Harry Potter

A charming UK town has been transformed into the Wizarding World as a location for the new Harry Potter TV series on HBO and it needs to be on your staycation radar

Harry Potter fans around the world are waiting for the arrival of the 2027 HBO TV series. With a whole new cast and reportedly some big changes from the movies, it’s set to be a huge TV event.

Once released, one local town is likely to become a must-visit destination for Potterheads, in the same way Kings Cross Station’s Platform 3/4 and Alnwick Castle are now. So, if you’re a die-hard fan, it might be worth making a trip before the crowds descend.

Looe in Cornwall is no stranger to film crews. Fans of the BBC series Beyond Paradise will recognise many of the filming locations including The Looe Guildhall which was used as the local police station, and Looe Bridge.

Recently, celebrities including John Lithgow, who’ll be playing Dumbledore, were spotted locally filming scenes for the show.

Looe already has a must-visit attraction for Potter fans, a quirky-themed shop called Henrietta Pyewacket, which is full of merchandise from the Wizarding World. It’s just one of the charming independent stores you’ll find in the town, with narrow streets that slope gently down towards the coast. Wander around the cobbled roads and find souvenir shops, boutiques, and historic pubs.

Looe Beach sits in a sandy cove, with shallow spots for swimming. It’s often busy in the summer months, with surfers and windsailing on the water. If you’d like a quieter spot, head to the rocky cove of Talland Bay, which is set in an Area of Outstanding Beauty. While rocky, there are spots for swimming, but look out for flags. It’s also a great spot for a brisk coastal walk, followed by a cup of tea in the beach cafe.

According to Cornwall Live, there are two other spots where film crews have been seen in the county. The small fishing village of Cadgwith Cove, which sits on the Lizard peninsula, has also become a location for the Harry Potter TV show.

Cadgwith Cove has a traditional Cornish vibe, with small fishing boats on the beach bringing in local crabs, which you can sample in one of the small beachfront cafes. There’s also shingle beach which is popular for swimming and snorkelling, and you’ll often see kids with nets exploring the rock pools. This cute village has lots of cosy cottages and is the perfect place to escape the crowds in high season.

Kynance Cove has also been used for filming the show, and this spectacular beach is famous for having white sands and turquoise seas that wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean. Actor John Lithgow was recently spotted walking on the beach in his Dumbledore robes as he filmed a scene. The National Trust-run area also has beautiful rock stacks and clifftop walks, as well as sea caves that can be explored at low tide. Visitors should be cautious about entering the caves, as a sudden high tide can cut you off. Be sure to find out the tide times and follow any warning signs.

And if visiting the filming locations wasn’t enough, Harry Potter fans can even stay in a themed AirBnb. The Wizards Cauldron in Lewannick is a cosy cabin that has been decked in Potter decor, with one reviewer saying: “If you’re a Harry Potter fan this is a must try because the attention to detail is incredible”. It’s the perfect spot to watch the movies after a day of exploring Cornwall’s Harry Potter locations.

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SOME places in the UK are especially memorable thanks to television series that have been filmed there, particularly in the south of England.

The pretty village of Looe is famous for being the backdrop of Beyond Paradis and Port Isaac was used for years in Martin Clunes‘ series Doc Martin – now the Lizard peninsula is set to be big thanks to the HBO Harry Potter series.

Earlier in autumn, the coastal peninsula of Lizard became a magical backdrop as actor John Lithgow who plays Albus Dumbledore, was spotted filming there.

Thanks to its location, the area is expected to soar in popularity next year, following in the footsteps of many other television series.

The Lizard peninsula is the southernmost point of the British mainland and is mostly recognisable thanks to its incredible coastline.

One of the spots where Harry Potter has been filming is in Cadgwith Cove, a small fishing village.

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The beach on the cove is split in two, one part is where you’ll find the fishing boats, and the other is where visitors and locals will go swimming, snorkelling and rock pooling.

Further around Cadgwith Cove is a 200-foot blowhole called the ‘Devil’s Frying Pan’.

The village itself is full of chocolate-box looking cottages, and anyone wanting to stay in Cadgwith Cove can do so at the local inn.

Harry Potter is also expected to film in Kynance Cove, a tidal beach famous for its white sand, turquoise sea and rock stacks.

Anyone can visit Kynance Cove, but there is a small fee for parking – unless you’re a National Trust member.

It’s worth the trip though with some visitors even describing it as “the best beach, give you Portugal vibes”.

Others describe it as a “Cornish gem”, however, there are warnings of strong waves and fast-rising tides.

Kynance Cove was even voted as being one of the World’s 50 Best Beaches in 2024.

While there aren’t many facilities, there is a cafe on the beach that serves sandwiches, salads, jacket potatoes, pasties and hot drinks.

For more budget-friendly holiday stay option on the peninsula, Brits can head to Lizard Point Holiday Park run by Parkdean Resorts.

The site is closed for the winter season, but reopens in March next year.

A five-night stay in May on a Trelan Caravan with a flatscreen TV, comfy sofas and sleeps up to six starts from £219, which is £7.30pppn.

The Compass Bungalow is the same price but sleeps up to four people; however, it is more spacious and has a brand new kitchen and bathroom.

Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, kart and bike hire, children’s shows from PAW Patrol to Milkshake Mornings.

Kids can also check out the soft play, amusement arcade, bungee trampoline, adventure golf, high ropes, table tennis, football as well as art and craft sessions.

