Sunday | Welcome to London
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Welcome to our Harry Potter Wonder & Magic Program. Today we will transfer you from London airports. We'll take you to our dorm in the city centre or our English neighbourhood near the world-famous Thames River in Richmond. We will start exploring both neighbourhoods after a short break by introducing bus stops, supermarkets, pharmacies and other important local points. This is what you need when you visit a new place. Tonight, a light welcome meal will be served.
Duration: 2 hours
Monday's English Activity Programme : Westminster City - The Ministry of Magic
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Houses of Parliament
The Houses of Parliament, known also as the Palace of Westminster is where the two Houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (the House of Lords and the House of Commons) conduct their sittings. They lie on the north bank of the River Thames in the London borough of the City of Westminster, close by other government buildings in Whitehall. The oldest part of the building is still in existence, Westminster Hall, which dates from 1097. The palace originally served as a royal residence, but no monarch has lived in it since the 16th century. Most of the present Houses of Parliament structure dates from the 19th century when the Palace was rebuilt after it was almost entirely destroyed by a fire in 1834. The architects responsible for rebuilding the Palace was Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Pugin, and the building is an example of the Gothic revival.
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Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a Church, burial ground, coronation site and much more, Westminster Abbey continues to attract visitors over 900 years after its founding. In many respects the architecture is common. There's the traditional cross-shaped floor plan with a nave, north and south transepts and several round side areas. But both its execution and use raise The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster (the official name) to among the highest examples of church construction. Here at Westminster Abbey lie buried kings and poets, scientists and philosophers who have themselves raised humankind to the highest levels. Isaac Newton and James Clerk Maxwell (discoverer of electromagnetic theory, which later lead to radio and TV), Chaucer and Kipling, Dr. Samuel Johnson (creator of the first English dictionary) and many other justly famous names are interred here.
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Whitehall
Time to find the entrance to The Ministry of Magic and see where the muggle Prime Minister lives. Because Tuesday’s English Activity Programme will be Harry Potter themed. Meanwhile, now that we are in Whitehall, we will also mention our executed King who lost his head very close to the Ministry of Magic. We also share how the author J.K. Rowling inspired by British history and mythology while creating the Harry Potter image on her mind. You're right in the heart of this culture. Enjoy!
Duration: 2 hours
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Time to pass Westminster Tube Station where Mr Arthur Weasley struggles to pass through the gates on the way to the Ministry of Magic. Like Harry, you will use your travelcards to pass through the gates. The station is closed very first time for WB's shot.
Duration: 15 minutes
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After a lovely morning of Harry Potter activities, we will return to Balham for your English lessons which are scheduled between 14:30 and 17:30 at our language school in London.
Duration: 3 hours
Tuesday's English Activity Programme - Natural History Museum
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Natural History Museum
Are you ready to see the real-life Fantastic Beasts? Then the Natural History Museum is a perfect place for this. Try to recall the creatures of Harry Potter's world by examining the animals in the museum. The Natural History Museum tour is a day of science and fun activities for all the family. Housing a staggering 70 million items, there are five main collections: Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, Palaeontology and Zoology. The Museum is renowned for its exhibition of dinosaur skeletons in a particularly large gallery of Dinosaurs, including a spectacular Diplodocus and Tyrannosaurus Rex. You can find the answers to such questions as who lived when and where who were predators and prey and what happened to them. You will be guided throughout the museum by science background Potterhead guides who can answer all your questions. You will begin with the Blue Zone proceeding through the Dinosaur Gallery to the fish, amphibians and reptiles before heading to Human biology with images of nature and mammals. You will be able to take a photograph of a blue whale model and then see specimens of marine invertebrates. After a break in the cafe, you will proceed to Green Zone where Creepy Crawlies, Fossil Marine Reptiles, Fossils from Britain and birds can be seen. Then you will head to Red Zone through the Earth sculpture via an escalator for magnificent Volcanoes and Earthquakes, Restless Surface galleries. One floor up, you will visit Minerals, Treasures, The Vault and the oldest tree in the world, Grand Sequoia. After visiting Darwin Centre, you can enjoy excellent Wildlife Garden with its tranquil habitat for its visitors here in the Natural History Museum in London today.
