The 13 best Harry Potter shops in London
By Helen Wright
Or, should we call this post ‘Harry Potter and the magic Muggle shops’? If you’re visiting England’s capital and you’re a big fan of the world’s most famous wizard, you may want to do some unique shopping at some of the cool and quirky Harry Potter shops in London.
London is littered with majestic Harry Potter locations including Leadenhall Market, St Pancras, London Zoo and of course, platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station, but if you want to take home a bit of the magic, you’ll want to check out some of these funky Harry Potter stores to stock up on spells, wands and exclusive Harry Potter merchandise.
Cover image: Helen Wright. This page contains affilate links.
WHERE TO FIND THE most magical HARRY POTTER SHOPS IN LONDON
There are some areas of London that just scream Harry Potter and even as someone who has lived here my whole life, I sometimes turn a corner and the sight of cobbled streets and wonky buildings cascading with character makes me chuckle and reminisce of my time following the stories of Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. If you are a Harry Potter fan visiting London, I highly recommend wandering around and finding your own quintessential corners to enjoy and photograph.
What are the best Harry Potter shops in London?
If you want to take home some muggle mementos from your time exploring Harry’s hometown, there are some really good Harry Potter shops in London to pick up some cool stuff to remember your trip. And the good thing is, most of them are really central too! I recently made this list of the best places to pick up Harry Potter merch during your visit, so check out my list of the best Harry Potter stores in London – plus a few magical extras at the end too.
1. The Official Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4 (Kings Cross Station)
Where to find the Kings Cross Harry Potter shop in London? At platform 9 ¾ of course! This official Harry Potter store appeared after fans kept going into the station in search of the mystical platform behind the wall. The themed shop opened in 2012 and is still so popular, there is often a line tailing out of the station to get in! I recommend going early to get a head of the muggles as this is definitely the most popular Harry Potter shop in London! Inside, the shop is a lot like Ollivanders wand shop from the books and movies with a wide range of exclusive Harry Potter merchandise to choose from.
For some fun photos, next door to the shop is a luggage trolley positioned half way through the wall so you can pose as if you’re off to catch the Hogwarts Express. At peak times, staff members manage the line for the cart and there is sometimes an official photographer there too, taking professional snaps you can purchase in the store.
WHAT TO BUY: I loved this Ron Weasley Howler Mail Loungefly Satchel seen in the store. You can also buy it here.
HOW TO GET THERE: Nearest tube: Kings Cross St Pancras. It’s a five minute walk from the Eurostar terminal. Double decker bus numbers 30, 390 and 73 go to Kings Cross from Oxford Street if you want to recreate the ‘Knight Bus’ experience.
2. House of Spells
Charing Cross Road used to be the home of many a fascinating wiry bookstore with dusty tomes stacked to the celling, just like the kind Professor Dumbledore would have devoured. Sadly, many of them have closed now, but you can find the whimsical House of Spells store here – one of the unofficial Harry Potter shops in London but with a fantastic selection of spell books, magic tricks and potions for the aspiring wizard. As well as Potter mech, you can also find items based on Fantastic Beasts, Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones.
WHAT TO BUY: These Hogwarts Express Bookends are amazing if you can get them home!
HOW TO GET THERE:
ADDRESS: 69-71 Charing Cross Rd. Nearest tube: Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road. You can also walk here easily from China Town, Covent Garden and Oxford Street.
3. Official merchandise shop at the Palace Theatre for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Just along the road from House of Spells is the Palace Theatre, currently home to one of the most popular shows in London, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I have seen the performances and it is quite spectacular but tickets don’t come cheap. You can still experience a part of the magic here as inside the theatre entrance is one of the most unique Harry Potter shops in London. Why? Because the merchandise on offer CHANGES depending on what time you visit the shop.
No spoilers here… but when the magic is compromised, items and keepsakes from the Dark Arts can be purchased, whilst at the start of the show (which takes place across two two-hour performances) expect fun items from Hogwarts and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. Just like magic itself, you never know what you are going to get!
WHAT TO BUY: I have to admit, I am a bit of a sucker for a cool magnet
HOW TO GET THERE: Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road or Leicester Square. You can also walk here easily from China Town, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus.
4. House of Minalima
This magical shop is an exquisite space with an art gallery and a curated store dedicated to all things Wizarding. Run by a couple who worked on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies with Warner Bros. and designed graphic elements for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, the whimsical shop demonstrates these two creatives really know their stuff. I loved the Marauder’s Map floor and the floating stationary and fans will adore the beautiful art work. Some of the art costs big bucks, as you can imagine, but all fans are welcome to browse in this beautiful little shop.
WHAT TO BUY: The Wizarding Books Wallpaper is amazing, if niche! This Limited Edition Triward Tournament print would make a gorgeous gift.
HOW TO GET THERE:
ADDRESS: 157 Wardour Street, Soho. Nearest tube: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road or Picadily Circus. You can walk here from Covent Garden, Oxford Street and from the Palace Theatre (where Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is showing).
5. The Noble Collection
This is one of the official Harry Potter shops in London, selling licenced merchandise. Located in the beautiful Covent Garden, this shop of magical treasures is well placed for a bit of bewitching shopping. They have designated areas dedicated to Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Jurassic Park and Fantastic Beasts but the Harry Potter merchandise is really good. As well as more expensive keepsakes, they also stock cute cuddly toys, action figures and wands.
WHAT TO BUY: I couldn’t resist this Pygmy Puff – it’s so cute!