There are on-site bars and restaurants, an ice cream parlour, drinks van and Street Eats for takeaways.

Port Isaac further north became so well-known after being used as the filming location for the BBC Doc Martin series that ran for 18 years.

It became the fictional village of Portwenn, showing off its clusters of stone cottages and narrow streets.

Beyond Paradise, starring Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton, is filmed in the beautiful town of Looe, also in Cornwall.

The spin-off to Death in Paradise started in 2023 and is set in the fictional town of Shipton Abbott. The beaches of Looe and Fore Street are popular locations and the Guildhall is what they use for the Shipton Abbott Police Station.

Martha’s restaurant, The Ten Miles Kitchen, is filmed in The Stables, Port Eliot House & Gardens a cafe 20 minutes inland from Looe in the parish of St Germans.

It’s a great place to pop in for a coffee or brunch and a look over the garden estate.

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Here are five locations from popular TV shows that are free to visit…

Gavin and Stacey

Gavin and Stacey came to an end with the finale episode over Christmas, but you can still keep the show’s spirit alive with a trip to Barry, Wales.

Trinity Street in Barry is home to the homes of Gwen, Uncle Bryn, and Doris – now belonging to Gavin and Stacey.

On Barry Island itself, there’s the famous Marco’s Cafe and the Arcade where Nessa worked the slots.

Just up the road is The Colcot Arms aka Smithy’s local Essex hangout and of course the Tadross Hotel which doubles as The Dolphin – where pints cost £4, according to reviews left by guests.

Midsomer Murders

In rural Oxfordshire there is one of the deadliest villages around, Midsomer. ITV’s Midsomer Murders is filmed mostly in the quaint and historic town of Wallingford.

Wallingford isn’t the only location used. Just 30 minutes up the road is the village of Thame which also doubles as Causton village.

In Thame, the Spread Eagle, a red-brick hotel that serves up four roast mains on a Sunday, has been used for filming. They’ve also used The Black Horse, which has monthly offers from Happy Hour to deals on main courses.

Rumsey’s Chocolaterie has also appeared on-screen, and it’s worth a trip there just for the hot chocolates alone. They also offer workshops where you can make truffles and chocolate figurines.

At the Thame Museum, they offer a free Midsomer Walking Tour leaflet and there’s an opportunity to have a photo taken next to the ‘Causton Town Hall’ sign.

All Creatures Great & Small

The Yorkshire Dales is the home to beloved series All Creatures Great and Small.

Grassington becomes the fictional market town of Darrowby and there are lots of familiar sights, as most of the village is used for filming.

The production team dress up shop fronts, with The Stripey Badger Bookshop becoming G F Engleby Grocers and The Devonshire transforming into the Drovers Arms.

The traditional family pub is very highly rated and offers everything from hearty breakfasts to Sunday lunch. It even offers ‘Dining for Dogs’ with ‘Diced Chuck Steak Doggy Dinner’ or ‘Sausage Stew’ on the menu.

For the chance to spot some filming, plan a trip in late Spring, early Summer as the cast begin with the Christmas special around that time.

Call the Midwife

Call the Midwife has returned for series fourteen and there are plenty of locations from over the years to visit for free.

In the latest series, the ladies of Nonnatus house took a trip to the seaside which was filmed on West Wittering beach, in Sussex.

The cast were unlucky though, and filmed during Storm Agnes which resulted in Cliff Parisi developing hypothermia.

Another recognisable location is the lighthouse from the 2019 Christmas Special, where Nurse Val and Nurse Lucille go to Scotland.

It’s actually the Eilean Glas Lighthouse on the east coast of the island of Scalpay. To get there, park in the village of Kennavay and take the 30-minute trail. The building also operates as a small museum and serves tea and coffee during open hours.

Shetland

Talking of Scotland, Shetland is the filming location for Shetland, obviously. The TV series starring Ashley Jensen is filmed in the main town and port, Lerwick.

The most recognisable spot of Lodberries House, which was the home of former lead DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall).

Another popular location for the show is Commercial Street, which has featured in almost every single series of Shetland ever.

There are also lots of other iconic locations in Lerwick, including Lerwick Town Hall, Bain’s Beach and Lerwick Harbour.

You can get to Shetland by flying to a Scottish terminal, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Kirkwall all have direct flights to Lerwick.

For more on Harry Potter, here’s the quaint suburb 30 minutes from central London that’s Harry Potter’s new childhood home.

Plus, the tiny pretty village in ‘trending’ English county that has its own castle and beach and is a great stop for Potterheads.

An underrated period drama based on one of the most influential books of all time is available to watch for free

Viewers shouldn’t miss out on this incredible four-part drama based on a classic novel, as it’s available to watch without spending a penny.

This breathtaking adaptation was originally aired in 2023 on ITV and PBS Masterpiece in the US and has developed a passionate cult following despite not receiving critical fanfare at the time.

Based on the novel by Henry Fielding, Tom Jones brings the seminal 1749 novel to life like never before with an ensemble cast of British legends.

William Tell’s Solly McLeod portrays the titular downtrodden hero, a young man with mysterious parentage who falls in love with his spirited neighbour Sophia Western (played by Sophie Wilde).

Sophie decides to flee her arranged marriage to be with Tom, but the pair are kept apart by a series of increasingly fraught misadventures.

They’re accompanied by some of the most recognisable names from the British screen, including Coronation Street’s Lucy Fallon, Harry Potter’s Shirley Henderson, New Tricks’ Alun Armstrong and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham.

