Kings Cross Station

Where Harry Potter departs for Hogwarts

Kings Cross
London
England

On This Very Spot in 1968, Bernie Taupin of Lincolnshire arrived in London to meet his songwriting partner, the future Elton John. For two years Taupin traveled back and forth from this station, working with Elton during the week and returning home on the weekends. The experience inspired the 1975 song "Tell Me When the Whistle Blows," set in this station and accompanied on the lyric sheet by a photograph of this very spot.

On This Very Spot, according to the series of books written by J. K. Rowling, boy wizard Harry Potter departs for the Hogwarts School of Wizardry from the fictional Platform 9 3/4. Those scenes in the Harry Potter movies were filmed on this very spot.

Related Spot: The exterior shots of the train station in the Harry Potter movies are actually of the adjoining St. Pancras Station.

Visit This Very Spot

This spot is located outdoors and is accessible to the public 24/7/365.

Condition: This is an operating rail and tube station open to the public most hours. The entire Kings Cross/St Pancras area is undergoing massive £2 billion ($3.6 billion) regeneration.

Public Access: This is an operating rail & tube station.

Nearest Major Airport: London

Nearest Subway: Kings Cross/St Pancras

Latitude: 51.532100; Longitude: -0.123300

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Photos

Kings Cross Station

The Fictional Platform 9 3/4

As a testament to the immense popularity of the Harry Potter books, the station has playfully added banners announcing the Hogwarts Express.

Click to enlarge.

Harry Potter's Disappearing Handcart