Harry Potter was not filmed in Cambridge, we’re sorry to say. However, even though no wizards ever waved their wands here on camera, Cambridge still feels suspiciously magical. In fact, many of the most well known aspects of life at Hogwarts closely resemble regular student life at Cambridge University, likely influencing J.K. Rowling’s portrayal of Hogwarts. Gothic spires, crooked alleyways, and ancient college traditions make it easy to imagine how Hogwarts could be hiding in plain sight.You may not be able to catch the Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross; however, there is a 50-minute direct train to Cambridge, which might be the next best thing.
What Makes Cambridge Feel Like Hogwarts?
The Colleges
One of the strongest reasons Cambridge feels so familiar to Harry Potter fans is its collegiate system. There’s no Sorting Hat at Cambridge, but before the start of the first year, every student is assigned to 1 of 31 colleges, which becomes their academic and social home for the next three years
Over the years, each college has developed its own distinct culture,originating from the ideas and values of the initial college Masters. Each college has a set of colours, a unique crest, and long-standing traditions that new students must follow. Colleges often compete with one another in sports and academic achievements, creating a sense of rivalry and pride that wouldn’t feel out of place at Hogwarts.
These colleges are spread throughout the medieval city, tucked between cobbled alleyways, old pubs, and quiet lanes that seem designed for wandering wizards. Many of these colleges are open to the public, offering plenty of opportunities for Harry Potter–inspired photo moments.
Formal Dinners
One of the most memorable features of Hogwarts life is the dining hall. Similarly, each college within Cambridge holds regular Formal Dinners, which closely resemble the dining experience at Hogwarts — minus the flying silverware.
The actual dining hall used in the Harry Potter films was at Christ Church College, Oxford. However, each Cambridge college is home to a similar hall, with wood-panelled walls covered in portraits of past scholars, professors, and patrons, where formal dinners take place.
Formal dinners are often held by candlelight and begin with the formal announcement of the college professors, who sit at a high table and lead the meal with a Latin prayer. Academic gowns must be worn, with styles varying by college, faculty, and seniority.
Most college dining halls are closed to visitors; however, the halls at Pembroke College and Trinity College are sometimes open to the public.
Experience the Magic of Cambridge’s Architecture
Many of the college buildings at Oxford, where Harry Potter was filmed, were designed by the same architects responsible for some of Cambridge’s most iconic structures. With many buildings in both university towns constructed during the same era, and in some cases by the same architects, there are striking similarities between the real filming locations in Oxford and the magical atmosphere of the Cambridge colleges.
St.John’s New Court & Bridge of Sighs
Often mistaken for Hogwarts—mainly due to a rumour spread by tour guides—the New Court building at St John’s is so convincingly magical that many visitors still assume Harry Potter was filmed here.
The New Court is connected to the older part of the college by the Bridge of Sighs, whose Gothic spires and architectural elegance further enhance the sense of magic throughout the college..
Trinity College and The Wren Library
The Large courts and stone façades of Trinity College are instantly recognisable to fans of the films.
The Wren Library deepens that impression, with dark wooden shelves, historic interiors, and centuries-old books that feel as though spells and secrets might be hidden among the pages.
King’s College Chapel
King’s College Chapel is one of the most memorable places to visit in Cambridge. During Evensong, the space fills with choral music that echoes beneath the vast stone ceiling, creating an experience that feels both peaceful and dramatic.
Rose Crescent and Green Street
Rose Crescent and Green Street are narrow, cobbled streets that curve gently away from Kings Parade. Lined with independent shops which feel tucked away and slightly secret. Harry Potter gift shops sit alongside cafés and boutiques to create a magical storybook atmosphere.
Harry Potter Actors with Cambridge Connections
Cambridge also has direct links to the Harry Potter cast. Emma Thompson, who played Professor Sybill Trelawney, studied English at Newnham College, Cambridge, and was a member of the Footlights comedy group.
Eddie Redmayne, who played Newt Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts films, studied History of Art at Trinity College, Cambridge. Together, these connections add another quiet layer to Cambridge’s relationship with the wizarding world.
Real Harry Potter Filming Locations
From Cambridge, it is easy to travel to many of the real Harry Potter filming locations elsewhere in the UK.
London
London also features heavily. King’s Cross Station became the gateway to Platform 9¾ and remains the same station offering a one-hour direct train to Cambridge. Elsewhere in the city, Leadenhall Market was transformed into Diagon Alley.
Oxford
Oxford played a key role. Christ Church College inspired the Hogwarts dining hall, with its staircase used directly in filming. The Bodleian Library appeared as the Hogwarts library, while the Divinity School next door became Hogwarts Hospital.
Durham
Durham Cathedral was used as Hogwarts classrooms and cloisters, its Romanesque architecture perfectly suited to the wizarding school.
Further north
Alnwick Castle provided Hogwarts exteriors, including the scenes where students first learned broomstick flying.
Scotland
The Scottish Highlands provided the backdrop for some of the most iconic scenes in the series. Glenfinnan Viaduct appears repeatedly as the route of the Hogwarts Express, while the dramatic landscapes around Fort William were used during the Triwizard Tournament. Nearby Loch Shiel featured in the memorable scene where Harry flies Buckbeak.
The Magic of Cambridge
Cambridge may not have been a filming location for Harry Potter, but its atmosphere feels unmistakably magical. With Gothic spires, candlelit Formal Dinners, ancient libraries, and centuries-old college traditions, the city closely mirrors many of the most iconic elements of Hogwarts. Visitors can wander cobbled lanes between historic colleges, admire enchanting architecture such as King’s College Chapel and St John’s Bridge of Sighs, and experience the timeless rituals of university life that seem lifted from the wizarding world.
Beyond its own spellbinding setting, Cambridge is perfectly positioned for fans eager to explore real Harry Potter filming locations across the UK, from King’s Cross Station in London to Oxford’s Christ Church College and the Scottish Highlands. Add in connections to cast members who once studied at Cambridge, and the city’s link to the wizarding world becomes even more compelling.
For travellers seeking history, beauty, and a touch of magic, Cambridge offers an unforgettable experience — no wands required.