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Hear up muggles, it’s time to seize your wands and white-spotted owls, seize your ticket to Hogwarts, and prepare to climb aboard the Hogwarts Categorical. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, The Making of Harry Potter, is the option to step into the magical world of Harry Potter.
It’s your likelihood to stroll among the many movie units, to see how props and motion moments had been made, get a behind the scenes glimpse into a few of your favourite scenes, and see unique costumes worn by forged members. In the event you thought Harry Potter solely existed within the chapters of a e-book and on the massive screens of films, suppose once more.
The Harry Potter expertise helps you to get to go behind the scenes, on the place the place the movies had been made; Warner Bros Studios London.
The Making of Harry Potter studio tour is an interesting perception into the know-how and complete staff effort that goes into creating blockbuster films whereas sustaining the integrity of the story from which they got here. This isn’t a theme park; that is an immersive look into the best way that Warner Bros purchased this magical story to life.
On this information we’ll share every little thing you might want to learn about taking a Harry Potter Warner Bros studio tour in London from getting tickets, what you’ll be able to see and do, and a few cool interactive experiences.
The place are the Harry Potter London Studios?
The Harry Potter Studios are situated within the Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden (simply exterior Watford), 20 miles Northwest of Central London. It makes for a implausible day journey from London (or half day) and you may get there by both practice or bus.
In case you are staying in London, get the London Underground to Hendon Central on the Northern Line. Then, catch the Warner Bros Studio Tour The Making of Harry Potter bus from instantly exterior the station.
In case you are not touring from Central London, you may get the Southern Railway service to Watford Station. You may as well get direct practice providers to Watford from each London Euston (20-minute journey) and Birmingham New Road (1 hour journey).
As a part of your ticket, there’s a shuttle bus from Watford Junction to the Studio Tour. It takes about quarter-hour and so they run at the very least each half-hour.
Don’t worry in case you are not on a direct line when getting the London Underground – getting round London is simple. Simply permit for further time. You should utilize Google Maps or the TFL Go app that can assist you plan your route.
We caught the TFL Rail (Transport for London) out to the Harry Potter Studios from Shepherd’s Bush Station. You should utilize your oyster card/contact much less card if touring by way of London zones 1-9.
What’s the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter?
The Making of Harry Potter is a self-guided tour that takes you thru two soundstages and a backlot crammed with unique units, props, costumes, animatronic creatures, and particular results from the films.
It takes you across the precise location during which most of the scenes in Harry Potter’s seven-movie franchise had been made.
For greater than a decade, gifted women and men and childhood stars crammed this studio to present life to the magic of the books all of us love a lot into our actual worlds.
Magic shouldn’t be the one factor stirred up at these studios. It’s one of many largest studios within the UK and is the placement for a lot of movies together with the Unbelievable Beasts sequence, Paddington, Mission Not possible, and Batman.
When filming completed in 2010, 1000’s of artifacts, props, costumes, and extra, had been left behind, so to be able to protect and showcase them and convey the filmmaking magic to Harry Potter followers world wide, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter was created.
Doorways opened on the 31st of March 2012 to 1000’s of wannabe wizards and witches from world wide and it has since change into one of many greatest points of interest in London.
There are lots of Harry Potter movie places everywhere in the UK, however they filmed a lot of the final films within the sequence within the tons on the Warner Bros Studio in London. Over time, Warner Bros have prolonged the studio tour and added extra iconic movie units and props.
The Hogwarts Categorical, the Forbidden Forest, Professor Sprouts Greenhouse, Gringotts, the Courtyard Fountains, the outside of The Burrow and a lot extra have been added since its humble beginnings.
Not solely are you able to go to the movie units and see a number of the film props, however it’s also possible to drink butterbeer, work together with a number of the magic, and buy your favourite Harry Potter Merchandise.
All about Warner Bros Studio Tickets!
How a lot does the Harry Potter Studio Tour Value?
As of April 2025, The Harry Potter Studio tour prices:
- Grownup – £56.00
- Youngster – £45.00
- Household with 2 youngsters – £180.00
- Household with 3 youngsters – £180.00
- Below 4s – free
We saved a bit bit of cash by buying the household cross. (that coated our 2 adults and a couple of children) Reserve tickets nicely prematurely. Tickets are normally totally booked at the very least a month prematurely.
We booked about 3 weeks prematurely as soon as we had our itinerary set for our journey to London, and had little choices left. And we traveled low season and proper on the finish of the pandemic. In the event you’re touring through the summer season, I’d e-book months prematurely for those who can!
