The Harry Potter Tour
If you’re a Harry Potter fan then read on! Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Harry Potter with our new Potter tour. The tour show you around the special parts of Edinburgh that inspired the novels, as well as introducing you to the historic and magical Old Town.
Greyfriars Kirkyard (photo credit Patrick Down)
Our tour starts in the Greyfriars Kirkyard, a short walk from the Royal Mile and the Grassmarket. This 450 year old kirkyard with its countless time-worn gravestones is where Rowling apparently found the inspiration for many of the names she gave her characters. Despite itself, the kirkyard is actually a very beautiful part of the city, surrounded by cobbled pathways and views out over the city. In fact, from here you can look out and see the Edinburgh school which became the architectural inspiration for Hogwarts!
Only a stone’s throw away from the kirk you’ll find the Elephant Coffee House. This is where J. K. Rowling sat down to write the first novel, which was soon to become the third best-selling book of all time. The coffee house is definitely worth a visit in itself, boasting marvellous views over the city and an enormous collection of elephant ornaments!
Victoria Street, inspiration for Diagon Alley (Photo credit James Macdonald)
After your coffee, you can step out into the Old Town where Harry Potter inspiration is all around. The tour passes by Potterrow, an Edinburgh University union building which surely provided the inspiration for the name of our favourite wizard. After a few more potter-related stops, we end our tour on the iconic Victoria street which winds down from the Royal Mile to the Grassmarket. This curved and cobbled street, lined with beautiful cafes and cosy bookshops, is said to have inspired Diagon Alley, the market street in The Philosopher’s Stone.
The tour includes a selection of other sites that have all played their part in inspiring the magnificent world of Harry Potter. Please contact WL Sleigh on 0131 339 9607 for more information.
The tour is unofficial and not affiliated in any way with J K Rowling, her publishers or Warner Bros.
