There’s hope for those of us Muggles who haven’t been visited by Owl Post announcing our acceptance to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Multiple properties that have had star turns in the "Harry Potter" films are for sale in the London area. You can live like Hermione, Harry and have the full Hogwarts experience, no wand required.
Hermione’s House
Although, let’s face it, none of us are probably as smart, studious or prepared for life as Hermione Granger, interested buyers now have the chance to purchase the house featured on screen as the home where Hermione grew up with her two supportive dentist parents, for £2,400,000 (U.S.$3,124,320).
According to the listing, the house, 9 Heathgate, located on a cul-de-sac in Hampstead Garden Suburb, is three stories, has six bedrooms, and is almost 2,500 square feet—large enough for Crookshanks, or any other massive magical pet you might pick up. There’s Tube access via the Northern Line at Golders Green, and it’s close to the Heath Extension, a massive park adjacent to Hampstead Heath. The home also has beautiful front and rear gardens, and the interior is sunny with period details.
Too bad the Grangers have no memory of their experience with Hermione there. The house is featured in the sad scene where Hermione makes her parents forget her to protect them from the Death Eaters in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1."
4 Privet Drive…err 12 Picket Post Close
In the books and films, 4 Privet Drive, the home of the Dursley family, Harry’s horrible aunt, uncle and cousin, Vernon, Petunia and Dudley, is described as a cookie-cutter place. However, the onscreen home used in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone," and then recreated on set for the other installments, 12 Picket Post Close, the opposite is true.
The home, in Martins Heron in Bracknell, 30 miles west of London, which is on the market for £475,000 ($618,355), by the estate agency Chancellors and began showing last week, is the most exciting house on the block. The listing itself has attracted so much attention that viewings are strictly by appointment only. According to the marketing team at Chancellors, the opening launch weekend for the property, on September 24th, was fully booked.
"Interest in the property has been exceptional, with our website breaking our all-time record for traffic on three separate occasions last week," said a spokesperson from Chancellors over email. "We are in receipt of multiple offers for the property, which the vendors are considering, but we have further viewings booked in the coming days."
Unlike the stodgy Dursley house, this one has been completely remodeled, with a new kitchen, a living room with access to the garden, and a new driveway. There’s an upgraded alarm system too, so no need for the caterwauling charm. There are also three bedrooms, a family bathroom and a cloakroom, a bit of an upgrade from the cupboard under the stairs.
Castle Life
For those who actually want to attend Hogwarts, instead of just living like the characters did in the Muggle world, Royal Connaught Park offers that experience and more. The 100-acre private gated development, built in the Edwardian style at the turn of the last century, was, according to The Daily Mail, in the first three Harry Potter films as the Great Hall at Hogwarts and in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" as Dumbledore’s office.
Originally The Royal Masonic School for Boys, The Comer Group has converted the large brick and stone structure into a luxury housing development. It has undergone extensive renovations to marry the old with new touches like Miele dishwashers, heated floors and Poggenpohl kitchens. But the Great Hall is still standing, perfect for residents to recreate the House Cup Ceremony. The first units launched last fall, with current offerings on the real estate website Zoopla ranging from £625,000-£2.2 million($813,625 to $2,863,960). It is located in Bushey, a quick train ride to London on the London Midland Line (sadly not the Hogwarts Express).