There additionally could also be particular exhibitions throughout your tour, and you’ll prebook a guidebook (£9.95), precedence parking for those who’re driving (£10.00), or a digital information (£5.25) on the time of buying tickets.
You may as well now add on varied afternoon tea packages – how very English – and a Happee Birthdae Harry cake, which might be beautiful for a HP fan’s birthday! Though it’s fairly expensive…
The place do you purchase tickets?
You’ll be able to solely purchase tickets on-line – you CANNOT buy them on the gates!
Observe: Tickets are timed entry, which retains customer numbers decrease. I’d be sure to flip up on time, so that you don’t miss your entry.
We arrived about an hour early so stopped in at Bake Sensible for a espresso in Watford whereas we waited to get the bus from the station. They received’t allow you to into the studios in case you are early, so that you’ll simply be ready within the automobile park!
What if there are not any tickets accessible?
Wipe your tears muggles! Wizards don’t cry, they get to work discovering an answer. Wave that wand. The luck you search could also be discovered hidden with a tour group firm.
The tour group ticketing system is a bit completely different so chances are you’ll get fortunate with some spare tickets. It’s an excellent last-minute possibility. It is going to imply you’ll be venturing with a gaggle, and it could be barely costlier. A few of them might even embrace transport.
The Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour Highlights
Okay, now let’s begin the magic! You’ll start by seeing the tiny cabinet below the steps and a room filled with posters for every of the films, some life-sized figures of Hagrid and the opposite different characters, earlier than shifting right into a small room for a particular results introduction.
In true Harry Potter type, the partitions above can have shifting figures of individuals sharing their tales and emotions in regards to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Guides will then take you to a theater to observe a small trailer in regards to the films. Then the self-guided tour begins when the doorways slide open, and the smoke slowly unveils the Nice Corridor.
The Nice Corridor
I used to be anticipating to gasp upon first sight of the Nice Corridor, however for some purpose, it didn’t seize my creativeness as a lot. After we visited, the Nice Corridor was set as much as be within the type of Order of the Phoenix so maybe its darker model didn’t really feel so enchanting. And likewise, there isn’t a gorgeous arched ceiling as they created that utilizing visible results.
However there’s a instructor’s desk on the tip of the room the place the Hogwarts professors sat, two tables on the aspect set for dinner, and costumes of scholars from every Hogwarts Home.
I gasped extra strolling into the Nice Corridor in Christ Church in Oxford, which is claimed to be what the Hogwarts Nice Corridor was modeled on. Plus, all of the tables had been set out in Christ Church which made it really feel extra actual.
As you stroll out of the Nice Corridor and into the inside units at Harry Potter London studios, you’ll see informational shows of the manufacturing staff in addition to costumes from the Xmas Tide Ball and its stunning ice sculpture.
The Nice Corridor is commonly adorned through the holidays. It’s best to attempt to time your go to for Halloween or Christmas to see the magic like it’s within the films, with hanging candles from the ceiling and gigantic Christmas bushes!
Inside Units
It’s solely strolling by way of the inside units of the Gryffindor Boys Dormitory, the Widespread Room, Dumbledore’s workplace, Hagrid’s Hut, The Burrow, and the Potions Classroom that you simply understand how a lot consideration to element there was within the making of those movies. You’ll even be stunned at how small the rooms are!
Give your self sufficient time to concentrate to all of the props and particulars of every room that embrace costumes and show panels with attention-grabbing data.
Dumbledore’s workplace particularly had a lot to take a look at with cabinets crammed with astronomical gadgets, telescopes, and star charts; the Reminiscence Cupboard crammed with greater than 800 tiny vials; a whole bunch of books (really British phone books) sure in leather-based; forty-eight portraits of former headmasters hanging from the partitions; and naturally, the sorting hat!
My digital information identified issues in every room to not miss with a narrative connected to it. In between the inside units, you’ll discover shows sharing most of the magical issues from the films just like the wands, horcruxes, and the animals of the Wizarding World.
At Hagrid’s Hut you’ll be able to see the intelligent methods filmmakers used to make Hagrid appear a lot bigger than different characters. There’s an interactive space the place you’ll be able to sit within the chairs and check it your self.
Quidditch
Definitely, my favourite Harry Potter film second was seeing Quidditch come to life within the first film. It was precisely how I envisioned it in my thoughts, solely far more thrilling! This Quidditch show will present you the way they made it occur.
Youthful youngsters will get pleasure from stepping as much as the broomstick on the Quidditch space to command it to rise as much as your hand. Now it’s your flip to fly the broomstick!
