26th June 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling. To celebrate the creation of everyone's favourite wizard, magical events are taking place across Britain this year.

Harry Potter Exhibition at the British Library © Tony Antoniou

The British Library’s Harry Potter: A History of Magic exhibition in London is perhaps the biggest activity in the pipeline. On display in the exhibition, which launches on 20th October 2017 and runs until 28th February 2018, will be original notes from JK Rowling's archives combined with pieces from the British Library's archive that date back centuries.

Another highlight on the horizon is the Harry Potter concert series, which will see Harry Potter films screened to a full symphony orchestra in May 2017. The collaboration between Cineconcerts and Warner Bros will see Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone played on 40-foot screens to John Williams' award-winning score.

Perhaps you would like to enjoy a National Trust Harry Potter walking tour? Explore shooting locations from the films, including Lavenham Guildhall in Suffolk, which featured in the series as Harry's parents' house. See where scenes from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows were filmed on Pembrokeshire's Freshwater West Beach, or take a walking tour around Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire, which has featured in different Potter guises, from a church in The Philosopher's Stone, to Slughorn's home in the Half-Blood Prince.

Die hard wizarding fans should hot-foot it to MinaLima in London's Soho. The store is the brainchild of Minaphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, who created all of the graphics for the Harry Potter films. A four-floor exhibition at the store is a must for Potter fans. 

If you really want to step into wizarding life, then book an overnight stay at the Georgian House Hotel in London, which has two of its own special wizard chambers kitted out with everything from leather-bound books to cauldrons. The hotel is handily located close to Victoria station, from where you can take a bus to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour; The Making of Harry Potter.

To watch Harry Potter in a truly magical setting, then Luna Cinema is just the ticket. This summer it is celebrating with special screenings of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone at some magical locations, including Alnwick Castle in Northumberland (Hogwarts in the films), Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, Cardiff Castle in Wales and Rochester Castle in Kent (pictured above).

It was in Edinburgh's Elephant House Cafe that JK Rowling wrote much of the early Harry Potter novels. Take a trip on the Potter Trail, a free walking tour around Edinburgh, and take in many of the locations that inspired the books, from the George Heriot School to the Greyfriar's Kirkyard cemetery, with plenty of interesting Harry Potter insights along the way.
 
“It is hard to over-estimate the impact that Harry Potter has had on modern British culture,” says Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel and Tourism. “The boy wizard is known all over the world and people flock to Britain to visit the landmarks and to enjoy the Harry Potter activities that take place here. In 2017, it seems that interest in JK Rowling’s most famous creation is likely to be greater than ever.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy your own magical, tailor made tour of Britain, visiting the landmarks associated with Harry Potter, please do contact our friendly team.