Another fun stuff to play in London. Muggle Tour in London, that is.
After the big Harry Potter studio tour, I took on the Muggle Tour which is a small group walking tour in London. My guide Susie is so much fun – she was really knowledgeable and the tour was no kidding fun & engaging – learn lots of nooks and crannies in London tourist like me would not otherwise have noticed. I really learn alot from her! Susie wrapped up the tour with a cute, sweet and memorable gift. I won’t feature the gift here as I do not want to spoil the fun & surprise in case you join the Muggle Tour in London, which I highly recommend :)
I am also very happy to learn despite J.K.Rowling sold the filming right to Warner Bros, she fought very hard to prevent the Americans converting Hogwarts into an American-style high school by insisting the whole movie to be filmed in UK and no non-UK actors/actresses for the principal cast. Good job and thank you Ms Rowling.
Fun facts about names of the characters in the movie:
The name Bellatrix means the Female Warrior in Latin
Bellatrix Lestrange, the Loyal Servant of Voldemort
Lord Voldemort means Flight from Death in French
Lord Voldemort, You-Know-Who, He Who Must Not Be Named, The Dark Lord, T.M. Riddle
Severus is Latin for harsh but was also the name of a Roman Emperor who is civil, firm-handed and fair. This is a precise description of Severus Snape!
Severus Snape, the flawed Human Being in Harry Potter
Here’s the fun’s stuff to play. I got a chance to wear the Sorting Hat and that makes me feel magical!
Harry Potter in Sorting Hat
Moi in the sorting hat, waiting to join Gryffindor.
I am in Diagon Alley (Cecil Court) and would love to get into Gryffindor House……Sorting Hat, please grant me my wish :)
Here’s 4 Cute Highlights of the Muggle Tour Walk :
# 1 Leaky Cauldron
In the Movie:
The entrance to the Leaky Cauldron where the Knight Bus dropped Harry off and the entrance of the Diagon Alley.
Entrance to the Leaky Cauldron
In the Muggle World – Florist near the Borough Market
Florist next to the Borough Market
# 2 The Divination Stairwell in Hogwarts Castle.
The largest staircase in the Hogwarts Castle
It is a surprise to me that this is filmed inside the St Paul’s Cathedral
# 3 Ministry of Magic Phone Booth & Passcode
In the Movie
The Ministry of Magic, London & the Passcode
Harry was summoned to a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic
In the Muggle World
No Phone Booth
We cannot see the Phone Booth in the Muggles World. Just in case it appears in front of you one day, here’s the trick to remember the passcode 62442 to the Ministry of Magic (“MAGIC” – alphabet of 62442 on keypad with letter).
#4 Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley
Inspirations for Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley can be located near the Charing Cross Road. Cecil Court filled with Victorian style shops, like the Diagon Alley many of them specialist bookshops – including one, Watkins’, that deals in magic books.
Here’s the layout of Diagon and Knockturn Alley in the movie which resembles the location of Cecil Court and the other hidden alley near the St Martin’s Lane in our Muggle World.
Map of Diagon Alley & Knockturn Alley in London
Diagon Alley
In our Muggle World
Cecil Court – Inspiration of Diagon Alley
Side street off St Martin’s Lane – Inspiration of Knockturn Alley
