Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
Do you want to know everything about Harry Potter in York? Then you’ve come to the right place!
York is one of the most beautiful cities in Northern England and there are so many things you can do here!
Though York doesn’t have a real connection to Harry Potter, it’s still a magical place to visit and it definitely looks like somewhere that belongs to the Harry Potter universe.
⚡🧙 LOOKING FOR THE BEST HARRY POTTER THING TO DO IN YORK? The ultimate Harry Potter walking tour is absolutely brilliant (as well as cheap!). Prices here.
Wait – ‘what? Harry Potter wasn’t filmed in York’ I hear you say. That’s right, you’ve read that correctly.
London and Edinburgh are the two UK cities that have strong connections to Harry Potter since a lot of scenes were filmed in London and the books were mainly written in Edinburgh.
So, if York has pretty much nothing to do with Harry Potter, why is it worth visiting? Well, as previously mentioned, York is a magical place and even if there are no direct connections, you can truly feel the magic of Hogwarts here.
And that’s why there are so many Harry Potter things to do in York!
So, are you ready to discover our list of the top Harry Potter activities in York! Let’s get started!
1. Go on the Harry Potter Walking Tour of York
If you’re a true Harry Potter fan, then there’s no doubt that a Harry Potter walking tour should be high on your list of things to do in York.
The walking tour starts next to the station and lasts a couple of hours.
Unlike in London and Edinburgh where you discover proper Harry Potter locations, this one is more of a game.
The guide, Caroline, is so much fun and she will wait for you with loads of Harry Potter goodies (not just magic wands).
She will bring you around the city, tell you some facts about Harry Potter but also about the city of York.
She will also make you do games.
At the beginning of the tour, you will be sorted into your Hogwarts house and will do a quiz as you walk around. Let’s see who will win – Gryffindor or Slytherin?
It is definitely a fun thing to do and you will have so much fun!
2. Stroll down the magical Shambles
The Shambles is without a doubt the most picturesque street in York and it’s no wonder that this street was used as inspiration for some Harry Potter sets.
Quick info: According to the locals, the movie production teams came to the Shambles for several days before starting shooting the first movie. This might explain why some of the shops of Diagon Alley look so similar to the ones in the Shambles. However, this is not a confirmed fact so take it with a pinch of salt.
This narrow, cobbled street dates back to the 14th century and looks like it could be Diagon Alley!
You will find loads of cute shops and many hidden gems here.
Make sure to take your time walking down this street and admire the beautiful houses. You will feel as if you’ve stepped into the wizarding world!
PRO TIP: This is the most visited street in York and it can get insanely busy. If you can get there before 10 AM, you will get to have it all to yourself and will enjoy the experience much more!
3. Check out York Station (the only filming location in the city!)
York station is the only filming location in York and it’s pretty easy to spot.
As you get to the station, walk-in and head towards the first platform you see. Here you will find the bridge that was used in the first movie.
Remember that scene where Hagrid gives Harry his ticket to Hogwarts. This is it!
Now, this location is actually argued since Visit York claims this is the actual filming location but loads of people say that the bridge was located in King’s Cross station and taken down since.
Whether it’s true or not, York is a beautiful station and it’s definitely worth checking it out.
The best part? It’s free!
4. Make potions at The Potions Cauldron
The Potions Cauldron is located at number 9 3/4 in the Shambles.
This is without a doubt the most magical place in York for Harry Potter fans!
At The Potions Cauldron, you will be able to make your own potions just like Harry, Ron and Hermione. How cool is that?
It’s called the potion experience and costs less than £6 which is super cheap! You will need to book on their website though.
If you’d rather make cocktail potions, this is also possible but it’s a bit more expensive (£19.99) and for adults only.
It’s also a great place to get Harry Potter souvenirs in York. You can choose from a variety of different potions, including Love Potion No. 9000, Elixir of Life and Polyjuice Potion.
5. Stay at The Enchantment Chamber
If you’re looking for a Harry Potter-themed hotel in York, look no further than The Enchantment Chamber.
