Calling all Harry Potter fans! Are you still waiting for your Hogwarts acceptance letter? Do you already know what house you’d be sorted into? Well, if your letter hasn’t arrived yet then there’s no need to worry! You can visit Hogwarts right now with one of the many Harry Potter themed tours available in Oxford.
Famous for it’s old university buildings – some dating back as far as 1040 – Oxford was an obvious choice when it came to choosing sets and inspiration for the Harry Potter film series released between 2001 and 2011. So get ready to explore the famous Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, discover its hidden secrets and walk the same mysterious hallways as Harry, Hermione and Ron, as part of your next stay at Hardwick Parks.
You’ll be shown around by one of Oxford’s many experienced and knowledgeable tour guides who will let you in on the secrets of Oxford University itself as well as special behind-the-scenes knowledge of how the university was used to bring Hogwarts to life.
Christ Church college, located in the heart of the city, was used for many scenes throughout the film series. You might instantly recognise the New College Cloister and its large Oak tree, for example, as it was here that Mad-Eye Moody turned Draco Malfoy into a ferret in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”
The great hall of Christ Church may also seem familiar, and it should! While not used in the films themselves, the hall (and the staircase leading to it) were used as direct inspiration for the great hall set that is seen on screen.
Down in the Bodleian Library, you can visit the Hogwarts infirmary (and sometimes dance studio), which, to the students and staff of Christ Church college, is known as the Divinity School. True fans of the series may also want to organise access to the Duke Humfrey’s Library. Only accessible on a private tour, the Duke Humfrey’s Library was used as the Hogwarts Library in some scenes – who knows, there may still be some spell books hidden among the dusty tomes.
Once you’ve had your fill of the sights and sounds of Hogwarts, you can pick up a few magical souvenirs from the City of Oxford Visitor Information Centre – it’s not quite Ollivanders, but they do sell wands and owls!
Harry Potter isn’t the only fictional figure whose past you can explore in Oxford. As part of the same tour, you’ll learn about the real Alice from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, learn more about J.R.R. Tolkien’s time at Oxford and explore the mischief of Oscar Wilde among many other notable figures from the world of literature.
If you’re looking for a magical holiday, then why not spend some time at Hardwick Parks this spring? With our central Oxfordshire position, you’re never too far from your next adventure – whether it’s among the mysterious spires of Oxford or among the natural beauty of the bewitching countryside. Book your stay at Hardwick
