
Goodwin’s Court, London
Imagine you're wandering through London's Covent Garden, dodging selfie sticks and street performers, when suddenly—bam!—you stumble upon a time portal disguised as an alleyway. Welcome to Goodwin’s Court: dark, narrow, and delightfully mysterious, like London’s best-kept secret and possibly its spookiest shortcut.
Tucked behind the unassuming facade of The Theatre Goers Club of Great Britain—and just a wand-flick away from Charing Cross Road and Cecil Court—this sliver of Georgian charm has been haunting the city since around 1627. Amid those glossy black doors with gleaming knockers, brass nameplates that whisper of bygone businesses, and bow-fronted windows that curve so gracefully, you’d swear they were sketched by a Georgian architect with a flair for drama.
Now, Harry Potter fans—prepare your gasps. Goodwin’s Court didn’t make it to the big screen, but it might as well have. Its moody vibes, authentic old-school lanterns, and shadowy elegance evoke a sense of (and inspired the props created by Warner Bros. for) its creepy evil cinematographic twin, Knockturn Alley. Depending on the weather and lighting—and London’s got options—it can feel equal parts Diagon and doom.
Sure, you won’t find a wand shop or a dodgy apothecary tucked behind those windows here. But the eerie resemblance to the set designs in the films is so uncanny, it might just send shivers down your spine, prompting you to start checking over your shoulder for Death Eaters. Bellatrix Lestrange—is that you, darling?—or is it Lucius Malfoy apparating in the dead of night!?
So brace yourself for this detour. After all, Goodwin’s Court isn’t just a street—it’s a stroll through magical déjà vu...
Tucked behind the unassuming facade of The Theatre Goers Club of Great Britain—and just a wand-flick away from Charing Cross Road and Cecil Court—this sliver of Georgian charm has been haunting the city since around 1627. Amid those glossy black doors with gleaming knockers, brass nameplates that whisper of bygone businesses, and bow-fronted windows that curve so gracefully, you’d swear they were sketched by a Georgian architect with a flair for drama.
Now, Harry Potter fans—prepare your gasps. Goodwin’s Court didn’t make it to the big screen, but it might as well have. Its moody vibes, authentic old-school lanterns, and shadowy elegance evoke a sense of (and inspired the props created by Warner Bros. for) its creepy evil cinematographic twin, Knockturn Alley. Depending on the weather and lighting—and London’s got options—it can feel equal parts Diagon and doom.
Sure, you won’t find a wand shop or a dodgy apothecary tucked behind those windows here. But the eerie resemblance to the set designs in the films is so uncanny, it might just send shivers down your spine, prompting you to start checking over your shoulder for Death Eaters. Bellatrix Lestrange—is that you, darling?—or is it Lucius Malfoy apparating in the dead of night!?
So brace yourself for this detour. After all, Goodwin’s Court isn’t just a street—it’s a stroll through magical déjà vu...
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ϳԹ: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Goodwin’s Court on Map
Sight Name: Goodwin’s Court
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
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Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
Covent Garden Walking Tour
A shopping and entertainment hub on the eastern fringes of London's West End, Covent Garden is a district historically associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market – currently a shopping spot popular with locals and tourists alike.
Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Kensington/Knightsbridge Walking Tour
Situated just below Hyde Park, Knightsbridge and South Kensington are two adjacent neighborhoods with grand Victorian homes and leafy garden squares. Home to London’s most expensive homes, Knightsbridge has some of the highest density of millionaires in the world. This is clearly reflected in the selection of stores & restaurants in the area, including the famous Harvey Nichols and Harrods... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Sherlock Holmes Tour in London
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Harry Potter Walking Tour I
The Harry Potter phenomenon began with author J.K. Rowling, who famously dreamed up the series while delayed on a train from Manchester to London. With the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997, the literary world changed forever. Across seven books, readers followed Harry’s evolution from an orphaned schoolboy at Hogwarts to a brave young wizard confronting evil... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Jane Austen’s London
The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham’s elopement in “Pride & Prejudice.”
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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