Magicbus: Harry Potter Film Locations Tour — Family-friendly plan
A compact, family-friendly plan built around the 2-hour MagicBus Harry Potter film-locations tour from Embankment. Includes meeting details, what you'll see on the bus (photo stops at Lambeth Bridge, Horse Guards Parade, Leadenhall Market/Diagon Alley, Great Scotland Yard, Australia House/Gringotts), and a relaxed post-tour snack nearby for families.
In Collaboration with Londoner Buses LTD. Updated on February 13, 2026.
This itinerary was created in collaboration with Londoner Buses LTD, inspired by the tour Magicbus: Harry Potter Film Locations Tour. Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Board a purple Routemaster-style 'MagicBus' for a guided 2‑hour film-locations tour
- Photo stops at Lambeth Bridge, Horse Guards Parade, Leadenhall Market (Diagon Alley) and Great Scotland Yard
- Interactive Hogwarts House selection and kid-friendly quiz onboard
- Short, stroller-friendly route with clear bathroom/snack breaks
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Itinerary
Day 1
Meet at Embankment and join the 2‑hour MagicBus Harry Potter film-locations tour; short family-friendly debrief and snack after the tour.
Meet & check-in — Embankment (Bus Stop) — arrive 15 minutes before start
Gather at the Embankment meeting point to check in and choose your Hogwarts House. The guide will confirm seats and safety info before boarding the MagicBus.
Tips from local experts:
- Arrive 15 minutes early: the tour operator asks groups to be checked in 15 minutes before departure — this avoids delays and helps families settle children into seats.
- Stroller note: you can fold a lightweight stroller and keep it with you on the pavement next to the bus — bring a small strap or bag for valuables; ask staff for the best boarding spot for stroller storage.
- Facilities nearby: Embankment station has toilets and baby-change facilities (follow station signage). If anyone needs last-minute snacks, there’s a Pret A Manger and several kiosks within a 2–3 minute walk.
MagicBus Harry Potter Film Locations Tour (onboard experience)
Two-hour guided ride aboard the purple Routemaster-style MagicBus. Family-friendly narration, Hogwarts House selection, interactive quiz and multiple short photo stops at key London filming locations (Lambeth Bridge, Horse Guards Parade, Leadenhall Market/Diagon Alley, Great Scotland Yard, Australia House/Gringotts). The route is stroller-friendly with short walks only for photo stops.
Tips from local experts:
- Onboard rest breaks: the guide will announce short photo stop pauses; if younger kids need toilets, ask the guide — the bus will stop near public toilets or station exits whenever possible.
- Photo-stop logistics: most stops are curbside or short, level walks — bring a light carrier or small fold-up stroller for faster movement; Leadenhall Market has cobbles, so use a stroller with larger wheels or carry little ones for the best photos.
- Keep kids engaged: the onboard Hogwarts House selection and quiz are designed for families — bring small prizes (stickers, chocolate) to reward correct answers and keep younger children motivated during transfers.
Post-tour relaxed snack — Bill's Covent Garden (family-friendly)
After you disembark back at Embankment, walk or take a short Tube ride to Covent Garden for a relaxed family snack/early dinner at Bill's — kid-friendly menu, high chairs and a relaxed atmosphere to debrief the tour and look through photos.
- Monday8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Wednesday8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Saturday8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday8:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Tips from local experts:
- Kid-friendly menu: Bill's offers children’s meals and high chairs; if anyone has allergies, staff are generally used to accommodating requests — ask when ordering.
- Travel tip from Embankment: take the District/Circle line from Embankment to Temple then a 6–8 minute walk, or it's about a 16–20 minute family walk along the river if kids still have energy.
