Where was Harry Potter filmed?

Across eight films, the world's most famous school of magic was never one building but a clever stitching-together of real British places. That is the joy for fans: the wizarding world isn't a single set somewhere off-limits, but a string of castles, colleges and railway lines scattered across Britain, most of which you can still stand in front of today.

The journey runs from north to south. In the Scottish Highlands, the gracefully curved Glenfinnan Viaduct is the bridge the Hogwarts Express steams across, while up in the North York Moors the little Goathland Station plays Hogsmeade, where students first step off the train. At Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, the outer bailey lawns are where the early films staged broomstick flying lessons. And in Oxford, the 16th-century staircase and grand dining hall of Christ Church appear on screen and inspired the Great Hall.

Because these spots span the length of the country, fans often split the pilgrimage in two: an English leg taking in Oxford, Alnwick and the moors, and a Scottish leg built around the viaduct, ideally timed to catch a steam train crossing. Several locations are ticketed visitor attractions, so check opening times and book the popular ones ahead to avoid disappointment.