Harry Potter: Back to Hogwarts 2023 at King’s Cross station’s platform 9¾ welcomes hundreds of fans

Hundreds of fans of all ages donned their robes and made it to London’s King’s Cross station for the much-loved annual Back to Hogwarts celebrations.

Taking place on September 1 each year, Back to Hogwarts is one of the biggest days in any Harry Potter fan’s calendar – marking the moment when wizards and witches board the Hogwarts Express on platform 9¾ for a year of magical adventure at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Muggles, witches and wizards flocked to the station to enjoy the live event hosted by TV star Sam Thompson, and raised their wands to join in with the live countdown to departure - which, this year, was led by young competition winner Arnav Partukar 10.

LondonWorld caught up with some Harry Potter fanatics who made the trip to King’s Cross.

Dawn and Jason, who travelled from Kent dressed in Gryffindor attire, said: “We went to see the theatre show a few weeks ago and loved it so it was a good excuse to get out our costumes again and come and be a part of this.”

Another Gryffindor fan, Pranav, said: “The event is not just about reliving the magic but also the Potter family, the fandom and the number of people that are here. I feel such a sense of warmth and belonging here. It is absolutely magical.”

Sam Thompson said: “As my cats, Albus and Cedric, can attest to, I love Harry Potter. Being able to come back to King’s Cross to host such a brilliant event, in front of so many like-minded fans is literally my dream come true.

“What I love about Back to Hogwarts is that you get to see the shared love that this community has for Harry Potter and the magical wizarding world, and hosting alongside Arnav has been an absolute honour.”

Helen Cavanagh, Network Rail’s head of passenger experience for the East Coast Route, said of the King’s Cross celebration: “It’s always amazing to see King’s Cross station filled with students from all four Hogwarts houses come together as one to mark the start of the new Hogwarts term. Whether you belong to Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, we’re looking forward to welcoming you!”