Magical Liverpool Fantastic Beasts Filming Locations You Can Visit
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Okay wizards, witches, and no-maj’s, did you know there are magical Liverpool Fantastic Beasts filming locations you can visit?
They will transport you straight to 1920s New York, where you can just imagine Jacob Kowalski and Newt Scamander walking around.
That’s right, many of the New York scenes in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them were actually filmed in Liverpool.
Luckily, they are all very central and easy to find, but I’ll include a FREE map below with directions to help you out.
Here is a list of all the magical Liverpool Fantastic Beasts Filming Locations you can visit in the city.
Which Fantastic Beasts movie was filmed in Liverpool?
Fantastic Beasts fans will recognise many of Liverpool’s significant buildings in the first movie, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016).
Although it would make sense for the production crew to film this in New York.
You may be surprised to know that the Fantastic Beasts movies weren’t really filmed in the Big Apple.
This is because Liverpool’s famous buildings look much more similar to 1920s New York than the current city’s landscape.
Of course, some CGI magic was used along with filming these buildings to bring the Wizarding World movie to the silver screen.
But you can still visit these beautiful buildings in Liverpool to relive and experience some of the magic.
Liverpool Fantastic Beasts filming locations
1. Martins Bank Building – Banking Hall
One of my favourite scenes in Fantastic Beasts is when Newt Scamander is chasing his naughty Niffler through the Banking Hall.
This is when he bumps into the no-maj Jacob Kowalski, who is applying for a bank loan and ends up getting his suitcase mixed up.
Who knew that this chance encounter would have them pairing up for some wild adventures together?
All of these scenes were filmed in Martin’s Bank Building in Liverpool.
It used to be a real bank built in 1927, so it fits in perfectly with Newt Scamander’s world of 1920s New York.
It’s Grade II listed and, unfortunately, it is empty today so you can’t go inside it…yet.
They do have plans to renovate the building into a fancy hotel or something of that nature.
Until then, you can still take a peek at the outside of the building, and you can find it on Water Street.
2. Cunard Building – Macy’s Department Store
The Cunard Building forms part of the Three Graces of Liverpool along with the Royal Liver Building and the Port of Liverpool Building.
These three historic buildings can be found on Liverpool’s Pier Head, almost opposite the famous Beatles Statue and beside the Liverpool Museum.
The inside of The Cunard Building was used for Macy’s Department Store in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
This is when Newt, Jacob, Tina, and Queenie chase a Demiguise who is causing a nuisance in the department store.
Although the inside is mainly filled with office space, you can enter The Cunard Building to visit the ‘British Music Experience’.
Liverpool’s Liver Building has two Liver Birds on top. These are mythological creatures that were founded in the 13th century and are a symbol of the city. It’s a magical creature worthy of Newt’s sanctuary, wouldn’t you say?
3. St George’s Hall – New York City Hall
I’ve definitely saved the BEST Liverpool Fantastic Beasts filming location for last.
This is St George’s Hall located just outside of the Lime Street train station.
It’s a huge Neo-Classical building that opened in 1854 and is Grade I listed. It has space for concert halls and law courts.
The main feature of St George’s Hall in Fantastic Beasts is when Senator Shaw is giving his speech during the Political Benefit.
They used both the inside and outside of the building to create these scenes.
It also features in the spectacular finale when Frank the Thunderbird flies over the city and Obliviates everyone.
You will recognise the exterior of the civic hall in the movie, and they used some of the lampposts between the pillars as inspiration too.
The inside of St George’s Hall is not open to the public normally, but you can visit for events and exhibitions throughout the year.
They regularly hold concerts and cinema events, so make sure to check what’s on during your visit.
Personally, I still found visiting the outside of the building magical. You can walk up the steps and see the doors that look like 1920s New York.
When I was here in late November, they had a festive Christmas Market just outside.
It looked amazing at nighttime with all the twinkling fairy lights. It had Fantastic Beasts vibes.
Liverpool Harry Potter locations
That is all of the Liverpool Fantastic Beasts filming locations, but did you know that you can find other Wizarding World locations in the city?
There aren’t many, but ardent Potterheads will love chasing down some of these Liverpool Harry Potter locations whilst on a city break.
4. Queensway Tunnel / Mersey Tunnels
Although a small feature, you can find a location featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows near St George’s Hall in Liverpool.
The Queensway Tunnel is a road tunnel that takes you under the River Mersey between Liverpool and Birkenhead.
You’ll see this tunnel in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 when Harry needs to hide away from Voldemort’s army of Death Eaters.
Harry is riding with Hagrid on his motorbike, but they are flying the wrong way through traffic and narrowly missing vehicles.
Although you can’t enter this tunnel as a pedestrian, you can see the tunnel entrance beyond St George’s Hall gardens.
Alternatively, you can drive through the Queensway Tunnel to see this Liverpool Harry Potter filming location. Be warned there is a toll.
5. Liverpool Harry Potter Shop
If you’re looking for a Liverpool Harry Potter Shop, there isn’t an official Wizarding World shop.
But you can visit the Pride of Liverpool that was previously known as the House of Spells.
Inside, they have many gifts to purchase, including some of Newt’s favourite magical creatures like his baby Niffler.
The Pride of Liverpool sells gifts on things that make Liverpool famous, so you’ll find notable landmarks and Beatles souvenirs inside too.
The Pride of Liverpool can be found on the Royal Albert Dock near Tate Liverpool.