Many viewers consider the drama an essential watch and it’s still currently available to stream for free on ITVX.

One 10/10 review from an IMDb user declared it “Gorgeous viewing with a top notch cast”.

They continued: “The cast list is like a who’s who of the cream of British talent, topped by two lovely and good looking leads.

“The episodes fair gallops on its way, cutting through the boring exposition and getting quickly to the important stuff, the love story between Tom and Sophia.”

The review continued to particularly praise Waddingham’s performance as Lady Bellaston, declaring “Seriously, put this woman in EVERYTHING”.

“If you get a chance, watch it in one go, it’s perfect lazy weekend viewing,” the reviewer concluded.

Another warned that fans of the book should expect some changes to the narrative, but admitted: “Even though the story is not like really really the one from the book is one pretty entertaining and very fun to watch. The choice of actors was really good and they did a great job.

“I really recommend for you to watch it if you want some light series combined with romance, a bit of jealousy and of course some British scenery.”

And a 9/10 review said: “This is what you want from English costume drama – and more. I really liked it.

“Fans of historical dramas and literary adaptations will find Tom Jones a must-watch, as it stays true to the spirit of the novel while making it accessible and enjoyable for modern audiences.”

In the mood for a cosy period romance with plenty of laughs and scenery-chewing performances from British greats? Look no further.

Tom Jones is available to stream on ITVX.

The Shambles in York is a magical spot, particularly when the nights draw in and the Christmas lights get switched on. Many of the structures lining the street today trace their origins back to the late 14th century.

A street in one of Britain’s oldest cities, York, is a captivating spot brimming with unique shops, cosy pubs, and lively bars.

The Shambles, as it’s affectionately known, is a labyrinth of winding, narrow lanes nestled in the heart of North Yorkshire. It transforms into a magical place when the nights grow longer and the Christmas lights twinkle.

At the middle of the area lies a lane actually named the Shambles, renowned as possibly the best-preserved medieval street globally, even earning a mention in the 1086 literary sensation, the Domesday Book.

Many of the structures lining the street today trace their origins back to the late 14th century. The name ‘Shambles’ is believed to have evolved from ‘Shammel’, an Anglo-Saxon term for the shelves that were once a common sight in the open shopfronts. While the ancient name and buildings persist, the purpose of most shops has evolved over time.

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The butchers who once busily chopped, skinned, and portioned meat here have long since departed. The only remnants of their trade are the meat hooks they used to display their goods on the shopfronts. Nowadays, the Shambles accommodates a variety of businesses. Still, its medieval overhanging buildings and tight alleyways remain intact, offering visitors a sense of stepping back in time.

During my university days, I spent three years in York, witnessing the Shambles transform with the changing seasons and times of day. At Christmas, the streets were bustling with eager shoppers seeking a bargain and a warm pastry to ward off the cold.

During this bustling period, it might be wise to head to one of the quieter yet equally enchanting streets on the other side of town until the crowds thin out in the evening.

In the summer, the Shambles are filled with the sound of busking students, hen parties, and day-trippers there to sample some of York’s pubs. Whether the widely circulated claim that the city has a pub for every day of the year is indeed true takes far longer than a day, a long weekend, or even a three-year degree to verify.

This is largely because you’ll likely find yourself repeatedly visiting the superb House of Trembling Madness.

My favourite time to visit was in the dead of night, after a stop at one of these many pubs or the now sadly closed and much-missed Willow – a delightfully grubby club/Chinese restaurant. In certain sections of the Shambles, you can touch both sides of the street with your arms outstretched. The best time to test your wingspan is once all the other visitors have headed home.

In recent years, the narrow lane has become saturated with wizard-themed shops, thanks to its striking resemblance to the fictional Diagon Alley from Harry Potter. When the relentless peddling of magical merchandise becomes overwhelming, visitors can retreat to the shrine of Margaret Clitherow.

Step inside this peaceful sanctuary and you’ll find respite from the bag-wielding mayhem that’s left firmly outside. The shrine welcomes the public throughout the week and holds Mass at 10am each Saturday.

A quick walk through one of the Shambles’ snickelways (narrow alleyways) brings you to the Shambles Market, an open-air venue selling food and various goods. TikToker That Girl Fleurr, who explores destinations around the UK, recently declared the Shambles ‘the most magical street’ in Britain in a video. It’s a sentiment that’s difficult to challenge.

Jerry Rebbeck, who runs Wheelwrights York, told the Express: “Many of the buildings in the centre of York are centuries old, and have a spooky charm about them – walking down Micklegate at night feels like walking through a ghostly storybook.

“Within the city centre, historic buildings such as 85 Micklegate, a late medieval timber-framed terraced building, loom over the narrow street and look particularly eerie in the moonlight. Walking down the Shambles, famed for its likeness to Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, you can see ghostly-looking old buildings such as 37 The Shambles that cast long shadows and add to the city’s paranormal feel. It’s these atmospheric streets and striking old buildings that help make York a picturesque backdrop for a Halloween weekend.”

AS A born-and-bred Devonian, I’ve always considered Dartmoor National Park to be a magical place, and it turns out I’m in good company.

Because the park is now being used as a new filming spot for HBO’s Harry Potter TV series.

Dartmoor spans 368 square miles in total, meaning the park has an abundance of different spots to explore, but Harry Potter fans will want to head to Lustleigh, a small village where filming crews have been spotted.

