Oxford Harry Potter Locations
While the Harry Potter books were set in the Scottish Highlands, the films took inspiration from Oxford’s magical Gothic buildings. A number of filming locations were College quads and cloisters along with some iconic parts of the Bodleian Library.
Read along to learn more about the Oxford Harry Potter locations in our ultimate guide to Harry Potter in Oxford!
Table of Contents
Bodleian Library
Divinity School
As far as Oxford Harry Potter locations go, we wanted to start off with the easiest one to access. This is one room in the Bodleian Library, known as the Divinity School. They used it as the hospital wing in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
The Divinity School occupies the lower storey of Duke Humfrey’s Library (see below). Its was the University’s first purpose-built lecture hall. Moreover it was also used for oral exams and theology discussions.
Later on, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire this is the room where Professor McGonagall teaches the Gryffindor students how to dance in preparation for the Yule Ball.
Availability:
Monday-Friday: 9am to 5pm, Saturday: 10am to 5pm, and Sunday: 11am to 5pm.
Please check for upcoming closures on their ‘Plan your visit’ page to avoid disappointment.
Price: £2.5/person
Phone number: 01865 277094
The Divinity School is inside the Old Bodleian Library. To plan your route use the postcode OX1 3AZ.
For those travelling by car please note that parking in Oxford can be tricky. Most street parking is restricted to 2 hours and the city has a large zero emission zone. We recommend that you use Park & Ride instead of attempting to park in the city. Please leave plenty of time for getting to your destination.
Duke Humfrey’s Library
Now it is time to look at the library proper, one of the most predictable Oxford Harry Potter locations, but a gorgeous one nonetheless.
In the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone movie they used the Duke Humfrey’s Library. The old library first features in the scene when Harry sneaks into the library’s restricted section using his invisibility cloak.
Later in the movie, Hermione figures out who Nicholas Flamel is in the same setting.
Availability:
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
You can only access this part of the library on the official tours so please check the library website.
Please also check for planned closures on the ‘plan your visit page‘ to avoid disappointment.
Price: Depends on the tour. £9-£18.
Phone number: 01865 277094
Just like the Divinity School you can find the Duke Humfrey’s Library inside the Old Bodleian complex. To plan your route use the postcode OX1 3AZ.
For those travelling by car please note that parking in Oxford can be tricky. Most street parking is restricted to 2 hours and the city has a large zero emission zone. We recommend that you use Park & Ride instead of attempting to park in the city. Please leave plenty of time for getting to your destination.
Christ Church College
Arguably one of the most magical Colleges in Oxford – Christ Church – is perhaps best known as the inspiration for the Hogwarts Great Hall. To be clear, they did not shoot the movies here. The Hall in College notably only has three long tables and not four like the Hogwarts hall. However, they based the studio on photographs of the Tudor dining hall of Christ Church.
A location in College where filming actually took place is the stairway with the magnificent gothic vaulted roof. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, after the first years cross the lake with Hagrid, they walk up the grand stairway where they meet Professor McGonagall. Additionally, in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry and Ron encounter Filch at the bottom of the same staircase. This happens when they arrive at Hogwarts following their misadventure with the Whomping Willow.
Finally the cloisters of Christ Church were used for the scene when Hermione shows Harry and Ron that Harry’s father James was also a seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
As you can see Christ Church is the most prolific one of all the Oxford Harry Potter locations! Please see below for practical information before your visit.
Availability:
Monday -Sunday, but the exact times depend on whether the students are in residence and other events.
Please check for the exact times on their website to avoid disappointment.
Price: £16/adult
Phone number: 01865 276150
To plan your route use the postcode OX1 1DP.
For those travelling by car please note that parking in Oxford can be tricky. Most street parking is restricted to 2 hours and the city has a large zero emission zone. We recommend that you use Park & Ride instead of attempting to park in the city. Please leave plenty of time for getting to your destination.
New College
At last but not least, our final Oxford Harry Potter location, the cloisters and quad of New College. Where they filmed two scenes of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
This is where Harry warns Cedric Diggory about dragons being the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. Later, Harry confronts Draco Malfoy after his snide remarks about his chances in the Triwizard Tournament. Draco attempts to curse him while his back is turned but Professor Moody transfigures him into an amazing bouncing ferret as a punishment to the annoyance of Professor McGonagall.
Availability:
Winter opening hours are 1.30-4.30 pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Last entry is 4.00 pm.
Summer opening hours are
10.30 am-5.00 pm 7 days a week. Last entry is 4.30 pm.
Please also check for planned closures on the College website to avoid disappointment.
Price: Depends on the tour. £8/adult
Phone number: 01865 285560
To plan your route use the postcode OX1 3BN.
For those travelling by car please note that parking in Oxford can be tricky. Most street parking is restricted to 2 hours and the city has a large zero emission zone. We recommend that you use Park & Ride instead of attempting to park in the city. Please leave plenty of time for getting to your destination.
Visit These Location On
Test your knowledge of the wizarding world on our Harry Potter tour with the Footprint Harry Potter Quiz You will get to explore two out of the three Oxford Harry Potter locations: New College and the Divinity School.
Our Harry Potter Tour is complete with cloaks, scarves and wands!