The Inexperienced Display screen Expertise
Fly on over to the inexperienced display screen expertise. I didn’t suppose I’d take part, however as soon as I walked up with Savannah to supply her encouragement, I couldn’t assist however soar in for a witchy photograph along with her! And since it turned out so cool, I needed to buy it. I let you know; I will need to have drunk a “purchase every little thing, it’s simply an excessive amount of enjoyable” potion strolling into the studios.
Savannah went one step additional and rode the broomstick round London. We opted only for the photograph package deal as a substitute of the video one. You’ll obtain a hyperlink to obtain the digital variations of the images too which I assumed was nice.
There weren’t any traces once we arrived on the Inexperienced Display screen Expertise. I wouldn’t line up for a very long time to do that. However, since tickets are timed entry, I don’t suppose the traces might be that lengthy. However then once more, some folks might linger all day right here!
Additionally, round this space are many shows sharing how the visible and particular results staff created the magic and wizardry of this world we love a lot together with the flying automobile and the whomping willow tree!
Darkish Arts and The Ministry of Magic
The enjoyment of wandering by way of the units of the nice magic will quickly be overshadowed by the darkness. Beginning with the Dying Eaters Assembly at Malfoy Manor, you’ll gaze upon the recreated scene of Charity Burbage’s catastrophic finish with Nagini the snake. Use your Digital Information to see the way it all involves life on the display screen.
I liked seeing and studying in regards to the Ministry of Magic on this part as nicely. The frilly pink and inexperienced tiled constructing was primarily based on a 19th century constructing in London. It was one of many largest units constructed for the movies and required a whole bunch of extras for the movies shot there.
Most of the actors stated it was considered one of their favourite scenes to movie – particularly as a result of most of the extras had been their crew member associates!
I additionally discovered the Professor Umbridge Show fascinating as I realized that as she gained extra energy on the Ministry of Magic all through the movies, her wardrobe turned progressively pinker. All these tiny particulars I can’t wait to identify after I re-watch the films.
The Forbidden Forest
Time for a tentative stroll by way of the darkish and eerie Forbidden Forest. This was Kalyra’s favourite set on the Harry Potter Studios. It’s a misty land of 19 towering bushes, twisted roots, and big spiders.
Press a button and so they’ll fall from the sky, and life-sized Aragog with its bushy legs spanning 18ft will creep out of the tree roots behind you. Youthful children might discover this scary.
Whereas I discovered it tremendous cool, it didn’t scare me. Not after our trip on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey trip at Common Studios Orlando. The trip broke down proper once we had been the other way up with these big spiders dangling over our faces!
Within the Forbidden Forest, there’s additionally a full-sized mannequin of Hippogriff Buckbeak, which first appeared in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Platform 9¾
Whereas they filmed a lot of the scenes for Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross Station in London, the crew recreated a part of the platform on a sound stage right here for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Half 2.
The practice inside scenes happen contained in the practice right here with blue and inexperienced screens for particular results just like the hopping chocolate frogs and flying Dementors!
Remember to get your photograph right here with the cart operating into the wall. The one at Kings Cross station can also be very cool (Get there early to keep away from the traces!)
Now you’re completed the primary sound stage tour and are midway by way of the Making of Harry Potter expertise. Now for a break.
The Backlot Café
Now it’s time for an additional magical expertise all witches and wizards can’t look forward to – Butterbeer. If in case you have by no means tried a butter beer it tastes similar to it does within the e-book – a cross between creaming soda and butterscotch! Your first style might be precisely because it’s described within the e-book.
I used to be barely dissatisfied they didn’t have frozen butterbeer like they do at Common Resort, Orlando. I may sit and drink that each one day lengthy.
Situated midway although the studio Tour is the Backlot Café. The café has normal café meals – burgers and sizzling canines and chili cheese fries – with loads of gluten free choices!
As I’ve gluten free necessities, I used to be impressed with how they managed this on the café. The primary query they ask is that if anybody has dietary concerns and so they handle that immediately, ensuring to cook dinner your meals in its personal separate place.
The costs are going to harm for positive, and there’s indoor and out of doors seating right here and you’ve got views of the Privet Drive and magical autos.
The Backlot: Privet Drive and Magical Automobiles
Earlier than you enter Studio 2, you’ll be able to discover a number of the exterior units from the movies, together with Quantity 4 Privet Drive, the house of the Dursleys; the long-lasting Hogwarts Bridge created for Prisoner of Azkaban; and the purple double-decker Knight Bus.
