How To Get To Platform 9 3/4

Please notation that Platform 9 ¾ has moved! Click here to leap down to the updated part of this article.

For those of you that take always read a Harry Potter book or seen one of the films, Platform 9 ¾ needs no introduction. For those of you who haven't, this pseudo-fictional location at Kings Cross train station is where the Hogwarts Express begins its long journey to Hogwarts Schoolhouse.

The find the "platform" only take the tube or railroad train to King'south Cross station and notice Platform eight (this is an open up platform and so no tickets are required!) Once at Platform 8 follow it all the mode to the end, turn left towards Platforms 9 and information technology's about 10 yards forth to your left. Once there you lot'll find a sign for "Platform nine ¾" as well as a luggage trolley half embedded into the wall – the perfect photo opportunity!

Strangely enough, Platform 9¾ is really between Platforms 8 and ix! At that place are a couple of reasons for this; firstly, Platform 9 and ten are in separate buildings from the main train station (JK Rowling intended the Platform to be in the primary building). Secondly, Platforms 9 and 10 are adjacent to each other which means that there couldn't be a magical brick wall to travel through!

Interestingly, in an interview with the BBC in 2001 JK Rowling admits confusing Euston station with Kings Cross Station. "I wrote Platform 9 3/4 when I was living in Manchester, and I wrongly visualised the platforms, and I was actually thinking of Euston, so anyone who'due south actually been to the real platforms 9 and 10 in King's Cross volition realise they don't acquit a nifty resemblance to the platforms ix and 10 equally described in the book. So that's just me coming clean, there. I was in Manchester; I couldn't cheque." In fact, even at Euston station platforms nine and x are also adjacent pregnant that once again, at that place would be no room for a magical brick wall!

To avoid the problem of having no brick wall between the platforms, during the filming of Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets the filming crew really renumbered platforms four and 5 at King'due south Cross Station. Also, because Kings Cross Station isn't the most glamorous of buildings, the film crew instead decided that the external shots of the train station should be of the nearby St Pancras station, renowned for its wonderful Victorian architecture.

At the time is writing King's Cross station is undergoing a massive corporeality of construction, and then deport in mind that the exact location of Platform 9 ¾ may have moved – we advise asking i of the friendly station staff if you lot programme on visiting.

Update: Now that the refurbishment of Kings Cross has been completed, Platform 9¾ tin can exist found in the master concourse surface area alongside a Harry Potter shop.