Study Abroad

I visited Platform 9 3/4!! | Holly Goes Abroad

Holly

It’s happened, folks. I’ve become a wizard, which means I’ve officially peaked.

While my mom was visiting me in Oxford for a week during my spring break we decided to spend two days scurrying around London, trying to fit in as much as possible. When she asked me what I wanted to do during those two days, I immediately had one request: go to the Platform 9 3/4 sign at King’s Cross Station. I’ve wanted to visit this iconic location ever since learning years ago that such a sign actually exists making it the perfect first stop on our London adventure.

Interestingly enough, J.K. Rowling was apparently thinking of Euston Station instead of King’s Cross when she wrote her famous series. The platform sign is actually located between platforms eight and nine due to the fact that platform ten is in a different building and there would be no convenient brick wall on which to build this magical scene. There are attendants organizing the photo-taking process and even a photographer taking photos of each wannabe-wizard, although it is absolutely free to take your own photos. A cute Harry Potter gift shop is next to the sign with everything from small souvenirs to an impressive selection of fancy wands. We waited a little over half an hour to take a photo, so keep waiting times in mind if you’re planning a visit.

When it’s your turn to take a photo, the attendant asks you which Hogwarts House you’re in to determine which scarf you’ll where. You can imagine my dilemma as a self-declared Ravenpuff/Huffleclaw when I realized this was how it worked. I had to pick just one House?! The injustice! The indecision! As you can see from my photo, I ultimately went with Gryffindor on a whim. (I’m studying abroad for a year–that counts as courage and determination, right?) Who knows? Maybe this is the beginning of my Gryffindor identity?!?!

Waiting in line to take a photo in front of a random sign marking a platform that doesn’t even exist may sound ridiculous, and perhaps it is. But it is worth it. Everyone in that line was ecstatic to be there, grinning from ear to ear as the attendant wrapped a scarf around their necks and handed them a wand to take a photo. I couldn’t help but marvel at all of the people who traveled great distances just to celebrate a fictional world that they love. If this doesn’t speak to the power and importance of books–especially ones that so many of us associate with our childhoods–then I don’t know what does!

All in all, I’m so glad I was able to visit the Platform 9 3/4 sign like my eleven-year-old self always dreamt of doing. If you’re ever near King’s Cross Station and have some time to spare, I highly recommend checking out this incredible place!

Click here to check out other posts in my Holly Goes Abroad series!

Have you ever been to the Platform 9 3/4 sign? Which Hogwarts House do you most identify with? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

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Published by Holly

I am a proud Nerdfighter (DFTBA!), Whovian (Doctor Who), Sherlockian (BBC Sherlock), Scarhead (Harry Potter), and overall lover of all things bookish.

26 thoughts on “I visited Platform 9 3/4!! | Holly Goes Abroad”

      1. Well, I only bought a visit to the Warner studios. I’ll be one week in London, then I’m going to Edinburgh, Berlin, Paris and back to London for one more week

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  3. YAY I’m so glad you got your picture there! I went there a couple years ago as well and had my picture taken (by my sister for free, otherwise it’s crazy expensive), thankfully we were there early in the morning and queued for only ten minutes. I also picked Gryffindor on a whim that day hahaha 😀

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    1. Same! My mom took my photo from the side… buying the professional one is pretty pricey! It’s also nice to hear I’m not the only one who went with Gryffindor on a whim 🙂

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  5. I saw this last year when I went down to London for a couple of days with my sister but I didn’t take a picture with the trolley because one, I was not standing in the line for ages although we were there early and two, I would have felt super awkward. I did go into the shop but it was hard to walk around because it was so crowded! My sister was there again a couple of days ago and she brought me back a few things from the shop which was really nice of her.

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  7. So happy for you that you got to experience this Holly! 🙂 My mom and I went in 2016 and the long line was a bit disappointing, but in the end it’s totally worth it! Even though it’s over before you know it haha. I will always treasure my photo though 🙂

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  12. Pingback: APRIL 2018 | Wrap-Up | Nut Free Nerd

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