Millennium Bridge Harry Potter Filming Location - Where Death Eaters Destroy London!

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Okay Muggles, if you want to know the bridge that is destroyed by Death Eaters in the Harry Potter movies. Then, keep reading this post.

Although in the chapters of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince this bridge is called Brockdale Bridge, in the movies it’s actually the Millennium Bridge in London!

Luckily for Potterheads, the Millennium Footbridge is a real filming location in England and a tourist attraction that you can visit for yourself.

Here is a complete guide for the Millennium Bridge Harry Potter filming location and how to visit the bridge that the Death Eaters destroy in London!

What bridge is destroyed in Harry Potter?

In the sixth Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, we learn that Voldemort has asked Cornelius Fudge to step down as the Minister of Magic.

Of course, Cornelius Fudge refuses to bow down to the Dark Lord and so Voldemort decides to spread terror through London.

He places the Dark Mark in the sky as a forewarning to Muggles and then tasks the Death Eaters with destroying the City of London. Also, they capture Ollivander and destroy Diagon Alley in the process.

In the book, the bridge that the Death Eaters destroy is called Brockdale Bridge. But, in the Harry Potter movies, the bridge they chose for this scene is quite distinguishable as the famous Millennium Bridge in London

The history of Millennium Bridge or the ‘Wobbly Bridge’ in London

True to its name the Millennium Bridge, or London Millennium Footbridge, was built as a suspended walkway on the River Thames to mark the new Millennium.

The design was chosen as part of a Southwark Council RIBA competition and was called “blade of light”. It took two years to construct and finally opened in June 2000.

On opening day, it quickly became famous for another reason. It started to sway and wobble which meant that people started falling over while crossing it!

It was immediately closed down and was deemed structurally unsound. They then had to work on it for another two years to ensure that this walkway was really safe for visitors.

Londoners quickly gave this bridge the nickname ‘Wobbly Bridge’ and it’s stuck ever since! It still wobbles today but it’s not enough to cause alarm. It’s now one of the most popular footbridges in London as it has the iconic view of St Paul’s Cathedral.

It’s also famous for being a Harry Potter filming location which draws in many Potterheads each year.

Maybe the director chose this location as a funny play on the fact that this bridge wobbled so much on opening day? Who knows!

Millennium Bridge London view of St Paul's Cathedral

Millennium Bridge Harry Potter connection – what Harry Potter was filmed at Millennium Bridge?

Hawk-eyed Harry Potter fans will know that there were actually two Harry Potter movies that feature the Millennium Bridge as a filming location.

The first is in Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix (2007) when Harry flies over London on a broomstick with the Order. That’s Mad-Eye Moody, Remus, and Tonks, etc.

But, the Millennium Bridge is most famously known as Brockdale Bridge in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009).

You’ll remember it from the first scenes of the movie where we see worried Muggles in London after the Death Eaters start causing mayhem.

The Millennium Bridge gets completely destroyed by the Death Eaters and the structure falls into the Thames taking plenty of Muggles along with it!

It’s definitely a dark sign of things to come and what will happen to the Muggle and Wizarding World should Lord Voldemort take over.

Other notable places that feature in these disturbing scenes are London City Hall, The Gherkin, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross Road, and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Watch the Millennium Bridge Harry Potter scene when the Death Eaters destroy London!

Can you walk over the Millennium Bridge in London?

YES, the Millennium Bridge was actually made to be a suspended walkway for pedestrians to cross the River Thames in the City of London to mark the Millennium.

This was until it shut down of course due to it wobbling but Death Eater’s weren’t responsible for that, thankfully.

Today, it’s very stable and extremely popular with commuters heading to work and tourists who want to enjoy the panoramic views of London.

You may also see some fellow keen Harry Potter fans who want to experience some of the magical filming locations for themselves.

If you were heading to London and plan on taking a ‘Harry Potter tour’, I would 100% recommend planning a walk over this wobbly bridge.

Millennium bridge suspended walkway over the River Thames — *The bridge is suspended over the River Thames*

How to visit the Millennium Bridge Harry Potter filming location

If you wanted to see the bridge that the Death Eaters destroy in London for yourself, then you only need to head to the River Thames in the City of London.

You’ll find the Millennium Bridge in front of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern Art Gallery. You can also easily find this suspended walkway as part of ‘The Queen’s Walk’ from Westminster.

It’s a lovely scenic walk along the Thames and you can see many of London’s famous attractions along the way. If you haven’t got time, you can always catch the tube straight there.

Millennium Bridge nearest tube station is Blackfriars served by the Circle and District line. It’s then only a quick five-minute walk to the bridge from there. Click here to plan your journey on Transport for London.

