February 4, 2006
England vacation - Harry Potter theme
Alnwick Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Northumberland, in Northumbria, England. The Quidditch lessons scene in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. took place on the castle’s green. The castle also showed up in Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves.
Oxford University was the setting for a number of scenes: the staircase where Mrs McGonagall greets the schoolchildren, the Great Hall on which Hogwart's dining room was modeled, the library where Harry creeps at night under his invisible cloak, and Hogwart's hospital.
The Norman Cathedral of Gloucester was the setting for the ghost Moaning Myrtle, and the mysterious red writing on the wall. There are tours of the grounds, towers and crypts. Of course the guides talk about more than Harry Potter. They will also tell you about the Victorian refit.
London is the beginning of a Hogwarts Express journey at King Cross Station, where you can check out platform 9 and 3/4. The Hogwarts Express ends its journey at Goathland Station (aka Hogsmeade Station) in the Yorkshire Moors. The landscapes are dramatic and nearby is Mallyan Spout, a 70 foot high waterfall.
Posted by James Trotta at February 4, 2006 3:06 AM
Strictly, Alnwick is in the county of Northumberland. Northumbria is used to describe the broader area of the North East of England including also Tyneside and County Durham.
Posted by: fred at February 4, 2006 7:51 AM