Every Harry Potter fan knows the most famous train platform in the world: 9 and 3/4!
Located in London’s King’s Cross Station, the barrier between platforms 9 and 10 holds the secret entrance to the magical platform that can only be accessed by running straight ahead - directly into the barrier.
This takes wizards and witches out of the ‘muggle’ world and into the magical world where they can pick up the Hogwarts Express, the red steam-engine train that will speed them up to Scotland to Hogwarts.
For all witches and wizards, their first entrance into the world of Hogwarts comes as soon as they step through the barrier onto Platform 9 and 3/4.
It’s also worth noting that it was near this platform where Harry Potter first met Ron and the entire Weasley gang!
The inspiration for Platform 9 and 3/4
Visitors to King’s Cross Station will know there is one small issue with the existence of Platform 9 and 3/4: There is no barrier between platforms 9 and 10!
According to J. K. Rowling, “I wrote Platform 9 3/4 when I was living in Manchester, and I wrongly visualised the platforms, and I was actually thinking of Euston, so anyone who's actually been to the real platforms 9 and 10 in King's Cross will realise they don't bear a great resemblance to the platforms 9 and 10 as described in the book. So that's just me coming clean, there. I was in Manchester; I couldn't check.”
The barrier used in the film is actually the barrier between platforms 4 & 5.
Shantun Parmar