Scenes of the hall were actually filmed on a special set in the Warner Bros. studios but the set was created with close reference to photos and descriptions of Christ Churchs hall. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Fans of the earlier films will recognise it as being where Harry first wakes up at the end of The Philosophers Stone, after having faced a battle with Voldemort - the first of many! All conveniently located in the main city centre, tourists can take part in local Potter tours, stroll around the open city themselves, or even have the opportunity to eat, sleep and dine in some of the actual colleges that were used for filming when they join us for one of our summer courses in Oxford. The colleges have very specific hours when they are open to the public. Tours run daily and cost 8 an adult to look inside during the summer. Inside Christ Church Dining Hall aka the Harry Potter Dining Hall Watch when the students first arrive at Hogwarts. A view of the library facing Peckwater Quadrangle. Theres also an impressive fireplace. The Bodley staircase, leading up to Christ Church hall is one such location. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Still not sure where to go? The formal requires dressing up in a gown like Hogwarts robes. Its beautiful not to mention filled with so many brilliant things to do. The staircase we just mentioned leads up to Christ Churchs Great Dining Hall, which was the actual inspiration for the incredible Hogwarts Dining Hall. Dont forget to look up, though. Also, just like in Hogwarts only tutorial fellows sit at the High Table. Which has one of the largest Harry Potter merch collections around. Make sure you include a visit to one of the shops as one of the must-dos for your visit to Oxford. At a quick glance, Harry Potter was filmed in the following Oxford locations. At least, thats how it always was when I was there. You can visit Divinity School and recreate Rons face when McGonagall instructs him how to dance. Here are the most magical Oxford Harry Potter filming locations & attractions you must visit! These are located on Broad Street and Cornmarket. Thats great but where do they pop up in Harry Potter? On the odd occasion, students would play drinking games and challenge each other to drink for as long as grace was being read. We told you there are a lot of Christ Church Oxford Harry Potter sites! Of course, they dont fly around on broomsticks, but they do hold them between their legs and throw a Quaffle all the same. Whats the Oldest Building in Oxford and Can You Visit It? However, it did serve as an immense inspiration for Hogwarts' very own Great Hall. These all include detailed descriptions, photos, and maps to help you locate them if you visit Oxford. . There are regular trains from all major UK stations to Oxford. Its completely FREE to visit and well worth stopping by. Shop for exclusive Christ Church items, Alice In Wonderland -themed gifts, Harry Potter memorabilia and a multitude of products related to the University and the Cathedral. A gavel is knocked three times when the hall is full, at which point everyone would have to stand up for grace. Here are all the essentials about this quintessential Oxfordian activity. Youll find all sorts of magical locations that were used in the following Harry Potter movies; All of these locations below can be seen on a self-guided Harry Potter tour of Oxford. Bodleian Library, New College and Christ Church College are the three university sites featured in the films, mainly in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, as well as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Christ Church | University of Oxford Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Oxford Harry Potter | Filming Locations | Experience Oxfordshire Ad Choices, Constructed over 500 years ago, Christ Church College has served as inspiration for many of the worlds most famous campusesas well as the sets for the Harry Potter films, Tour a Midcentury-Modern Wisconsin Lake House With a Fabric-Wrapped Fridge, How to Clean Grout and Keep it From Getting Gross Again, The 11 Most Beautiful Theaters in the World, The 9 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World, These extraordinary bookshops are both a bibliophile and design lovers dream, The auteurs longtime collaborator, production designer Adam Stockhausen, takes, Looking for a secluded spot with amazing cocktails? So what *really* happens in this famous dining hall? Although this location was not used for filming the Harry Potter movies, there isnt a more atmospheric location for fans to visit. They are working academic buildings and are sometimes closed off to the public. Christ Church cloisters (hallways) 4. The New College Cloisters crop up in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire quite a few times. Where to see all these Oxford Harry Potter filming locations: Christ Church is college of the University of Oxford. The Oxford Tube is a super convenient and cheap bus service thatll take you from the centre of London straight into the heart of Oxford. Visiting Divinity School: As part of the collection of buildings and rooms owned by the Bodleian Library, you can access the building either by purchasing a ticket for 2.50, or by attending a guided tour of the site. The University of Oxford is not for everyone, and thats fine! The final university building which is so commonly associated with the Harry Potter films is Christ Church College. "It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These places are closely linked to Harry Potter and the aesthetics of Hogwarts. For