Harry Potter lives his second year at Hogwarts with Ron and Hermione when a message on the wall announces that the legendary Chamber of Secrets has been opened. The trio soon realize that, to save the school, it will take a lot of courage.
Durham Cathedral, The College, Crossgate, City of Durham, Durham, County Durham, North East, England, DH1 3EQ, United Kingdom
Scene: (Ron burps up slugs after backfiring a curse against the bullies; McGonagall's classroom; Harry, Ron, and Hermione discuss the heir of Slytherin; Dobby saves Harry from Lucius Malfoy's attack)
Scene: (Mrs. Norris and the message about the Chamber of Secrets; Neville tells the group about the Gryffindor boys' dorm being ransacked; message about Ginny Weasley's kidnapping)
J Stage, The Backlot - Exterior Sets, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Abbots Langley, Leavesden, Three Rivers, Hertfordshire, England, WD25 7LP, United Kingdom
Scene: (interior of The Burrow; Herbology classroom; Professor Lockhart's classroom; Gryffindor common room and boys' dormitory; top of head of statue in Chamber of Secrets)
The second Harry Potter film deepened its very British magic with a roll-call of real castles, cathedrals and railways – Alnwick Castle for Hogwarts’ grounds, Durham and Gloucester cathedrals for its corridors, and the Scottish Highlands for the Hogwarts Express steaming over a famous viaduct.
Where was Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets filmed?
Chamber of Secrets was filmed across Britain – Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, Durham Cathedral, the Scottish Highlands and London.
Every Chamber of Secrets location, explained
1
Alnwick Castle – the flying car
Hogwarts’ grounds, where the Weasleys’ Ford Anglia crash-lands, used Alnwick Castle in Northumberland.
2
Durham Cathedral – the corridors
Hogwarts’ interiors and cloisters used Durham Cathedral, including the scene of Ron’s backfiring spell.
3
The Hogwarts Express – the Highlands
The train scenes used the West Highland Line around Fort William in Scotland, over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.
4
King’s Cross and London
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters used King’s Cross and St Pancras in London.
Planning a visit
Alnwick Castle in Northumberland and Durham Cathedral both welcome visitors and run Potter-themed tours, while the West Highland Line’s steam train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct is a magical ride in itself.
Chamber of Secrets Fun Facts
1
Alnwick is Hogwarts' grounds The flying-car and broomstick scenes used Alnwick Castle in Northumberland.
2
Durham played the corridors Durham Cathedral’s cloisters stood in for Hogwarts’ hallways.
3
A real steam train The Hogwarts Express scenes used the West Highland Line over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
4
The last with Richard Harris It was the final film to feature Richard Harris as Dumbledore before his death.
5
A real flying car A functional Ford Anglia was rigged for the film’s crash into the Whomping Willow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Chamber of Secrets filmed?
Across Britain – Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, Durham Cathedral, the Scottish Highlands and London.
What castle is Hogwarts in the film?
Alnwick Castle in Northumberland is used for the grounds.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – Alnwick Castle and Durham Cathedral both welcome visitors, with Potter-themed tours.
Where is the Hogwarts Express filmed?
On the West Highland Line around Fort William, over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