Duration: 2 hours
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After visiting the world’s favourite natural history museum we will return to Balham for your Harry Potter-themed English lessons that are scheduled between 14:30 and 17:30 at our language school in London.
Duration: 3 hours
Wednesday's English Activity Programme - Kings Cross Platform 9 3/4 and Harry Potter Movie Locations
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Platform 9 3/4
Those who don't want to shop and prefer to visit The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾; the home of Harry Potter's Wizarding World merchandise, souvenirs, and collectables, simply follow us, we will take you to Harry Potter's world in London. Here in this spot, you will even have the chance to be photographed by dashing through the walls of Platform 9 3/4. This activity may take some time as it is very popular and waiting in the line can take up to more than an hour. Kings Cross Station is the shrine for the Potterheads. During our visit, we will also mention the inspiration points of the author J.K. Rowling while creating Harry Potter's world of wizardry. Follow us for an immaculate Harry Potter experience in Kings Cross, London.
Duration: 2 hours
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Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4
Whilst others are waiting on the photo line, Potterheads can stroll in Harry Potter's Shop in Kings Cross Station. This is where
A quick break for a time in the official Harry Potter shop where you can find all Harry Potter sealed products exclusively. This lovely shop is the official home of Harry Potter’s Wizarding World merchandise, souvenirs and collectables in London. Many of products are exclusives, and can only be found here and you will love this store.
Duration: 45 minutes
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St Pancras Renaissance Hotel
Our Harry Potter's London Tour begins at Kings Cross, the front gate of St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel where Harry and Ron parked Mr Weasley’s flying Ford Anglia in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets series. You will also learn the history of this magnificent Hotel during the tour. St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is the second marvel of British architecture, known as the Cathedral of railways. It's a monument that turns London into a modern metropolis today.
Duration: 20 minutes
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After visiting the magic world of Harry Potter we will return to Balham for your Harry Potter-themed English lessons that are scheduled between 14:30 and 17:30 at our language school in London.
Duration: 3 hours
Thursday's English Activity Programme - Leaky Cauldron - Millenium Bridge - Gringott Bank
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Leadenhall Market
Today we will visit Leaky Cauldron in London’s pretty Leadenhall Market, Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. You will realize that the store is an optician actually. Remember this is the iconic spot of the conversation between Harry and Hagrid:
“Can we find all this in London?”
“If you know, where to go!”
Leadenhall Market is a covered market in the City of London, designed in 1881, with cheesemongers, butchers, florists, and some commercial retailers. Harry Potter and Rubeus Hagrid passed through Leadenhall Market on their way to the Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley on 31 July, 1991. It's the birthday of the writer J.K. Rowling and also Harry found out he was a wizard.
Duration: 30 minutes
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The Monument to the Great Fire of London
With a very short walk, we shall visit the Monument and climb the stairs. Why? So that you can see both Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast. You will remember both sites from while Harry Potter flies over the Thames in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix film. It’s an optional extension if you require. Before you visit Westminster Tube Station, you will go to the Millennium Bridge that was destroyed by Death Eaters and Fenrir Greyback. You will also be able to see Tate Modern there.
Actually The Monument to the Great Fire of London, more commonly known simply as the Monument, is a Doric column in London, United Kingdom, situated near the northern end of London Bridge. Commemorating the Great Fire of London, it stands at the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill, 202 feet (62 m) in height and 202 feet west of the spot in Pudding Lane where the Great Fire started on 2 September 1666. Constructed between 1671 and 1677, it was built on the site of St. Margaret's, Fish Street, the first church to be destroyed by the Great Fire. The Monument comprises a fluted Doric column built of Portland stone topped with a gilded urn of fire. It was designed by Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke. Its height marks its distance from the site of the shop of Thomas Farriner (or Farynor), the king's baker, where the blaze began. Hear the story of how London missed its opportunity to be a highly planned city of all times.
