TRAVEL
LEADENHALL MARKET - DIAGON ALLEY
It took us a few bumps against the wall but now we have arrived in the magic world of Harry Potter. Before starting an exciting school year filled with magic spells and magic potions, we have to do some shopping. Potterheads will know what we mean. Diagon Alley, the cobblestoned wizarding alley and location of the Gringotts Wizarding Bank and many shops with broomsticks, wands, school supplies, and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. The entrance to this alley was found behind a pub called the Leaky Cauldron. In reality, the entrance to the pub is an optician ´The Glass House´ located at 42 Bull´s Head Passage. Unfortunately, a visit to the optician will not help you see Diagon Alley. If you, however, want to wander along the magic shops, your best bet is to visit Leadenhall Market. It was this location that was used to shoot the scenes of Diagon Alley. The scenes for Gringotts, the world’s only wizard bank, from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, were shot at Australia House on the Strand. This marble building was officially opened by King George V in 1918 and serves as Australia’s embassy. Unfortunately, the Exhibition Room where the recordings were made is not allowed to be visited.
LAMBETH BRIDGE - IN FOR A CRAZY RIDE?
We continue our walk and head west following the Thames until we reach Lambeth Bridge. Not nearly as famous as the Milennium Bridge, nor impressive, but used for a very memorable scene in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. On this bridge, the purple Knight Bus squeezes itself between two double- decker buses during one heck of a ride.
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EC Magazines | London-Tucson Edition 2022
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