{"id":10252,"date":"2010-09-21T09:00:19","date_gmt":"2010-09-21T14:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=10252"},"modified":"2016-12-16T11:43:28","modified_gmt":"2016-12-16T17:43:28","slug":"europe-vacation-rom-college-to-castle-discover-harry-potters-england-and-london-hotel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2010\/09\/europe-vacation-rom-college-to-castle-discover-harry-potters-england-and-london-hotel\/","title":{"rendered":"From college to castle, discover Harry Potter\u2019s England"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Great Hall at Christ Church College, University of Oxford, was the inspiration forHogwart's dining hall -- the best cafeteria known to Muggles and wizards.<\/p><\/div>\n

By Susan <\/em>Johnston<\/em><\/p>\n

Between The Wizarding World of Harry Potter<\/a> opening at\u00a0Universal Orlando Resort<\/a> earlier this summer and the latest Harry Potter flick due for theatrical release in November, this is a big year for Harry and his mystical friends. Which is why it may also be the year for a\u00a0Europe vacation<\/a>, during which you can tour many of the film locations and places that inspired J.K. Rowling<\/strong> herself. Here are a few of the spellbinding spots found in Harry Potter’s England.<\/p>\n

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University of Oxford<\/strong>
\nThe spectacular Gothic architecture found at the\u00a0University of Oxford<\/a> became the eerie inspiration behind Hogwarts. In fact, Christ Church College<\/strong> provided the location for ‘Hogwart’s dining hall’ and several of the moving staircase scenes. Oxford University’s Bodleian Library has also appeared in the Harry Potter movies. Just a few miles from campus is the\u00a0Oxford Spires Four Pillar Hotel<\/a>, providing a pool, spa, and fitness center in a historic setting. Also nearby is the\u00a0Ethos Hotel Oxford<\/a>, which prides itself on luxurious, yet sustainable accommodations.<\/p>\n

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Catch the surreal skyline at Oxford.<\/p><\/div>\n

London Hotels<\/strong>
\nEngland’s capital city is home to several landmarks that have appeared in Harry Potter films. Visitors to\u00a0Kings Cross Station<\/a> may recognize it as the site of ‘Platform 9-3\/4,’ the portal to the wizarding world. The optician shop in\u00a0Leadenhall Market<\/a> served as the entrance to the ‘Leaky Cauldron’ in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,<\/em> while the Reptile House in Regent’s Park Zoo appeared in the scene where Harry learns he can communicate with snakes.\u00a0London hotels<\/a> include\u00a0The Tower A Guoman Hotel<\/a> on the north bank of the River Thames and the\u00a0Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes London<\/a>, which is walking distance to several\u00a0London attractions<\/strong>, including Regents Park.<\/p>\n

Northeast England<\/strong>
\nThe site of Madame Hooch’s flying lesson (and home to the Duke and Duchess of Numberland),\u00a0Alnwick Castle<\/a> hosts a number of tours and family-friendly activities. Meanwhile, the snowy quadrangle ofHogwarts was actually filmed in the cloisters of\u00a0Durham Cathedral<\/a>, also in the northeast region of England. Durham has several hotels, including the 207-room Radisson Blu Hotel and the\u00a0Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County<\/a>, which dates back to the 17th century.<\/p>\n

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow<\/em>s hits theaters this November, but you can see many of the film’s locations and explore Harry Potter’s England by\u00a0booking your flight and London hotel together online<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Related resources<\/strong><\/p>\n