Tate Modern from the Millennium Bridge — *Tate Modern Art Gallery*

St Paul's Cathedral from the Millennium Bridge — *St Paul’s Cathedral*

See where Death Eaters destroy the Millennium Bridge in Harry Potter!

So, what can you expect when you finally get to the Millennium Bridge Harry Potter filming location?

Well, it’s probably pretty obvious but it’s not going to be destroyed like it is in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

The production team was able to make that dramatic scene happen in the movie with some pretty impressive CGI. So, don’t worry, the bridge will be perfectly intact.

You will find that there are a lot of Muggles walking along this bridge every day. It’s a really popular bridge and can see massive crowds depending on what time of day you visit.

You may also find that the bridge ‘wobbles’ or bounces slightly as you walk over it. You will soon find out that it certainly lives up to its nickname of the ‘Wobbly Bridge’ to locals. But, it’s very safe to cross.

Although it is just a commuter bridge, I would recommend sending some time on here as part of your trip. The views from the bridge are fantastic and it allows you to see some of the best views of the River Thames.

What can you see from Millennium Bridge in London?

Aside from being a Harry Potter filming location, Millennium Bridge is actually a really popular tourist attraction in London.

Most of the bridges along the River Thames are but the Millennium Bridge is special as it’s a suspension bridge made only for pedestrians.

It’s also one of the more recent bridges built over this historic river with interesting modern architecture and has some spectacular views to boot.

The Millennium Bridge is a walkway that connects Bankside with the City of London. Or, the two big tourist attractions of the Tate Modern Art Gallery and St Paul’s Cathedral.

One of the best photo opportunities of St Paul’s Cathedral can be found at the end of this bridge! This structure gives the illusion that the cathedral Is being supported by the bridge from the Tate Modern side.

If you head across the suspended steel walkway, you can see The Shard which is the tallest building in London and the United Kingdom. Also, you can see Sky Garden, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Tower Bridge in the distance.

If you wanted to see some more things to do around here. Read my complete London Bridge area guide with all the FREE things to do!

View of the Shard from Millennium Bridge — *Endless views from the Millennium Bridge*

Millennium Bridge Chewing Gum Art

Did you know that there is an artist in London that has transformed some of the chewing gum found on Millennium Bridge into pieces of art?

Ben Wilson, also known as the ‘Chewing Gum man’, has transformed hundreds of trampled chewing gum pieces into paintings. I guess that’s one way to make them look nicer!

He calls it a form of recycling and they are colourful and fun portraits in miniature. They can be very hard to spot as this bridge is so busy, so you’ll need to keep an eye out for them while you’re here if you’re an art lover.

Millennium Bridge opening times

The good news for Harry Potter fans is that the Millennium Bridge is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

So, you can visit the Millennium Bridge Harry Potter filming location at any point on your trip to London.

Of course, if you’re heading here for photography, I would recommend getting here as early as possible. I got here around 7.30 am and I was surprised at how quiet it was considering it was a commuter bridge in London at rush hour. But, I’m not complaining – it was great!

Visiting at night is also really cool as this bridge is lit up in blue! So, it makes for some amazing night photography.

I also think it looks a lot more Death Eater-esque at twilight (if that’s even a thing – I’m sure Potterheads will get it).

Are you looking for more Harry Potter experiences in London?

If you wanted to visit some more Harry Potter filming locations in this area, you could head over to the London City Hall and Tower Bridge. Both of these locations feature in Harry Potter.

You can head into St Paul’s Cathedral to see their Geometric Staircase that was the Divination Stairwell at Hogwarts.

There’s also the incredible Leadenhall Market which is a pretty Victorian shopping area and home of the Leaky Cauldron.

Or, you could head over to Borough Market and look out for Stoney Street which is another entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. It’s actually El Pastor restaurant that serves up amazing tacos.

St Paul's Cathedral Harry Potter Geometric Staircase — *St Paul’s Cathedral Geometric Staircase in Harry Potter*

A little further west and you can find King’s Cross Station, The Harry Potter Shop with Platform 9 3/4, and the Order of the Phoenix HQ. Or, visit the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel where Ron flies his Ford Anglia!

You can also visit the inspirations for Diagon Alley by heading over to Cecil Court and Goodwin’s Court.

But, there are also lots of Harry Potter experiences to enjoy while you’re here like The Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition that is home to the only Butterbeer Bar in London.

You could visit the House of MinaLima’s free Harry Potter museum and shop. Or, watch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

If you’re looking for an afternoon tea, you can head to Cutter & Squidge’s Potion Room. Plus, there is The Cauldron which is a Harry Potter-themed cocktail bar!

Or you could visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London. If you can I would recommend a visit around one of their special events like the Dark Arts at Halloween or Hogwarts in the Snow.

Click here to read my complete guide on London Harry Potter locations