Leadenhall Market

Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT, UK

Enter Leadenhall Market and you are walking back through time (albeit with a few modern shops involved). Right in the middle of London‘s financial hub, just 5 minutes walk from Bank station you will discover this covered market complete with ornate decorations and cobbled stone floor. If the place looks familiar, maybe it’s because the venue has featured in many films including Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. At lunchtime the place is a buzz with city workers grabbing lunch from one of the many food outlets and pubs. But at Christmas time this place is a picture postcard; a grand tree is erected and choirs sing under the warm glow of lanterns. Enter through the main entrance pictured above via Gracechurch street and get lost in the tiny lanes.

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Bike Your Way Through Diagon Alley

London’s busy streets filled with red buses and black taxis might not seem inviting to those looking to bicycle their way around town. However, Fat Tire Bike Tours gives travelers the ultimate ride through the heart of London, with fantastic and knowledgable guides leading the way. With options for daytime or evening tours, hop on a beach cruiser and pedal your way over the Tower Bridge, along the crowded paths beside the Thames, through the bustling yet sometimes eerily quiet financial district, and into Leadenhall Market. For you Harry Potter fans, Leadenhall Market is Diagon Alley, where Harry buys his wand, among other essentials required by the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Finish the evening tour with a couple of pints at a 400 year old pub. This is the perfect time to converse with your tour group and meet fellow travelers from all over the world. If you are satisfied with your adventure, you can also Fat Tire it around other famous cities like Paris, Berlin, and Barcelona!

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