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
I’m going to London in two weeks!! Obviously I’ll be taking that picture
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Ahhhh that’s so exciting!! Do you have anything else planned?
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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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Ooooh I’ve always wanted to do the Warner studios tour!! Have a blast! 🙂
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Nice
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Love it and I’m so happy you got to do it.
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Thank you!! 🙂
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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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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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Ahhh, that’s such a cool picture!!!! With the scarf and everything, hahaha, it’s so good! That’s awesome that you got to go and visit part of the HP world!
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Thanks!!! It really made it feel like the HP world was real for a moment 🙂
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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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The long line does put a damper on things (and I did feel pretty awkward) but it was so worth it! At least you got to see the platform sign, though 🙂
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Oh that is so cool. Next time we go to London I want to do this too. 😀
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You definitely should! It’s a blast 🙂
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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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So true! The line was annoying, but the fact that I didn’t have to pay for anything also made it worth it haha 🙂 Such a cool memory to have!
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I’m sooo envious… *sobs* But I’m glad to hear you enjoyed yourself! I really really really REALLY want to visit this station one day!
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YES. This is definitely worth putting on your bucket list ❤
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Such a great photo! I’d love to go there, too. I also like how you couldn’t decide between two options and went for option three instead. 😂
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Hahaha that’s how you know you’re REALLY indecisive— you just go with something completely not in the equation to begin with! 🙂
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Yay! This is so awesome! Glad you’ve managed to get there x
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Thanks!! It was amazing ❤
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I loved visiting the platform sign when I went to London! I got some fantastic pictures in the Ravenclaw scarf, and I loved the gift shop, they had so many different HP editions/covers to choose from. Definitely a must visit!
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Glad you had so much fun there as well! The gift shop was amazing– so much HP merch in one place! 🙂
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