My trip around Europe has officially ended collegiettes™!
I had the time of my life traveling all over Italy and more! I learned so much about myself and the world around me. My last stop before heading home was England. I went to see my roommate one last time before coming back to America. Now we all know that “Harry Potter” was filmed in England for over 10 years. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit some locations where the “Harry Potter” movies were filmed as well as tour the Harry Potter studios. Not only was I surrounded by the wizarding world, but I got to see many historical places all over London.
1. The first place I visited was Malham Cove in Yorkshire. This is one of the places that Harry and Hermione traveled to in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.”
2. Big Ben and the clock tower! Despite the cloudy sky, this tower was one of the coolest things I was able to see because it is so well known all around the world.
3. Crossing Abbey Road in London was by far one of my favorite things because my favorite band is the Beatles. Their most famous album is called “Abbey Road” and the photo shoot took place on this street. We had to dodge some traffic while crossing the street, but we were successful enough.
4. Buckingham Palace was impressive. The Queen was home when I was there (you can tell she is home when the Union Jack is lifted up all the way). I got to witness the changing of the guard. The soldiers hats were so big and fluffy!
5. The Knaresborough Castle. This is where Henry VIII used to visit to get away from political jobs and hunt in the Knaresborough forests.
6. I went to Kings Cross, where train station in the “Harry Potter” series was filmed. Platform 9 ¾ is actually a thing! This station was huge and so beautiful. No wonder they filmed the movies there.
7. This bridge was in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.” This is the scene where the Death Eaters destroy the bridge in the real world. We took a boat tour and went under it.
8. Finally, I toured the Harry Potter studios. Where they actually filmed all the eight movies. This was an incredible experience as I got to see everything that was made for the movie made from scratch.
I have got to say, this trip was the perfect ending to my summer abroad. England fit every idea I had about it. The country might be small, but it was absolutely adorable and the way they do things is so different. From the fish-n-chips to tea time, the English have their proper way in doing things.