Avada Kedavra, Butterbeer, Puking Pastilles, Azkaban, Hogwarts Castle, Gringotts Bank..If you could understand what I am talking about, you surely are a Harry Potter fan! Now what if I told you that there is a place where you can experience most of these (if not all) magical things ? At Warner bros studio London you can go behind the scenes of Harry Potter films. It’s a place where you can leave your muggle world behind and feel like a wizard for a day. Sounds exciting?
How to get to Warner bros studio London
Unfortunately we muggles can’t get the Hogwarts express from platform 9 3/4 😉
By train
For Warner Bros studio, get the direct train from London Euston to Watford junction station. The journey takes about 20 min. From Watford station, regular shuttle buses operate between the station & the studio. Buses run every 15 min and take around 15 minutes to reach the studio.
By road
Warner bros studio website has detailed instructions if you are planning to travel by road. From central London you should reach Warner Bros studio in less than an hour.
Note that tickets to Warner Bros studio must be purchased in advance. You cannot arrive at the studio and then purchase the tickets.
You can purchase tickets here.
PS. This is the real Hogwarts express that was used in the movies! Don’t forget to see the carriages from the inside and relive the memories from different scenes.
The Making of Harry Potter at Warner Bros studio
Make a grand entrance
After a brief introduction to the studio tour, a lucky few will have the opportunity to open a giant magical door. And the door will look familiar..very very familiar!! Make sure you go right in front and be the lucky one who gets to say Alohomora and open the door. The door opens to the massive Great Hall where all the big events were held and where all the students had their meal. Also remember the Christmas feast?
Throughout Halloween season Warner bros studio tour hosts a special feature about dark arts. Great hall will be decorated with giant pumpkins and cauldrons will be laid out. It will be your chance to spot the Death Eaters on Diagon Alley.
Spot the props
The studio is home to a lot of props used in the movies from Dumbledore’s memory vials to Hagrid’s flying bike to puking pastilles dispenser it’s got everything. I also spotted Weasley’s blue Ford Anglia which Harry and Ron used to sneak into Hogwarts.
The great hall also has the memorabilia of 4 houses, their crests, their costumes and even the sorting hat!
Walk in the footsteps of Harry, Ronald & Hermione
Walking in the studio I was secretly hoping that the people in the pictures will start talking and I will entry to secret passages. Maybe find the Marauder’s map or even the cloak of invisibility.
For a small fee you can even be Harry Potter and get a video of your own which shows you riding the Hogwarts express or flying on a broomstick pretending to play quidditch. How exciting it is to take some Harry Potter memories home which you can watch over and over again?
Learn more about the Special & Visual Effects used in the films
Suddenly you will come across the forbidden forest. Will you be brave enough to step in and face Aragog or will you chicken out and run to safety? I say step in. You will get to make friends with Buckbeak 😃
The special & visual effects used in the movies were spectacular. In the studio you can learn all about the special effects and how the special creatures, giants, elves, magical artefacts like monster book of monsters were brought from book to life. A lot of hard work has gone in making this film what it is – a great movie which has fans all across the world.
(Don’t) get lost in Diagon Alley
One of the best highlight of the Warner bros studio tour is the visit to Diagon alley. You can see all the famous stores like Ollivander’s wand store, Fred & George’s infamous Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and don’t worry if you only have muggle currency as Gringotts bank is right there!
You have earned a Butterbeer
All this walking and exploring will definitely make you thirsty. How about a large mug of butterbeer? Frothy, creamy butterbeer or butterbeer ice-cream, take a pick! The cafes also serve delicious muggle food like burgers and chips.
From Railway shop on platform 9 3/4 you can purchase Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and tasty treats.
As you exit, make sure you keep your credit card ready. You are going to enter a giant store that has everything from souvenirs to t-shirts, scarves, jumpers for all houses, ornate keys, cups and even wands for you to conjure up a spell..You name it, they have it! It was difficult to just select a few 🙈
Harry Potter studio tour is a perfect day trip for all ages and all seasons. They have different specials running on different occasions like Christmas, Halloween. It is an exciting tour to do with the kids during school holiday. Grownups, just go back in time and relive your Harry Potter memories!
Tell me in comments, if you could be sorted in a house, which house will it be?
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Fancy a trip to Narnia or Game of Thrones location tour?
I so want to do this. Thinking about it for Christmas, to make it extra magical.
Thanks for this! I’m hopefully visiting Harry Potter studios in January. It looks amazing!
Hi, Harry Potter fan here! I would love to take this tour the next time I visit London. It looks so whimsical and fun. Loved reading about your magical experience!
Aww I love Harry Potter and enjoyed this article! It’s definitely a perfect day tour and I need to check it out with my hubby someday 🙂