HARRY Potter fans living in Oxfordshire do not need to travel far to get their fix of the magical world after the movie franchise came to an end a decade ago.

This is because many of the earlier movies were filmed right here in Oxford.

This is Oxfordshire:

Some of the locations even offer guided tours but for the most part fans can explore the real scenes behind Hogwarts in their own time.  

The main places are three university sites: Bodleian Library, New College and Christ Church College.

Christ Church College - Staircase

This is Oxfordshire: Staircase in Christ Church CollegeStaircase in Christ Church College

The staircase inside the college was used for several scenes in the first and second films including where Harry, Hermione, Ron, and other first years walk to meet Professor McGonagall in "Sorcerer's Stone."

It is also seen in “Chamber of Secrets” after Harry and Ron miss the Hogwarts Express train and use the Weasley's flying car instead, the duo runs up the stairs only to be caught by Argus Filch.

The staircase is also seen later in the movie when Tom Riddle is speaking to Dumbledore about the mysterious muggle death.

Christ Church College - Cloisters

This is Oxfordshire: Christ Church College cloisters. Picture by Magnus D/Flickr.comChrist Church College cloisters. Picture by Magnus D/Flickr.com

These cloisters can be seen in "Sorcerer's Stone" as the Hogwarts' hallway where Harry sees the trophy his father won as a seeker in Quidditch.

It is said the college’s dining hall, though never featured in the films, was also used as inspiration for the Great Hall seen in the movies.

New College – Cloisters, Courtyard, and Tree

This is Oxfordshire: New College cloisters. Picture by simononly/Flickr.comNew College cloisters. Picture by simononly/Flickr.com

In “Goblet of Fire”, the cloisters and courtyard are seen as walks past students wearing "Potter Stinks" badges after it was assumed he had put his name in the goblet.

In the same courtyard, Harry tells Cedric Diggory that the first task they'll face in the Triwizard Tournament is dragons.

This is Oxfordshire: The tree at New College. Picture by David PurchaseThe tree at New College. Picture by David Purchase

The tree is where Malfoy is transfigured into a ferret by Professor Moody.

Divinity School - Bodleian Library

This is Oxfordshire: Divinity School - Bodleian LibraryDivinity School - Bodleian Library

This library was used for many scenes in the first four movies including being used as Hogwart’s infirmary in “Sorcerers Stone”.

It could be seen again as the infirmary in “Prisoner of Azkaban” when Harry and Hermione used the time turner to save Buckbeak the hippogriff and Sirius Black.

In "Goblet of Fire" it was used again to film Professor McGonagall teaching the students how to dance for the Yule Ball.

Divinity School - Duke Humfrey's Library

This is Oxfordshire: Divinity School - Duke Humfrey's LibraryDivinity School - Duke Humfrey's Library

The library can be seen in the first film when Harry uses his invisibility cloak to look in the restricted section for information on Nicholas Flamel.

Shops

There are also several Harry Potter shops in Oxford including The Shop of Secrets, Flaggs, Watsons of Oxford, on Broad Street, and House of Wonders, on Cornmarket Street.

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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