2025 Complete Guide: Harry Potter Filming Locations at Gloucester Cathedral
For Harry Potter fans, the thrill of standing where scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed is a once in a lifetime buck-list experience. One of the key locations that brought Hogwarts to life is the stunning Gloucester Cathedral. This magnificent structure not only boasts rich history and stunning architecture but has also provided the backdrop for some of the most memorable scenes in the Harry Potter films. If you're planning a visit to this enchanting site, here’s your complete guide to exploring Gloucester Cathedral and its Harry Potter film locations.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Where is Gloucester Cathedral?
Gloucester Cathedral is in Gloucester city in Southern England, right outside of the Cotswolds. It’s roughly 2 hours away from London by train.
Planning your visit to Gloucester Cathedral
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pmSaturday: 10am - 4pmSunday: 12noon - 2.30pm and 4pm - 5pm
Opening times may vary due to special events and services, so it's advisable to check the Gloucester Cathedral's daily "What's On" calendar for the most up-to-date information.Entry Fee
Entry to Gloucester Cathedral is by voluntary donation, with a suggested contribution of £5 ($6.77) per adult and £10 ($13.53) per family.
Parking
Due to limited space, parking in the Cathedral Close is restricted to pass holders only. There are 8 disabled parking spaces which are for use by Blue Badge holders on a first come first served basis. However, there are several public car parks within easy walking distance of the Cathedral. Parking
Westgate Street Car Park
Gloucester GL1 2TU, United KingdomThis car park is a 5-minute walk from Gloucester Cathedral. It costs roughly $8.11 to park all day.
We used: Hare Lane South Car Park
Hare Ln, Gloucester GL1 2DAHare Lane South Car Park is open Monday-Sunday from 7am to 6pmPrice for an hour is £2.50 ($3.38)
Additional car park options, click here.
How to get to Gloucester Cathedral
Location
Gloucester Cathedral is located in the heart of Gloucester, England. The drive takes just under 2 hours from London. The cathedral is easily accessible by public transport. If you’re traveling by train, Gloucester Station is just a short walk away from Gloucester Cathedral. Directions
By Car
Set your navigation to Westgate Street Car Park, Gloucester GL1 2SZ. Gloucester City Centre is located roughly 6 miles from the M5. Depending on traffic, this journey usually takes around 15 minutes. Follow the brown signs labelled ‘Cathedral’ from the motorway to Gloucester Cathedral.Park and Ride
A Park and Ride service into Gloucester is available from Waterwells Park and Ride. Buses run daily including Sunday for around £3.00 per person for a return ticket. To get to the Park and Ride, type in GL2 2AB to a SatNav. Buses depart every fifteen minutes. The journey into Gloucester lasts approximately 30 minutes. Leave the bus at stop Z1. As you get off the bus turn right. When you get to the end of road (approximately 1 minute), turn left on to Eastgate Street.Continue along Eastgate Street, over the cross road down Westgate Street. Walk for another 2 minutes down Westgate Street and you will see College Street and the Cathedral on your right.The bus back to the Park and Ride goes from the same street you arrived on, but on the other side of the road.By Train
Trains run everyday from all over the country to Gloucester Railway Station. It takes around two hours to get here from London. Check the National Rail website for more information. Trains run from major cities like London, Birmingham, Bath, and Bristol to Gloucester. From London by train – you can take a train from London Paddington to Gloucester in about 2 hours. Book your tickets on the Trainline.To get to the Cathedral from the railway station, you can either get a taxi or walk. A taxi costs around $6.76. Andy Cars is a local taxi service. Alternatively, it is approximately a 10-15 minute walk. Turn right out of the train station and go down the slope to the traffic lights. Turn right at The Station Hotel and continue straight. When you get to a set of traffic lights, cross over left to Northgate Street. Continue down Northgate Street for around 5 minutes. When you get to a cross roads turn right down Westgate Street. Walk for another 2 minutes down Westgate Street and you will see College Street and the Cathedral on your right. (Google Maps directions here) Bus Station
Buses run to and from Gloucester Bus Station every day. From London by bus – you can take a coach from Heathrow Airport to Gloucester in 3.5 hours. You can also arrive by bus from other UK cities like Bristol, Bath and Oxford.To get to the Gloucester Cathedral from the Bus station, you can either get a taxi or walk (10-15 mins). A taxi costs around $6.76. Andy Cars is a local taxi service.Opening Hours
Before you plan your visit, check the Gloucester Cathedral website for the latest opening hours and any special events that may affect your visit. Keep in mind that the cathedral is a working church, so some areas may be 
Exploring the Gloucester Cathedral
A Brief History on Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral, originally founded in 678 AD, showcases stunning Gothic architecture and is known for its beautiful stained glass windows and impressive fan-vaulted ceilings. Beyond its cinematic significance, the cathedral is steeped in history, with notable figures such as King Edward II being buried here.Harry Potter Film Locations at Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral served as a filming location for several key scenes in the Harry Potter series. Here are the main locations to look out for:The Cloisters
The cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral are perhaps the most famous Harry Potter filming location. Gloucester Cathedral's cloisters, particularly the Chapter House, were used as filming locations for several iconic scenes in the first two Harry Potter films, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". Most notably, the cloisters served as the hallways of Hogwarts, with the Chapter House specifically transformed into Professor McGonagall's classroom.What to see: As you walk through the cloisters, you’ll recognize the stunning arches and intricate stonework that served as the backdrop for memorable moments, such as when Harry, Ron, and Hermione discuss the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets.Specifically, the Gloucester Cathedral cloisters were used for:Hogwarts Corridors
The hallways in the cloisters were used for various scenes, including where Harry and Ron hid from the troll in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.Hogwarts Lavatorium
The Lavatorium is located in the North corridor of the cathedral was used during Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone when Harry and Ron hide from the troll.