In a video on Instagram, one fan used public footpaths to access the village during filming and spotted several items relating to Harry Potter – including a ‘Celebrate Halloween at Godric’s Hollow’ poster.

He also saw some older cars parked up outside a cottage and a Godric’s Hollow post office sign.

In a second video, ‘@sirwizardingworld’ speaks to a woman who points to a building that is her home, but has been transformed into ‘The Lions Heart’ pub for the series.

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The village of Lustleigh is small and home to only 600 people, yet it is full of thatched cottages and in the centre, an old church.

Sitting on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, the village is around a 40-minute drive from Exeter.

The village makes a scenic stop on the way into the national park, where visitors can go on a number of hikes and see towering tors, with ancient tales.

One popular spot I would recommend is Haytor, which is roughly a two-hour walk from the village of Lustleigh or a 16 minute drive.

The granite tor towers to 1,499 feet and offers breathtaking views across the moors.

For those who don’t fancy a long walk, there is a visitor centre with a car park at the base of the tor – it then takes about 20 minutes walking to reach the top from there.

In the autumn I particularly love seeing the colour of the gorse and bracken change to a dozen shades of brown and orange.

And in the winter, snow on the moors makes me feel more like being in the Alps.

From Haytor, I usually head along the Haytor tramway, which is a stone-railed line that was built in 1820 to transport granite from Haytor Quarry down to Stover Canal.

Now known as the Templer Way heritage path, visitors can still see the tramway today poking out of the ground.

If you follow it, you will then reach Haytor Quarry which was used until 1860.

Today, many signs of the quarry works remain, including marks in the granite where dynamite was used to break it into pieces.

And there is even some abandoned machinery dotted around the edge of the pond that has filled the quarry.

Not many trees grow on a lot of the moors due to the harsh weather conditions, but in the sheltered quarry there are several – and during autumn, they turn into a large blur of yellows, browns and oranges.

But it isn’t just Haytor that is worth exploring.

Dartmoor is also home to lots of sites with remains of years gone by including Bronze Age settlements – think small versions of Stonehenge.

Like at Hound Tor, there is a deserted village and in Fenworthy, near a sprawling forest, is a large stone circle.

On the other side of Dartmoor, you could head to Ditsworthy Warren House, a ruined cottage which was used as a filming location in the movie adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse.

And of course, littered at the edges of the national park are a number of villages and towns worth exploring.

For example, Princetown is home to the notorious Dartmoor Prison – a building that still scares me every time I drive past it.

If heading to the town, definitely visit the prison museum.

Or head on a tour to learn about crazy legends including the ‘Hairy Hands’ of Dartmoor that takes over the steering of cars in the area – the ideal Halloween activity.

Dartmeet is another top spot, popular with walkers, nature lovers and even cold water swimmers.

The location has a Clapper Bridge, that has five granite stones and crosses the East Dart River – which many people like to take a dip in.

Here you will also find Badgers Holt – an 18th century fishing cottage that has operated as a tearoom for the past century.

Wherever you go on the moors, you will find some amazing spots to explore.

Narrow roads wind across the entire national park, and small car parks can be found at most scenic spots, making it super accessible as well.

Even the smell of the moors is something special (it is a bit like peat mixed with crisp straw).

I’m even becoming nostalgic thinking about it…

I honestly think, Dartmoor and all of its cosy villages are just as nice as the Cotswolds.

HBO‘s Harry Potter series is due to launch in 2027, in seven parts.

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Earlier this year, there was a huge announcement for wild camping lovers as Brits were told they can use one of UK’s best-loved national parks in blow for millionaire nimbys.

Plus, the English national forest that you’ve never heard of – and it’s bigger than the Isle of Wight.

OVER a family dinner at home, I had a proposal for my teenage son. 

If I organised a road trip round north-west Norway, would he leave that ruddy mobile phone behind? 

A few months later and I’m driving our family of five on the Atlantic Ocean Road, ticking off Storseisundet Bridge from my bucket list. 

The name might not be familiar but you’ve probably seen the bizarre, twisty structure in photos — or perhaps in James Bond film No Time To Die. 

It is the longest of eight bridges on the five-mile highway, which connects a chain of tiny islands. 

Search for it on Google Maps and it looks like the road simply runs over water. 

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To soak it in, almost literally, we stopped to hike along a coastal path and then over a pedestrian bridge, with the fierce ocean lapping just a short distance below. 

“Ooh, this is a bit Top Gear!” said my wife as we then continued our drive, through a succession of dramatic bends. She wasn’t wrong. 

Norway’s north-west coast is a seriously fun place to drive. 

We’d borrowed an electric Polestar 4 car, which was very much at home in a country where electric vehicles now outnumber petrol motors. 

It’s much sportier and roomier than our own family car, and packed with 007-style features. 

At one point the display flashed “Front radar blocked”, prompting my ten-year-old to speculate that the weapons system had been disabled.

Less excitingly, it was just dirt on an external camera. Audible speeding alerts were welcome, given most roads had a modest 50mph limit. 

The drive from Alesund to mountaineering capital Andalsnes includes a long coastal stretch, some epic bridges, sweeping bends and extra-long tunnels.

But with late-afternoon darkness and driving rain, it was a relief to arrive at our accommodation — a snug and cosy wooden cabin at Andalsnes Hytteutleie. 

Deer stew 

Next morning, my wife and kids enthusiastically tackled indoor climbing walls at the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre. 

