Pure magic
Potter round Britain for a spell of relaxation
BRITAIN is ready to go Harry Potty again!
The new movie Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince is released on July 15 and the series' magical locations will become huge tourist attractions.
Here TRISHA HARBORD gives a guide to visiting some of those wonderful places, so jump on your Firebolt broom and you'll be there in a moment.
ALNWICK CASTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND
FAMOUS as the setting for Hogwarts school, Alnwick is England's second largest inhabited castle - home to the Percys, Earls and Dukes of Northumberland, since 1309.
The castle has been used for many outdoor scenes including Quidditch instruction on the green.
You can enjoy a great family day out here with archery lessons, birds of prey demonstrations and Harry Potter-themed activities.
See www.alnwickcastle.com and for more information about Northumberland see www.visitnorthumberland.com
LACOCK, WILTSHIRE
THIS pretty National Trust village and its Abbey is a favourite TV and film location and features prominently in the new Potter movie.
Between London and Bath on the edge of the Cotswolds, Lacock is a feast of stone and thatched cottages that transports you back to the 18th century.
The medieval Abbey, converted to a beautiful country home, is open to the public. For accommodation places and what to see in the county go to www.visitwiltshire.co.uk
THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY, OXFORD
THE main research library of Oxford University became Hogwarts Library where Harry creeps at night under his invisibility cloak.
The Divinity School was turned into Madame Pomfrey's hospital wing and its vaulted ceiling is regarded as a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture.
See www.bodley.ox.ac.uk For places to stay in and around the City of Dreaming Spires see www.oxfordcity.co.uk
LONDON ZOO
IT was transformed into the Little Whinging Zoo in the first film where young Harry chatted to a snake in the reptile house. Come face-to-face with the hairiest, scariest, tallest and smallest animals on the planet, right in the heart of London.
There are talks, animal displays, new walk-through enclosures, historic buildings and beautiful gardens. Take a look at www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo
LONDON EYE
THE 135-metre tall wheel on the banks of the Thames is seen in The Order Of The Phoenix when Dumbledore's Army race on their brooms high above London to challenge the Death Eaters.
The Eye offers spectacular 360- degree views of London's landmarks and on a clear day you can see around 40km - as far as Windsor Castle. See www.londoneye.com
This summer, the Eye has a taste of the world's most exciting places in themed weekend entertainment with performers such as Bollywood dancers, French mime artists and Brazilian carnival drummers and dancers.
For more movie locations, see www.enjoyengland.com
KIDS have voted Potter star Daniel Radcliffe the second favourite person they'd like to take on holiday, in a Travelodge survey. No1 was Hannah Montana celeb Miley Cyrus.
There's a Travelodge close to every Potter film location with family rooms from £29 a night. They range from the brand new Gloucester Quays with 96 rooms to the hotel in Durham which is a renovated 1844 railway station with many original features.
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