Harry Potter Flat in Edinburgh
Have you ever loved a book so much you wish it was real? That's how I feel about Harry Potter. If you've followed my Instagram for a while, you'll know I'm a bit of a Potterhead (okay, that's the understatement of the year...) I've loved the books since I first picked up the Philosopher's Stone and entered Harry's world. Looking back, it seems no surprise that I should settle in Edinburgh - home to JK Rowling and birthplace of the Harry Potter books... When I heard about a new Harry Potter themed flat in Edinburgh, I just new I had to stay there and make all my Hogwarts-filled dreams come true!
Harry Potter & Edinburgh
In recent years, Edinburgh has seen something of a Harry Potter tourism explosion. There are shops dedicated to all things Harry, pop-up Potter cocktail bars, guided walking tours of magical locations... you can even visit the cafe where J.K Rowling wrote the early books. In short, Edinburgh is a paradise for a Potterhead. A few months ago, an article about a new Harry Potter themed flat in Edinburgh went viral. The minute I saw the flat, I knew I had to go and check it out. Some friends and I managed to book in for a night's stay (the flat is booked out until 2019!) and decided to host the mother of all Harry Potter sleepovers.
A Sleepover Worthy of Hogwarts
The flat is located on the Canongate, one of the most historic parts of Edinburgh's Old Town. For visitors to the city, this is the perfect location for sightseeing. It's close to the major sites (Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile) and is a short walk into the New Town. The flat even has a gorgeous view of Calton Hill. Potter aside, the fab location and general luxury of the flat should be enough to silence any muggle dissenters.The flat itself is modelled on Hogwarts, in miniature. We're talking squishy leather armchairs, thick velvet curtains, wooden panelling - even a life-size mural of the entrance to Dumbledore's office. The flat even has it's own entrance to Platform 9 and 3 quarters. Who needs Kings Cross?
The Gryffindor Dormitory
Walking into the master bedroom is probably the closest I will ever come to the Gryffindor dormitory. It's hard to explain the magic of this room. It has an enormous (ridiculously comfortable) four-poster bed, scarlet and gold wall hangings, lush velvet curtains, and a cleverly wallpapered-ceiling which gives the appearance of floating candles - just like Hogwarts' enchanted Great Hall. Lying in this bed, looking up at the enchanted ceiling, really is magical.[gallery columns="2" size="large" ids="803,827"]
The Common Room
The living room is an homage to the Gryffindor common room. It's comfy and cosy and exactly what you need after a long day exploring Edinburgh. There are comfy armchairs to curl up in, a real wood-burning stove, and the owner has kindly left a stack of Harry Potter books in case you forgot to bring yours (as if.) There's even a Potter chess set if you fancy a game of wizarding chess. Personally, we made full use of the giant TV with a Harry Potter movie marathon - well, when in Rome...[gallery columns="2" size="large" ids="804,829,810,805"]
Details, Details
The attention to detail in this flat really is incredible. House Elves have clearly been hard at work to make this as immersive an experience as possible. The hall is covered with portraits (none moved while we were there, sadly.) There are collectibles lining every inch - Godric Gryffindor's sword hangs from the wall, a model replica of Hogwarts Castle takes pride of place in the kitchen. The smaller second bedroom is decorated like a Hogwarts Express train carriage. The kitchen cupboards are painted in house colours. I could go on! But I'll leave some magic left for you to discover for yourself...[gallery targetsize="wcfixedheight" columns="2" size="large" ids="830,821,817,820"]Even the sound system is wizard-appropriate (naturally, we had the film soundtracks on repeat.)
It's hard to express how perfect this flat is for a Potter fan. Its location in Edinburgh's Old Town, coupled with the flat's own magic makes for an enchanting combination. We left the next morning, disappointed that we'd have to step back into reality and wave goodbye to Hogwarts.I'll admit, this flat probably isn't for the fainthearted. If you're not a Harry Potter fan, it probably seems completely mad. But if you're travelling with someone who loves the books or films, I genuinely wouldn't hesitate to book this place. Potter aside, it is luxurious, comfortable, and perfectly located for exploring.Tempted? You can book the flat here. *This post is in no way sponsored. I booked and paid for the flat and my views are my own. I'm just a massive Potter fangirl. Always.*