Oxford Harry Potter Walking Tour: New College & Film Locations

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.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Balliol College10m
2. Bodleian Library10m

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.

Options for this experience

3 options

English tour6 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 15:00Lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

Mandarin tourGuide in Chinese · 5 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 15:00Lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

Spanish tour5 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 15:00Lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 15:00

Book up toStart time

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

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.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

In English, with 6 departure times. In Spanish and Chinese, with 5 departure times.

Where exactly do I meet the guide for this Oxford Harry Potter tour?

Meet outside 11 Broad Street at the red pillar mailbox. Your guide wears a royal blue item of clothing with a heraldic shield (a jacket, cap, beanie, scarf, or polo shirt), so they're easy to spot.

What's the actual connection between Oxford and the Harry Potter films?

Oxford's colleges and libraries, especially the Bodleian and New College, were used as filming locations for the movies. The university also inspired J.K. Rowling's writing. The guide explains her relationship with the city and how closely the wizarding world is linked to the real Oxford.

Do I get to go inside New College on this tour?

Yes, you enter New College, one of Oxford's most iconic film sites. You'll walk through the cloisters where the ferret scene was filmed and see the tree at the center of the courtyard.

Can I do this tour if I use a wheelchair?

The tour is wheelchair accessible overall, but one small area of the route is inaccessible and accounts for a few minutes. Some parts of New College may also be difficult to access. Uneven surfaces, curbs and trip hazards are present in places, so review these details before booking.

How long is the walking tour, and what's the pace like?

The tour runs 90 minutes at a steady walking pace through Oxford's city center. It's suitable for all fitness levels, though the full duration involves continuous walking.