Thursday 14 April 2016

L is for the Leaky Cauldron

Today on the A to Z Tour of Harry Potter Filming Locations, we're visiting the three places used for the Leaky Cauldron, the all important tavern that leads you into Diagon Alley.

Leadenhall Market
Located in the historic centre of London, the covered Leadenhall Market dates back to the 14th century. Leadenhall Market was one of the first Potter locations I found on my own, after the guided walking tour.  The market is in a beautiful building, with high angled ceilings and gorgeous window trims - the Grade II listed building was designed in 1881.  The shops themselves are fascinating – old pen shops, book shopsand food markets, and other such things.  It’s only open during the week (it’s in a business district) so I only ever got the chance to window shop, which was probably a good thing.
Harry and Hagrid are seen walking through Leadenhall Markets on their way to the Leaky Cauldron in The Philosopher’s Stone
The actual entrance to the Leaky Cauldron was the Glass House in Bull’s Passage.  At the time of filming it was an abandoned building; now it’s an optometrist’s office.  

Borough Markets
According to their website, Borough Market is London's most renowned food market.  It is located opposite London Bridge Stateion, with the tracks running right overhead.
Chez Michele, 7 Stoney Street, on the southeast edge of Borough Street Markets, stood in for the Leaky Cauldron in The Prisoner of Azkaban.  The Knight Bus, after tearing through the streets of London, drops Harry out the front.  It wouldn’t surprise me if the reason the Leaky Cauldron changed locations was because the director couldn’t get a bus through Leadenhall Market!
The roof of Borough Market itself can be seen out of the window in Harry's room during his stay at the Leaky Cauldron, as can the train to London Bridge and the tower of Southwark Cathedral. 

Great Newport Street
Adjacent to Charing Cross Road in the West End, Great Newport Street, specifically the alleyway next to Number 12, was used as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in The Half-Blood PrinceIt’s a random location, with nothing much to recommend it, but if you’re on Charing Cross Road anyway (and there’s a good chance you will be) you may as well stop and go “huh”. 
At the beginning of the film, Death Eaters fly along Great Newport Street, down the alleyway, and burst through a wall into Diagon Alley in order to kidnap Olivander.  

Happy travels

Ros

The A-Z cross stitch marathon continues at Fangirl Stitches where I am working on two different alphabets... because I am mad.

6 comments:

  1. Awesome posts! I am truly enjoying seeing the pics and learning more about these places!

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    1. Thanks :) It couldn't be anything else really!

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  3. Making my heart go pitter patter! I want to go there! And there! and There!

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    1. Thanks Jen :) I was the same when I was over there - hence the blog theme!

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