Harry Potter · Filming location
Christ Church, Bodley Tower staircase
In the story · Philosopher's Stone (film 1, 2001); Chamber of Secrets (film 2, 2002)
A real filming location. On the stone staircase under the fan-vaulted ceiling by the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall welcomes the first-years before the Sorting in Philosopher's Stone; in Chamber of Secrets the same stairs are seen again. The hall itself was not used for filming: the Great Hall of Hogwarts was built in the studio on its model.
Where to stay nearby
Stay a 4-min walk from hereMap with prices from several sites · distance: OpenStreetMap
or on Booking.com- With this place
- Day by day
- Free
Are you here?
More to do here
Things to doAll activities in the area on GetYourGuide
The link opens the destination's catalogue, not a tour made for the story →
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More Harry Potter places nearby
AI illustrationDivinity School, Bodleian Library470 m away · 6 min on foot
AI illustrationNew College cloisters550 m away · 7 min on foot
Where to stand for the photo
Stop halfway up the staircase and look back down, with the single column and the fan vault above the steps, as in the welcome scene.
Getting there
- Address: St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1DP
- Transport
- From Oxford station about 15 minutes on foot; many city buses stop on St Aldate's.
- Access
- Paid entry with a timed ticket, best booked online. The Hall and the staircase close at times for college meals and events: check the closures page before you go.Dates and times on the official site: chch.ox.ac.uk
Public sources (3)
Sources found on October 20, 2026.
Every place checked against public sources
Production · film commissions · tourist boards · guides
We always say if it is:
- The real filming location
- A place standing in for it
- Inspired by the story
From other stories, nearby
- New College hallMamma Mia!550 m away · 7 min on foot
Where to eat nearby
Quod Restaurant & Bar
270 m away · 4 min on footbritish€€Brasserie on the High Street, about 300 m from Christ Church, serving every day from breakfast, with an all-day menu until 22:00
Turf Tavern
510 m away · 7 min on footbritish€€Pub hidden down a lane off Holywell Street since 1381, a two-minute walk from New College, open every day 11:00-23:00
King's Arms
520 m away · 7 min on footbritish€€Historic pub on the corner of Holywell Street and Parks Road, about 100 m from the Divinity School, with food every day 9:00-22:00
Every place checked against public sources
Production · film commissions · tourist boards · guides
We always say if it is:
- The real filming location
- A place standing in for it
- Inspired by the story
Every place checked against public sources
Production · film commissions · tourist boards · guides
We always say if it is:
- The real filming location
- A place standing in for it
- Inspired by the story