A complete guide to visiting the Harry Potter Bridge – Glenfinnan Viaduct. On our road trip this year we drove up from Ayr on the West coast of Scotland to the Isle of Skye. We purposefully planned our route around the visit to the Harry Potter Bridge. Or the Glenfinnan Viaduct for the non-Potter fans out there. Having a nine-year-old who is a massive fan of Harry Potter we knew we had to try and time our visit for when the Jacobite passes over the Viaduct. But with very little information available I did wonder if the extra hour and a half it would add to our journey was worth it? Of course, the look of delight on his face when we managed to catch it going across the bridge was worth it. Albeit a bit stressful so here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit.
A complete guide to visiting the Harry Potter Bridge Glenfinnan Viaduct
Where can I see the Harry Potter Train?
The actual Harry Potter train which is used in the films is located at the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour in London. The Jacobite Train which is what this post refers to is a train that passes over the Glenfinnan Viaduct (also known as the Harry Potter Bridge in our house) several times during the day. Thus emulating the shots in the film. It is a big draw for Harry Potter fans and is one of the most visited film spots. The Jacobite Steam Train journey is deemed to be one of the most scenic rail journeys you can do in the World. As a friend put it to me recently that travelling on the Jacobite is the Holy Grail of Scotland holidaying.
Where is the Harry Potter Bridge
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is located in Glenfinnan in the West Highlands of Scotland in Inverness-shire. It is located between Fort William and Mallaig. The drive from Fort William is 17 miles and around half an hour according to Google Maps. Due to the scenic nature of the drive and the type of road I would anticipate it taking slightly longer than half an hour. I didn’t actually measure it as we were more concerned about trying to reach it in time for the train. However, the route will take you along next to the track so you also have the option of following the train along much of the journey.
We used the postcode of the visitors centre which will take you directly to the carpark.
The address for the Glenfinnan Viaduct
Glenfinnan,
Inverness-shire,
PH37 4LT
Parking at the Glenfinnan Viaduct
As you arrive you will see parking next to the visitors centre. Immediately in front, there are coach and camper van spots as well. This is a small carpark. We arrived probably at the busiest time on a Saturday (see timings below) and could not park. However, there is also another carpark right next door. You can not get into it from the first so need to go back out onto the road and then turn right and right again. It is not paved and more of a field but there are pay machines.
When we arrived there were cars abandoned all over the place which always seems to be the way at these tourist hot spots. However, we did find a proper space and it cost £3.20 to park for as long as you wanted. It is free to members but as an English National Trust member, I could not get the pay machine to accept my National Trust card. In hindsight, you could probably have placed your membership card on the dashboard. The good news is that the pay machines take both cash and card.
Which Harry Potter films does the Glenfinnan Viaduct feature in
There are two films that the viaduct appears in. The first was in the Chamber of Secrets when Ron rescues Harry from Privet Drive and they escape in his dads flying car to Hogwarts. The second is in the Prisoner of Azkaban when the Hogwarts train is inspected by Dementors and Harry meets Lupin for the first time. And where he helps him to recover from a Dementor attack with chocolate.
Loch Sheil – a bonus Harry Potter filming location
The Glenfinnan Viaduct doesn’t just boast the one Harry Potter filming location, but two. From the viewing point, you also look down on the stunning Loch Sheil and the Glenfinnan Monument. The loch is another filming location and appears in two Harry Potter films.
The first is the same as the Viaduct, the Prisoner of Azkaban. It is the loch which Harry flies Buckbeak over and it is also the one used in the ending shots. Where Sirus Black escapes the ministry of magic for the second if not the third time. It is also the lake that features in the Triwizarding Championships and The Half-Blood Prince. Although we did not spot any Mermen or Gillyweed on our visit.
When does the Harry Potter Train (Jacobite) pass over the Glenfinnan Viaduct?
These times are taken directly from the information centre at the viaduct, which will hopefully help if like me you need a precise time to aim for. If visiting with children then I would try and get there around half an hour before the train is due. This will give you enough time to park and also walk up to the viewing point.
We also got to ride the Jacobite train a week or so later. When we passed the viewing point it was very busy. Which I guess is to be expected during the Summer holidays. I would anticipate the busiest time is a Saturday as you have the chance of seeing both trains in the afternoon. Each going in a different direction
If you are aiming for a train that is returning from Mallaig to Fort William then the steam train will actually pull the train in reverse. As there is nowhere for the engine to turn around at Mallaig. This means you will get the back of the engine at the front. So if you want to see the front of the engine at the front of the train then you will need to make sure you catch the train on its outward journey.
