In Search of Harry Potter
By Greenways of England Group tour, 8 nights
2007 dates: Apr 12, July 21, August 11

The books of J. K. Rowling have made her and her hero Harry Potter famous throughout the world. The exciting, brilliantly made Warner Brothers films have brought an extra dimension to the stories and have fuelled the imaginations of millions of children and adults alike ! Now you can take your own mystical journey through England in search of Harry and the scenes of his adventures !

Day 1

Arrive London. Transfer by coach or private car to your hotel. Rest of day at leisure. Stay for 2 nights in London. 

Day 2

A sightseeing tour of London, by coach or car, including Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard, the Thames Embankment, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge and the London Eye ! The tour also includes a visit to Kings Cross Train Station, where you can search for the magical Platform 9&3/4. Try looking on Platform 4 where the film was made ! 

Day 3

Today you leave London by coach or by rental car and head for the picture postcard village of Lacock in Wiltshire, via Black Park, where the scenes in the wood and Hagrid’s Cottage were shot. Also visit mystical Stonehenge and Glastonbury, where the Holy Grail is said to be buried. Lacock Abbey was the setting used for many of the classroom scenes, including Professor Snape’s Dungeon classroom and the activities of Mrs. Norris, the caretaker’s horrible cat ! Stay the night in another picture postcard Wiltshire village, Castle Combe. 

Day 4

Your nest stop on the tour is the ancient city of Gloucester. The great mediaeval cathedral, dating back to the 11th century was used for many of the scenes in the film, including the inside and outside of Gryffindor’s dorm. and it was here that the Fat Lady guarded the entrance ! Continue north to the incomparably beautiful English Lake District. Stay two nights in the lovely lakeland village of Grasmere. 

Day 5

The whole day will be spent sampling the many delights of the Lake District but perhaps the highlight will be a visit to the Owl Centre at Muncaster Castle, which has over 50 different types of owls, including many of those types seen in the film. Why not imagine which owl you would choose to deliver your messages ! Also you can imagine you are a tiny vole and explore the Vole Maze. Later you can take a ride on “Old Ratty”, the fascinating Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway ! 

Day 6

Your journey takes you onwards to Northumbria, where you will spend time in the great city of Durham, where many Hogwarts scenes were shot in the great Norman cathedral. Then on to the old town of Alnwick. Alnwick Castle, home of the Dukes of Northumberland was extensively used for external locations including the broomstick flying and Quiddich games. Stay for one night in the area. 

Day 7

Today you turn south and enter the county of Yorkshire, Britain’s biggest. Among the many charming places to see in this beautiful county is the tiny village of Goathland, whose pretty railroad station was the setting for Hogsmeade Station, where the Hogwarts Express arrived to discharge its pupils. You can take a ride on another old steam train, this time on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Onwards then to York, another great city dating back to the Romans and Vikings. The awe inspiring York Minster is one of England’s finest churches. Other places to visit are the National Railway Museum, Jorvik Viking Centre and the very interesting Castle Museum. The Shambles is a mediaeval street reminiscent of Diagon Alley ! Stay the night in York. 

Day 8

Moving southwards you reach the famous university city of Oxford, the “City of Dreaming Spires”. Here you can explore the many colleges, including Christ College, where the ancient dining hall with its huge beamed roof was used as Hogwarts Dining Room. Stay for your last night in Windsor, with a visit to Royal Windsor Castle. 

Day 9

Time to say goodbye to mystical England and head to the airport, say goodbye to your coach driver or drop your rental car and take your flight home

Price $2750 per person double occupancy

Inquire for children’s prices.