Duration: 45 minutes
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Being close to Temple station, we will visit Gringotts Wizarding Bank where dozens of goblins work under cobwebbed chandeliers. That's the Australia House in Strand we see in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Today, Gringotts Wizarding Bank is The High Commission of Australia in London is the diplomatic mission of Australia in the United Kingdom. It is located in Australia House and it was Australia's first diplomatic mission and is the longest continuously occupied diplomatic mission in the United Kingdom.
Duration: 25 minutes
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After all those Harry Potter marvels in London, we will proceed to our school as Harry Potter-themed English lessons will be scheduled between 14:30 and 17:30 at our language school in London.
Duration: 3 hours
Friday's English Activity Programme - Shopping in London
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Oxford Street
Let’s go shopping in some of London’s most iconic shops. Yes, Harry Potter related items too. We know the hidden gems. Well, it's time to practise in English while shopping. Shopping = Oxford Street.. Oxford Street is one of London’s stretching between Tottenham Court Road and Marble Arch. It’s also Oxford Street is one of London’s artery stretching between Tottenham Court Road and Marble Arch. It’s also Europe’s busiest shopping street hosting around half million visitors daily. Today, there are more than 300 shops, cafes, restaurants, language schools, department stores and many more. It’s the heart of daily business, fun, leisure and of course shopping in London. Like everywhere in London, Oxford Street has its history. The street route used to be part of the Via Trinobantina, a Roman route that passes through London between Hampshire and Essex. It was known as the Tyburn Road during the Middle Ages when Tyburn Gallows was also known for its public hangings. It became known as Oxford Road and then Oxford Street in the 18th century and began to change from residential to commercial and retail use by the late 19th century, attracting street traders, confidence tricksters and prostitution. The first department stores in the UK opened in the early 20th century, including Selfridges, John Lewis & Partners and HMV. Unlike nearby shopping streets such as Bond Street, it has retained an element of downmarket trading alongside more prestigious retail stores. The street suffered heavy bombing during World War II, and several longstanding stores including John Lewis were completely destroyed and rebuilt from scratch. Oxford Street, with several chain stores on the street and a number of buildings listed, remains in demand as a retail place amid the competition of other shopping malls, including Westfield Stratford City and the Brent Cross Shopping Centre. Because shopping is simply a tradition on this street and especially tourists love this experience during their stay in London.
Duration: 2 hours
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After our shopping in Oxford Street, we will proceed to our English school for Harry Potter themed lessons. Your last lessons will be scheduled between 14:30 and 17:30 at our language school in London.
Duration: 3 hours
Saturday's English Activity Programme - Harry Potter's Oxford (Wow!)
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Christ Church
Prepare yourself for the journey of your life. Your Harry Potter journey starts with Christ Church; the grand stairway up to Hogwarts is where Harry, Ron, Hermione and other first years walked up,' where Professor McGonagall meets under the stunning Gothic roof. Here too, at the end of the film, the three are reunited. An inspiration for Hogwarts Dining Hall for all of the Harry Potter films has been one of Oxford's most famous rooms. From photographs in the Tudor Great Hall, a studio set has been created and used to make movies. Did you know that all moving portraits were from producers that were working on the films to immortalise them in Harry Potter films? The starting point of this idea is simply because of the portraits in the Great Hall. Next venue in Christ Church is the Stairway. You will remember this spot in the Chamber of Secrets film. In the Ford Anglia, Harry and Ron fly to Hogwarts, take these stairs and face Argus Filch. It is the place used for Harry and Tom Riddle's first meeting. The last venue in Christ Church is the Cloisters. You remember that Hermione shows the trophy won by her dad in Quidditch as the seeker. The scene was shot outside the bookshop.
Christ Church is one of the famous colleges in Oxford. The School of British Prime Ministers of all times was founded by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Cardinal and statesman of Henry VIII. The Chapel of the College is doubled as the Cathedral of the city. The Grand Hall of the Harry Potter was filmed in three different spots. On the walls there are portraits of alumni–Prime Ministers, churchmen and philosophers; and Alice in Wonderland writer Lewis Carroll was teaching at the university. Christ Church has a number of architecturally significant buildings including Tom Tower (proudly designed by Sir Christopher Wren an Oxford professor, architect, inventor, astronomer and physicist) Tom Quad (the largest quadrangle in Oxford), and the Great Dining Hall which was also the seat of the parliament assembled by King Charles I during the English Civil War. Our APTG qualified blue badge tourist guides will tell you all interesting stories about Christ Church.
Duration: 45 minutes
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Alice’s Shop
Yes, Alice is in Wonderland is real. In the Victorian era, its customers included Alice Liddell, daughter of Henry Liddell, who was Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, which is opposite the shop. Alice, who used to buy sweets at the shop, was the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. We are talking about one of the most famous little shops in the world is right up there, just across the road from Christ Church College. The Alice’s Shop in Oxford is world-famous because the shop itself was written into the Alice adventures over 150 years ago. The small shop was dubbed “Alice’s Shop” locally as soon as the stories became well known, even as it continued as a grocery and sweet shop. Since the mid-60s, the shop began to sell Alice in Wonderland souvenirs. The Shop is now a treasure trove of Alice in Wonderland themed gifts, souvenirs and memorabilia. Alice’s Shop is one of the most tangible links to an entire episode in the Alice in Wonderland adventures and offers lovers of the stories a moment of intimate connection with the World of Alice as well as an insight into Carroll’s creation. The story is as sweet as candies in the store. Wanna shop?
Duration: 15 minutes
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Carfax Tower
The name "Carfax" derives from the Latin quadrifurcus via the French carrefour, both of which mean "crossroads". The tower is located in the centre of Oxford's shopping area since the medieval times. This 6 bells tower is all that remains of the 14th-century Church of St Martin. The Carfax Tower, also known as St. Martin's Tower (it is the remaining part of what was the City Church of St. Martin of Tours) is a prominent landmark and provides a look-out over the town. the Mayor and Corporation were expected to worship, between about 1122 and 1896, when the main part of the church was demolished to make more room for road traffic. In 1896 the City Church was moved to All Saints Church in the High Street. The tower is 74 feet (23 m) tall, and no building in central Oxford may be built higher than it.
Duration: 5 minutes
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Oxford Covered Market
Oxford Covered Market features more than 50 traders selling fresh produce, gifts, fashion, flowers and jewellery, and provides a unique showcase for the very best in local crafts, food and drink. The majority of the businesses are independent and with some going back generations. Oxford Covered Market, which was designed by Magdalen Bridge architect John Gwynn, first opened as a market for meat, fish, vegetables and herbs on 1 November 1774. It was then enlarged several times, rebuilt and fully roofed over during the 19th century. Original iron roof supports can easily be seen even today. Iron bars projecting from shop fronts that date from the 19th century and were used to hang meat. The Covered Market has been in continual use as a market for almost 250 years. Fancy a cup of traditional English tea with homemade cookies in this charming atmosphere? Just follow Tourope UK's APTG qualified blue badge tourist guides.
Duration: 15 minutes
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Radcliffe Camera
English Palladium Style with its stylish Cotswold stone, Radcliffe Camera is completed in 1737, this domed classical building forms the hub of architectural Oxford and is considered one of England's earliest examples of around library. Funded by Dr John Radcliffe, designed by James Gibbs and built between 1737–48, this grand circular building in the middle of Radcliffe Square is an iconic landmark in Oxford and a working library. The domed classical building is considered to be one of England's earliest examples of around the library. This lovely masterpiece is actually a gift from Dr Radcliffe showing his appreciation to the town where he became famous.
Duration: 5 minutes
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Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Library is a working library which forms part of the University of Oxford. It is housed in a remarkable group of buildings which forms the historic heart of the University, and you can explore the quadrangles of these magnificent structures at no charge. Some of the buildings, such as the University’s oldest teaching and examination room, The Divinity School (built 1427-88). Here you will discover more of the University’s fascinating history by Tourope UK's APTG qualified blue badge tourist guides telling behind the scenes in the Library, including its oldest research library, dating from 1602-20. You will marvel at 5 basic orders of the architecture of columns such as Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tucson and Composite.
Duration: 10 minutes
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New College
Time to proceed to New College, a venue from the Goblet of Fire. Remember, Harry, argues with Malfoy and all others sitting in the tree. Malfoy then immediately turned into a ferret and humiliated Professor Alastor Moody who was harshly warned by Professor McGonagall.
Duration: 20 minutes
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Our next stop would be Duke Humfrey’s Library, the venue in The Philosopher’s Stone where Harry was searching for a clue to Nicholas Flamel under his invisible cloak in this library, and suddenly Argus Filch, the guard and his cat immediately appeared in the scene.
Duration: 20 minutes
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Bridge of Sighs
The main buildings at Hertford College are linked together by a corridor called the "Bridge of Sighs," built-in 1913-14 and named after the Ponte Dei Sospiri in Venice. The Bridge of Sighs lies right opposite the entrance to the Bodleian Library, famous for its similarity to the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, has never intended to be a replica of the Venetian bridge, and instead, it bears a closer resemblance to the Rialto Bridge in the same city. Nevertheless, the bridge provides a popular photo opportunity for tourists and newcomers. Just pay attention to our guide why we call the bridge as "Bridge of Sighs"
Duration: 10 minutes
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Clarendon Building
Built-in 1712 by the Oxford University Press for the University's printing, the building is now part of the Bodleian Library. It was built to house the Oxford University Press, which had previously been occupying a large room over the ceiling of the Sheldonian Theatre. It owes it name to the fact that it was partly paid for by the profits from the History of the Great Rebellion by Lord Clarendon, whose son presented the University with its copyright. It was known as “The Printing House” until the University Press moved to Walton Street in 1832. Today the building is used as an international exam centre.
Duration: 5 minutes
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Sheldonian Theatre
The Sheldonian Theatre, an exquisite Grade I listed building situated in Oxford's city centre, is the official ceremonial hall of Oxford University. The Theatre is a popular tourist attraction particular because it offers one of the best indoor panoramic views of Oxford's famous skyline from its Cupola. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1664 and 1669. Learn about how the University was formed, how long it's been in existence and the secrets of its past by Tourope UK's APTG qualified blue badge tourist guides. Next to the Sheldonian Theatre, we will also visit Divinity School. You will be amazed at the Divinity School’s intricate ceiling patterns and gorgeous tall windows. On your visit make sure to take a sit on a bench and imagine oral exams taking places within those magnificent walls. The Divinity School is a medieval building and room in the Perpendicular style characterised by its rich ornamentation and tracery. The building, which belongs to the University of Oxford, is attached to the Bodleian Library.
Designed between 1423 and 1488 specifically for lectures, oral exams and discussions on theology, was almost ‘certainly the building that popularised Tudor arches’. The building was also used during the very first series of the Harry Potter movie.
Duration: 15 minutes
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Divinity Hall is the final stop also the final scene of the Philosopher’s Stone film. This famous lobby was used as a Hogwarts Infirmary with its classic Gothic vaulted ceiling. You know Harry finally meets with "You-Know-Who" or "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named". We have a great Harry Potter surprise right in this location.
So what are you waiting for? It’s another Harry Potter’s swish and flick magical experience in real life!
Duration: 15 minutes
Sunday | Transferring to the Airport
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Today is the last day in London unless you continue our program. Well, all good things must come to an end. We provide your transfer service back to the airport with a private vehicle. This is the end of our service and we hope to see you in our various programs here in London.
Duration: 60 minutes