You’ll be able to soar within the Ford Anglia and Hagrid’s Bike for some enjoyable household images!
Creature Results
In the event you liked the creatures from the Wizarding World, you’ll love the Creature Results room.
Uncover how they created Dobby the Home-Elf; the numerous options of the assorted Goblins, mandrakes, the Basilisk; the animatronic options of Buckbeak and Aragog; and the make-up results used to create the terrifying face of the Darkish Lord. You’ll be able to even change into Dobby and make him dance!
Gringotts and the Vaults
Considered one of my favourite sections of the Making of the Harry Potter tour was the vaults of Gringotts Financial institution. First, you stroll by way of majestic Gringotts Financial institution, full with goblin financial institution tellers. In the event you’ve executed the Gringotts’s trip at Common Studios in Orlando, chances are you’ll stroll by way of right here fairly shortly as they’re the identical.
Most fascinating within the vaults is studying how they used 38,000 items of rubberized treasure to create the scene for the multiplying cups in Lestrange Vault. You’ll be able to take your photograph right here in a spot that creates an optical phantasm of you misplaced in the midst of the cups!
Subsequent to right here is the set for the Dragon Escape sequence of the ultimate movie. Be ready for a hearth respiration dragon to cost at you thru the smoke!
Diagon Alley
I wasn’t as enthusiastic about Diagon Alley in Harry Potter World London. I do know Diagon Alley at Common Studios in Orlando shouldn’t be the actual factor, however boy did it really feel extra magical, particularly with all of the outlets opened and the hearth respiration dragon on the finish of it.
However Harry Potter film followers will love how that is the actual Diagon Alley used within the latter movies full with quirky outlets and slated buildings. Once more, you’ll be stunned at how small it’s and the way darkish!
Hogwarts Fortress Mannequin Room
There is no such thing as a higher option to end a tour of the Harry Potter Studios than on the mannequin of Hogwarts Fortress. You’ll find out how they constructed this 1:24 scale mannequin primarily based on manufacturing designer Stuart Craig’s preliminary idea sketch.
They filmed the mannequin with enhanced digital results to create an unbelievably actual Hogwarts Fortress that each one muggles, witches, and wizards lengthy to attend. Take your time to stroll round and take note of the unimaginable tiny particulars completely hand-sculpted to scale.
On our go to, there was a particular lighting exhibit of the Weasley Twins fireworks exploding onto the aspect of Hogwarts. You’ll be able to see that in our Reel (+all the opposite cool issues talked about!).
Seeing Hogwarts Fortress was the a part of the tour the place tears pricked my eyes, similar to it did strolling into Hogsmeade at Islands of Journey in Orlando.
I feel it symbolizes the ability of magic, perception, creativeness, and permitting your self the grace to create what you see and really feel within you as a present for the world.
It blows my thoughts what J.Ok Rowling has created with the Harry Potter Realm just because she selected to scribble just a few notes down on a serviette throughout a time of great hardship. She adopted that path and checked out what she delivered to all of us – a narrative of magic, friendship, braveness, and chance.
Has there ever been a extra in style story? Over twenty years later it’s nonetheless drawing in fanatical muggles of all ages from all world wide. All of us simply wish to really feel a bit of that magic from inside the realness of our Muggle Land.
The Studio Store
You finish your tour (in fact) within the Studio Store. You’ll be able to’t entry it and not using a ticket. The merchandise retailer is kind of large and arranged into sections for every home and different issues like Darkish Magic! No matter you need, this retailer has: jewellery, garments, posters, trinkets, knick knacks, housewares, books, video games and extra.
I liked the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio tour a lot that I purchased the T-Shirt. I couldn’t assist however decide up the black singlet prime with spells written everywhere in the again. I really feel very magical after I put on it.
The ladies additionally picked up one thing to every keep in mind the expertise by and I additionally bought a Harry Potter memento e-book, which you’ll be able to order on-line when buying your tickets.
The Harry Potter Digital Information
At Harry Potter World London, you’ll be able to hire a digital information, which is a multimedia gadget with headphones that you simply put on round your neck. The gadget shares fascinating information in regards to the units, props, and costumes on the tour through audio, video, and movie galleries.
It options behind-the-scenes footage, tales, and interviews with these concerned within the manufacturing – forged and crew. I used to be the one one in our group who bought the self-guided multi-media digital information. Craig and the ladies had been content material to wander round taking a look at all of the units.
The digital information enhanced the expertise for me, and I feel it’s a worthy improve. I realized lots, together with how the unique director pushed again HARD in opposition to the Americanization of the movies i.e. making Hermione American or including in cheerleaders for Quidditch.
