Footsteps of Harry Potter in Oxford

Following the footsteps of Harry Potter in the real world is just like magic! There are plenty of movie locations in London including the Warner Bros massive Making of Harry Potter Movie film studios in Leavesden. However, Oxford has many important film locations as well and is a Potterhead shrine with three main buildings and seven important film spots. This tour aims to take you to those venues where you are familiar with the Harry Potter film series, while at the same time, learning about the history of this academic city full of old and world-famous universities in the U.K.

Our APTG certified guided love to reveal the common points of the British folklore and mythology that writer J.K. Rowling totally inspired. The ideas, tapestries, portraits from the Tudor & Georgian Dynasties, the roofs and the turrets of Hogwarts Castle are all inspired by some important Colleges in the city. Those are the tidbits that we love to share with our guests to make this trip the most memorable one.

Your journey starts with Christ Church; the grand stairway up to Hogwarts is where Harry, Ron, Hermione and other first years walked up,’ where Professor McGonagall meets under the stunning Gothic roof. Here too, at the end of the film, the three are reunited. An inspiration for Hogwarts Dining Hall for all of the Harry Potter films has been one of Oxford’s most famous rooms. From photographs in the Tudor Great Hall, a studio set has been created and used to make movies. Did you know that all moving portraits were from producers that were working on the films to immortalise them in Harry Potter films? The starting point of this idea is simply because of the portraits in the Great Hall. Next venue in Christ Church is the Stairway. You will remember this spot in the Chamber of Secrets film. In the Ford Anglia, Harry and Ron fly to Hogwarts, take these stairs and face Argus Filch. It is the place used for Harry and Tom Riddle’s first meeting.

Yes, Alice is in Wonderland is real. In the Victorian era, its customers included Alice Liddell, daughter of Henry Liddell, who was Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, which is opposite the shop. Alice, who used to buy sweets at the shop, was the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. We are talking about one of the most famous little shops in the world is right up there, just across the road from Christ Church College. The Alice’s Shop in Oxford is world-famous because the shop itself was written into the Alice adventures over 150 years ago. The small shop was dubbed “Alice’s Shop” locally as soon as the stories became well known, even as it continued as a grocery and sweet shop. Since the mid-60s, the shop began to sell Alice in Wonderland souvenirs. The Shop is now a treasure trove of Alice in Wonderland themed gifts, souvenirs and memorabilia.

The name “Carfax” derives from the Latin quadrifurcus via the French carrefour, both of which mean “crossroads”. The tower is located in the centre of Oxford’s shopping area since the medieval times. This 6 bells tower is all that remains of the 14th-century Church of St Martin. The Carfax Tower, also known as St. Martin’s Tower (it is the remaining part of what was the City Church of St. Martin of Tours) is a prominent landmark and provides a look-out over the town. the Mayor and Corporation were expected to worship, between about 1122 and 1896, when the main part of the church was demolished to make more room for road traffic. In 1896 the City Church was moved to All Saints Church in the High Street. The tower is 74 feet (23 m) tall, and no building in central Oxford may be built higher than it.

Oxford Covered Market features more than 50 traders selling fresh produce, gifts, fashion, flowers and jewellery, and provides a unique showcase for the very best in local crafts, food and drink. The majority of the businesses are independent and with some going back generations. Oxford Covered Market, which was designed by Magdalen Bridge architect John Gwynn, first opened as a market for meat, fish, vegetables and herbs on 1 November 1774. It was then enlarged several times, rebuilt and fully roofed over during the 19th century. Original iron roof supports can easily be seen even today. Iron bars projecting from shop fronts that date from the 19th century and were used to hang meat. The Covered Market has been in continual use as a market for almost 250 years. Fancy a cup of traditional English tea with homemade cookies in this charming atmosphere? Just follow Tourope UK’s APTG qualified blue badge tourist guides.

The Bodleian Library is a working library which forms part of the University of Oxford. It is housed in a remarkable group of buildings which forms the historic heart of the University, and you can explore the quadrangles of these magnificent structures at no charge. Some of the buildings, such as the University’s oldest teaching and examination room, The Divinity School (built 1427-88). Here you will discover more of the University’s fascinating history by Tourope UK’s APTG qualified blue badge tourist guides telling behind the scenes in the Library, including its oldest research library, dating from 1602-20. You will marvel at 5 basic orders of the architecture of columns such as Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tucson and Composite.

English Palladium Style with its stylish Cotswold stone, Radcliffe Camera is completed in 1737, this domed classical building forms the hub of architectural Oxford and is considered one of England’s earliest examples of around library. Funded by Dr John Radcliffe, designed by James Gibbs and built between 1737–48, this grand circular building in the middle of Radcliffe Square is an iconic landmark in Oxford and a working library. The domed classical building is considered to be one of England’s earliest examples of around the library. This lovely masterpiece is actually a gift from Dr Radcliffe showing his appreciation to the town where he became famous.

Time to proceed to New College, a venue from the Goblet of Fire. Remember, Harry, argues with Malfoy and all others sitting in the tree. Malfoy then immediately turned into a ferret and humiliated Professor Alastor Moody who was harshly warned by Professor McGonagall.

Our next stop would be Duke Humfrey’s Library, the venue in The Philosopher’s Stone where Harry was searching for a clue to Nicholas Flamel under his invisible cloak in this library, and suddenly Argus Filch, the guard and his cat immediately appeared in the scene.

The main buildings at Hertford College are linked together by a corridor called the “Bridge of Sighs,” built-in 1913-14 and named after the Ponte Dei Sospiri in Venice. The Bridge of Sighs lies right opposite the entrance to the Bodleian Library, famous for its similarity to the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, has never intended to be a replica of the Venetian bridge, and instead, it bears a closer resemblance to the Rialto Bridge in the same city. Nevertheless, the bridge provides a popular photo opportunity for tourists and newcomers. Just pay attention to our guide why we call the bridge as “Bridge of Sighs”

Built-in 1712 by the Oxford University Press for the University’s printing, the building is now part of the Bodleian Library. It was built to house the Oxford University Press, which had previously been occupying a large room over the ceiling of the Sheldonian Theatre. It owes it name to the fact that it was partly paid for by the profits from the History of the Great Rebellion by Lord Clarendon, whose son presented the University with its copyright. It was known as “The Printing House” until the University Press moved to Walton Street in 1832. Today the building is used as an international exam centre.

The Sheldonian Theatre, an exquisite Grade I listed building situated in Oxford’s city centre, is the official ceremonial hall of Oxford University. The Theatre is a popular tourist attraction particular because it offers one of the best indoor panoramic views of Oxford’s famous skyline from its Cupola. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1664 and 1669. Learn about how the University was formed, how long it’s been in existence and the secrets of its past by Tourope UK’s APTG qualified blue badge tourist guides. Next to the Sheldonian Theatre, we will also visit Divinity School. You will be amazed at the Divinity School’s intricate ceiling patterns and gorgeous tall windows. On your visit make sure to take a sit on a bench and imagine oral exams taking places within those magnificent walls. The Divinity School is a medieval building and room in the Perpendicular style characterised by its rich ornamentation and tracery.

Divinity Hall is the final stop also the final scene of the Philosopher’s Stone film. This famous lobby was used as a Hogwarts Infirmary with its classic Gothic vaulted ceiling. You know Harry finally meets with “You-Know-Who” or “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”. We have a great Harry Potter surprise right in this location.

So what are you waiting for? It’s another Harry Potter’s swish and flick magical experience in real life!

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

• Private London Black Cab for 5
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