If you are traveling to Oxford, England, and are a fan of Harry Potter, there are a few places you will want to make sure you see because they are straight out of the movies! Yes, you read that right! There are Harry Potter Oxford University filming locations that you can visit while in the area.
The key is to plan your trip ahead of time.
While you can see many of these filming locations on your own, if you want to see certain Oxford Harry Potter filming locations, you will have to book a private tour.
Nevertheless, any Harry Potter fan will want to make sure they visit Oxford to see some of the best Harry Potter filming locations in England.
Harry Potter Oxford University Filming Locations
There are many Harry Potter filming locations you will want to check out when touring Oxford University.
The most remembered Christ Church College Harry Potter filming sites are these:
1. Christ Church University: Bodley Tower
If you want to see two famous sites tied to Harry Potter, you will want to go to Bodley Tower.
Both Oxford University Harry Potter filming locations at Bodley Tower are located near each other.
The large concrete Bodley staircase should make you feel as though you are walking on the steps like Harry, Hermoine and Ron take when entering Hogwarts for the first time.
This is because it is one of the very first times views of the interior of Hogwarts in Harry Potter & the Sorcerer‘s Stone are shown.
During this scene, students are shown walking up this very staircase as Professor McGonagall explains the house system.
This same staircase actually leads to The Great Hall, where Oxford University students still eat today.
While not the actual filming location, it is the location that inspired the Harry Potter dining hall!
The original Grand Dining Hall used in filming Harry Potter movies can be seen on the Warner Brother Studios tour (which I highly recommend).
2. Christ Church Cloisters
When you see Hogwarts students walking from class to class, usually they are seen walking through church cloisters.
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, you will find Harry & Ron walking through the cloisters when Harry learns that he will be the next Seeker.
3. Bodleian Library
Nearby at The Bodleian Library, you will be able to find the building that served as Hogwarts infirmary.
Unfortunately, the building isn’t open to the public. You can however do a tour to see the filming locations!
You can’t tell from the outside, but on the inside you will recognize several filming locations including the Hogwarts Infirmary.
It is also where Harry and Hermione use the time turner to save Buckbeak (the hippogriff) and Sirius Black in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Duke Humfrey’s Library
Also located in the Bodleian Library, is Duke Humfrey’s Library. This real library was the film location for many scenes for the Hogwarts library.
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, you will remember this area from when Harry goes looking for answers in the restricted section of Hogwarts’ library. This is when he uses his invisibility cloak to wander through the stacks!
As you can see, there are some great Harry Potter sites at Oxford University.
Need a tour? Here are some you can choose from:
Popular Harry Potter Oxford University Tours
This is the essential tour for Harry Potter fans. Spend a day discovering the sites of Oxford associated with the Harry Potter movies. See Christ Church College which inspired the Great Hall of Hogwarts, and learn behind-the-scenes secrets about the Harry Potter actors, and J. K. Rowling. See multiple Harry Potter filming locations on one tour Visit Christ Church College which inspired the Great Hall of Hogwarts.
How does studying at Oxford University compare with studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Fun tour for Muggles of all ages. Guide will cater the tour according to everyone's interests, introducing also Oxford heritage. Calling all fans of the world’s favourite wizard, this Oxford walking tour takes you to recognizable locations of the Harry Potter films. During this family-friendly tour, see the grand buildings of Oxford University and see inside the Divinity School—which featured as the infirmary & classroom space in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Learn of other literary legends that attended Oxford University. Tour includes entry worth £2.50 per person inside the Divinity school at the Bodleian Library. Tour lasts average 90 minutes.
Fun tour for Muggles of all ages. Guide will cater the tour according to everyone's interests, introducing also Oxford heritage. See Christ church film site. Find out how does studying at Oxford University compare with studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?
This tour also visits the Divinity school film site at the Bodleian library- as & when this secondary venue is open. Pre paid entry included included unless Divinity school is closed. On such dates, we will add entry to an additional college instead.
When visiting larger cities in England like London, consider making the day trip to cities nearby like Oxford. It is a beautiful place to spend the day and the perfect top for any Harry Potter fan!
How to Get to Oxford from London
The quickest and easiest way to get to Oxford from London is by train.
Great Western Railway offers direct routes from Paddington Station in London to Oxford every 30 minutes.
The Oxford Tube service also operates an express route Monday through Friday, with some weekend stops as well.
If time isn’t an issue, you can also take the London tube to Oxford. The best stop is Gloucester Green in Oxford City Center.
Looking for more places to visit in England that have ties to Harry Potter? Consider these: