Many of the Hogwarts school scenes were filmed at Oxford University.

In several of the films, Oxford provided Hogwart's staircase notably in the first film where Professor McGonagall greets the schoolchildren upon their arrival. Oxford also provided the Great Hall on which Hogwarts dining room was modelled and the Library which provided the scenes for Hogwarts infirmary and Ron’s dancing lesson with Professor McGonagall.

In 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' and 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire', Oxford provided the settings for the 'defence against the Dark Arts' scene in which Mad-eye Moody demonstrates the three unforgivable curses and Malfoy's transformation into a ferret.

Further adventures of Harry Potter and his friends were shot at the Norman Cathedral of Gloucester, a place of worship for more than 1300 years, including the Ghost scenes and talking portraits in 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' ('Sorcerer's Stone' US version). The Cathedral is also featured in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' including the scenes featuring the ghost Moaning Myrtle, and the mysterious appearance of the red writing in Hogwarts' corridors ... "The chamber of secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware". The sixth movie ‘Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince’ is also filmed at Gloucester Cathedral)