Harry Potter's Parents House

The modest cottage that inspired J.K. Rowling's vision of the Potter family home sits in the Wiltshire countryside near Chippenham, a real house with an actual address - though visitors should be aware it remains a private residence. You can't go inside, and there's no visitor centre or official opening hours to speak of. What you get is the exterior: a semi-detached house that's unmistakably the one from the books, recognisable enough to make any Potter fan's heart skip a beat when they clock the garden and front door.

Really, this is a pilgrimage spot rather than a destination with activities. Hardcore fans will want the photo, the tick on their Rowling map. Casual enthusiasts might find it underwhelming - it's just a house, after all, and you're viewing it from the pavement. Families with young children obsessed with the series will get a proper kick out of it; older kids might manage five minutes before asking when lunch is.

The appeal lies in context. Chippenham itself is pleasant enough for a morning wander, and you're well-positioned for the caravan parks scattered within five miles - Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site and Blackland Lakes are both reasonable bases if you're doing a wider Wiltshire tour. Pop by the house, grab your photo, then head elsewhere. Don't make the pilgrimage your whole afternoon. It's a nice aside during a countryside break, not a main event.