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The Harry Potter
Virtual Film Location Tour

Take a cyber trip to top Harry Potter movie locations ...

The mystery of Harry Potter conjured up on screen can be credited in no small part to the atmosphere provided by historic, moody backdrops in key scenes.

Luckily, the movie's producers had only to look around England and Scotland to find real-life set locations.

Today, the cathedrals, abbeys and castles that 'star' in Harry Potter films - for centuries the scene of political intrigues, royal marriages, or bloody battles - have suddenly gone Hollywood.

For Harry Potter fans and their families, specially aranged travel tours are attracting those with a renewed interest in the magic of the Middle Ages...and, of course, steam engine propelled magical railroads!

In summer 2011, the Harry Potter movie studio, Warner Bros., heralded a unique opportunity for Harry Potter fans to tour the actual movie sets in London, setting off a frenzy for tickets.

Tickets for Warner Bros. Studio Tour London go on sale in the Fall of 2011 for the offficial spring 2012 opening, giving visitors a sneak peak inside Diagon Alley, the Chamber of Secrets, and more sets used in filming familiar storylines in the popular movie series.

Just up ahead, here are more memorable movie scenes shot on location at many famous landmarks throughout the UK and Scotland which have prominently starred in the Harry Potter movies over the years ....

Here's a virtual sampling of tourist spots made to order for Harry Potter fans ...

Glenfinnan Viaduct - The real-life 'set' used for many scenes featuring the Hogwarts Express, this famous viaduct was built in 1901. Today the surrounding area remains a prime stop for walking tours through the Scottish highlands. The Jacobite Steam Train takes modern day, muggle passengers for a scenic trip on the train that was featured in the Harry Potter films.

A trip to Glennfinnan, located 16 miles west of Fort William, also includes a friendly visitor center wher you can snap photos of the train . Stop by for brochures and related nearby attractions, including the Railway Museum and the monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Gloucester Cathedral - You'll almost certainly recognize part of the interior which doubled for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at this ancient cathedral, and the adjacent King's School, a day trip from London.

Originally built as an abbey in 1089, the cathedral features a medieval labryinth, world famous Gothic fan vaulting, and the stained glass of the Great East Window, along with the tombs of Edward II and Robert Duke of Normandy.

Bodleian Library, Oxford University - The Oxford library doubled as the Hogwarts Library in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and is especially noteworthy for the scene in which Harry hides under the invisibility cloak, as he searches for information on Nicolas Flamel. A visit to the Bodleian includes exhibits, visitor info, and a gift shop, and is usually featured on a London-to-Oxford day trip.

Kings Cross Station, London - The sprawling Underground and railway station featured in all Harry Potter films. It's the place where young witches and wizards hop the train - at Platform 9 3/4 - for the magic commute to Hogwarts.

If you've ever visited London, you almost certainly passed through Kings Cross, a major hub, and now a prime photo-op for tourists snapping pictures of the train platform that isn't...

Alnwick Castle - First glimpsed in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, this 11th century castle eventually took on a larger role in the flying-lesson and Quidditch match scenes in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.

No stranger to Hollywood, Alnwick Castle has also prominently starred in other films such as as Becket with Peter O'Toole, Mary Queen of Scots with Vanessa Redgrave and Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner.

also see -> Glencoe, Scotland | Harry Potter Theme Park

Daniel Radcliffe | J.K. Rowling | Emma Watson