We bought Harry Potter’s house… but we’re fed up with Instagrammers knocking on our door – here’s the worst part
THE owner of Harry Potter’s house is fed up of Instagrammers knocking on their door.
Fans flock from all over the world to see 4 Privet Drive, the fictional Little Whinging house in Surrey and street Harry Potter lived on.
The real cul-de-sac in Bracknell, Berkshire, was chosen to be the Dursleys’ home in the Hollywood adaption of JK Rowling‘s beloved books in 2001.
However the current owner, who wished to remain anonymous, has described the “constant” stream of tourists visiting her home as “bizarre”.
They told the Sun: “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 recreate scenes.
“There was one time somebody tried to climb the fence. That was when we were like ‘oh my god, don’t do that!’
“We are accommodating though. I’ve moved my cars for people that want a good photo.
“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.
“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.”
Harry’s iconic home briefly went on the market for £475,000 in 2016, but was removed by the owner.
The neighbouring house was bought for £650,000 – nearly £200,000 over the asking price.
They continued: “You open the curtains in the morning. You don’t get used to it. It’s really weird.
“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.
“Last week we had loads of people knocking on the door. It’s more of the fact that it’s a constant stream.
“It’s one of those franchises after all these years that is still just as crazy. Sometimes I just don’t get it.
“Most people do knock on the door and ask if they can take a photo, but some people don’t bother.
“I feel sorry for the neighbours because they are on their driveways trying to get a good photo.
“People have travelled miles. From all over the world. People are sometimes really awkward. We are used to it, but not used to it in a way.”
Harry was forced to live in a pokey space under the staircase by his cruel aunt and uncle, Vernon and Petunia Dursley, before heading to Hogwarts.
The homeowner said: “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.
“We have thought about recreating it into the cupboard.”
Logistical problems meant the actual house only ever featured in one of the films – but the whole street was recreated in a studio for the later films.
Harry Potter fans can now visit the set on the Warner Bros studio tour in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.
Neighbour Asad Shahid, 32, added: “Pretty much every single day you see people coming here and stopping in front of their house and taking photos.
“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.
“We were driving home one day and we saw a replica of the flying Ford Anglia from the second film.
“It was parked up in front of the house with the owl in the back seat. Some massive fan had bought it for his little girl and was taking some photos for her.”