condo. It’s central location (and allegedly inspiration for Diagon Alley) signifies that Edinburgh’s well-known citadel, Royal Mile, Grassmarket and way more are all a brief stroll away. The lodging is crammed with quirky objects and decorations from J Okay Rowling’s Wizarding world. The draw back it’s a one bedroomed place with a double mattress so not excellent for households. Verify availability on reserving.com.
The Witchery by the Fortress, Edinburgh
Sadly, every of the 9 opulent Witchery Suites occupy simply 2 company in double beds and usually are not appropriate for youngsters however maybe for an grownup getaway? With wealthy furnishings, velvet partitions, gothic and vintage touches it’s definitely a singular place to remain and harking back to what a Harry Potter suite might seem like for Bellatrix Lestrange. Verify availability on Reserving.com
If you’re travelling across the UK, then these Harry Potter themed locations to remain within the UK and Eire are good too!
FAQs
Which is the perfect Harry Potter tour in Edinburgh?
The Highlands excursions on the “Harry Potter specific” is a well-liked alternative with Potterheads, adopted by the Alnwick Fortress, and the Scotland border excursions.
Was any of Harry Potter shot in Edinburgh?
Whereas not one of the films had been filmed in Edinburgh, town remains to be crammed with quite a few Harry Potter spots as a result of it was the place J.Okay. Rowling wrote most of her books. She’s lived in Edinburgh ever since 1993. Nevertheless, the Jacobite steam practice is a reproduction of the film’s unique steam practice, so don’t skip taking a trip.
The place was Diagon Alley filmed in Edinburgh?
Whereas Diagon Alley was filmed in Leadenhall Market, London, Victoria Road in Edinburgh is extensively believed to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley as regards to the movie set.
Is Harry Potter’s Fortress in Edinburgh?
Alnwick Fortress is the placement the place the Harry Potter films had been shot. However Rowling has mentioned that the fictional Hogwarts Faculty of Witchcraft and Wizardry is situated in Scotland.
Is a real-life Hogwarts opening in Scotland?
The Loretto Faculty in Musselburgh goes to be remodeled right into a Harry Potter-themed faculty. So, sure, younger Potterheads in all places, you continue to have an opportunity to expertise finding out at Hogwarts!
Household Journey Planning Sources We Use
Flights: We all the time use Skyscanner as it’s person pleasant, means that you can verify offers for in all places if undecided the place to go, and appears to seek out the most cost effective flight offers usually.
Excursions and Actions: GetYourGuide has a variety of household pleasant actions all over the world.
Lodging: Reserving.com is who we use when researching for locations to remain ( we like their versatile cancellation insurance policies. We do additionally verify straight with bigger lodges manufacturers too.
