Is Diagon Alley based on the shambles?

The city's most famous street, which has several Potter-themed shops, is a hot spot for fans of the hugely popular series. But J.K. Rowling, the world renowned author behind the Potter books, has now all but confirmed that Shambles wasn't the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in her novels.

What was Diagon Alley based on?

Diagon Alley / Victoria Street

It's easy to see where J.K. Rowling got her inspiration for Diagon Alley. Victoria Street curves down towards the Grassmarket and is within Edinburgh's Old Town - recognised as a World Heritage site.

Was The Shambles used in Harry Potter?

Shambles, York

Whilst this historic street has never officially been used as a filming location, it is said to have inspired Diagon Alley, though this has not been confirmed by JK Rowling, the film version of Diagon Alley has an uncanny resemblance to Shambles.

What is Diagon Alley Modelled after?

York's historic Shambles is proving popular with Harry Potter fans from around the world. The street is said to be an inspiration for the fictional Diagon Alley, the magical merchant market from the wizarding world of Harry Potter.

Where was Diagon Alley modeled after?

The Shambles, York

All independent stores and timber-framed buildings, the medieval street is also said to have inspired the Diagon Alley street filming set in the wizarding films.

Visiting The Real Life Diagon Alley | The Shambles York | Harry Potter

Where did J.K. Rowling get the idea of Diagon Alley?

Victoria Street

This colourful curved street is said to have been the inspiration for Diagon Alley, where Harry and his wizarding friends buy everything they need for a school year at Hogwarts. Victoria Street is close to the cafés where J K Rowling did her writing and could well have inspired her as she walked by.

Where is Diagon Alley located in real life?

Diagon Alley is located in London. But the real-life inspiration for the street is thought to be Victoria Street in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city. BuzzFeed and Forever Edinburgh report that the street is rumored to be the inspiration behind Diagon Alley and recommend it to "Harry Potter" fans visiting the city.

Was Diagon Alley inspired by York?

Shambles is one of York's most famous landmarks and one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe. With its cobbled streets and overhanging buildings, it is believed to have been the inspiration behind Diagon Alley from the movie adaptation of the Harry Potter series.

Why did Harry say diagonally instead of Diagon Alley?

However, instead of saying "Diagon Alley", Harry was nervous and said "diagonally". Therefore he accidentally ended up at Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley.

What is the dark version of Diagon Alley?

Knockturn Alley is a shopping area off Diagon Alley in London. It is filled with shops devoted to the Dark Arts,, including Borgin and Burkes, which specialises in objects that have curious and strong magical properties. Usually, unusual and dangerous people walk around there.

Did slavery exist in Harry Potter?

The same happens with the case of slavery and house-elves: In Harry Potter, slavery (which is strongly related to the British history) is presented in the form of house-elves, a magical creature original to the Harry Potter series.

What house was Hagrid?

He was a Gryffindor

Hagrid's Hogwarts house is never mentioned in the books, but, given his kindness, noble nature and bravery, it might not come as that much of a surprise that Hagrid was in Gryffindor.

Does the Leaky Cauldron exist?

In the Harry Potter books, the Leaky Cauldron is a pub on Charing cross Road. However, for the films, three locations were used. In Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, Harry and Hagrid enter the Leaky Cauldron via what is now the Glasshouse opticians shop, in Bull's Head Passage, Leadenhall Market.

Are muggles allowed in Diagon Alley?

Diagon Alley is a high street located in London. It is accessible to the wizarding world, to which it is something of an economic hub, but hidden from Muggles (non-magical people). However, Muggles are allowed access to it if they need to accompany their Muggle-born magical children.

Is there really a platform 9 3 4?

For those of you that have ever read a Harry Potter book or seen one of the films, Platform 9 3/4 needs no introduction. For those of you who haven't, this pseudo-fictional location at Kings Cross train station is where the Hogwarts Express begins!

Why did platform 9 3 4 close?

Chamber of Secrets is the only book where we don't see platform nine and three-quarters at all – Dobby “helpfully” seals it shut to try to protect Harry from harm. Harry and Ron, now firm friends and partners in crime, recklessly decide to get themselves to Hogwarts in Mr Weasley's illegal flying car.

Why is Knockturn Alley bad?

Shunned by all right-thinking wizards, Knockturn Alley is the place where you would go to buy a Hand of Glory, Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent, or "things that looked alarmingly like whole human fingernails".

Is Diagon Alley behind the leaky cauldron?

Located at 1 Diagon Alley, The Leaky Cauldron was nested between a Muggle bookshop and a record store. Inside the pub, it was dark and shabby, with a bar and a number of tables in the shadows of the corners.

Why is it called The Shambles in York?

A Historic Legacy:

Originally a street of butchers' shops, the name “Shambles” is derived from the Old English word “fleshammels,” meaning “slaughterhouses.” While the street's primary purpose has evolved over the centuries, its well-preserved architecture and narrow layout have remained remarkably intact.

Is The Shambles the oldest street?

The Shambles is the oldest street in York with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. It was once known as The Great Flesh Shambles, probably from the Anglo-Saxon Fleshammels (literally 'flesh-shelves'), the word for the shelves that butchers used to display their meat.

How did J.K. Rowling come up with the Hogwarts houses?

On Friday, J.K. Rowling revealed the long-awaited answer. In answer to another writer's tweet about writing on napkins when there wasn't access to pen and paper, she tweeted: "The best thing I ever wrote on was an aeroplane sick bag. Came up with the Hogwarts houses on it."

Why is Ollivanders in Hogsmeade and not Diagon Alley?

Ollivanders moved to Hogsmeade just for Universal Studios. If you've read the books or seen the movies, you know that Ollivanders is technically located in Diagon Alley where most of the back-to-Hogwarts shopping occurs.

Does America have a Diagon Alley?

A recreation of Hogsmeade is housed at Islands of Adventure while a recreation of Diagon Alley is housed at Universal Studios Florida. In the book series, Ollivanders wand shop is located in Diagon Alley, not Hogsmeade; however, installations of the shop are present in both areas of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Where is Hogwarts school in real life?

Most exterior scenes were shot on location at Alnwick Castle, but views of the exterior of the entire school were created from shots of Durham Cathedral with a digital spire added to the towers. Durham Cathedral also served as a set for Hogwarts interiors.