Oxford Harry Potter Walking Tour: New College & Film Locations

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/9

Duration1h 30m

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · CM +1

Mobile ticketAccepted

Follow the film route through Oxford's colleges and recognize the scenes you've watched.

A 90-minute walking tour of Oxford's Harry Potter filming locations, led by a University of Oxford alumnus or current student. You'll visit New College (where Draco Malfoy was turned into a ferret in the cloisters), the Bodleian Library, and the bookshop where J.K. Rowling first presented her books, while learning how the university inspired the wizarding world. The tour is available in English, Spanish, or Mandarin Chinese.

1h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Oxford Harry Potter Locations Walking Tour

Meet guide at red pillar mailbox
Learn about movie industry connections
Introduction to University of Oxford
See inspiration for Nearly Headless Nick
Visit Radcliffe Square historic site
Enter New College film location

The Experience

Meet your guide at the red pillar mailbox in front of 11 Broad Street—they'll be wearing a royal blue item with a heraldic shield. From there, the route moves through Oxford's oldest colleges and libraries, stopping at the real places that became Hogwarts on screen. You'll see the arches and gothic pinnacles that appear in the films, some around the Divinity School and others tucked into the city's quieter corners. The guide explains which Hollywood actors grew up in Oxford and how many other major films have used the university as their backdrop, so the city's connection to cinema becomes part of the story.

New College is the centerpiece—one of Oxford's most beautiful colleges and a primary filming location for the series. You'll walk into the cloisters where that ferret scene happened, and the guide will point out the tree at the center. The Bodleian Library is another key stop, where you'll learn about the likely inspiration for Nearly Headless Nick and hear about scenes shot inside and around the building for both Harry Potter and other films. The tour also covers J.K. Rowling's actual relationship with Oxford and why the university shaped her writing so deeply.

The walk covers about 90 minutes at a steady pace through the city center. Uneven surfaces, curbs and trip hazards are present in some areas, and one small section of the route is inaccessible; some parts of New College may also be difficult to access. The tour is wheelchair accessible overall, though you should be aware of these constraints. Strollers and prams are fine for infants and small children, and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

A University of Oxford alumnus or current student guide.
entry to New College.
insights into J.K. Rowling's relationship with Oxford.
information about other major films shot in the city.
details about cast members who grew up in Oxford.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Oxford Alumni Tours

Is this one for you?Book the English tour if you want the full context about Oxford's film history and Rowling's connection to the university. Choose Spanish or Mandarin if you prefer the guide in that language—the route and stops remain the same, and the guide will still explain the locations and their significance to the films.