Sweeping through the awe-inspiring countryside of North Yorkshire, the Ribblehead Viaduct is undoubtedly one of the county’s most iconic structures.
Comprising of 24 gigantic stone arches and standing at 104 feet (32 metres) above the moor, the striking railway dominates the landscape for miles and miles and continues to be a popular destination for walkers.
Incredibly picturesque, many visitors also believe the viaduct was the filming location for Harry Potter’s Hogwarts Express train.
The similarities are clearly undeniable – the Ribblehead Viaduct and the railway used in the Harry Potter movies do indeed look alike. But is this rumour true or false?
Was Harry Potter filmed at Ribblehead Viaduct?
While certainly uncanny in appearance, the Harry Potter team never used the Ribblehead Viaduct as a filming location in any of the movies.
Nevertheless – Potter-head or not – this grandiose railway bridge is still well worth a visit!
The magical panoramas of the countryside, the sheer magnitude of the viaduct and the neighbouring mountainscape of Whernside – it’s easy to see why this remains one of Yorkshire’s prime outdoor hotspots.
Where is the Harry Potter train bridge?
The real filming location for the Harry Potter Viaduct is found much further north, deep within the remote Scottish Highlands.
Named the Glenfinnan Viaduct, this railway bridge was constructed between 1897 to 1901 and is located on the West Highland Line in Glenfinnan, Scotland.
Sitting atop of Loch Shiel’s sparkly waters, the most common vantage point for observing the railway crossing is from the Glenfinnan Viaduct Viewpoint.
Costing just £3 for a spot on the National Trust Glenfinnan Viaduct Car Park (or free if you’re a National Trust member), from here it’s only a gentle 10-minute stroll to the viewing point where the vistas are simply breath-taking.
The Jacobite Steam Train which crosses the Genfinnan Viaduct still carries some of the very same carriages used in the movies, and for those who aren’t satisfied with merely observing the train from a distance, you can even take a ride for yourself!
For more info, be sure to check out our guide to visiting Fort William here which details how to book a seat on the train.
Top tip – If making the trip to Glenfinnan Viaduct, you may also be interested in tracking down the filming location for Hagrid’s Hut. Located 37 miles away at Glencoe Village, the hut is sadly long gone, but the landscape will be instantly recognisable for Potter-fanatics!
Harry Potter filming location in Yorkshire – Malham Cove
While the Harry Potter crew didn’t film at Yorkshire’s Ribblehead Viaduct, they did use the nearby natural wonder of Malham Cove.
A scenic 35-minute drive south from Ribblehead, Malham Cove was used as a shooting location for the Deathly Hallows movies and is home to some magnificent nature trails & unique rock formations.
Interested? Then be sure to check out our comprehensive Malham Cove Guide.
Happy walking 🚶🚶