Virginia Water Lake (Hogwarts Lake – early films): Harry Potter Filming Location
About This Harry Potter Filming Location
Virginia Water Lake, located in Windsor Great Park, served as Hogwarts Lake in the early Harry Potter films, particularly for the Hippogriff flying scene in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and scenes of Harry studying on the bank in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. While Loch Shiel in Scotland was also used for other Hogwarts Lake scenes, Virginia Water provided an alternative location for these specific early films. Filming Details * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban : The lake was used to film Harry flying on Buckbeak the Hippogriff. * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Scenes featuring Hermione passing messages to Harry and Ron, and Harry devising his strategy for the Triwizard Tournament, were filmed on the banks of Virginia Water Lake. * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: A deleted scene from this film was also shot at Virginia Water.
Fan Pilgrimage Tips
- • Best photo opportunities are typically in the early morning or late afternoon for ideal lighting
- • Bring props or costumes to recreate iconic scenes from Harry Potter
- • Check local weather conditions and dress appropriately for outdoor locations
- • Respect any filming restrictions and private property boundaries
- • Consider visiting during off-peak times to avoid crowds and get better photos
Visiting Information & Practical Details
Photo Opportunities and Best Views
Photo Tip 1
Shoot the totem pole from a low angle to emphasise its height and intricate carvings; include trees and sky for context.
Photo Tip 2
Walk a short distance east to frame the pole against the lake’s reflective surface—early morning or still evenings give the best mirror‑like effects.
Photo Tip 3
Bring a telephoto lens to capture details of the carvings and to photograph waterfowl on the lake’s edge.
Harry Potter Scenes Filmed at Virginia Water Lake (Hogwarts Lake – early films)
Filming at early films)
Lake area used for early lake/grounds visuals.
Tours & Experiences
Continue Your Journey
Finished exploring Virginia Water Lake (Hogwarts Lake – early films)? The adventure doesn't have to end here. Discover more magical filming locations nearby and extend your Harry Potter pilgrimage.
Virginia Water Lake (Hogwarts Lake – early films)
Harry Potter • Nearby
Virginia Water Lake, located in Windsor Great Park, served as Hogwarts Lake in the early Harry Potter films, particularly for the Hippogriff flying scene in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and scenes of Harry studying on the bank in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. While Loch Shiel in Scotland was also used for other Hogwarts Lake scenes, Virginia Water provided an alternative location for these specific early films. Filming Details * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban : The lake was used to film Harry flying on Buckbeak the Hippogriff. * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Scenes featuring Hermione passing messages to Harry and Ron, and Harry devising his strategy for the Triwizard Tournament, were filmed on the banks of Virginia Water Lake. * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: A deleted scene from this film was also shot at Virginia Water.
Fort Amherst – Guardhouse
The Witcher • 3.9km away
Fort Amherst, perched above the River Medway in Chatham, is an 18th-century coastal fortress whose brick-and-earth ramparts once guarded the approaches to the Medway and the navy dockyards. The Guardhouse and the nearby Jolly Farm barn echo with centuries of military life, from drill marches to weather-worn walls steeped in history. In recent years the site gained cinematic fame as a Witcher filming location, where the stark battlements and sea-washed façades provide a moody backdrop for otherworldly confrontations. Today visitors walk among cannon emplacements, tunnels, and open grounds that fuse living history with storytelling atmosphere, as sea winds and salt air weave through the stone. The overall mood is crisp, maritime, and evocative of both discipline and frontier myth.