This magical holiday rental is located in the heart of York and it’s perfect for all Harry Potter fans.
It was entirely decorated to match the Harry Potter theme. You will feel like you are stepping into the wizarding world.
The host has such great attention to detail! It’s also super comfy and definitely one of the best places to stay in York (whether you love HP or not!).
This apartment can be booked here and has excellent reviews! All the muggles before you just loved it!
6. Discover the hidden gems of the Shambles
The Shambles might be the most famous street in York but it’s also home to a couple of hidden gems that are worth checking out!
The first one is actually located on the facade of the Potion shop.
As you get to the shop, you will notice that its number is 9 3/4 and it then jumps to numbers 11 and 12.
So, where is number 10 on the Shambles?
Well, it’s definitely the tiniest door on the street and it’s located right at the bottom on the left of the main door.
You can see there is a little fairy door.
Isn’t that so cute?
The second thing you should check out is what can only be described as the shortest street with the longest name.
Right at the bottom of the Shambles, you can find on the right a short and narrow street named Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate.
It is a rather weird name so don’t forget to take a photo of the sign, it’s located just after the Shop That Must Not Be Named.
Unlike what you may think, this is not a bar (York’s word for alleyway) or an alleyway. It’s definitely a street, just a very small one.
7. Park your broom at The Shop that Must Not be Named
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you will know that The Shop That Must Not Be Named is a place where you can buy all the things you need for your magical adventures.
This shop is located in the Shambles and it’s definitely one of the most popular places in York for Harry Potter fans.
The best part? It’s open every day from 10 AM to 6 PM!
They have everything, from wands and robes to chocolate frogs, jewellery and other goodies.
You can even park your broom at the entrance (yes, I’m serious!)
So, what are you waiting for? Get all your magical shopping done at The Shop That Must Not Be Named.
8. Get some merch at The Enchanted Galaxy
If you’re looking for some more Harry Potter souvenirs in York, the Enchanted Galaxy is another place to go.
This shop is located in the Shambles, just next to the Shop that must not be named and is one of the most popular places in York for Harry Potter fans.
In terms of size, it’s quite smaller than the Shop that must not be named and you won’t find as many unique products but they also sell stuff beyond the Harry Potter merch.
9. Harry Potter-themed Escape Room at Rehab Piccadilly
If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, how about trying out the Harry Potter-themed escape room at Rehab Piccadilly?
This is definitely one of the most unique things to do in York for Harry Potter fans.
You will have to work together as a team to solve all the clues and puzzles and escape from the room before the time runs out!
The escape room is not an official Harry Potter activity but it’s still all about wizards and magic.
You can book your tickets here.
10. Visit the National Railway Museum
If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter movies, you will definitely love the National Railway Museum in York.
This museum is home to a huge collection of steam locomotives and railway cars from all over the world.
You can find it just behind the station, on Leeman Road and will actually have to walk on the bridge in the station to get there!
It’s free to visit which is always a huge plus!
Again, this is not exactly your typical Harry Potter location but it’s an interesting place to visit for people who the Hogwarts Express.
Before you get too excited, no you won’t find it here, if you want to see the Hogwarts Express as seen in the movies, you will need to visit the Harry Potter Studios in London.
If you want to ride the real-life version of the Harry Potter train, you can do so from Fort William, Scotland.
The reason why this museum is interesting though is that you will learn plenty about locomotives and steam trains, like the Hogwarts Express!
Also, you can find a sign indicating Platform 9 3/4 which is an excellent photo spot!
So, if you’re looking for something to do in York that’s a bit different from the usual tourist attractions, the National Railway Museum is definitely worth checking out.
11. Try the Harry Potter golf course at The Hole in Wand
The Hole in Wand is the ultimate wizard golf in York. It’s located on Coppergate Walk, which is right in the centre.
This is a great place to visit if you want to take a break from all the sightseeing and just have some fun while still keeping the Harry Potter theme going.
The Hole in Wand is a 9-hole mini-golf course that’s inspired by the wizarding world.
You can find everything from classrooms to potion rooms on this course.
