Oxford’s Harry Potter Walking Tour takes visitors on a captivating journey through the medieval heart of the city. From the iconic Bodleian Library to the historic colleges that inspired the magical world of Hogwarts, this 1.5-hour experience immerses you in the very settings that brought J.K. Rowling’s beloved series to life. Uncover insider facts, test your wizarding knowledge, and stand in awe of the architectural marvels that have enchanted generations. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply curious about the magic behind the movies, this tour promises to…
Key Points
- Explore the medieval buildings and colleges in Oxford that inspired the Harry Potter book series, including the Bodleian Library and New College.
- Visit the Divinity School, which was used as the Hogwarts Infirmary in the films, and learn insider facts about movie locations and filming.
- Discover architectural details and rich history of iconic Oxford structures that influenced the design of Hogwarts.
- Enjoy a custom Harry Potter quiz with trivia questions and a prize for the winner.
- Benefit from the expertise of a knowledgeable student guide who provides behind-the-scenes details about the movies, characters, and filming.
Tour Overview
The Harry Potter Walking Tour in Oxford offers a 1.5-hour exploration of the city’s medieval buildings that inspired J.K. Rowling’s famous book series.
This popular tour is likely to sell out, so it’s best to reserve your spot in advance. Participants can enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts, and they can pay later.
The tour highlights include visiting the Bodleian Library to see the hall used as the Hogwarts Infirmary, exploring Oxford’s oldest colleges, and hearing insider facts about the movies, characters, and filming locations.
The tour also includes a custom Harry Potter quiz with a prize for participants.
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Highlights of the Tour
On the tour, participants can discover medieval buildings that inspired the Harry Potter series and other famous novels.
They’ll visit the iconic Bodleian Library, seeing the hall that was used as the Hogwarts Infirmary.
Trotting through Oxford’s oldest colleges, they’ll hear insider facts about the movies, characters, and filming.
The tour also includes a stop at the exterior of Christ Church, which is said to have influenced the design of Hogwarts’ Dining Hall.
To top it off, attendees will complete a custom Harry Potter quiz, with a prize awarded to the winner.
Discovering Medieval Buildings
Many of the medieval buildings in Oxford that inspired the Harry Potter series and other famous novels can be discovered on this walking tour. The tour guides will point out the architectural details and rich history of these iconic structures.
For example, you’ll visit the Bodleian Library, where the Divinity School hall was used as the Hogwarts Infirmary.
You’ll also explore:
- Oxford’s oldest colleges, which captivated J.K. Rowling and served as models for Hogwarts
- Christ Church, whose grand dining hall influenced the design of the Hogwarts Great Hall
- New College, home to the cloister garden that appeared in several Harry Potter films
Insider facts about the movies, characters, and filming locations that brought the wizarding world to life.
Exploring Oxford’s Colleges
Visitors can explore Oxford’s oldest and most prestigious colleges on the Harry Potter walking tour, learning about their rich history and architectural features that inspired the beloved book series.
During the tour, guests get to visit the Divinity School, a stunning 15th-century building that served as the Hogwarts Infirmary. They also explore the iconic New College, spotting locations used in the films, like the college’s cloisters and courtyard.
Throughout the tour, the knowledgeable student guide shares intriguing behind-the-scenes details about the movies, characters, and filming, bringing the Harry Potter universe to life in Oxford’s hallowed halls.
More Great Thing To Do NearbyInsider Facts and Trivia
The knowledgeable student guide shares a wealth of insider facts and captivating trivia about the Harry Potter films and their connections to Oxford throughout the tour.
The iconic Hogwarts Infirmary scenes were filmed in the Divinity School at the Bodleian Library.
Several of the college courtyards and hallways served as filming locations for the famous wizarding school.
Christ Church’s imposing architecture and grandeur inspired the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
Trivia questions about the movies and books are part of a custom quiz with a prize.
These little-known details bring the Harry Potter universe to life, enchanting visitors and sparking their imagination.
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Visiting the Bodleian Library
One of the highlights of the tour is visiting the Bodleian Library, where the iconic Hogwarts Infirmary scenes were filmed. This historic library dates back to the 15th century and is known for its stunning architecture and impressive collection of over 13 million volumes. During the tour, visitors will get to see the Divinity School, which served as the Hogwarts Infirmary in the films. As they explore the library’s corridors, they’ll learn fascinating details about the filming process and how the Bodleian’s timeless aesthetic was the perfect backdrop for the magical world of Harry Potter.
Bodleian Library Facts | |||
---|---|---|---|
Established | 1602 | ||
Volumes | Over 13 million | ||
Featured in | Harry Potter films | ||
Architecture | Historic and impressive |
Christ Church and Hogwarts
Why does the Christ Church college play such an important role in the Harry Potter walking tour? This historic college, which dates back to the 16th century, served as a key inspiration for the iconic Hogwarts Dining Hall featured in the Harry Potter films.
The Christ Church Dining Hall’s grand, cathedral-like architecture served as a direct inspiration for the Hogwarts Dining Hall.
Filming for the Hogwarts Dining Hall scenes took place at Christ Church, adding an authentic touch to the movies.
The tour guide will provide insider details about how the filmmakers recreated the Hogwarts Dining Hall using Christ Church as a model.
Exploring the exterior of Christ Church allows visitors to imagine themselves stepping into the magical world of Hogwarts.
The tour’s you will have the opportunity to explore the exterior of this magnificent building, which boasts impressive Gothic architecture and a grand, cathedral-like atmosphere.
Custom Harry Potter Quiz
As part of the Harry Potter Walking Tour, participants typically complete a custom quiz that tests their knowledge of the beloved book and film series. The quiz, led by the knowledgeable tour guide, challenges visitors to showcase their familiarity with the characters, plot points, and magical elements that define the Wizarding World.
Questions can range from identifying specific locations on the Oxford campus that were featured in the movies to recalling obscure details about the various Hogwarts houses and their defining traits.
Completing the quiz provides an engaging and interactive way for fans to demonstrate their dedication to the Harry Potter franchise. The winner of the quiz is awarded a special prize, adding to the overall enjoyment and immersion of the tour.
Recap
The Harry Potter Walking Tour in Oxford offers a captivating experience for fans of the beloved book series.
Visitors can enjoy the medieval buildings and colleges that inspired the magical world of Hogwarts, from the Divinity School to Christ Church’s iconic dining hall.
With insider facts, trivia, and a custom quiz, this tour provides a unique opportunity to uncover the real-life origins of the wizarding universe.
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