He was adamant the films hold the British integrity of the books. And for that we honor him. Hogwarts doesn’t want cheerleaders or Starbucks!
For a lot of the units there might be a clip from the related film scene so you’ll be able to see how that set got here to life on the display screen whereas standing in entrance of it. You’ll be able to rent them digital guides for upon arrival within the foyer (or you’ll be able to pre-book).
FOR KIDS: Exercise Passport
Whereas our teen didn’t need the exercise passport, Savannah and I had a great deal of enjoyable filling it out. It’s a enjoyable memento to take residence and is totally free.
The Exercise Passport is a small booklet with just a few trivia and puzzles, which we didn’t do as we had been too caught up within the set magic. There are a number of stations arrange all through the tour, so that you can stamp your booklet.
Memento Guidebook
After the magical expertise on the studio tour, I couldn’t assist however buy the Making of the Harry Potter Memento Guidebook.
It’s filled with enjoyable information, in-depth details about the movies tales and behind the scenes tales and secrets and techniques, and exquisite images. I feel it’s price it for true Harry Potter followers as a reminiscence evoking memento. You’ll be able to pre-book your Memento Guidebook if you buy your tickets.
FAQs Concerning the Harry Potter Studios Tour
Is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter accessible?
The tour Warner Bros Studios Tour is accessible, and guests can convey one carer freed from cost. Ticket costs embrace the electrical bus shuttle from close by Watford Junction station.
How lengthy do you want for the Harry Potter Studios Tour?
It took us about 3.5 hours to undergo the tour. You could possibly simply keep longer, particularly for those who get the digital guides. I might say permit for at the very least 4 hours. They do permit for that period of time with their final ticket allocation entry time earlier than closing. When you enter the studios, you aren’t on a time restrict so can keep so long as you want!
Is the Harry Potter Studio tour in London price it?
The Harry Potter Studio tour at Warner Bros is dear. BUT, for those who’re a Harry Potter fan, or you’ll be able to admire an excellent film set, then I feel it’s completely price it, particularly in case you are visiting London with children, or love the books and films your self.
If I evaluate it to different points of interest I’ve executed world wide, the value is nice for what you get. There is no such thing as a value on magic! It’s considered one of London’s greatest points of interest for a purpose so I might permit room in your funds for it.
All of us LOVED it. Kalyra (our 14 12 months previous) was thrilled once we informed the ladies we had been going to London as a result of it meant she may lastly go to the studios – a dream of hers for years. (It made her London for teenagers record!)
Craig hasn’t seen the entire films, nor learn any of the books, but he totally loved the entire expertise.
Savannah (10 yrs) has solely learn just a few of the books and is beginning to change into extra of a loyal fan. She decked herself out with Ravenclaw gear after visiting the Studios.
Harry Potter World London (as some name it) is a implausible option to permit muggle youngsters to really feel magic and assist them uncover what can occur if you dream large. That alone is definitely worth the ticket value.
Subsequent, I’ll share just a few Harry Potter World tour extras which will improve the magic. It’s one of many causes we selected London as a favourite European vacation spot for youngsters.
The place to remain close to the Harry Potter Studios?
I’m guessing you’re a vacationer spending time in London. I don’t suggest you keep in Watford close to Warner Bros, there’s not a lot there!
You’ll be able to simply keep in Central London close to the opposite in style London points of interest you plan to go to. As talked about above, it’s straightforward to get round London.
We stayed on the implausible 4-star Hilton Kensington. It was proper close to Shepherds Bush Station which is on one of many practice traces that takes you to Watford Junction. It solely took us an hour to get there and concerned one straightforward practice change. We stayed right here for 2 nights as visitors of the resort.
The new buffet breakfast was implausible and had a lot of choices and was an ideal begin to the day. I liked the youngsters breakfast part they’d – the ladies particularly with the doughnuts accessible!
The placement of the resort was wonderful. It’s solely a two-minute stroll to Shepherd’s Bush tube station and 5 minutes within the different course to Holland Park Tube, each on the pink Central line.
Shut by is the gorgeous Holland Park and Kyoto Gardens ( a London park hidden secret) and Westfields Buying Heart is throughout the highway – that is the most important procuring heart in Europe with greater than 265 outlets and 50 eating places.
On the Southern terrace closest to the resort is a cluster of 17 eating places, which is the place we stopped for excellent Thai one night.
Video: Harry Potter Studios Tour in London
See the magic come to life within the video under!
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