Pottering Around Gloucester Cathedral

by · June 3, 2016

On May 31 and June 1, Gloucester Cathedral hosted two special Harry Potter-themed evenings. Coinciding with the school holidays, the events catered to young and old alike, with quizzes, games, fancy dress, and arts and crafts tables, allowing fans to interact and have fun.

Arguably, the main attraction was the Harry Potter-themed guided tour, which took in a number of locations used during the making of three of the Potter films.

 

 

"In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the troll who smashed up the girls’ bathroom, trapping Hermione, walked along the north side of the Cloisters while Harry and Ron hid just around the corner. The south side doubled as a corridor in the Gryffindor Tower, with the door at the west end of the passage being the entrance to the common room. This is also where the lady in the oil painting asks for the password.

Meanwhile, in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the east wall at the end of the north walk is where the fateful words "The chamber of secrets has been opened" appeared, written in blood. Just a few paces from here in the east walk is where Moaning Myrtle flooded the toilets.

The west walk was used in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince when Harry and Ron stood on the ledge just by the door to the coffee shop. Harry also hides here, at the dramatic moment where he overhears Snape saying he has already taken the Unbreakable Vow.”

 

More secrets were revealed during the tour, including a story of the two scientists brought on to make the blood for Chamber of Secrets and ensure it was the right consistency to drip, not run, down the walls. Also, an artificial floor was placed on top of the cathedral floor to protect the flagstones, when it was flooded from Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom.

 

 

 

 

Completing the Potter party were three owls and their handlers, a fully-fledged Sorting Ceremony, and an unlimited supply of butterbeer, pumpkin juice, and chocolate frogs.

Although future dates are as yet unconfirmed, representatives at Gloucester Cathedral informed us that they expect to host more Harry Potter nights over the October and February half-term holidays, so keep an eye on their website for further information.

Did you attend one of the special event evenings? Let us know what your favorite part was in the comments below.

 

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