Harry Potter Diagon Alley London Set at Warner Bros. Studio

An overview of the Harry Potter Diagon Alley London set

Diagon Alley is a fully walkable set, complete with cobbled streets, crooked buildings, and cinematic lighting that instantly drops you into the heart of Harry Potter’s London.
Iconic shops like Ollivanders, Gringotts, Flourish and Blotts, and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes line the alley, each dressed with film-used props, clever signage, and magical storefront displays.
Slanted walls and curved pathways create a distorted, enchanted feel, an intentional design choice that mirrors the look and mood captured in the films.
Shop windows are filled with original props such as Extendable Ears and spellbooks, while faint background sounds and subtle animations bring the alley to life around you.

Photo spots to look out for

Ollivanders Wand shop entrance: Pose outside the curved windows of Ollivanders, where wand boxes line the shelves behind you. It’s the spot where Harry’s wand chose him, making it a must-capture moment for fans.
The curved Diagon Alley street view: Stand at the far end of the street to capture the winding cobblestones, crooked shopfronts and lantern-lit windows. It’s a stunning shot that shows the full magical layout of Diagon Alley.
Gringotts Bank facade: Strike a pose in front of Gringotts’ towering marble pillars and ornate entrance. Its grandeur and symmetry make it one of the most dramatic and cinematic spots on the entire set.
Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes storefront: Snap a vibrant photo under the huge Weasley mannequin tipping his hat. The shop’s bright orange exterior and stacked display windows add playful energy to any Diagon Alley photo collection.
Flourish and Blotts bookshop window: Stand beside the tall book-filled windows, stacked with magical tomes and Hogwarts textbooks. It’s the perfect backdrop for book lovers and students-at-heart preparing for their next magical school year.
Diagon Alley during Hogwarts in the Snow: If visiting in winter, photograph Diagon Alley covered in magical snow. Twinkling lights and frosted windows transform the street into a festive, film-worthy scene that feels straight out of the holidays at Hogwarts.

Moments from the films recreated here

Harry’s first visit to Ollivanders

The unforgettable moment when Harry’s wand chooses him was filmed on this very set. The shop features over 17,000 hand-labelled wand boxes, creating the same mysterious, stacked atmosphere seen in Philosopher’s Stone, right where magic first truly found him.

Harry’s first shopping trip

Diagon Alley appears early in Philosopher’s Stone, as Harry shops for books, robes and supplies. The detailed storefronts—including Flourish and Blotts and Madam Malkin’s—were used to capture the sense of wonder and curiosity in Harry’s first steps into the wizarding world.

Gringotts Bank entrance scene

The towering facade of Gringotts featured prominently when Hagrid takes Harry to withdraw gold. The Studio set includes those marble pillars and goblin-guarded doors, recreated with exacting detail to reflect the grandeur and mystery of the wizarding world’s only bank.

Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes debut

The shop’s bold orange facade and magical product-filled windows were filmed on this Diagon Alley set for Half-Blood Prince. It marked Fred and George’s transformation from pranksters to entrepreneurs, with a vibrant design that perfectly matches their cheeky energy.

Escape after the Gringotts Heist

In Deathly Hallows – Part 1, Diagon Alley was transformed for a high-stakes escape scene following the Gringotts break-in. The set’s dynamic layout allowed for fast-paced movement and tension, showing how its design adapted across the darker tone of the later films.

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Accessibility & flow of the set

Where to find it: Diagon Alley is located toward the end of the second soundstage. You’ll reach it after visiting major sets like the Ministry of Magic, Gringotts Bank and Creature Effects.
No re-entry after this section: Once you exit Diagon Alley, you can’t return to it. Take your time exploring the details, reading signage and getting your photos before moving forward in the tour.
Cobbled ground and gradient: The street is stone paved and slightly sloped, which may be difficult for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. Move with care and allow extra time to navigate this section comfortably.
Narrow spaces during peak times: Certain shopfronts and display areas have narrow walkways. It can feel crowded during busy hours, especially for guests using mobility aids or large strollers.
Low light in some areas: Lighting in Diagon Alley is designed to reflect the films’ atmosphere and may be dim in spots. Guests with visual impairments may need additional time to adjust and move through safely.

Frequently Asked Questions about Harry Potter Diagon Alley

Was this set used for every Diagon Alley scene across the films?

This set was used for most Diagon Alley scenes, though some early shots in Philosopher’s Stone were filmed on a separate exterior set before this version was built and expanded for later films.

Are there any original props hidden inside the shop windows?

Yes, many shop windows include original screen-used props, like Extendable Ears, magical textbooks, and authentic product packaging designed by the art department for background detail.

Is the wand Harry uses in Ollivanders on display here?

The specific wand used in that scene isn’t displayed in Ollivanders, but other hero wands from the films can be seen in the nearby wand room at the end of the tour.

Are there any easter eggs or hidden details fans should look for?

Yes, several shop signs and window props include references to wizarding lore and even names of crew members hidden in the fine print, like wand boxes labelled with cast and crew surnames.

Is Fred or George Weasley’s mannequin animated in the storefront?

Yes, the giant mannequin above Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes is animated. It slowly lifts and lowers its hat in a loop, adding a bit of motion to the colourful set.

Are any scenes involving Knockturn Alley shown on this set?

No, Knockturn Alley is not part of this section. That set appears elsewhere in the tour during select events or special exhibitions and is not part of the main Diagon Alley layout.

Are the cobbled stones original or recreated for the Studio Tour?

Many of the stones are the same materials used during filming and were relaid exactly as they appeared on set. Some were recast or reinforced for long-term visitor use.

Are the shops built to full scale or slightly altered for filming?

They are built to full scale but use clever perspective tricks. Many buildings lean inward or are built on curves to make the street feel more magical and visually distorted on camera.

Can visitors interact with anything inside the shop windows?

No touch interaction is allowed, but several window displays contain subtle motion effects, like rotating items or flickering lights, designed to create a sense of enchantment.