HOW TO GET THERE:
ADDRESS: 26–28 Neal Street. Nearest tube: Covent Garden, Embankment, Leicester Square, Holborn.
6. The Harry Potter Shop in London’s Heathrow Airport
If you leave it all to the last minute and you happen to be flying out of Heathrow Airport (on a plane, not a broomstick), this is the last resort for Harry Potter shops in London! There is a special Harry Potter shop at London Heathrow Terminal 2, selling a decent range of merchandise including teddy bears, Harry Potter scarves and hats and even Butterbeer.
WHAT TO BUY Surely it has to be the Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans to keep you entertained on the plane!
HOW TO GET THERE: The Harry Potter Shop at London Heathrow is airside, through security at Terminal 2.
7. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Gift Shop – One of the official Harry Potter shops in London
If you’re a Harry Potter fan reading this, you’ll likely already know you can do a official Harry Potter studio tour of the set and props from the making of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studio, just outside London. You can buy a pass that includes transport from Kings Cross or London Victoria and tickets for the tour. Be warned, these sell out months in advance, so you’ll want to book your ticket early to make sure you secure a place.
TOP TIP: If tickets are sold out, you can purchase the tour with lunch for two included. It’s a little bit more expensive but can sometimes still be available when general admission tickets are sold out.
GOOD TO KNOW: The Warner Bros. Harry Potter Tour often sells out up to three months in advance.
If you do get to the studios, it goes without saying at the end of the tour there is an amazing gift shop to explore. Prices can be a bit spendy, but they do have exclusive merchandise that is not offered anywhere else.
WHAT TO BUY: Finn’s amazing romper suit (above) was from the Warner Bros. shop and we took it with us to Florida.
HOW TO GET THERE: The Warner Bros. studio is just outside London in Hertfordshire. You can get to the studios on the train from London Euston to Watford Junction and pick up the complimentary shuttle bus. Or, purchase tickets with a transfer from London included.
HIGH STREET HARRY POTTER SHOPS IN LONDON
As well as the specialist shops, there are a number of high street Harry Potter shops in London selling good, affordable merchandise to take home as a souvenir of your visit. The stores with the best ranges are:
8. Harry Potter at Primark Oxford Street.
The Primark at Oxford Street (14-28 Oxford Street, near Tottenham Court Road tube) used to have a dedicated Harry Potter shop in London, accessed via at the entrance on Tottenham Court Road. Unfortunately, this stand-alone section is now used for new trends and the Primark Harry Potter Merchandise has been moved to the character section at the front of the store. Whilst it’s not quite as good as it used to be, the good news is that as well as Hogwarts apparel and accessories, you can pick up cute Disney items as well as pop culture favourites like Stranger Things, Barbie and Friends.
9. The LEGO Store in Leicester Square
There is a huge range of Harry Potter LEGO inside the flagship LEGO store in Leicester Square. Here you will find everything from cute keyrings to epic Icon Collection builds, such as the Hogwarts Castle and this Crazy Hedwig Project. Even if you don’t have a cool £450 to spend on a collector set, it’s amazing to browse the Harry Potter Store in London and see them assembled. (3 Swiss Court, Leicester Square).
10. Marks and Spencer on Oxford Street
The classic British department store has long stocked excellent quality Harry Potter clothing, accessories, sleepwear and bedding, which can be bought online and at various M&S locations across the UK. The large Marks and Spencer on Oxford Street is the best place to see the collection in person (173 Oxford Street) or alternatively, Westfield at both White City (West London) and Stratford (East London) also have large displays and a wide range. See the items online at marksandspencer.com
Harry Potter shops in London with a difference – for a bit of extra magic
10. The Wizard Exploratorium – Magic Wand Building
Much like the experience at Ollivanders Wand Shop in the Harry Potter series, the Wizard Exploratorium offers a session for small groups where you can choose your own working magic wand in the attic of a quirky pink townhouse. The 20-minute immersive experience is suitable for all ages and costs £35 per person (one assistant can go with a wand maker for free) and you’ll take your unique wand home.
11. The Cauldron Potion Bar
For something a bit extra, you could try a Harry Potter-style ‘potion making’ cocktail class (18+ only) at the Cauldron Potion Bar. This is a great way for adult Harry Potter fans to have maximum muggle fun on a Harry Potter day out in London. The ‘Wizard Exploratorium’ offers potion making sessions, but you can also just book a table at the Cauldron Potion bar and enjoy a wizardy tipple.
12. The Harry Potter Afternoon Tea
For all ages, this Wizard-Themed afternoon tea is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. Located at the Georgian House Hotel in Pimlico (near London Victroria) – which also has wizard themed rooms – this magical afternoon tea consists of the classic menu (sandwiches and cakes) with a unique twist. Currently priced at £40 per person, you can also upgrade to a bottomless Prosecco version too. Reservations required.
13. A ride on a Hogwarts Express-style steam train
If you take the tube to the end of the central line in Epping, you can ride a train with a difference. The Epping Ongar Railway is the closest steam railway to London and their largest steam train, named ‘Pitchford Hall’ is the sister train to the locomotive that doubled for the Hogwarts Express in the movies. Transfers on a double decker red bus from Epping Station are included with your ticket if you book in advance and once on board the train, you’ll race through the ancient Epping Forest, London’s oldest woodland. The Epping Ongar Railway also offers themed days throughout the year, so check their website for updates.
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