If you’re a Harry Potter fan (who isn’t!?), then hold onto your cape because there’s a building in North Carolina that looks like Hogwarts. Whether you’re a wizard or a muggle, you won’t be able to deny the magical resemblance between the castle featured often in the first two films, Alnwick Castle in the UK county of Northcumberland, and this building in the Tar Heel State.
Pictured below, Alnwick Castle in the UK was the filming location for exteriors and interiors and was featured throughout “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” as well as the sequel, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”
Gannet77 / E+ Collection via Getty Images It’s where we saw Harry struggle in his very first quidditch match and where Ron Weasley smashed the family’s flying car into the ground on landing - among other famous scenes from the first two films. The real Hogwarts sits high on a hill overlooking the village and it turns out there just happens to be a very similar castle-like building in North Carolina.
Perched high on knoll overlooking the town of Banner Elk is an old stone building that is, coincidentally, also an in-residence school.
Robin Jarvis (do not use without permission)
The Hogwarts of North Carolina is now known as Lees-McRae College, a very exclusive four-year accredited college offering 15 majors in science and the arts.
Robin Jarvis (do not use without permission)
Lees-McCrae has transformed in the more than one hundred years since it was founded in 1899 as an all-girls high school.
Lees-McRae College
Serving as a high school since its inception, by 1931 Lees-McRae had transitioned from a high school to an accredited junior college offering two-year degrees and a residential experience for students. And in 1990, the school advanced to offering four-year degrees in science and the arts.
Lees-McRae College
In the past few years, Lees-McRae has begun extensive renovations to their campus, including some very impressive and complete overhauls of the student buildings and several of the original residence halls.
Wikipedia/Connormg - Photo by Michael Connor Pictured above: Tufts Tower, formerly a water tower and now home to the campus chimes.
But one thing that hasn’t changed is the old stone exteriors which give this school the Hogwarts look you’ll love.
Google/David Woodward
The grounds of the Lees-Mcrae campus are open to visitors year-round. On your next visit to Banner Elk take the time to explore the campus on foot. You may not find any wizards here, but you’ll find a whole lot of beauty along with history and school pride.
Lees-McRae College
In fact, all of Banner Elk will leave you wanting more of the same!
Google/Louann Fields
Banner Elk is the perfect little mountain town to visit any time of year. And be sure to seek out the one building in North Carolina that looks like Hogwarts while you’re there!
Gannet77 / E+ Collection via Getty Images
It’s where we saw Harry struggle in his very first quidditch match and where Ron Weasley smashed the family’s flying car into the ground on landing - among other famous scenes from the first two films. The real Hogwarts sits high on a hill overlooking the village and it turns out there just happens to be a very similar castle-like building in North Carolina.
Robin Jarvis (do not use without permission)
Lees-McRae College
Wikipedia/Connormg - Photo by Michael Connor
Pictured above: Tufts Tower, formerly a water tower and now home to the campus chimes.
Google/David Woodward
Google/Louann Fields
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Address: 191 Main St W, Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA
