Welcome to Hogwarts!
Welcome to a guided tour of the castles and cathedrals that make up much of Hogwarts Castle's many filming locations!
"You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry,
Set Gryffindors apart;"
"You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil;"
"Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;"
"Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You'll make your real friends,
These cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends."
-The Sorting Hat
Alnwick Castle
Located in the city of Alnwick, in Northumberland, England, Alnwick Castle was used for a vast majority of the exterior shots of Hogwarts Castle itself, including a majority of scenes throughout the grounds of Hogwarts.
Oxford University
The prestigious Oxford University, founded 1096CE, was used for filming many scenes for the Hogwarts castle interiors. These interior locations included many of the great stairases, the Hogwarts library, and also the castle's hospital wing. Many Hogwarts classrooms were filmed on campus, notably Professor Flitwick's Charms lecture hall.
New College
New College is one of the constituent colleges of Oxford University. This location is most notable for its cloisters, used to film many of the ground floor Hogwarts hallways and for its highly recognizable courtyard which makes many appearances throughout the Harry Potter franchise.
Christ Church Cathedral
Another constituent college of Oxford University, Christ Church was used for its massive cathedral for filming more of the interiors and classrooms of Hogwarts. The Great Hall of Hogwarts was largely inspired by the dining hall of Christ Church, from the tall arching ceilings to the long rows of tables, down to the front rows of tables for the staff that look out over the rest of the dining hall.
Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral is another highly recognizable location used for its cloisters and courtyard for filming many of the ground floor hallways and courtyard scenes around Hogwarts castle. The cathedral was also used to film some of the classrooms of Hogwarts, most notably Professor McGonagall's Transfigurations lecture hall.
Lacock Abbey
Lacock Abbey features more of the recognizable cloisters and courtyards from Hogwarts castle. The abbey's medieval basement was also used for some of the dungeon halls and classrooms of Hogwarts, most notably Professor Quirrell's Defense Against the Dark Arts lecture hall.
Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral was used for a great majority of the interior hallways of Hogwarts, notably the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. The lavatories of Gloucester Cathedral were also used to film various lavatories of Hogwarts Castle, notably the girls lavatory occupied by Moaning Myrtle.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
The Glenfinnan Viaduct may not technically be a castle, though how might students arrive at Hogwarts without the Hogwarts Express? The Glenfinnan Viaduct along with the surrounding Scottish Highlands was used for filming the famous route taken by the Hogwarts Express.