- Quiet seating request: ask for a corner or booth when you arrive — it keeps kids contained and provides space for backpacks/strollers; booking ahead (or arriving 10–15 minutes early) helps at busy times.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 1 |
| Highlights | 4 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Families |
| Transfers | - |
| Restaurants | 1 |
| Total Activities | 3 |
| Total Places | 3 |
| Activities Types | Neighborhood, Experience, Restaurant |
Why this experience
A guided open-top bus tour of Harry Potter filming locations across central London, followed by free time at King's Cross for the famous Platform 9¾ photo. Designed for families with children aged 5+ who love the wizarding world and want to see where the magic was made. This isn't just a bus ride—the guide brings each location to life with film clips, behind-the-scenes stories, and quiz questions that keep kids (and adults) engaged throughout.
You'll start at the Ministry of Magic entrance on Great Scotland Yard, learning how this nondescript London street became a portal to the wizarding world. The bus then winds through Whitehall and Downing Street, giving context about "Muggle London" and how real British government influenced the films. At Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus, you'll see where the entrance to the Wizarding World was hidden in plain sight. Leicester Square and the Palace Theatre are revealed as the venue for the Cursed Child stage play, bringing the magical world to life off-screen as well.
The highlight is Leadenhall Market—a covered Victorian market that transformed into Diagon Alley on film. Your guide will point out the exact spots where key scenes were filmed, describe what actors wore and where they stood, and help your children imagine the chaos and wonder of filming in a real, centuries-old London market. By the end of the bus tour, you'll have time to photograph Platform 9¾ at King's Cross and visit the Harry Potter shop there, making it a fully immersive magical day.
Before you go
- Best time: Autumn and spring. Summer brings intense crowds and heat to King's Cross and Leadenhall Market. Winter is atmospheric and less crowded. Avoid peak school holidays (July-August) if possible.
- Budget: Check the booking widget for tour pricing, which usually includes bus transport and guide commentary. Budget additionally for the Platform 9¾ shop, any snacks, and photos at iconic locations.
- Difficulty: Easy. This is mostly sitting on an open-top bus with walking breaks at key locations. Total distance is 3-4 miles, but done slowly and with frequent stops.
- What to bring: Comfortable shoes for walking at stops, a light jacket or sweater (open-top buses can be cool), sunscreen, water, snacks, camera, and a notebook for your child to sketch or take notes.
- Getting there: Meet at a central London location, typically King's Cross station (Northern, Piccadilly, Circle, Metropolitan, and Hammersmith & City lines). Your operator will confirm the exact meeting point.
- Accessibility: Open-top buses have stairs and are not wheelchair-accessible. Some operators offer lower-deck viewing. Confirm accessibility options when booking. Walking breaks are minimal and on level ground.
Frequently asked questions
What if my child hasn't seen all the Harry Potter films? The guide explains key plot points and shows film clips on screens or tablets during the tour. Children familiar with the stories will recognize locations instantly; those less familiar will learn about them from the guide.
How long is the bus tour? Usually 2-2.5 hours on the bus, plus 1-1.5 hours free time at King's Cross for Platform 9¾ and the shop. Total experience is 3.5-4 hours.
Is Leadenhall Market crowded? Yes, especially in summer. The guide knows the quietest times to visit and the best angles for photos. The market is still a working market, so you'll see regular shoppers mixed with tourists.
Can we skip the bus and just walk to locations? This itinerary is designed as a guided bus tour, which covers more ground and gives context faster. If you prefer a walking version, see the related self-guided Harry Potter walking tour itinerary.
What's included in this itinerary? The bookable experience includes open-top bus transport, professional guide commentary, and access to all filming locations. Some tours include a Platform 9¾ shop visit; others include lunch. The itinerary on TheNextGuide is free to read and provides background on each filming location, film plot context, and information about London's real history beneath the wizarding world.
Complete your trip in London
Pair your Harry Potter bus tour with other family London experiences.
- London in 1 day - Platform 9¾ at King's Cross — A walking alternative covering similar Harry Potter locations on foot.
- The Magic Circle family day - Exclusive tour with live performance — Another family day near King's Cross featuring live magic performances.
- Family-friendly 3-day London - Museums, Harry Potter, parks and river fun — Extend your trip with a three-day family itinerary mixing wizarding world magic with London's museums and parks.
Browse all London itineraries at TheNextGuide.
Last updated: April 2026
