Magical Liverpool Fantastic Beasts Filming Locations You Can Visit!

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Okay wizards, witches, and no-maj’s, did you know that there are some 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 the corner with his suitcase of magical creatures in tow.

That’s right, many of the New York scenes in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them were actually filmed in Liverpool! Who knew?!

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?

Beady-eyed Fantastic Beasts fans will recognise many of Liverpool’s significant buildings used for scenes of New York 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 none of the Fantastic Beasts movies were actually filmed in the Big Apple!

St George's Hall Liverpool Fantastic Beasts Filming Locations

This is because Liverpool’s famous buildings look much more similar to 1920s New York than today’s New York does!

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.

Magical Liverpool Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them filming locations to visit!

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 in the very beginning.

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 with his!

Who knew that that chance encounter would have them pairing up for some wild adventures together?

Martins Bank Building Liverpool Fantastic Beasts

All of these scenes were filmed in Martin’s Bank Building in Liverpool. It used to be a real bank that was 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. But, this won’t be for a while yet.

Until then, you can still take a peek at the outside of the building and you can find it on Water Street.

Martins Bank Building Liverpool Fantastic Beasts Filming Locations

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.

Liverpool Cunard Building Fantastic Beasts

The Cunard Building Fantastic Beasts Liverpool

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’. Tickets are £16 an adult.

Did you know? 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?

Cunard Building Fantastic Beasts Liverpool

Liver Building Liverpool — *Liver Building & Cunard Building*

3. St George’s Hall – New York City Hall

I’ve definitely saved the BEST Liverpool Fantastic Beasts filming location for last and that is the iconic St George’s Hall building 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 at the end 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 tall pillars next to the entrance doors as inspiration too.

The inside of St George’s Hall is not open to the public normally but you can visit for their events and exhibitions that take place 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 and so it looked amazing at night time all lit up with fairy lights. Very Fantastic Beasts!

Liverpool Christmas Market — *These churros were just as tasty as they look. Also, that Santa hot chocolate cup was lined with Nutella!*

Even more Liverpool Harry Potter locations

Although that is all of the Liverpool Fantastic Beasts filming locations, did you know that you can find even more magical 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 that is 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 Birkhead.

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 heading the wrong way through traffic and they narrowly miss cars and lorries whilst flying through the tunnel.

Although you can’t enter this tunnel as a pedestrian, you can see the entrance of the tunnel beyond St George’s Hall gardens.

Alternatively, you can drive through the Queensway Tunnel to see this Liverpool Harry Potter filming location for yourself. But, be warned there is a small toll charge to drive through it.

5. Liverpool Harry Potter Shop – Pride of Liverpool

If you’re looking for a Liverpool Harry Potter Shop, unfortunately, there isn’t a dedicated Wizarding World shop in the city.

But, you can visit the Pride of Liverpool shop 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’s!

As you can expect, the Pride of Liverpool is all about selling gifts themed on things that make Liverpool famous, so you’ll find notable landmarks and The Beatles souvenirs inside too.

The Pride of Liverpool can be found on the Royal Albert Dock near Tate Liverpool which 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 would 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 and see many familiar Harry Potter characters, monsters, and magical creatures along the way.

You can meet Hagrid, Hedgwig, 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!

Click here to read my complete Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience review!

Liverpool Fantastic Beasts filming locations map

Click the picture below or follow this link for a FREE map to find all of the Liverpool Fantastic Filming Locations and other Liverpool Harry Potter locations;

Save time and book a tour!

Book tours & tickets for Liverpool!

Liverpool Football Stadium Tickets

The Beatles Story Tickets

Liverpool Hop on Hop off Bus Tour

Mersey River Sightseeing Cruise

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 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 and here you’ll find where they filmed the Hogwarts cloisters, the Mirror of Erised, Snape’s Classroom, and more.

But, they also filmed some of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald here too as Hogwarts in the 1920s!

They filmed many of the flashback Hogwarts scenes with Leta Lestrange and Newt Scamander 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.

Also, 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.

Click here to read my complete guide for Harry Potter in Lacock!

Lacock Harry Potter filming Locations — *Lacock Abbey cloisters*

Highgate Cemetery

Another location you can visit that is 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. But, this is actually Highgate Cemetery London.

The exterior of the Lestrange Mausoleum and the Wands into the Earth scenes with Nicolas Flamel were filmed around the Circle of Lebanon in West Highgate.

You will need to pay to enter the West Highgate cemetery and tickets cost £10 per person. Well worth it my opinion!

Click here to see my complete visitor guide for Highgate Cemetery!

How to Visit Highgate Cemetery London Fantastic Beasts Filming Location — *Highgate Cemetry Circle of Lebanon*

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, in fact, you’ll recognise it from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone!

You’ll see it when Hagrid takes Harry to the Leaky Cauldron in order for them to access Diagon Alley. It’s here they shop for wizarding supplies for Harry’s first year at Hogwarts.

You can visit for FREE in London and chase down these filming locations for yourself.

Click here to read my Leadenhall Market Harry Potter Guide

Leadenhall Market Harry Potter filming locations

Warner Brothers Studios in London

It’s no surprise that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and the other movies in the franchise were filmed at Warner Brothers Studios in London.

This is where all eight of the Harry Potter movies were filmed over the course of 10 years and where they store all of their Wizarding World props, costumes, and movie 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, walk down Diagon Alley, board the Hogwarts Express, pull out a Mandrake in the Hogwarts Greenhouse, sip on Butterbeer and even walk through Gringotts!

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!

Although not the cheapest place to visit, it makes a fabulous day out in London and you can take their shuttle service from the city centre.