Into the Ministry through the toilets

Horse Guards Avenue — Whitehall, London

In the London guide · Plan a day here

On screen

Disguised as Ministry staff, Harry, Ron and Hermione join officials going down steps to a public toilet in the street. Inside, they flush themselves straight into the Ministry of Magic.

The place today

An ordinary street between Whitehall and the Thames embankment. The film spot is at the Whitehall junction, by the statue of the 8th Duke of Devonshire, a minute’s walk from Great Scotland Yard.

Did you know? There are no toilets here: the stairway was a temporary prop. The big building alongside is Britain’s real Ministry of Defence.

Sources: movie-locations · The Magician walking tours · Finding the Universe