I solemnly swear I am up to no good
1. King’s Cross Station, London: The idea for Harry Potter came to J.K. Rowling on a delayed train from Manchester to King’s Cross. But, more importantly, her parents first met on a train to Scotland that departed from King’s Cross Station. Between platforms 9 and 10 lies the portal that would, were you a wizard, take you to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Platform 9 ¾ is the starting point of the Hogwarts Express, the scarlet steam marvel that takes students to Hogwarts every September 1. Muggles, too, can visit Platform 9 ¾ now—there is a real trolley stuck halfway into the wall at King’s Cross—and check out The Harry Potter Shop.
2. The Elephant House, Edinburgh, Scotland: J.K. Rowling wrote most of the early Potter books in the back room of this café, overlooking the Edinburgh castle. So, sit back and munch on one of their light bites or try their Murray Mint Hot Chocolate or After Eight while you reread the books.
3. The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh: Rowling finished the last book in the series here. The room (no 552) she stayed in has now been turned into the JK Rowling Suite. Rowling left her mark on a marble bust of Greek god Hermes—“JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room on 11th Jan 2007,” she scribbled. You can take a nap in the queen-size bed she slept on or write your own book at the writing desk for £1,000 per night. At that price, we hope you churn out a bestseller.
4. Greyfriars Kirkyard: Rowling reportedly took strolls through this graveyard near The Elephant House. It is said two gravestones—of Thomas Riddle Esquire and William McGonagall—were the inspiration behind the names of Tom Riddle aka Voldemort and Professor Minerva McGonagall. Spooky, eh?
5. Candlemaker Row and Victoria Street: These are also Rowling haunts, located not far from the café, and bear a striking resemblance to Diagon Alley. Candlemaker Row has a Diagon Alley plaque, whereas Victoria Street has a joke shop (not owned by the Weasleys though).
6. Surrey, county in southeast England: The town of Little Whinging, ‘home’ to Harry for 17 years, is in this county. An alleyway connects Privet Drive, where the Dursleys live, and Magnolia Crescent, where Harry first met his animagus godfather, Sirius, who showed up as a black dog.
7. Charing Cross Road, London: Harry’s tryst with the world of magic began when he first visits Diagon Alley with Hagrid. The Leaky Cauldron, which provides access to Diagon Alley, is located on this street.
8. Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England: Hermione had camped here with her parents once during summer holidays, and this is where Harry and Hermione found refuge while hunting the horcruxes in The Deathly Hallows. Also, Rowling and her family moved to Tutshill, which is at the edge of this forest, when she was nine.
9. Tottenham Court Road, Central London: Harry, Hermoine and Ron apparated to Tottenham Court Road, close to Charing Cross Road, while fleeing from Death Eaters who gatecrashed Bill and Fleur’s wedding
10. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios, Orlando: Here’s where all the magic you imagined in your head becomes real. At the Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, you can take a tour of the Hogwarts castle and walk around the Hogsmeade village (butterbeer, anyone?). Then, take the Hogwarts Express to the Universal Studios Florida theme park, where you can lose your way in Diagon Alley.
Mischief managed.