We’d borrowed an electric Polestar 4 car, which was very much at home in a country where electric vehicles now outnumber petrol motors

Just next door was the entrance for the Romsdalen Gondola, a cable car which took us up through the clouds to the Nesaksla Mountain, some 2322ft above sea level. 

Relaxing in the Eggen Restaurant at the top, we were treated to views of the valleys way, way below. 

We feasted on local produce including fish soup, deer stew, Angus meat burgers and delicious apple juice. 

From Andalsnes runs the Golden Train on the Rauma Line, described as “Europe’s most scenic train journey”.

Instead, we used our glossy white Polestar to follow the route. 

Parking at the base of Trollveggen (Troll Wall) we marvelled at the tallest vertical rock face in Europe, a mighty 3,600ft. 

Soon after, we passed by the Kylling Bridge — the majestic railway crossing featured in Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince. 

As we approached the village of Bjorli, we explored the banks of a fir tree-lined river, with a mountain backdrop and the ground beneath us covered by a sprinkling of snow. 

It was a scene so magical, I half expected an appearance from Father Christmas himself. Our onward journey to the city Molde, on the banks of a fjord, included a hassle-free ferry trip. 

When there, we based ourselves for a few days at the Kviltorp Camping site, staying in four-bedroom “sea house” overhanging the water’s edge. 

Over breakfast, fog peeled away to reveal spectacular mountains across the fjord. Just beautiful. 

At the Molde Salmon Centre we learned about the science behind large-scale fish-farming and then cooked a salmon dish in the large kitchen. For our MasterChef-loving kids, this was an unexpected highlight of our week.

Over breakfast, fog peeled away to reveal spectacular mountains across the fjord. Just beautiful

A trip to the Aker Stadium to watch local football side Molde FK — former home to Man City star Erling Haaland and once managed by Man United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, didn’t disappoint either. 

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We rounded off our trip back in Alesund, where an exhausting walk up 416 steps to Viewpoint Aksla is almost mandatory — and great for photos. 

I never did convince my son to leave his phone at home — but at least it’s now filled with hundreds of pictures of beautiful Norway. 

THE highstreet discount store is asking shoppers to stop using Harry Potter mugs immediately as they contain ‘unsafe metals’.

TKMaxx is recalling Harry Potter and South Park mugs, because they do not meet the safety standards required for materials that come into contact with food or drink.

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The Harry Potter mug from Blue Sky Designs Limited allowed fans to “create their own Hogwarts” by customising the mug with 13 reusable stickers.

The other mug features characters from hit American cartoon South Park.

People who bought the items with product codes 013167 and 596096 should return the items to any TK Maxx or Homesense store.

The recall on both mugs was triggered when testing revealed that the coating may release levels of heavy metals that exceed safe limits, potentially posing a health risk if used to consume food or drinks.

Heavy metals include arsenic, mercury and lead as well as lesser known ones such as cadmium – but it is unclear what metals the warning includes.

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Therefore TKMaxx is urging anyone who bought either the Harry Potter or South Park mug, sold between May and September 2025 to “stop using it immediately”.

A TK Maxx spokesperson said: “The vendor is recalling these products because they do not meet safety standards for materials intended to come into contact with food.”

“Testing has shown that the coating may release levels of heavy metals that exceed safe limits, which could pose a potential health risk if used with food or beverages.”

Possible side effects of consuming unsafe metals include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, and organ damage to the brain, kidneys, and liver.

Chronic exposure, if left untreated can result in serious long-term issues, including anemia, miscarriage, developmental problems in children, and brain damage.

Shoppers are to return the items to any TK Maxx or Homesense store for a full refund or replacement.

Anyone with further questions can call 01923 473561 or email [email protected]. 

This comes only days after the company urgently recalled a kids’ swimming item that “could pose a risk of drowning.”

From April to August, the retailer had sold a range of Children’s Swim Vests that they’ve now said could pose a safety hazard.

TK Maxx says the affected product codes on price ticket and receipt include 819852, 819854, 819856, 819864, 819866, 819868, 819870, 819884, 819886, 819888, 819904, 819906, 819908, 819910, 819911, 819912, 819914.

J.K. Rowling wants you to know that “Harry Potter” actors “have every right” to disagree with her about trans rights — but she’s taking the kid gloves off.

The author took to social media Monday to share a lengthy post slamming Emma Watson, who on a podcast recently addressed her own feelings about their rift. Watson was among the Wizarding World actors who spoke out in support of the transgender community amid the firestorm around Rowling’s numerous anti-trans comments in 2020.

“Like other people who’ve never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she’s ignorant of how ignorant she is,” Rowling wrote on X as she alluded to the alleged harm to women’s rights Watson has caused with her support of the trans community. “Her ‘public bathroom’ is single occupancy and comes with a security man standing guard outside the door,” the author added. “Has she had to strip off in a newly mixed-sex changing room at a council-run swimming pool?”

Rowling has long argued that only those who are assigned female at birth should be recognized as women. Rather than acknowledging trans people and identity, Rowling referenced only “ideology” and “an activist movement” in her post.

The author specifically called out Watson and fellow “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe for what she sees as their continued public critiques of her anti-trans politics and “assum[ing] the role of de facto spokespeople for the world [Rowling] created.”

Rowling’s lengthy post came in response to Watson saying in a recent episode of “On Purpose With Jay Shetty” that their opposing views on trans rights do not mean she can’t or doesn’t “treasure” Rowling as a person.

