
When I think about magic I think about Harry Potter and Hogsmeade Station has always seemed like a magical gateway I had to visit.
When I moved to Scotland, I felt like my life had become just that much more magical.
Growing up I read and fell in love with the Harry Potter series. Ever since then, it has always been one of my dreams to explore the United Kingdom – finding places filming locations along with their original inspirations from the novels.
Now that meant that the Glenfinnan Viaduct should have been the top of my list.
But for some reason, when you live close to places, you don’t actually visit them. Which is why years later, I’ve found myself making up for lost time.
We’re living in England and I’m slowly but surely visiting those all important sights that remind me of my favourite novels. I should also say that I’m visiting those magical locations in America too – the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is one of my all-time favourite places to go.
On a recent trip up to York (the Shambles were a huge inspiration for Diagon Alley), I decided that visiting the train station where they filmed Hogsmeade Station was a must on my list.
Getting to Goathland Station:
Only an hour’s drive north from York, I’m pleased to introduce you to Goathland Station.
The station is also known as the real life Hogsmeade Station from the first Harry Potter film.
You’ll remember spotting it in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Or Sorcerer’s Stone if you’re American – I always wish they’d kept it Philosopher’s for us Americans too!
A wonderfully bright and cheery train station, Goathland is home to the beautiful Northern Yorkshire Moors Railway’s steam trains.
You know, those big beautiful engines that look like the Hogwarts Express? That’s exactly what you’ll find along the Moors Railways.




Can you actually get the train?
Yes you can!
These trains bustle through the station throughout the day and you can hop on with a ticket purchased online or at the station itself. There are plenty of stations along the line you could start from if you’d rather pass through Goathland.
Our original plan of action for the day was the catch a train up to Whitby.
Yes, it’s my dream to ride on a steam train and pretend I’m off to Hogwarts. Unfortunately, we were waylaid due to a quick trip to the hospital – all was OK. Luckily I didn’t have Gilderoy Lockhart nearby though!
Instead we made it just in time to catch the last of the steam trains coming through the station. You can only catch a train until around 5pm so we wouldn’t have made a roundtrip journey anywhere.
But honestly? It didn’t matter in the end to me, I was so happy about seeing the train and Goathland Station.
So here’s a peek at what the our real life Hogsmeade Station looks like!
And I’m not sure I even need to give much of a detailed explanation as to why it should be a must if you’re a Harry Potter fan (or just a train fan).




What part of the Philosopher’s Stone was filmed here?
You’ll remember seeing Goathland Station as Harry and crew pull up to Hogsmeade for the first time. It’s where he spots Hagrid again before they take the boats across the water to the castle.
You can see exactly where Hagrid greeted them and then waved goodbye to all the students too.
At the end of the first film, Hermione says “Feels strange to be going home, doesn’t it?” and my favourite line back from Harry, “I’m not going home, not really”. Because Hogwarts will always feel like home! Emotions were high wandering around the station – I promise you that.
And what I love so much about Goathland Station is how easily you can imagine Hogwarts Castle sitting on top of the hill. Not to mention a stroll down to Hogsmeade Village too.





Have you ever traveled somewhere because the location features in one of your favourite films or movies? Or if you could travel to one fictional spot, where would you go? I do think mine will always be Hogwarts and the entire wizarding world .
Lots of love,
Kelly xoxo

Kelly x