This is an amazing art museum I’d recommend visiting whilst you’re here.
6. Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest Experience
Although not in the centre of Liverpool, I highly recommend visiting this magical light trail that is just a short drive away.
It’s an opportunity to dive into the Forbidden Forest of Hogwarts with many familiar characters, monsters, and magical creatures.
You can meet Hagrid and Hedwig, bow to Buckbeak, smell Grawp and even cast your own Patronus.
In the end, there is a festive Hogsmeade-style village where you can purchase magical food and drinks and shop for souvenirs.
Liverpool Fantastic Beasts filming locations map
Click the picture below or follow this link for a FREE map of the Liverpool Fantastic Beasts filming locations and Liverpool Harry Potter locations:
Book tours & tickets for Liverpool
Where else is Fantastic Beasts filmed in the UK?
If you love the Fantastic Beasts movies, then you’ll be happy to know that you can visit even more filming locations across the UK.
These are mostly located around London and the South West and East of England.
You’ll find recognisable sites like the Ashridge Estate and the Seven Sisters that acted as the Cliffs of Dover.
This is when Newt and Jacob illegally cross over to Paris in a boot to avoid Magical travel tracking.
Here are some of the main Fantastic Beasts filming locations you can visit in the UK.
Lacock Abbey
If you didn’t know, parts of the Harry Potter movies were filmed in the gorgeous village of Lacock in the South West of England.
It’s owned and protected by the National Trust. You’ll find where they filmed the Hogwarts cloisters, the Mirror of Erised, and Snape’s Classroom.
They also filmed some of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald here as 1920s Hogwarts.
Many of the flashback Hogwarts scenes with Leta Lestrange and Newt Scamander were filmed here when they were students.
There is a funny scene where Leta puts a spell on a gossiping student and a young Minerva McGonagall chases her down the cloisters.
You’ll see the Sacristy when Leta Lestrange visits Hogwarts again, grown up and speaks with Albus Dumbledore.
The Chapter House, Abbey Cloisters, and some of the abbey grounds were all used in this movie. It’s well worth a visit for Potterheads.
Related Post: Harry Potter filming locations in Lacock
Highgate Cemetery
Another location you can visit featured in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is Highgate Cemetery in London.
Grindelwald summons his followers to the Lestrange Mausoleum in Cimetière du Père-Lachaise in Paris.
The exterior of the Lestrange Mausoleum and the Wands into the Earth scenes with Nicolas Flamel were filmed around the Circle of Lebanon.
You will need to pay to enter the West Highgate Cemetery. But it’s well worth the money in my opinion.
Related Post: Fantastic Beasts Highgate Cemetery Guide
Leadenhall Market
Although brief, you’ll see Leadenhall Market appear in scenes from Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
This amazing marketplace featured as a French market and is where Tina sees the circus descend into chaos with Credence and the “Maledictus”.
This isn’t the first time we have seen Leadenhall Market used in the Harry Potter movies; you’ll recognise it from The Philosopher’s Stone.
This is when Hagrid takes Harry to the Leaky Cauldron for them to access Diagon Alley.
Related Post: Leadenhall Market Harry Potter Guide
Warner Brothers Studios in London
It’s no surprise that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and the other movies were filmed at Warner Brothers Studios in London.
It’s where all eight Harry Potter movies were filmed over a decade and where they store all of the Wizarding World props, costumes, and sets.
Today, you can visit the Harry Potter Studios to go behind the scenes and learn how they brought these magical films to the silver screen.
If you’re visiting the UK, this is a must-visit for any Potterhead.
You’ll get to enter the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, board the Hogwarts Express, pull out a Mandrake in the Hogwarts Greenhouse, and sip Butterbeer!
They have special events throughout the year like their Dark Arts event and Hogwarts in the Snow at Christmas.
Plus, you can indulge in a magical afternoon tea, which is the cherry on top.
It makes a fabulous day out in London, and you can take their shuttle service from the city centre.
North England Harry Potter filming locations
If you’re on a Harry Potter road trip, there are plenty of Harry Potter filming locations you can visit in the North of England.
I’ve visited nearly all of the UK Harry Potter filming locations and have detailed guides to help you visit all of them:
Durham Cathedral Harry Potter filming locations
Harry Potter filming locations in Alnwick Castle
Harry Potter locations in York
The Shop That Must Not Be Named
Malham Cove Harry Potter guide
Staying in a real-life Hagrid’s Hut in Yorkshire
Goathland Station Harry Potter guide
John Rylands Library Harry Potter guide
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How to visit the real Godric’s Hollow in Lavenham
Harry Potter locations in Lacock
Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh
All the Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland
How to find the Harry Potter Tree at Blenheim Palace
How to find Dobby’s Grave in Wales
Harry Potter filming locations in Gloucester Cathedral
How to see the Hogwarts Express in Scotland
How to visit Dumbledore’s Grave in Scotland
Visiting Malfoy Manor in Real life!
Where to find Tom Riddle’s grave in Edinburgh
Visiting the Quidditch Town of Tutshill Tornados
Harry Potter locations in Exeter along with Gandy Street and the Room of Requirement
Virginia Water – the Other Hogwarts Lake
Instagram locations at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
How to visit Hagrid’s Hut in Scotland
How to visit the Harry Potter Waterfall in Scotland
Celebrating Back to Hogwarts Day at King’s Cross Station
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