“I will never believe that one negates the other and that my experience of that person, I don’t get to keep and cherish,” Watson said. “I think it’s my deepest wish that I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people who I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with.”

In her X post, Rowling said that when she was receiving threats of violence because of her transphobic comments in the past, Watson wrote her a letter that “contained the single sentence ‘I’m so sorry for what you’re going through’ (she has my phone number)” while speaking out against her publicly. Rowling also noted that Watson’s latest comments come at a time when “full-throated condemnation of [the author] is no longer quite as fashionable as it was,” with anti-trans activists and politicians gaining ground in their attacks on trans rights.

“Emma is rightly free to disagree with me and indeed to discuss her feelings about me in public — but I have the same right, and I’ve finally decided to exercise it,” Rowling said.

By day, I immersed myself in the magic of Universal’s parks but by night, I braved the 10 haunted houses at the 34th annual HHN event now that spooky season is well and truly underway

Summer heat clung to the air but inside my hotel at Universal Orlando theme park, shivers were running down my spine. It was late August at the Sapphire Falls Resort, but the vibe was pure Gothic terror.

I was here to mark the opening of Halloween Horror Nights 2025, and though it was not yet autumn, the screams, monsters, and blood-soaked houses made it clear, spooky season had well and truly begun.

By day, I immersed myself in Universal’s parks: Epic Universe, Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios and even a lazy escape to Volcano Bay. But by night, I braved the 10 haunted houses at the 34th annual HHN event, including the blood-drenched Terrifier, the slasher playground of Jason Universe, and the theatrical nightmares of WWE’s Wyatt Sicks.

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The trip started at Epic Universe where stepping through its portals felt like stepping on to a movie set. The Dark Universe oozed Halloween energy – haunting villages, shadowy figures, and the looming presence of some of the world’s scariest characters.

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment saw me flung around on a robotic arm as I came face to face with Dracula, Frankenstein and the Mummy.

I was whipped into a frenzy on the Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster and watched in awe as The Burning Blade Tavern erupted into flames.

Then I travelled through a Metro- Floo corridor to Harry Potter’s Battle at the Ministry ride, chasing down Dolores Umbridge as she tries to escape her trial. Afterwards came the vibrant chaos of Super Nintendo World, alive with colour, sound, and nostalgia. I couldn’t stop smiling as I raced friends on Mario Kart and leaped over the broken rails of Donkey Kong’s Mine-Cart Madness.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk was another highlight, with Viking ships bobbing in the fiery harbour and even a chance to meet Toothless.

Over at Islands of Adventure, I white-knuckled my way through the VelociCoaster and then soared on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, winding through the Forbidden Forest.

Riding the Hogwarts Express between parks gave me chills, especially stepping off at Diagon Alley in Universal Studios, where the cobblestones felt alive with magic.

Midway through the trip, I took a break from screams and thrills with a day at Volcano Bay. From a relaxing cabana, I enjoyed cocktails and a quiet escape between plunging down water slides and floating along the lazy river.

For a few hours, I wasn’t thinking about monsters or roller coasters, just the sun, the welcoming water and the looming Krakatau volcano in the distance.

And then came the night I’ll never forget – Halloween Horror Nights – 10 haunted houses, each more intense than the last and not for the faint-hearted (or under-13s).

Jason Universe merging all the Friday the 13th films was my favourite, despite being scared witless down a never-ending corridor of jump-scare hell (I said witless).

Terrifier was unforgettable in the worst (best) way as grotesque Art the Clown dismembered his victims before inviting guests to take the “dry path” or the “bloodbath” out.

It’s Universal’s first “unrated” house, with 35 bodies, six gallons of blood, and the foulest smells I’ve ever experienced – and I live on a farm.

I nearly lost the contents of my stomach in the bathroom scene where guts spilled from sinks and corpses floated in bathtubs, all while Art danced along to the menacing jingle of the Clown Cafe.

The WWE Wyatt Sicks house combined theatrical storytelling with scenes that left me clinging on to my squealing friends.

Galkn: Monsters of the North and Dolls: Let’s Play Dead were also disturbing in different ways, and the animatronics at Five Nights at Freddy’s, created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, are not to be missed.

But the horrors weren’t the only indulgence. The twisted show, Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay was a haunting spectacle filled with pyrotechnics, aerialists, and illusions.

The lagoon also burst into life with fountains, light projections and eerie music. And of course, HHN’s themed snacks also added a darkly delicious layer to the night.

I couldn’t resist grabbing myself a giant FNAF’s Mr Cupcake and sinking my teeth into his head.

Between houses, the scare zones bled into the boardwalk, where zombies and gargoyles lurked. By the time I stumbled back towards the hotel, I felt drained, shaking, and absolutely alive.

That’s the beauty of Universal if you go in October – by day, it’s soaring coasters, magical lands, and colourful adventures. By night, monsters and sweat-inducing nightmares.

Universal has always been a place of extremes, but this year, with Epic Universe opening its gates, and Halloween Horror Nights at its ultimate blood-soaked best, I felt like I experienced every side of the park’s soul.

And honestly? I’d do it all again in a heartbeat, though maybe next time I’ll keep a stronger stomach for Art the Clown.

As the production for the upcoming Harry Potter TV show continues, bosses have reportedly splashed out in a bid to make the show look as realistic as possible and not rely so much on CGI

The bosses for the upcoming Harry Potter TV show have provided a touch of royalty to the set. It’s said a famous screen locomotive has been delivered to Prince William’s garden, with Hogsmeade Station also on show.

