I live in the Harry Potter house — fans cry outside my door

“Harry Potter” fans are eager to see the titular wizard’s childhood home in the fictional town of Little Whinging in Surrey at 4 Privet Drive where he lived with the Dursleys — and the actual homeowners are feeling the effect.

The residence — which is located in Bracknell, Berkshire, in England — was used as the home where Harry lived under the stairs with his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and cousin Dudley.

The anonymous homeowner told the Sun that fans show up to their house “every day” — and some even climb their fence and knock on the door.

“You open the curtains in the morning. You don’t get used to it. It’s really weird,” they said. “Ten is the maximum we’ve had, but people come in groups. People come in cars, and it’s all day and sometimes at night. The school holidays are the worst.”

The homeowner finds it “bizarre” that people show up in tears and get dressed up in front of the iconic home.

The home made famous in the “Harry Potter” film franchise is located in Bracknell, Berkshire, in England.
Warren Little/Getty Images

A three bedroom house in Picket Post Close, Bracknell, that was used in the Harry Potter films, is being auctioned at the Millennium Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London.  *   The home, which belongs to Sandra Smith, was transformed for the two films of JK Rowling's books.  Ms Smith returned home from work as a secretary in Ascot three years ago to discover that Warner Brothers had chosen her house as the perfect setting for No 4 Privet Drive, Little Whingeing, Surrey.
The Dursleys’ house was fictionally located at 4 Privet Drive in Little Whinging, Surrey, in the “Harry Potter” books and movies.
Tim Ockenden – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

“We’ve had people in floods of tears. It’s bizarre. The kids, you get it. But obviously the adults. They dress up sometimes in full gear and re-create scenes,” they said.

“Loads” of fans recently showed up at the house and started to knock on their door to ask if they can take a photo in front of the house, but the owner said some people don’t even bother to ask.

But they understand the hype and don’t really mind the disruptors too much. They even move their car so visiting Potterheads can get better photos.


general view of the house where Harry Potter lived in the Warner Brothers film 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' on July 22, 2003 in Bracknell, England
The homeowner finds it “bizarre” that people show up in tears and get dressed up in front of the iconic home.
Warren Little/Getty Images

“I don’t mind. Harry Potter is amazing. I get that. But you do come home from work and they are all on your drive. It’s quite mad,” the owner admitted.

“We knew what house we were buying except they didn’t really tell us. They didn’t tell us they are here all day, every day. It’s constant.”

They continued, “It’s one of those franchises after all these years that is still just as crazy. Sometimes I just don’t get it.”

While the owners of the actual house are accommodating of the fans, they feel bad for the neighbors whose driveways are often swarmed by fans trying to get a decent photo.


the back of The Dursley's house at 4 Privet Drive, 2004,
The house — and the entire street — was recreated into a set in a studio for the other films.
©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Co

“Pretty much every single day you see people coming here and stopping in front of their house and taking photos,” neighbor Asad Shahid, 32, told the outlet. “Sometimes I’ve seen vans and minibuses pull up here. Lots of tourists from all over the world. I’ve met people that have come from America, Japan and Germany.”

Shahid shared that one time while driving home, they saw a replica of the flying Ford Anglia from the second installment of the franchise, 2002’s “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”

The owner added, “People have traveled miles. From all over the world. People are sometimes really awkward. We are used to it, but not used to it in a way.”


Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1.”
Jaap Buitendijk/©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Dobby the House Elf
Dobby the House Elf in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”
©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Collection

As for the infamous cupboard under the staircase that Harry Potter was forced to live in by his mean aunt and uncle prior to going to Hogwarts, fans will be delighted to know it’s still in place.

“The cupboard is still here. It hasn’t been touched. Harry Potter might as well still live here. We just keep junk in it. Coats. Ironing board. Hoover,” the owner shared. “We have thought about recreating it into the cupboard.”


Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe in 2001’s “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Even though 4 Privet Drive has appeared in all eight movie adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s book series, the actual home was only used in just one movie before the house — and the entire street — was recreated into a set in a studio for the other films.

Fans can visit the set of the film on the Warner Bros studio tour in Leavesden, Hertfordshire in England.

Read the full article Here

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