Harry Potter fans at King's Cross Station, London. Photo: John Wreford / Shutterstok Two and a half decades ago, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first arrived in cinemas, and England is ready to celebrate the important milestone by inviting fans back to the real-life locations that helped bring the wizarding world to life.
Alnwick Castle in Northumberland. Photo: Wallophoto / ShutterstockAcross the country, some of the film’s most recognizable settings will once again takie center stage, with highlights including the grounds of Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, which doubled as Hogwarts in the early films, or King’s Cross Station in London, where visitors can snap a an Instagrammable photo at the famous Platform 9¾, “the magnificent train platform where students can make their way to Hogwarts.”
London, Platform 9 3/4. Photo: cowardlion / ShutterstockOxford’s historic Bodleian Library, which appeared as the Hogwarts infirmary, is also drawing renewed interest from fans eager to step inside the magic.
Bodleian Libray, Oxford. Photo: Ben Molyneux / ShutterstockAt the same time, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London will expand its lineup with four new themed experiences throughout the year, including “Magical Mischief,” which will explore the films’ special effects secrets, and a new Philosopher’s Stone exhibition that will feature original sets and surprises tied to the first movie
Seasonal events will also return, including the darker Halloween-themed “Dark Arts” and the festive “Hogwarts in the Snow,” where the Great Hall is transformed for the holidays.
The anniversary celebrations come as excitement builds for the franchise's future. A new television adaptation of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling is already in full production, with filming taking place across London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Devon, Cornwall, and other locations. The series is currently expected to premiere in 2027.
For fans, the anniversary offers the perfect excuse to revisit the places where the story first leapt from page to screen, and to experience the magic all over again.