 We all know how much of a worldwide phenomenon Harry Potter has become over the years since the very first book was published. With millions upon millions sold in all different countries and all different languages, Harry Potter is loved by both children and adults alike. In fact, you will be surprised to know that the book which holds the world record for being the most sold book in 24 hours is none other than Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It is the final book in the Harry Potter series and it sold 8.3 million copies in the first 24 hours. Harry Potter as you all know is the brainchild of the famous British author JK Rowling and you will be amazed to know that she spent most of her life in London, Edinburgh and Porto. These three places became part of her inspiration for all the books and later for the movies. Every Harry Potter fan knows that a trip to England's capital means visiting some of the most famous Harry Potter movie locations. After all, the iconic movie saga was shot all over England with some of the most famous scenes taking place in London. And today in this vlog, I am going to be taking you to one such iconic location which is very close to every Harry Potter fan's heart. But before I move ahead, I am curious to know which Harry Potter house do you resonate with? Do you belong to Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin or are you from Ravenclaw? Comment down below your answers and enjoy the rest of the vlog. Any fan of Harry Potter series will know that Kings Cross is where the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Visionary catches the Hogwarts Express from. If you have read any of the Harry Potter books or have watched any of the Harry Potter movies, you will know that in the wizarding world, the students of Hogwarts would need to ride a train which can only be accessed from a platform which was not seen by non-magical folks, also known as muggles. Now, Hogwarts students would have to run through a brick wall between platform 9 and 10, underneath the platform 9 3 by 4 side. And then they would be transported magically to the Hogwarts Express. Muggles, witches and wizards of all houses. Did you know that you can actually visit this famous platform 9 3 by 4 which isn't real life situated at the Kings Cross station in London? I am right now at the Kings Cross station which has reappeared several times throughout the Harry Potter series, serving as the setting for some of the most pivotal moments. You will be glad to know that this station was even used as the shooting location in the Harry Potter films. This station is one of the busiest train stations in the entire city of London that sees over 90 million muggles travel through it each year. For several years now, Kings Cross has celebrated its role in the beloved Harry Potter books and it has this famous platform 9 3 by 4 board as a celebration and I am going to quickly go and post at this famous iconic site. Due to the popular request, the station authorities at the Kings Cross station also decided to install a half trolley in the brick wall underneath the platform 9 3 by 4 signboard which looks exactly like the trolley that Harry Potter and Weasley family used to transfer their luggage to. There are many other Harry Potter locations in this city of London including the famous Warner Brothers Studio where all the movies of Harry Potter were shot. We also have the famous Diagonal Alley and many more touristy locations. If you are a Harry Potter fan just like me, then please comment below which of these locations you want me to cover in my next vlog. This platform appears several times in the Harry Potter books. We were first introduced to the platform 9 3 by 4 in the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone which starts the journey in the wizarding world. At the same time, it is on this platform that we catch the last glimpse of Harry, Ron and Hermione in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 when they bring their children here to finally pass through the wall and go to the wizarding world, their first wizarding journey to Hogwarts. It is also worth noting that it was near this platform that Harry Potter first met Ron and the entire Weasley family. It is a quick trivia for all the muggles out there. I am right now outside the King's Cross station and right behind me you will see a clock tower. Now this is a location which was used in a popular Harry Potter movie called Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Do you remember this scene? I will tell you. So when Harry and Ron find themselves unable to pass through the wall onto the platform 9 3 by 4 because Dobby has sealed it, they return to the Forge Angela and fly over this station. This clock tower that I am talking about right here is shown in that flight scene. By the way, did you know that the 1st of September is otherwise known as the back to Hogwarts day in the wizarding world. This day marks the annual event of students arriving at the King's Cross station to board the Hogwarts Express for the new term. Ever wondered why JK Rowling chose King's Cross as the station for students to board the Hogwarts Express. You will be surprised to know that this station was chosen by her for quite a romantic reason. It was this station where her parents met for the first time. They met on a train journey to Scotland which departed from King's Cross and that's the reason why this station is so close to her heart. King's Cross station is the only railway station in London to have a platform 0. Unfortunately, there is a perfectly logical explanation to it. Why this is numbered as 0? You must be wondering. This new platform was opened recently in 2010, next to platform 1. Now, they first thought of naming it as platform x or platform y but in order to avoid any confusion, they finally decided to name it as platform 0. You cannot depart from the King's Cross station without visiting the famous Harry Potter gift shop. This gift shop is right next to the platform 3x4 signboard and do you know that this shop was the first Harry Potter wizarding shop in the entire world. From sweaters to stuffed owls and wands, this themed gift shop at the King's Cross station got you covered with all the Harry Potter gifts. It is a must visit for all the Potter heads and you can even take home some magical souvenirs while you are here. It also offers selection of jumpers in various house colours. You can also splash out and purchase the exact replica of the wands that were used by Harry, Ron and Hermione. Although platform 9 3x4 is an entirely fictional place, yet it is considered one of the most famous train platforms in the entire world. Let me end this vlog with a famous line which will ensure that the memories of the station and the platform will remain stamped in your heart forever. So as it is said in the famous book, all about the Hogwarts Express and this is how I am going to end this much loved voyage. If you like this video, then please don't forget to give it a big fan thumbs up and also share it with all other Potter heads. That's it from my side for this video lecture. I'll meet you very soon in the next video lecture. Till the time we meet next, happy running, keep loving literature and stay tuned to arpitaakarwa.com