JK Rowling has just denied that she’s ever been to The Old Fire House
Your entire uni life has been a lie
One of the perks of going to Exeter is bragging rights when it comes to our alumna, JK Rowling. There is a special kind of pride you feel when you tell everyone back home how Exeter inspired several places in the magical world of Harry Potter.
The Old Firehouse, was always said to be one of these inspirations The Leaky Cauldron was based off. Well, that was until she denied ever visiting the pub.
If you want real fantasy, go to an estate agent. Never visited this pub in my life. https://t.co/vzZcIejJVH
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 17, 2018
The pub was recently in the news for being bought by a company from London and was being referred to as one of her many Exeter-based inspirations for the series.

The Firehouse is one of the most popular venues in Exeter with a massive selction of flavoured ciders and basket pizzas and weekly live music events. It is one of the few late night venues in Exeter, usually open until 3am.

This has come across as huge shock and people are not taking it well.
Why would you crush our dreams like this
— Uni of Exeter Harry Potter and Quidditch Society (@HPsocExeter) January 17, 2018
I refuse to believe this, I cannot face my friends back home after having bragged to them multiple times about visiting the real Leaky Cauldron. The Firehouse do have some strong ciders, maybe she went there post Lemmy and doesn't remember it?
The authenticity of Gandy Street being the inspiration behind Diagon Alley is also being questioned.
The urban legend at Exeter Uni was that the Old Firehouse inspired the Leaky Cauldron, along with The Cavern? And that Gandy Street was the basis for Diagon Alley? Is it all fake news?
— Matt McDonald (@mattjpfmcdonald) January 17, 2018
Well HP inspiration or not, I'm off to the Firehouse to drown my sorrows with cider, my childhood has just been crushed. If you cannot handle this news and refuse to ever set foot in the Firehouse, she did visit The Black Horse and Mill on the Exe while in Exeter.







