"At three-thirty that afternoon, Harry, Ron, and the other Gryffindors hurried down the front steps onto the grounds for their first flying lesson. The Slytherins were already there, and so

were twenty broomsticks lying in neat lines on the ground. "

—Harry Potter's first flying lesson

Alnwick Castle was the location where the film crew shot most of the outdoor scenes for "The Philosopher’s Stone" and "The Chamber of Secrets." Most notably, the exterior

shots were where Harry and the others had their first flying lesson taught by Madam Hooch, as well as where Harry learned the rules of Quidditch.

In "The Sorcerer's Stone," we catch the first glimpse of one of Harry's extraordinary gifts—speaking Parseltongue—when he accidentally releases a snake from the zoo.

The location selected for the film was the Reptile House at the London Zoo. When the scene was filmed in 2001 it was a Burmese Python that spoke

to Harry. The enclosure where the scene was filmed actually houses a Black Mamba.

King's Cross Station is the train station in North London with a magical secret—the "elusive platform nine and three-quarters".

Harry and other Hogwarts students board the Hogwarts Express by running through a magical brick wall between platforms 9 and 10. While we don't suggest doing that, you can snap

a photo while gripping onto a luggage trolley stuck into the wall, marking the magical locale.

Scenes of Hogwarts' interior were shot in various locations, but one of the most notable was Gloucester Cathedral (the inside corridors). One memorable scene is during "The Chamber of

Secrets" when a cryptic message is scrawled on the wall saying: "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir ... beware."

The cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral were used in many scenes for three Harry Potter films, including the scene where the troll ventures toward the girls' bathroom and when Harry

overhears Snape tell Draco that he's taken the unbreakable vow. 

In this scene from "The Deathly Hallows," we revisit when Harry and Griphook hid beneath the invisibility cloak to gain access to Gringotts Wizarding Bank in order to retrieve

a Horcrux.

The location selected to serve as Gringotts was Australia House, which can be found in Central London.

We're first introduced to the magical world of "The Sorcerer's Stone" with a visit to Diagon Alley, during which Harry selects his wand. Diagon Alley serves as the wizarding world's retail

central.

The most notable location selected to portray Diagon Alley in the films was Leadenhall Market. The Victorian market was opened in 1411 and houses dozens of shops, restaurants, and

pubs.

The Great Lake at Hogwarts, which was home to the merpeople, served as the location for the second challenge in the Triwizard Tournament in "The Goblet of Fire." Not only

that, but it played a part in several other memorable scenes, including Harry's flight on Buckbeak. 

In real-life, the freshwater Scottish loch is called Loch Shiel. It's near Glenfinnan Viaduct, where, in the film, we catch glimpses of the Hogwarts Express.

In the Harry Potter films, Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place serves as the Black family's home, as well as the meeting place for The Order of the Phoenix. 

London's Claremont Square was chosen as the location for the Black's family home in the film. Word is, the property is invisible to Muggles, so there's

a good chance it's right under our noses!

Perhaps the most notable place in all of Hogwarts, The Great Hall is the main congregation room in the school. Additionally, it's the spot where all special events

are scheduled. Lastly, the room offers even greater importance; it's where Lord Voldemort is defeated.

The main inspiration for Hogwarts' Great Hall is found at Christ Church College in Oxford. With such a magnificent past, dozens of historical creatives received an education

there, including: Albert Einstein, John Locke, and Lewis Carroll. 

In a memorable scene, The Hogwarts Express stalls on a bridge in "The Prisoner of Azkaban" and Harry deals with Dementors for the first time. The bridge is the 
Glenfinnan Viaduct located

in Scotland. 

Scotland's Jacobite Steam Train serves as the Hogwarts Express in the films. It travels across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which is portrayed in the movie adaptations several times, including the scene

where Ron and Harry fly back to Hogwarts in the Weasley family car. 

Hogsmeade Station is a boarding spot for the Hogwarts Express. In addition, Hogsmeade is the only village in Potter's Britain that's free of Muggles. 

In real life, the Goathland Railway Station in North Yorkshire, England serves as Hogsmeade Station.

In a moving scene in "The Deathly Hallows," viewers watch Harry and Hermione try and plan their next move atop a magnificent limestone formation in the countryside. In

real life, the location is called Malham Cove.

Located in North Yorkshire, England, Malham Cove was once a waterfall that carried glacial meltwater more than 12,000 years ago. 

In "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" viewers witness Death Eaters destroy this pedestrian suspension bridge, at the orders of Lord Voldemort. 

London's Millennium Bridge was featured in the film. It serves as a pedestrian bridge built for crossing from
Bankside to the City, and spans across the River Thames. 

Scotland's Glen Coe features in several memorable moments in the Harry Potter films, including the scene where Hermione punches Draco in the face outside of Hagrid's Hut.

This magnificent and scenic Scottish countryside has volcanic origins and was featured in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban."

In "The Deathly Hallows," Malfoy Manor is not only home to the Malfoy family, but also serves as Lord Voldemort's official headquarters.

In real life, Hardwick Hall served as the Malfoy home. Located in Derbyshire, the Hall was originally built in the 1500s during the reign of Elizabeth I.

We're introduced to the Forbidden Forest in the very first Harry Potter film. It bordered school grounds and was a dangerous area for students to venture into alone.

Most notably, it was the setting for when Harry confronted Lord Voldemort in the second "Deathly Hallows" installment. 

The wooded areas of Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire served as the film location for the mystical Forbidden Forest. Scenes featuring the magical Whomping Willow were also filmed

on the estate. 

There are several instances in the first two Harry Potter films that feature our fearless trio, especially Hermione, doing research in the Hogwarts Library. More important subjects included Nicolas

Flamel and Polyjuice Potion.

University of Oxford's Bodleian Library, or more specifically Duke Humfrey's Medieval Library, served as the ever famous Hogwarts Library in the films. 

Interior shots of Hogwarts were from a number of places. For instance, the Lacock Abbey Cloisters in Wiltshire provided the backdrop for both Snape's Potions Class and Quirrell's Defense Against the

Dark Arts course. 

The Lacock country house offers a Medieval atmosphere and, originally, was a nunnery.

One of the more Muggle-esque scenes in "The Deathly Hallows" was filmed in London's West End Piccadilly Circus. In the scene, the trio makes a mad dash to miss

being hit by one of London's iconic transit buses. 

London's Piccadilly Circus is one of the city's busiest spots and best known tourist locales, as it houses the iconic theatre district.

In "The Deathly Hallows" viewers witness a heart-wrenching scene at Shell Cottage (Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's hideaway). On the beach, Harry must say goodbye to his loyal friend

Dobby. 

The emotional scene was filmed at Freshwater West Beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The beach was also showcased in Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood".