Yahoo News The charming North Yorkshire Harry Potter tourist spot that attracts fans from around the world
The famed Yorkshire station you should visit, even if Harry Potter isn't your thing.
Two decades ago, I found myself on holiday in Anglesey and we decided to visit Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch while nearby.
It was nothing more than a tourist trap, and I'm not sure why I expected anything different. There was a station with a long sign, a shop full of Llanfair PG souvenirs, and little else to spark interest. The 58-character name was created as a publicity stunt during the railway boom in the mid-19th century. Having the longest place name in Europe put the village, previously known as Llanfair y Pwllgwyngyll, on the map and brought in much-needed tourism revenue.
We looked at the sign for about half a minute, went into the shop, bought nothing, and left Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, never to return. Yet, this underwhelming tourist attraction still attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
I felt a similar sense of indifference when visiting Goathland Station. For those who don't know, this station nestled in the heart of the North York Moors served as 'Hogsmeade Station' in the Harry Potter film series. Harry Potter fans from around the world are drawn to this charming station, nestled within a National Park, for its well-preserved nostalgia.
However, it ultimately felt like just a station with a gift shop. There was no chance of running into Harry, Hermione or Ron. The small Harry Potter chocolate frog, complete with a 'collectible' wizard card priced at £5, and a tiny box of Harry Potter jelly beans for £6.50 didn't exactly enhance the experience. The £3.50 parking ticket, valid until midnight, was another added cost.
I remembered the excitement I felt when I visited Hadfield, Derbyshire, where much of The League of Gentleman was filmed. Back in 2000, it was an unassuming Pennine village. Seeing the high street that features at the start of each episode of the eerie BBC comedy series was thrilling. Even spotting the lesser-known locations nearby was a joy.
I also considered the enjoyment Happy Valley fans get from exploring the ordinary and sometimes unsavoury backstreets of Halifax, where scenes for Sally Wainwright's hit crime drama were shot. I was certainly thrilled to have lunch in the 'Sheffield' cafe where Catherine (Sarah Lancashire) confronts Clare (Siobhan Finneran).
Harry Potter fans are sure to be thrilled by a visit to Goathland Station, particularly those who have journeyed from overseas and find the quaint charm of a British village station quite exotic. Even if you're not an ardent follower of JK Rowling's magical universe but appreciate steam trains or breathtaking landscapes, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which includes a stop at Goathland, is certainly worth the fare.
However, if none of these attractions pique your interest, you might just be Tom Riddle.
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