They also serve potions as drinks and you can chill out in the Wizard Tavern.
12. Visit The York Dungeon
If you’re looking for an extra dose of magic while in York, then make sure to visit The York Dungeon.
It’s located on Clifford Street and is such a fun thing to do.
This attraction is perfect for fans of the Harry Potter movies as it’s all about the magical and gruesome history of York and the Dungeon.
While it is not directly linked to Harry Potter, it’s very likely you would like it.
It is the kind of activity that Harry Potter fans love but again, do not expect any HP stuff here! It has nothing to do with it, it’s just within that same magical theme.
Tickets can be purchased here.
13. Take a day trip to Malham Cove
If you want to discover an actual Harry Potter filming location in Yorkshire, this one is for you!
Some scenes of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban were filmed in the small village of Malham, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Remember when Harry and Hermione leave Ron and go camping on some rocks? This is it!
It was filmed on a unique natural landmark: Malham Cove.
The cove is made up of high limestone cliffs that have been formed over millions of years. It is such a unique place to see, especially if you are a Harry Potter fan.
How to get there: You will need a vehicle to get there since public transport is quite limited in this area.
It takes 1 hour 45 minutes from York to get to Malham.
Once you are there, you can leave your park in the carpark by the visitor centre and head straight to the cove (it’s about 30 minutes walk).
If you are up for a bit of a longer walk, you should do the loop through Janet Foss. It’s so pretty and well worth your time! Also, if you start by the waterfall before heading to the cove, you won’t have to climb up the stairs.
You will have to take them on your way down but not up. So, while it’s longer, it’s actually much easier.
Alternatively, you can opt for a private tour from York to Malham and other towns in the Yorkshire Dales.
14. Take a day trip to Goathland Station
Do you want to discover where the real-life version of Hogsmeade Station is? Then this day trip is for you!
Most of the scenes of Hogsmeade Station were filmed in the small Yorkshire town of Goathland.
The best-known scene is when Harry and Ron get off the train (in the first movie) and Hagrid meets them.
Goathland is located 1-hour drive from York and it can be a nice stop on your way to Whitby or Scarborough (if you fancy a beach day or discovering the home of Dracula, these will be perfect destinations).
The station itself is very small but you will recognise the place instantly.
For even more magic, make sure to time your visit with the passage of a train.
HOW TO GET THERE: Again, you will need a car for this one. It’s much more convenient. It will take 1 hour to get to Goathland and then another 20 minutes to get to Whitby.
Alternatively, you can book a day tour from York. The guides will look after everything and give you loads of info about Harry Potter but also the moors. See prices here.
15. Stay in Hagrid’s hut on the Yorkshire Coast
The Ground’s Keeper Cottage is definitely one of the best Harry Potter-themed accommodations in the UK (if not in the entire world!).
This cottage made of stone looks like Hagrid’s hut and will definitely make you travel to the Wizarding world.
If you are looking for a place to go on a getaway with a Harry Potter fan, this doesn’t get any better than that.
There are two bedrooms and it can sleep up to 6 people.
The cottage is situated in Saltburn-by-the-Sea which is 1 hour 20 minutes from York.
Obviously, this is not in York exactly but it would have been impossible not to mention it since it’s so cool!
As a Harry Potter fan, there are plenty of magical things to do in York that will enchant you.
From visiting actual filming locations to staying in Hagrid’s hut, York has something for everyone who loves the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
So get out your wand and get ready for an amazing time in the city that started it all!
You may also be interested in:
- 20 Best Harry Potter Things to do in London
- Harry Potter in Scotland: 13 Harry Potter locations & experiences you can only have in Scotland
- Harry Potter Train in Scotland: Ultimate Guide to riding the Jacobite train in real life
- Guide to visiting the Harry Potter Viaduct in Scotland: exactly how to see the Hogwarts Express on the Glenfinnan Viaduct
- 11 Harry Potter Sites in Edinburgh & Other Magical Activities
- 21 Magical Harry Potter Places in the World That You Must Visit
