Train stations are usually transitive spaces but Kings Cross Station in London is an attraction in itself for Potterheads, thanks to The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ .
Catch a Train to Hogwarts
Fans of the Harry Potter series of books flock to Kings Cross Station to look for the iconic Platform 9 ¾ , the magical platform where the Hogwarts Express departs to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We visited it on our recent family holiday to London. Kings Cross station is also right next to St. Pancras International, the station from which you can take the Eurostar to Paris.
Thankfully, there is no need to get a ticket to get to Platform 9 ¾. The popular photo spot can be found at the public area of Kings Cross train station. It close to the actual gates which lead into the real Platform 9 and you can easily spot it by the long queues in front of the wall with a half-disappearing luggage trolley.
A bit of trivia, the movie’s Platform 9 ¾ was actually shot at Kings Cross Platforms 4 and 5.
At the photo op version of Platform 9 ¾, fans can dress up in their favourite house scarf and there is even an assistant on hand to help give it a flick to get it flying for a photo.
You can purchase a professionally-taken photo (if you want to) from inside the Harry Potter shop.
Welcome to “Ollivanders” – Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾, Kings Cross Station, London
Even if you don’t want to take a photo at Platform 9 ¾ , Harry Potter Shop at Kings Cross is a draw. It is designed to look like Ollivander’s wand emporium and has everything that a Potterhead could want.
Buy a wand, t-shirts and all manner of souvenirs inside The Harry Potter Shop.
Compared to the merchandise on sale at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, we found the merchandise here to be less “theme park-ish” and more “slick” and well-designed.
We particularly liked exclusive items such as the personalised Hogwarts acceptance letter and personalised Hogwarts gift trunks.
The good news is that many of the items can be purchased online from the Harry Potter Platform 9 ¾ website.
An Alternative Harry Potter Shop
The Harry Potter Shop At Platform 9 ¾, Kings Cross Station, London is a great place to visit for anyone who loves the franchise.
For those visiting London who don’t have the chance to visit the Kings Cross shop, there is a last chance to do so at the Harry Potter Shop in London Heathrow Terminal 5 Transit Area.
