Was Harry Potter filmed in York Shambles?
Not only did J. K. Rowling use the medieval Shambles to concoct Diagon Alley in the books, but they also filmed some scenes out of the movie here too. Even better, York has really taken on the Harry Potter theme. What is this? 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.Cecil Court: Cecil Court, a quaint pedestrian street in London known for its antiquarian bookshops and historic charm, is widely believed to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.
Why is York known for Harry Potter?
Popular with Harry Potter fans the world over, York’s famous medieval street, Shambles (an old word meaning meat market or open-air slaughterhouse) is said to have been the inspiration for Diagon Alley. Knockturn Alley was a wizarding shopping street that was connected to Diagon Alley. It had a reputation for being associated with the Dark Arts. For example, it was this alley that housed the unsavoury shop, Borgin & Burkes.