This is right after Professor Quirrell comes running into the Great Hall shouting ‘troll! In the dungeons! Thought you ought to know!’. Quirrell then drops to the floor and the students go wild as Dumbledore tries his best to calm them all down.Since they know Hermione is in the girl’s bathroom, Harry and Ron run down to the dungeons and hide in the Lavatorium while the troll walks by dragging his bat on the floor.
Note: The actual bathroom scene where they defeat the troll doesn’t happen in the Lavatorium, Harry and Ron run down the corridor and hide in the Lavatorium directly after Professor Quirral’s “troll in the dungeon!” scene. Where Harry Hides Listening to Snape and Malfoy Talking
The Lavatorium was used again for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. During this scene, Harry hides in the Lavatorium and eaves drops on a conversation between Snape and Draco Malfoy about the Unbreakable Vow taken by Snape.North Corridor: Enemies of the Heir, Beware.
The North Corridor at Gloucester Cathedral was used in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets during the scene where the message: ”The Chamber of Secrets has opened. Enemies of the heir beware” appears written on the wall in blood.Where Moaning Myrtle Floods the Corridor from the Girl’s Bathroom
The East Corridor in the cloisters is where Moaning Myrtle flooded the toilets. During this scene in Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, Harry and Ron splash through the flooded second floor at Hogwarts. You can recognize the East Corridor by the big red door marking the entrance.The filmmakers even created a temporary waterproof layer on the floor and used gallons of water to achieve the desired effect. Traces of the flooding can ever so slightly still be seen on the floor. New Students Entering Hogwarts for the First Time
The South Corridor is on your right as you enter the cloisters from the lobby. The South Corridor was used for filming the scene in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, where we see Hogwarts students entering Hogwarts for the first time. They’re led down the corridor by Professor McGonagall after arriving on the Hogwarts Express. Percy Weasley Leads the First Year Students
This Corridor is where Percy Weasley leads the new Gryffindors after the Great Hall sorting ceremony to the Gryffindor Common Room door where the painting of the fat lady greets them.The Door to the Gryffindor Common Room in Philosopher’s Stone
The West Corridor (specifically the West End Door) served as the entrance to the Gryffindor common room in the first film, complete with the portrait of the Fat Lady demanding the password.West Corridor: Corridors
The West Corridor was also used in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for the scene where Harry and Ron are confronted by Professor McGonagall about skipping class. How to Find your Bearings In Gloucester Cathedral
The South Corridor is on your right as you enter the cloisters from the lobby. With its intricate carvings and stained glass artwork. To find the North Corridor, look for the Lavatorium. The sinks have deep grooves making the Lavatories pretty easy to find. The big red door (to your left when facing the Lavatorium) marks the start of East Corridor. 
Fun Facts about the filming of Harry Potter in the Gloucester Cathedral Cloisters
During the flood caused by Moaning Myrtle in the second film, the filmmakers constructed a special container to divert water from a water tank outside to the garden in the center of the cloisters so that the cloisters didn’t get damaged by waterThe smaller brown door on East Corridor (near the Moaning Myrtle door) – was a darker color before Harry Potter filming began. The crew painted it brown to make it look more like Hogwarts. Ironically, it never even appeared on screen, lol.In the Chamber of Secrets, a second wall was created for the blood-covered wall scenes so the real cloister walls weren’t ruined or harmed.All of the light switches had to be hidden under panels so they wouldn’t appear in movies.
Guided Tours at Gloucester Cathedral
If you want to learn about all the Harry Potter filming locations at Gloucester Cathedral from one of their experts, the Highlights Tour is the one to try. You also get to learn about the lives of the monks who lived at the Gloucester Cathedral. A full list of guided tours can be found here.
Gloucester Cathedral Gift Shop and The Monk's Kitchen Café
Don’t forget to stop by the cathedral’s gift shop, where you can find various Harry Potter-themed souvenirs. The café is also a great place to relax and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee after your explorations.