decades, the city of .css-xpohqr{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:rgba(192, 77, 0, 0.4);color:#C04D00;}.css-xpohqr:hover{text-decoration-color:inherit;}.css-ar6gqj{margin:0;color:#C04D00;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:rgba(192, 77, 0, 0.4);color:#C04D00;}.css-ar6gqj:hover{text-decoration-color:inherit;}Oxford has been the backdrop of some pretty epic film and TV scenes. Harry quickly saves his life with some Bezoar he got from Slughorn. Its around a 60-minute train journey or a 90-minute drive out of Central London so it makes the perfect place to plan a day trip. Thanks to the city being quite small and compact, compared to other cities in the UK, the tour will take no longer than a couple of hours. Though todays students are not treated to floating candles and ghostly presences, they can take pleasure in the splendour of its Renaissance architecture. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". What are the Oxford Harry Potter Locations? The longer the tour the more buildings you get to see in the complex. The iconic Hogwarts Dining Hall scenes were filmed in Christ Church . The college is of interest to those who love the books and movies, and to anyone interested in history and architecture. I love to read and travel and over time What\'s Hot? I love writing about the weird, wonderful, bookish, magical, and historical on my blog. Again, not a filming location but this is a famous literary location in Oxford. Can you guess how much those three-course meals cost? Unfortunately, photography of this part of the library is strictly prohibited. Wolsey envisioned the college becoming a grand, scholarly establishment but, much to the delight of his rivals, he ensured that the kitchens and hall were the first buildings to be completed. Heres an insight from an Oxford University alumna who used to visit the hall every day! You do have to pay for entrance to the colleges and the Divinity School and Duke Humphreys Library can only be accessed on a Bodleian tour factor that into your costs. As a cost-conscious student, I was pretty pleased about this. Many other scenes were filmed here too, including the one where Harry pushes through students wearing the Potter stinks badges to speak to Cedric. Since leaving, I believe students now pick up their own dinner at informal hall, but formal hall remains the same. The dining ticket costs 163.56, which gives students a three-course meal every single night for 8 weeks. Okay muggles and magical folk, did you know that there are some Oxford Harry Potter filming locations you can visit? The Divinity School: Our most recommended tours and activities. Bodley Tower staircase, Christ Church College 2. Learn more St Aldate's, Oxford, England, OX1 1DP Our collection of articles with ideas for things to do and see, the history of this incredible city, the University, its museums, literature and movie inspirations, filming locations, and much more. It doesnt matter what youre wearing underneath your gown (trackies, pyjamas, whatever you fancy), but you must be wearing your gown on top. This is one of my all time favourite Harry Potter moments. This scene was filmed here just outside the ancient 12th century Chapter House doorway. But well be controversial and say that Kebles hall is better* so we wouldnt be surprised. Oxford: Christ Church Harry Potter Film Locations Tour Despite being the oldest reading room in the building, you may be surprised to find that this iconic room is still being used today by current students at the University of Oxford. Harry Potter Sets Oxford's Christ Church College | Architectural Digest Duke Humfreys Library also makes an appearance in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. Take a guided Harry Potter tour. New College cloisters 7. Learn More. Today, its also the biggest college; it has about 600 students. So what are we waiting for? There are lots of literary locations such as Alices Window and the Firedogs that were an inspiration for Lewis Carrolls Alice in Wonderland. This post may contain affiliate links. Explore the list of films, the locations used, and how you can visit them today. Although not a filming location for the movies, you must make a visit to the Oxford Natural History Museum while youre here. The first Christ Church Harry Potter location is certainly the most famous Christ Church Great Hall, which provided the inspiration for Hogwarts dining hall. Do you think you know all Oxford has to offer? Dont let the name fool you the New College actually dates back to the 14th century (ha! This post may contain affiliate links. " Feb 2023 Though some scenes were recreated in studios, the real locations capture the magic and charm of the movies. They based their set at Leavesden studios on this very room and you can visit this set as part of a Warner Brothers Studio Tour in London. Yep, you guessed it thats the Duke Humphreys Library. It was later used as the Royal base during the English Civil War. Tickets will be released on a weekly basis. Theres even a snitch! Lets learn about each of these locations and their starring roles in more detail below. Tel: +44 (0)1865 . Harry Potter fans boost Oxford Christ Church Cathedral - BBC The Bodleian Library is one of Oxfords most famous landmarks. Today, the staircase is used by students at the university as a way of gaining access to Christ Church Dining Hall, where they can enjoy the same magical walk as the Hogwarts students. Locations like Bodleian Library, New College, and Christ Church can be visited by fans. Using the sites mentioned in the article above, eager Potterheads can embark on