When we visited these were the advertised train times on the Jacobite website and the times on the board at the visitors centre:
Where is the best place to stand to watch the Jacobite cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct
Due to our lateness and because of traffic and pure luck we were actually standing in the carpark when the Jacobite went past. This did mean that we did not get the photo we were hoping for. But we did at least still manage a photo and the boys could see the train.
If you have more time then next to the visitors centre there is a signpost which directs you to the lookout point. I would challenge the time it says it takes to get up to the lookout. And it is steep and uneven in places. Plus I am sure it’s a lot longer than 120 meters. With little legs, it took us around fifteen minutes to walk up.
The lookout point gives you a view of the viaduct right in front of you. If you are after the much-advertised photo of the train going around the corner then you will need to walk along to the bank near the bend. We did not do this so I can’t comment on the time it takes or how to get there. Even playing back video of us going round the bend while on the train I am not sure where you would stand. As it looked like there is a fence in the way.
Thankfully for a Harry Potter mad fans like the kids watching the train go in a straight line across the bridge was enough. Plus for us, it was a stop in our journey so we did not have lots of time to explore. And we were so relieved we actually managed to see it, we were happy.
Is the Glenfinnan Viaduct a feasible road trip stop?
Most definitely yes, but be mindful of our tips below. With only four trains a day that passes over the bridge their timings may not match with your journey. However, there is still a lot to do and with good facilities, it is a much better stop than a service station and is likely to be quieter. Especially at times when the trains are not due. If you are only stopping to look at the bridge then you probably need half an hour max to wander up to the viewing point, capture some photos and walk back.
What facilities are at the Glenfinnan Viaduct & Harry Potter Bridge
A complete guide to visiting the Harry Potter Bridge Glenfinnan Viaduct. I was quite surprised by just how much there is there. The site is much more than the Viaduct. Owned and managed by National Trust Scotland it also includes the Glenfinnan Monument. Along with a small museum.
Inside the visitors centre, there are also toilets and a shop. At the viaduct end of the carpark, there is a cafe selling a range of drinks. Along with ice creams, cakes, pre-made sandwiches, chips and burgers. Like many other attractions, we visited during our stay once they run out for the day. For prices and more details please see the picture below.
Top Tips to enjoy your visit to the Harry Potter Bridge – A complete guide to visiting the Harry Potter Bridge Glenfinnan Viaduct
A complete guide to visiting the Harry Potter Bridge Glenfinnan Viaduct
- If you are driving up to Glenfinnan and your route may take you past Loch Lomand. Traffic is slow around the Loch. In fact, we found traffic pretty slow all around that area, up to Fort William and then onto Glenfinnan. So leave extra time. We had thirty to forty minutes added to our journey. And we started from just east of Loch Loman. If you are aiming for a particular train time bare this in mind.
- Check the information centre at the entrance of the car park for train times and when the Jacobite will cross the viaduct. I have mentioned above but if the times of the train change in the future then this is a good double-check.
- Bring the pocket money as there are various souvenirs for both the Jacobite and Harry Potter merchandise in the shop.
- Bring a picnic to enjoy at the viewing point while you wait. The viewing point is on a number of tiered levels. Perfect for sitting on in dry weather. If not bring something waterproof as there are very few benches at the viewing point.
Buying Jacobite tickets on the day and tips for your journey
On our way back down from the Isle of Skye to the Lake District, we stopped at Fort William. We had been unable to book tickets to ride the Jacobite in advance. So we took a risk and left super early to queue to get some on the day we wanted to travel. Again we struggled to find much information on how it worked and what our chances were of actually getting any. So I have written another blog post about your experience along with some tips when travelling on the Jacobite. Which you can read about it – Buying Jacobite tickets on the day.
But in case you are wondering here’s a picture of the viaduct from the train.
Have you visited the Glenfinnan Viaduct? Please let me know about your experience in the comments below. Please share my complete guide to visiting the Harry Potter Bridge Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Other Harry Potter Posts
If your little ones are Harry Potter mad like mine then these other posts may be of interest
https://mudpiefridays.com/24-harry-potter-advent-activities-for-kids/
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3 Responses
This is SO COOL, I would love to visit someday!
OH MY GOD. This post got me so excited. As a certified Potterhead, this is certainly part of my bucket list. Great guide on visiting the bridge. Bookmarking this for future reference. Hopefully, we can travel soon. *crosses fingers*
Looks like a great place to visit