October 4, 2015

In addition to the Harry Potter Studio Tour, we did a Harry Potter walking tour of the sites from the movie.  We ended up just doing it on our own instead of going with a group.  It worked out fine to be on our own time.  Lots of the places were a little disappointing because you can’t really see anything other than a building that was in the background (I guess we expected it to be a little more distinctively HP).  Around town, we saw the Ministry of Magic, the Minister of Magic’s house, the inspiration for 12 Grimmel Place, the inspiration for Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley.

Film site for the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter

Inspiration for Diagon Alley

Inspiration for Knockturn Alley

We also went to the zoo where Harry goes for Dudley’s birthday in the first movie.  The scene takes place in the reptile house, so of course, we went there.  🙂

Reptile House (from Harry Potter)

Reptile House (from Harry Potter)

The zoo turned out to have a really cool surprise because they had an Okapi.  (Hayden’s FAVORITE animal)  The Okapi here was AWESOME because it was right at the fence.  They are typically very shy animals, so we have never seen one this close and active before.  He was trying to eat the trees right on the edge and he was so close that we probably could have reached out to pet him!  We spent about 30 minutes just sitting here watching him….it was a really neat experience.

Okapi

Okapi

Okapi

Our last stop of the day was at King’s Cross station to see the “original” platform 9 3/4.  We did get a picture with the trolley, but to get to platforms 9 and 10, you need a train ticket.  Plus, it’s not like in the move and right between the platforms is a train track, so we wouldn’t have been able to go there anyway.

Tomorrow, we will have hanging out with our friends, Caryn and Roy, from Germany (we were in the Army together).  We are taking the kids to Kensington Palace and the Science Museum.  It should be a great time and Hayden is super excited for a day out with the kids!

After that, it’s time to jump on the cruise ship and head home!

Kings Cross – Platform 9 3/4