With the set costing £4million, a half a mile of track is ready to run through woodland which is approximately a mile to the back of Forest Lodge in Windsor. It’s claimed bosses have spared no expense for the new production, with the set up likened to that of a military operation.

“The creative team wants the new TV show to look as realistic as possible and not rely so much on CGI like the Harry Potter movies,” an insider said.

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Speaking to The Sun, the source said: ““That was why they wanted the forestry on the Prince of Wales’s doorstep to replicate the Scottish Highlands. Thankfully it’s far enough away that it won’t disturb the royals — but close enough that they could easily nip down to make a flying visit.”

And it’s said that could be music to the ears of William’s children, Prince George, 12, and Princess Charlotte, 10, with the pair reportedly big fans of the franchise. It’s claimed the kids’ grandfather, King Charles, has read the JK Rowling’s books to the youngsters.

In 2017, Queen Camilla revealed the sweet family connection, saying the King “does all the voices, because he is a brilliant mimic”.

As the set started coming together, lorries were seen transporting the Hogwarts Express into Windsor Great Park last week. Despite being hidden under tarpaulin, the iconic shape was clearly recognisable to fans.

With filming under way, the series for HBO television is expected to be released in 2027. It comes 15 years after the unforgettable Deathly Hallows Part Two film was released..

Each series of the new TV drama is expected to focus on a novel, diving into the books in more detail than the iconic movies. It has been reported that Warner Bros is auditioning both men and women for the role of the terrifying Lord Voldemort, a part that was originally brought to life by actor Ralph Fiennes.

In July, HBO shared the first sneak peek at this production. It comes after in the months leading up to the start of filming, some of the cast list was announced.

It included 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin playing the main character of Harry Potter, while Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout were announced to be playing Hermione and Ron respectively.

“This is the first official image of Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter for the upcoming series on HBO Max,” X account Daily Harry Potter wrote in a Twitter/X post in July.

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People have been left in stitches after American readers revealed what confused them in the Harry Potter books

Americans have revealed what confused them about the Harry Potter books, and it turns out lots of readers mistook British references for magical inventions. The “hilarious” mistakes were highlighted in a video shared by TikTok user @kelley_morgan.

Kelley Morgan told followers: “Here’s some things that I used to think were magic but it turns out they’re just British. It’s pretty common for like a ten or an eleven-year-old American, like, first time they’re learning about British culture, is through the Harry Potter books, so a lot of times they’ll think certain things that are normal for British people are like magical and like Harry Potter.”

She explained: “The first one is true for me, but also the one that people joke about the most, and it’s the one where they’re punting students. There’s a part in Harry Potter where there’s a swamp in the hallways, and then the janitor has to punt students across to get to their classes.

“In American English a punt is like a drop kick and because the world is like magical anyway we think oh he’s kicking students really hard across the swamp, but it turns out in British English punting is like a boat with a stick, like a marsh boat. So it turns out he was just boating them across, he was not kicking them.”

Kelley was also confused by British schools. “Another one is school houses. We don’t have those at all, and I know not everywhere in England has them but apparently a lot of schools do have different school houses and you actually get sorted into the houses and then you earn points for your house. It’s kind of weird to me. It sounds fun, but we don’t do that like at all.”

She added: “Along the same lines, prefects, which are like the authority figures within the houses is apparently a real thing. We don’t have that at all. I think the closest thing that we might have is a hall monitor, but nobody really likes the hall monitor kids. Also, hall monitor is not a common thing. I don’t think we ever had home monitors in my school, but it’s just something you see on TV. Next, the American content creator revealed she was confused to read about Christmas crackers.

“They always talk about having Christmas crackers and to us a cracker is a snack. I don’t even know what you call it like a cracker, like a chip, not your kind of chip. Then I just assumed fun presents and confetti and stuff fell out of the cracker because they have candy with toys in them in the book.

“So I’m like oh it must fall out of the cracker, but apparently it’s a really common thing like in a lot of European countries where you pull both ends of a thing and it pops.”

Finally, she turned her attention to pudding. “I thought they just really liked pudding cause they always say like oh I’m gonna go eat some pudding, like I can’t wait for pudding. They always have pudding after dinner cause over there pudding just means dessert and over here it’s a very specific dessert.”

The video received over 400,000 views and lots of comments from American readers who had a similar experience. Someone commented: “What’s most hilarious about the punting is not that it was a different word, but that we all collectively accepted that Filch drop kicked kids across a pond. No questions asked.”

A different response read: “I legitimately love pudding and was a little bit disappointed when I found out that it just means any dessert. I thought they were always having my favourite dessert!”

Another comment said: “I had the reverse issue — thinking things that were unique to Harry Potter were actually just normal British things. I thought for way too long that all British kids wrote with quills.”

Call her Emma Walks-on.

Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in all eight “Harry Potter” films, lost her driving privileges for six months Wednesday in Britain after racking up more than a dozen points on her driving record in the space of two years.

She was also ordered to pay more than $1,400 (1,044 pounds), according to multiple media reports Wednesday. Watson didn’t attend the hearing at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court, about 30 miles northwest of London. She had previously pleaded guilty to the offense via mail.

The “Beauty and the Beast” actor, 35, already had 9 points on her record, the BBC reported, tied to offenses in October 2023, November 2023 and January 2024.

