London is full of that inspired the author of Harry Potter.
Indeed, JK Rowling based her Traverse Trail on a number of London locations.
Let's discover these unique places together.
Harry Potter Street in London: article summary
Harry Potter street in London: Gandy street
Located just a little way from the heart of the city, Gandy Street is an original street. It's home to independent boutiques and typical restaurants.
Best visited on a gray day, you can almost imagine people on broomsticks. The cobblestone street dates back several centuries.
Until recently, there was even a wizard-themed bar offering cocktails inspired by various characters from the Harry Potter universe.
Today, this secret street lies somewhere between High Street and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum. is well worth a detour on your visit to Exeter.
Nearby Parliament Street is regarded as one of the narrowest streets in England.
The two other streets that inspired the chemin de traverse
This may come as a surprise to many Harry Potter fans. There are, in fact, at least two streets that inspired the crossroads.
If you're a fan of the saga, you'll be able to visit both of them at the same time. your next trip to the British capital.
Harry Potter Street in London: discover Cecil Court
The first of these is Cecil Court, a pretty cobbled pedestrian street between Charing Cross Road and St Martin's Lane.
Often referred to as "the new Bookseller's Row", the area boasts a large number of antique and book dealers located along the Victorian-fronted street.
It's the perfect place for a stroll if you're in the area, particularly if you're looking for a unique location.
Thanks to the narrow nature of Cecil Court, as well as the beautiful pastel store fronts, it's no wonder that many people believe this place to be London's secret was the inspiration for Chemin de Traverse.
If you're planning to visit the British capital, make sure you get there earlier in the day and if possible in the middle of the week, because the crowds are smaller at these times!
Leadenhall market
Located in the City of LondonLeadenhall Market is a beautiful Victorian arcade characterized by dormer windows and deep tones.
Home to a plethora of pubs and independent boutiques, the best time to visit is at weekends. The town is largely empty and you'll have the place to yourself.
A very popular market
But what may well surprise visitors to this late 19th-century work of engineering is that the history of Leadenhall Market actually dates back to the 14th century.
Today, the link between Harry Potter and Leadenhall Market is clear: in some films, Leadenhall Market was in fact the gateway to the Chemin de Traverse.
Other films shot within Leadenhall's walls include:
- The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus
- Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Completely free to visit, I highly recommend that you this is the place to go when you're in the area.
How to visit the real Chemin de Traverse?
Probably one of the best day trips from London, a visit to the Warner Brothers Studios is a must for all Harry Potter fans.
Featuring the film's actual set, take a stroll along the window displays and imagine yourself immersed in the world of the famous wizard.
Many of the windows you see today have also been modified to represent the village of Hogsmeade in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
It's worth noting that the set is decorated with a variety of decors, depending on the season and the date, especially at Christmas.
To find out more, I recommend read the article I wrote on the subject!
The many streets that inspired JK Rollins to create his "chemin de traverse" are magical places to visit in London. During your visit, you can enjoy these places and discover places that fans of the work will appreciate.
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