The Harry Potter books elegantly detail locations of immense magic and power which the production crew had to somehow adapt during the making of the film saga. Throughout the movies, there are countless gorgeous buildings, settings, and rooms which have been crafted with such detail.
These places might have been achieved through practical methods or enhanced with CGI, but ultimately they really are the definitive visualization of some of the most iconic backdrops in the entirety of the franchise. These stunning locations each uniquely contribute to the narrative, while also continuing to help the filmmakers build their immersive world.
Diagon Alley
Packed full of hidden details and easter eggs, Diagon Alley is everything a Harry Potter fan could hope for in a location. It’s brimming with fantastical potential, as this famous street is lined with shops selling all manner of bizarre and magical products.
Diagon Alley evolves over time to reflect the state of the Wizarding World, but it’s hard to argue how magnificently the area has been brought to screen; so much so that it’s even become a theme park attraction. The shops are colorful and the window displays showcase wares, from broomsticks to owls and Hogwarts textbooks. There’s a kinetic energy that is hard to copy, thanks in part to the twisted nature of the buildings.
Gringotts
At the end of Diagon Alley is Gringotts Bank which has to get a mention thanks to the gorgeous displays of wealth packed into its interior. While the crooked exterior draws attention, with those ancient-style pillars, the golds and bronzes of the main entrance are stunning.
Deep underground there’s a more sinister design choice for Gringotts, which is hiding secrets that should never see the light of day, in the most secure facility in the Wizarding World. But the marble floors and chandeliers convey the premium service these Goblins provide.
Hogwarts
Is there a more iconic castle than Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Its design is inspired by countless real-life structures, especially across Britain, with plenty of scenes getting filmed on location before sets and miniatures were built to fill in the gaps.
The exterior alone of the building is certainly impressive in its scope and scale and it’s clear to see where all the action takes place. Each element of the castle is specifically tailored to the activity that takes place inside. The architecture and organization of the setting might change based on the needs of the movie, but then this is a magical educational facility!
The Great Hall
There are so many rooms within Hogwarts that have to garner some attention, from Dumbledore’s office to the Gryffindor Common Room. But the Great Hall is the hub of activity for students. It’s where they have their meals, duel, track their house points and even attend the Yule Ball.
The Great Hall has taken on a variety of forms to match whatever is taking place within Hogwarts, but the starry sky above and the floating candles, coupled with the expansive size of the room, continue to reflect the emotions of any given scene while imbuing a magical quality.
The Room Of Requirement
What’s the most magical room in Hogwarts though? It has to be the Room of Requirement, which changes its layout based on what the user needs the most. It’s hosted Dumbledore’s Army, stored various wizarding artifacts, and even posed as a hideout for those trapped in Hogwarts during the Death Eater takeover.
It’s as if the room has a life of its own and the production team has managed to pack a huge variety of objects from throughout the movies as little reminders of the past adventures of the gang. Even during its DA days, the location was gorgeous, as it became a training ground with mirrors to reflect the actions of the students so they could improve.
Hogsmeade
Hogsmeade is another area that fans want to visit so badly that it has been reconstructed in the real world. Often topped with snow thanks to its position within the mountains of Scotland, it’s a quaint village that is idyllic and totally inhabited by witches and wizards.
Famous areas like Honeydukes, Zonko’s Joke Shop, and the Hog’s Head Pub are must-visit areas for students who wish to buy some magical goods or have a bite to eat. There’s a whimsicality to the area, which can be free of Muggles stumbling across this small wonderland of strange, topsy turvy buildings.
The Shrieking Shack
One of the highlights or rather dark inclusions to Hogsmeade is the Shrieking Shack, which is supposedly haunted. It’s an abandoned building that’s as grim from the outside as it is run-down on the inside. It radiates an ominous atmosphere every time it’s on-screen.
The design is gorgeous in its simplicity though. The books come to life on screen thanks to how the rotting wood has created such an imposing structure. Although it turns out there isn’t anything too sinister about the building, it still looks as if it could live up to its murky rumors.
The Lovegood Household
The Lovegood House is only briefly seen in the Harry Potter films but it’s exactly what fans would expect from Luna’s family. The exterior of the structure is something of an oddity; there isn’t a building in the whole of the series which is constructed quite like this.
But it’s decorated with a real sense of fun, boasting plenty of hidden easter eggs for fans to notice which will likely make their way into an issue of the Quibbler eventually. Sometimes the beauty of a location is in the set dressing and from the signs relating to obscure magical creatures to the odd sense of style, everything about the house screams Lovegood.
The Burrow
The Burrow is the home to the Weasley family and started as a small bungalow. As the family grew larger so too did the house they lived in, with additional structures added to the building to support the expanded rooms needed. The result is this gravity-defying building.
It’s a lot of fun to look at and inside it’s just as warm as the matriarch of the household. The Burrow comes to represent a lot of things for Harry and although there are plenty of smaller HP details to look out for, ultimately the beauty of this design comes in the loving feeling that is permeable throughout.
The Ministry Of Magic
The Ministry of Magic has to be impressive and imposing so that international officials are taken in with the glory of this British government. It’s expensive in its design but also houses hundreds of workers, with this complex infrastructure allowing for a wide range of tasks to be carried out.
There’s an aged quality to the aesthetic, showcasing that the Ministry itself has been around for a long time. It shifts based on the minister in charge, with the Death Eaters integrating some particularly horrific imagery into the layout. The overall structure is stunning and stands the test of time, feeling both ageless and somehow quite modern.