The most recent citation came on July 31, 2024, for driving her Audi A3 38 mph in a 30 mph zone, according to the Mirror. That’s the same car that reportedly got towed in February 2024 after Watson didn’t see a “no parking” sign, blocked a driveway, went to meet her mom at a pub across the street and trapped a couple of cars in a gated compound for more than three hours.

Also, in a strange coincidence, actor Zoe Wanamaker, who appeared as flying-broom instructor Madame Hooch in 2001’s “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” got the same treatment for almost the same offense shortly after Watson’s license was pulled, the Sun reported Wednesday. The actor, who works primarily in television, most recently got popped for going 46 mph in a 40 mph zone. She too hit 12 points on her record with her fourth speeding citation.

Wanamaker was fined $885 (660 pounds) and hit with $488 (364 pounds) in court costs, per the Sun. Watson’s total payment included court costs as well.

Speeding offenses in Britain carry 3 to 6 points each, depending on the circumstance, and stay on a driver’s record for four years. Driving under the influence — called “drink driving” or “drug driving” in the U.K. — carries up to 11 points, as do violations including vehicular manslaughter, racing on the highway and “dangerous” or “furious” driving. Serious violations stay on a driver’s record for up to 11 years.

HBO on Tuesday released this image of actor Nick Frost as his “Harry Potter” character, Rubeus Hagrid.

(HBO)

Watson, who last appeared on the big screen as Meg in 2019’s “Little Women,” followed by a role in the promotonal short film “Paradoxe” for a Prada campaign in 2022, is studying for the equivalent of a Ph.D in creative writing at Oxford University. She graduated from Brown University in Providence, R.I. with a bachelor’s degree in 2014.

Also on the “Harry Potter” front, as the wizarding tale prepares for its TV series reboot, HBO on Tuesday released a first-look photo of “How to Train Your Dragon” actor Nick Frost done up as Hagrid. Robbie Coltrane, who played half-giant gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid in the movies, died in October 2022 of multiple organ failure after two years of illness.

John Lithgow will play Dumbledore in the streaming series while newcomers Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout will play Hermione, Harry and Ron, respectively.

The contestants on the UK’s three regular series of The Traitors happily kept schtum when told to by producers – but the famous faces are finding it a little bit harder

The stars taking part in Celebrity Traitors have all been sworn to secrecy about what went on inside the famous Scottish castle. But while that tactic worked weil for the regular version, the celebs are finding it harder to hold their tongues about the much-anticipated BBC show, due to air this autumn.

Ted Lasso actor Nick Mohammed has revealed how one celebrity threw a tantrum because TV chiefs would not tell them the time. He said: “When we were in the castle you’d be like ‘What’s the time?’ And they’d say ‘It’s Traitors time.’ That was their response..

“Every single member of production had to answer with that until someone kicked off. And then someone said it is basically all right and you can tell us the time.” Speaking on a podcast, he added: ”I do think it’s going to be good telly. To see these celebrities together and interacting in this game will be really interesting.”

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The lineup of stars trying to identify the Traitors among the Faithful includes Jonathan Ross, Alan Carr, Clare Balding, Paloma Faith, Kate Garraway, Mark Bonner and Charlotte Church.

Netflix actress Ruth Codd has let slip that she wasn’t keen on every single person taking part. She teased: “Some of the people on it were really, really nice.”

And the Irish star of hit dramas The Midnight Club and Fall of the House of Usher claimed producers grilled her before filming to find out whether she was a good liar – so they could work out whether to make her a Traitor.

She added: “They do ask ‘Are you good at lying? Are you a good judge of character?’ I said, ‘Maybe, because I’m an actor..’”

Olympic diver Tom Daley has revealed that the dramatic music played when the contestants all sit around the big table is not added on after filming – it is actually played when they are there to increase the tension. He said: “You know how when you are watching the show they always play a song at the beginning when the camera goes around the table and shows everyone, well they actually play that.

“So what you see on TV and you think ‘Oh that’s just music added over the top’. No! That’s happening! It makes you go like ‘Ohhhhh!!!”

Comedian Alan Carr compared the show to ‘rehab’ because all the celebrities had their phones and electronic gadgets taken off them. Speaking during one of his podcasts, he laughed :“It was like rehab. It’s cheaper than rehab. They took my phone away. They took my laptop.

“When I got the phone back I was like ‘S**t’ Now I get a lot of spam but I was like.. ‘2000 emails? Oh my god!’ and you start thinking ‘My mum and dad aren’t well’ but then it’s like ‘Hi. Do you wanna buy a freezer?’”

And he teased TV chiefs who told him not to breathe a word about what happened on the show before it gets broadcast, adding: “I’m bezzie mates with Rebekah Vardy who I’ve given all The Traitors gossip to and I know I feel safe with her knowing that!” Rebekah was famously caught up in the “Wagatha Christie” scandal where she was accused of leaking secrets from ex pal Coleen Rooney’s Instagram account.

Author and raconteur Stephen Fry loved being on the star-studded special hosted by Claudia Winkleman, comparing it with being back at boarding school. The national treasure – who narrates the Harry Potter audiobooks – joked that the regular series with members of the public was “the Muggle version”. One insider said the biggest fear from show bosses was that the stars wouldn’t put their all into the gameplay and the missions – but found that they needn’t have worried. “The first mission showed just how committed they were to doing it properly,” one source said. “They gave 100%. It was fantastic to see.”

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