Harry Potter in Canterbury: Failed filming locations, magical merchandise and a famous fictional fiend
Fridays are already widely regarded as the most magical day of the week, but this one is extra enchanting. Today is International Harry Potter Day – an official holiday that commemorates J. K. Rowling’s literary franchise that has left readers spellbound for almost 30 years.
It was declared in 2012 by then-Prime Minister David Cameron, who said in a statement: “We hope that children and adults alike will be reminded of Harry Potter’s strong and courageous character on this day, as well as of the true credit that Ms. Rowling has made to society.” May 2 was chosen because, as the story goes, this is the day Harry defeated his nemesis Lord Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts.
Interestingly enough, the series has a few connections with Canterbury.
The cathedral rejected Potter fans’ prayers
The Harry Potter film series has filmed in many locations across the UK, including various London landmarks, Alnwick Castle and the Scottish Highlands. Warner Bros even wanted to use a particularly historic monument in our beloved Kent city.
In 2000, Warner Bros wanted to use Canterbury Cathedral as a filming location for the first film in the series, turning the beautiful landmark into the iconic Hogwarts Castle.
Authorities at the cathedral refused, however, despite being offered a substantial amount of money. They were concerned with associating the place of worship with the story’s “pagan” themes.
Canterbury resident Paul Johnson, 45, is a big Harry Potter fan who feels torn looking back at the decision 25 years later.
“Had they approved the filming, they would have received so much money towards the restoration work that’s still going on,” Paul said.
“I know, as a tour guide, there’d be people coming to Canterbury especially to see the locations. But I do understand as well, because as the mother church, it would be difficult to link themselves with magic and witchcraft.”
Paul believes that, with the current Dean being much more liberal, the filming may have gone ahead had the cathedral been approached today.
Durham Cathedral and Gloucester Cathedral were used instead, with the former being used to shoot various exterior and interior shots of Hogwarts and the latter’s cloisters visible across the series.
A shop right out of Diagon Alley
A Philosopher’s Stone’s throw away from the cathedral is a shop on Mercery Lane that all Potterheads should visit: House of Secrets.
Opening its doors in 2019 on Mercery Lane, the store has sections dedicated to each wizarding house — Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw — with Potter paraphernalia available in each of the house colours and themes.
Each wall and shelf is stacked with more official merchandise than you can shake a wand at, such as figures, replica items, apparel and stationery. There are even many sweets and treats brought to life from the books and films, such as Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.
Director Syed Altaf actually chose Canterbury as the location in response to the story of Warner Bros being denied filming at the cathedral — giving the public a Potter presence of his own making.
“When I was a kid, I loved watching the films. And today’s kids, the next generation, are still watching,” he said.
“The new TV series is coming, and people are very excited.”
Syed said that wands and Gryffindor merchandise are among the most popular items.
House of Secrets is also hoping to stock a bigger range later in the year in time for Christmas, so fans will certainly want to consider repeat visits.
A Canterbury character that boggles the mind
Finally, Canterbury even has a small part within the Harry Potter lore itself!
The official Harry Potter website features a section called “J. K. Rowling Originals,” which provides articles explaining various characters, creatures and other elements within the Wizarding World universe. One of these explores the Boggart, “a shape-shifting creature that will assume the form of whatever most frightens the person who encounters it.” The article concludes with some famous Boggarts, with one having resided in our cherished Kent town.
The Old Boggle of Canterbury was “believed by local Muggles to be a mad, cannibalistic hermit that lived in a cave,” but in reality was “a particularly small Boggart that had learnt how to make the most of echoes.” Other famous Boggarts include the “Bludgeoning Boggart of Old London Town” and the “Screaming Bogey of Strathtully”.
With Harry Potter societies at both Canterbury Christ Church University and Kent University, and legions of Potterheads across the city, Canterbury has certainly become a hub for fans eager to celebrate the Wizarding World in both magical and muggle ways.