If you have read the book or watched the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(2004), you definitely know about the magical Knight Bus that scooch between two red buses on Lambeth Bridge in London. So, what if I tell you that you can ride the magic bus for real and you will be crossing the same bridge, except the squeezy part?
Book: London Harry Potter Film Locations Sightseeing Bus Tour
Yes, you are reading it right. I did the Knight Bus London Tour last week. This Harry Potter Knight Bus Tour covers all the filming locations in London, and the guide also re-enacts a few scenes from the movies.
I received props such as a Gryffindor muffler and wand after the “house selection scene by a witch hat” for my pictures that my husband took during the tour.
The bus tour was two hours and thirty minutes, but we also got off at several locations. It began outside the Embankment station at 40b Victoria Embankment and ended at the same spot.
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, and he shared trivia about cafes, statues and buildings that weren’t in the movies but are connected with the Harry Potter world; while showing the dragon statue in front of the Royal Courts of Justice on Fleet Street, he reminded us of the motto of Hogwarts School, which was Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus, which translates from Latin as “Never tickle a sleeping dragon.
One of the filming spots was the Australian High Commission building, which inspired the exterior and interior of Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
Another location was the Leadenhall Market, which was shown as the entrance to Diagon Alley in the movie, and we found more dragons lying on the pillars of the building. In an alley of Leadenhall, we also found the Leaky Cauldron pub behind which a wall magically opens to Diagon Alley.
Next, we went to Scotland Place at Great Scotland Yard, where the entry to the Ministry of Magic portal scene happened in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 with Ron hiding behind a wall in an alleyway.
Then we walked towards the opposite road of the historic clocktower archway on Whitehall near Horse Guards Avenue to imagine the scene of the underground toilet infiltration, in which Harry, Ron and Hermione ambush Ministry workers to use the magical public toilet entryway to sneak into the Ministry.
And like this, the guide and magical driver covered many more scenes and locations during the tour, such as Borough Market, St. Paul’s Cathedral and so on.
We also played several rounds of an interactive quiz game during the tour, in which my husband and I won.
Let me also tell you a funny incident: Our bus got stuck near the traffic light pole because the driver took a long turn, increasing the chances that it could collide with the pole, which caused huge traffic on the road. It took fifteen minutes to reverse the bus and turn.
Overall, the tour was fun, and it made our weekend.
The tour costs around £40 per adult (recently reduced to £30 on the Get Your Guide website and £22.50 per child). This price includes the ride on the themed Knight Bus, a knowledgeable guide, all filming location stops, props like a house scarf and wand for photos, participation in quiz games, and plenty of opportunities for memorable photos along the way.
Note: This is the price at the time of writing.
Tip: If you’re planning to take the Harry Potter Knight Bus Tour, I recommend booking your tickets at least a week in advance, as the spots can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and during school holidays.
Try to take the afternoon tour for the best lighting at the filming locations. Wear comfortable shoes for walking and bring a camera to capture the moments. I also suggest dressing up in Harry Potter-themed clothing if you have it to get the most out of the experience and your photos. Don’t forget an umbrella just in case the London weather changes suddenly.
You can book your tour through the Get Your Guide app or website. Use the TRAVELTOMUSE5 code to get a 5% discount while booking.
Book: Harry Potter Knight Bus Tour
Read more: London Harry Potter Studio Tour
Leave a Reply