Monk's Kitchen Café Opening Hours
Monday - Saturday
10am - 4pmSunday
Closed
Monk's Kitchen Café Food and Drink Offerings
Situated just off the west walk of the cloisters, you will find a selection of beverages, cakes, hot soup, homemade quiches and sandwiches, and we have a range of Fair-Trade tea and coffee.The Monk's Kitchen also offers a number of different Afternoon Teas which are perfect for any special occasion. Our delicious 'Savoury Tea', features a cheese scone, cheddar cheese, chutney and a hot or cold drink of your choice.You can download the full menu here
Additional Offerings at Gloucester Cathedral
Best Tips for Visiting Gloucester Cathedral
Arrive Early for Empty Walking Videos and Reenacting Scenes for Photos
The Gloucester Cathedral can be busy, so arriving early is recommended. Especially if you want empty videos and photos. Some suggest visiting later in the day to potentially encounter fewer crowds, although you may feel rushed going later.Look up at the High Vaulted Ceiling
The stunning high vaulted ceiling of the cathedral is visible in several shots throughout the films. It represents the grandeur of Hogwarts and is particularly visible in scenes featuring the Great Hall.What to see: Stand in the main body of the church and look up to appreciate the intricate design of the ceiling, which resembles the grandeur of the Hogwarts Great Hall.Consider a Guided Tour
Consider joining a guided tour to gain deeper insights into the history of the cathedral and its filming locations. Many tours cater specifically to Harry Potter fans, providing fun trivia and behind-the-scenes stories.Be Respectful
This is your friendly reminder to be respectful of the sacred nature of the space and of others who may be visiting for worship. Capture the magic, but also take time to soak in the atmosphere.
Where to Stay in Gloucester
During our most recent trip, we stayed at Premier Inn Gloucester. The room was clean, our bathroom had a tub, planty of outlets for charging camera gear, and most importantly we felt safe. It's an affordable hotel option if you just need a place to spend the night . Premier Inn Gloucester (Quayside) serves hot dinners and all-you-can-eat Premier Breakfast for additional fees. Under 16s can eat breakfast free.Premier Inn Gloucester (Quayside)
Address: Bakers Quay, St Ann Way, GL1 5BQSat Nav Directions:GL1 5SFNightly rates for a standard room start at: $343 + taxLimited free onsite car parking available at this hotel. Alternative parking is available at Gloucester Quays (GL1 5SF) for $13.52 per 24 hours.Website says there is AC, but our room did NOT HAVE AIR CONDITIONING
Transport and local information:
Gloucester Cathedral – 1.3 milesGloucester Docks – 0.3 mileGloucester Quays – 0.5 milesGloucester Railway Station – 1.2 milesCotswolds AONB – 16 miles
For more Gloucester hotel options, click here.
View looking out from our hotel room
Other Things to do in Gloucester
If you're looking to explore more of the area, you could venture to the nearby Forest of Dean, where parts of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 were filmed. You could also consider a Harry Potter filming locations tour that includes Gloucester and Lacock, which was also used for filming, including Godric's Hollow. If you have time to explore Gloucester further, consider visiting:The Gloucester Docks: Once the heart of industry, it's now a lively area for waterside dining, cafes, shopping, and museums.For shopping: Check out Gloucester Quays Designer OutletThe Museum of Gloucester: Dive deeper into the city’s history and heritage.Robinswood Hill Country Park: For a nature escape with stunning views of the city.
Places to Eat in Gloucester
Gloucester offers a variety of restaurants. For seafood, consider Seaport Grille, Lobsta Land Restaurant, or The Gloucester House Restaurant. For a more upscale experience, 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar has awesome reviews. Per hotel staff, The Causeway Restaurant is popular spot for American and seafood. For something different, Azorean Restaurant & Bar offers a unique menu.We were only there for one night, so grabbed dinner at Nando’s located at the Gloucester Quays.Nando’s Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 11:30am – 10pmAddress: Unit 105a, Designer Outlet, Gloucester Quays, Merchant's Rd
Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL1 5SH
Overall Thoughts on Visiting Gloucester Cathedral
While the city of Gloucester city centre looks quite rundown, visiting Gloucester Cathedral is a must for any Harry Potter fan. Walking through the same halls and cloisters that served as the backdrop for Hogwarts will make you feel like you’ve stepped right into the Harry Potter movies. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply appreciate beautiful architecture, Gloucester Cathedral offers a magical experience that you won’t forget. So grab your wand (and camera), and prepare for a core memory day in this historic and magical cathedral.
Other Movies Filmed at Gloucester Cathedral
Sherlock (2015)Wolf Hall (2015)The White Princess (2017)Mary Queen of Scots (2018)Spanish Princess (2020)Peter Rabbit 2 (2020)Doctor Who – Fugitive of the Judoon (2020) and The Next Doctor (2008)The White Princess (2017)The Famous Five (2023)
Disclaimer: All information provided in this blog post was accurate at the time of writing, including experience offerings and details, opening times, and location availability.