their own self-guided adventure around the city themselves to see the locations for themselves, or enjoy one of the many professional tours in the city for easy navigation and to learn local insights about the citys impressive history. Christ Church College 1. Everything about Oxford and its surrounding areas, including places to see, things to do, and information about all the colleges, libraries, and museums. Next up on our Harry Potter tour of Oxford? And as a place thats earned worldwide recognition for its statement architecture and leading UK education, its no surprise that one of the largest ever blockbuster franchises, Harry Potter, has used its grandeur and respected reputation as its backdrop for its films. A view of the Canterbury entry gate to the campus, flanked by the library (right) and Peckwater Quadrangle. Tickets & Tours - Christ Church College, Oxford - Viator Another famous Oxford Harry Potter filming location is the great oak tree that sits in the middle of the New College cloister courtyard. All these scenes take place inside the New College cloisters and within the central courtyard. Yes, students must wear a gown in order to be able to eat in the hall at 7pm. So, lets go through each of these filming locations, what they were used for in the movies, and the best times to visit them. In the Chamber of Secrets we briefly see this again when Harry and Ron arrive at Hogwarts in the Ford Anglia. The great news is: If youre in Oxford, you can visit all of these Harry Potter filmings locations and inspirations! Third Eye Traveller is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Despite the name New College, this university is actually one of the oldest and largest in the entire city founded in the 14th-century. If you dont fancy doing a self-guided tour around the city of Oxford, then there are plenty of different Oxford Harry Potter tours available to book onto. 43 Reviews Oxfordshire, United Kingdom Share Save to Wishlist From $96.87 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Non-refundable You will not receive a refund if you cancel. University of Oxford Traditions and Practices, Everything You Need to Know About Oxford Rowing and Races, Best Charming Cafes to Study and Work in Oxford, All of Oxfords Escape Rooms and Interactive Games, Getting Married in Oxford: All of Oxfords Wedding Venues (+ Pictures), Truly Hidden and Secret Spots in Oxford You Probably Dont Know About. Christ Church - Experience Oxfordshire You dont even need to book your visit; you can just drop by, pay a small entrance fee, and be transported right to Hogwarts. And there we are, our self-guided Harry Potter walk in Oxford. Watch when we first see the scenes of Hogwarts Great Hall. Be aware, though: The books ARE indeed in chains there! Funny isnt it, how you dont feel one shred of sympathy for Draco, Watch the clip Mad Eye Turns Draco into a Ferret (serves him right too). Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Christ Church College in Oxford, England, was founded in 1546. We first see this magnificent staircase in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. There were two main Oxford colleges that featured as Harry Potter locations - New College and Christ Church College. In the evenings, they have informal and formal hall. Tolkien, creator of the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, taught English Language at Merton College in Oxford. Harry Potter Oxford University Filming Locations - Day Trip Tips We should be clear contrary to popular belief, you wont find the actual Harry Potter dining hall in Oxford. Are you Polish and in Oxford? 6 Must-visit 'Harry Potter' Filming Locations in Oxford, England No idea. There were a hundred and forty-two staircases at Hogwarts: wide, sweeping ones; narrow, rickety ones; some that led somewhere different on a Friday; some with a vanishing step halfway up that you had to remember to jump.. The centrally-located Cornmarket Street and Broad Street both house gift shops that are full of wands, clothing, jelly beans and more - everything you could ever need to feel fully immersed in the magical world of Hogwarts! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". In fact, a lot. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If its your first time visiting the city, we recommend staying at least one night as theres so much to explore. Bodleian Library Duke Humfrey's Library, Got More Time? On the enormous grounds, they have a tree that featured in a flashback of Snapes Worst Memory during Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Founded by William of Wykeham in 1379, New College is one of the constituent colleges that make up Oxford University in the United Kingdom. You just need to prebook your timeslot to guarantee entry. This staircase is incredibly beautiful. Our website, archdigest.com, offers constant original coverage of the interior design and architecture worlds, new shops and products, travel destinations, art and cultural events, celebrity style, and high-end real estate as well as access to print features and images from the AD archives. If you wanted to see more literary locations in Oxford then you must visit the Narnia Door in St Marys Passage this was supposedly an inspiration for C. S. Lewis and his Chronicles of Narnia. Many people wonder if the Harry Potter films were actually filmed in Oxford. Its grandeur owes much to the pride of one man, its founder, Cardinal Thomas Woolsey. But this college's history spans back over 500 years as Christ Church was founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII.
Mark Smith Planetarium, Articles C