A Day At: The Making Of Harry Potter Tour, London

Growing up in the Harry Potter era, there was absolutely no question about it, I had to visit the Warner Brothers Studio Tour London: The Making Of Harry Potter whilst I was visiting London. Admittedly, I was a huge Harry Potter fan since the release of the first book (when I was only 10 years old) and still am to this day at age 22. I’d read all about the props, sets, costumes and audio guide featured in the tour and could not wait to experience this studio tour for myself.

Warner Brothers Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter. 2012. Photo Credit: A.Barton

Luckily for me, my travel buddy was just as big of a fan of the Harry Potter franchise so convincing her to come along was instantaneous. Staying in Kings Cross at the time we caught the train to Watford Junction where the Studio Tour Shuttle Bus departs every 20 minutes to the Studio tour for only £2 return.

With the iconic flying car hanging from the roof, photographs of many of the main cast members around the walls and a view into the Gift Shop, the main lobby and ticket area sets you up for what lies ahead. The tour is divided into 2 sounds stages and a backlot full of everything Harry Potter you could imagine.

Tour Features (and must see’s!)

• The Great Hall
  Is your welcoming into the world of Harry Potter with Dumbledore and some of the Hogwarts teaching staff standing at the front, it’s just as incredible in real life as it is in the films. The finer details of this room are incredible and are much more noticeable at the set compared to on screen.
  

  The Great Hall. 2012. Photo Credit: A.Barton

• Gryffindor Boys Dormitory
• Chamber of Secrets mechanical door
• Dumbledore’s Office
  One of my personal highlights of the tour. It’s exactly how it’s portrayed in the films, the Pensieve, Memories cabinet, sword of Gryffindor, working telescope, the Headmaster’s desk and Dumbledore himself.
  

  Dumbledore’s Office. 2012. Photo Credit: A.Barton

• Ride a broomstick (and purchase a DVD or photo’s)
• The 6 Horcrux Props
• Drink Butterbeer
• Professor Umbridge’s Office
  Love her or hate her (which lets be honest, most of us did) Professor Umbridge’s pink office with her tea sets and moving cat plates is one set from the books and films you cannot forget. No finer detail is forgotten in this set!
  

  Professor Umbridge’s Office. 2012. Photo Credit: K.Allan

• Magic is Might Statue
• Privet Drive
• Creature Shop
• Diagon Alley
• Olivander’s Wand Shop
• Knight Bus
  At 22 feet high (over 6 metres), the Knight bus is one of the most prominent props featured in the third instalment of the Harry Potter films and is a fun prop to get photos with.
  

  Knight Bus. 2012. Photo Credit: A.Barton

• Ministry of Magic
• Deatheater Masks & Costumes
• Scale Model of Hogwarts
  A 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts is a highlight of the tour! With operating lights, hand crafted and so ridiculously lifelike, it’ll make you want to go to Hogwarts (even more!).
  

  Hogwarts. 2012. Photo CreditL A.Barton

Plus so, so, so, so, so (you get the idea!) more! I don’t want to spoil it all for you!

The Gift Shop is definitely worth visiting at the end of your day. Selling anything you can imagine from wands, clothing, chocolate frogs, Marauder’s Map, the Deathly Hallows necklace worn by Mr. Lovegood, Hermione’s Time-Turner, parchment and quills, house flags and so much more. Whilst I felt the prices were quite expensive, keep in mind that this is a popular, novelty, global attraction.

I 100% recommend this tour for any Harry Potter fans, no matter your age! You’ll be truly in awe at the detail and creativity that was used to create the incredible Harry Potter movies we all know and love. This tour makes the movies, the characters and the storyline seem so real and really reminds you of why you loved these books and films so much.

Avoid this tour if you don’t know a single thing about Harry Potter, you’ll be completely confused. Or better yet, watch the movies or read the books before you come so you have an idea, it’s worth it!

Tickets are not sold at the tour and therefore need to be purchased online in advance. You have the choice of just the ticket (£31 for adults) or a Complete Studio Tour Package including your ticket, souvenir guide-book (which is amazing on its own!) and audio guide (£40.95 for adults). It also requires you to select a date and time in advance which you should definitely chose wisely! To avoid crazy crowds and spend longer in the studio I suggest early mornings on weekdays (excluding school holidays!). This allows you as much time as you need to go through the tour and see every tiny detail that is featured. You definitely don’t want to feel rushed going through the tour as there is so much to see.

Visit the Warner Brothers Studio Tour London at Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7GS

All posts are by GlobalWhispers2014 and are entirely my own opinions, views and experiences.