JK Rowling's Harry Potter series has transformed children's literature and had a tremendous influence on pop culture. One of the most popular and successful book series, it has had fans across the world trying to guess which actual places were the inspiration for the memorable settings, from Hogwarts to Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Some of the places in the series have been spelled out by Rowling for instance, she chose King's Cross Station as the portal that would take Harry to Hogwarts because this was where her parents met on a train to Scotland. Others are still up for the guessing game. Among them is the setting that inspired Diagon Alley. Some speculate that Rowling got the idea from Victoria Street in Edinburgh. Others say it is a mediaeval street in York, England. Here's a look at the latter, known as The Shambles.
