Grab your muggles white-spotted owls wands. It’s time to board the Hogwarts Express to a magical world you thought only existed in the chapters of a book and the big screens of movies.
This adventure will allow you to Warner Bros Studios: Behind the scenesThe Harry Potter London Tour.
Harry Potte: The Making of Harry PotteThe studio tour gives you a fascinating look into the technology and team effort involved in creating blockbuster movies, while keeping the story intact.
You can also be a part of the upcoming “Stand Up for Yourself” campaign. Visit the film setsSee some of the pictures. movie propsYou can also drink butterbeer, interact and purchase your favorite Harry Potter merchandise.
Don’t get this place confused with the Harry Potter World in Universal Studios. This one is NOT a park with roller coasters or recreated Hogsmeade village villages. This is a Self-guided tour of real-life working film studios
In this guide we’ll share everything you need to know about taking a Harry Potter Warner Bros studio tour in London from getting tickets, what you can see and do, and some cool interactive experiences.
Let’s start with a few logistics before sharing the experience.
Where are the Harry Potter London Studios located?
The Warner Bros Studios is 20 miles northwest from Central London, and the Harry Potter Studios are in Leavesden. It’s a great day trip from London (or a half-day!)
These studios are not just about magic. It’s one of the largest studios in the UK and is the location for many films including the Fantastic Beasts series, Paddington, Mission Impossible, and Batman.
What is the Harry Potter Tour London like?
The Making of Harry PotterIs it a Self-guided TourThat will get you through. Two soundstages and a backinglot Filled with original sets, props and costumes, animatronic creatures, costumes, and special effects taken from the movies.
This studio has been home to talented individuals and childhood stars for more than a decade. They bring the magic of the books that we love into our everyday lives.
After filming ended in 2010, thousands of artifacts remained behind.Warner Bros. was formed to preserve and present them and to share the filmmaking magic with Harry Potter fans worldwide. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter was created.
Doors opened on 31stMarch 2012 to thousands upon thousands of witches and wizards around the globe.
Although there are many Harry Potter film locations throughout the UK, most of the films were shot in London’s Warner Bros Studio.
All about Warner Bros Studio Tickets
How much does the Harry Potter Studio Tour cost?
The Harry Potter Studio tour is now available for purchase starting June 2022
- Adult – £49.95
- Child – £39.95
- Family – £159
- For children below 4 years old, no charge
We made a small savings by using this method. Buy the family pass. (That covered our 2 adults as well as our 2 children)
You should reserve tickets well in advance They sell out quickly. After we had established our itinerary for London, we booked 3 weeks in advance. We had very few options. We also traveled off-season, right at the peak of the pandemic. If you’re traveling during the summer, I’d book months in advance if you can!
You may also see special exhibitions during your visit.
The tour is availableVisitors and residents can bring one caregiver free of charge.
Tickets include the electric bus shuttle to Watford Junction station.
Where can I buy tickets?
You can only buy tickets online – you CANNOT purchase them at the gates!
Note:Tickets are timed entry. This keeps visitor numbers lower. I’d make sure you turn up on time, so you don’t miss your entry. We arrived at the station about an hour before the scheduled time so we stopped at Bake Wise while we waited for the bus.
They won’t let you into the studios if you are early, so you’ll just be waiting in the car park!
What happens if there aren’t any tickets?
Muggles, please wipe your tears. Wizards don’t cry, they get to work finding a solution. Wave that wand. You might find the luck that you are looking for in a tour company.
You may be able to get lucky with spare tickets because the tour group ticketing system works in a slightly different way. It’s a good last-minute option. It will mean you’ll be venturing with a groupIt may be slightly more costly. Some may even include transport. (However, it’s easy to get to the studios using public transport. You’ll find more information below. You can check the availability of tours here.
Is it worth the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London?
The Harry Potter Studio Tour at Warner Bros. is very expensive. BUT, I think it’s totally worth it, especially if you are visiting London with kids, or love the books and movies yourself.
If I compare it to other attractions I’ve done around the world, the price is good for what you get. There is no price for magic!
It’s one of London’s best attractions for a reason so I would allow room in your budget for it.
It was an experience that we all loved. Kalyra (our 14 year old) was thrilled when we told the girls we were going to London because it meant she could finally go to the studios – a dream of hers for years. (It made her London For Teens list!)
Craig hasn’t seen all of the movies, nor read any of the books, yet he thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
Savannah (10 years old) has only read a few books but is now a more dedicated fan. After visiting the Studios, Savannah dressed in Ravenclaw gear.
Harry Potter World London, as some refer it, is a great way to let muggle children feel magic and show them what you can do when you dream big. This alone is worth the price of admission.
Next, I’ll share a few Harry Potter World tour extras that may enhance the magic.
The Harry Potter Digital Guide
Harry Potter World London offers many options.Rent a digital guideYou can wear the, which is a multimedia gadget with headphones around your neck.
The device shares You can find fascinating facts about the sets and costumes on the tour via audio and video as well as picture galleries. It features behind-the-scenes footage, stories, and interviews with those involved in the production – cast and crew.
The self-guided multi-media digital digital guide was purchased by me as the only member of our group. Craig and the girls were happy to just browse through all the sets.
The digital guide enhanced the experience for me, and I think it’s a worthy upgrade.
I learned a lot from my original director, including how he fought HARD against Americanization of the films. Making Hermione American, or adding cheerleaders to Quidditch. He insisted that the films preserve the British integrity of the books. We are grateful to him for that. Hogwarts does NOT need cheerleaders!
You will find a clip from the relevant movie scene for most sets so that you can see how it came to life while standing in front.
You can also hire them as digital guides £4.95 upon arrival in the lobbyPre-booking is possible.
FOR KIDS: Activity Passport
Savannah and Savannah had lots of fun filling out the passport, even though our teen was not interested. It’s a fun souvenir to take home and is completely free.
The Activity Passport is A small booklet containing trivia and puzzles., which we didn’t do as we were too caught up in the set magic. You can stamp your booklet at several stations throughout the tour.
Souvenir Guidebook
After the magical experience on the studio tour, I couldn’t help but purchase the Making of the Harry Potter Souvenir Guidebook. It’s full of fun facts, in-depth information about the films stories and behind the scenes stories and secrets, and beautiful photography.
I think it’s worth it for true Harry Potter fans as a memory evoking souvenir.
When you purchase your tickets, you can pre-book your Souvenir Book.
How long will it take to tour Harry Potter Studios?
It took us It takes approximately 3.5 hoursYou can also take the tour. You could easily stay longer, especially with the digital guides.
I would recommend at least four hours.They allow that time, with the last ticket allocation before closing. Once you enter the studios, you aren’t on a time limit so can stay as long as you like!
Highlights from the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour
Okay, now let’s start the magic! You’ll begin by seeing the tiny cupboard under the stairs and a room full of posters for each of the movies, some life-sized figures of Hagrid and the other other characters, before moving into a small room for a special effects introduction.
In true Harry Potter fashion, the walls above will display moving figures of people sharing their stories about Harry Potter’s Wizarding World. The guides will take you to a theater where you can view a trailer about the movie.
The self-guided tour begins as the doors slide open and smoke slowly exposes the Great Hall.
The Great Hall
I was expecting to gasp upon first sight of the Great Hall, but for some reason, it didn’t capture my imagination as much.
When we visited, the Great Hall was set up to be in the style of Order of the Phoenix so perhaps its darker version didn’t feel so enchanting. They created the arched ceiling using visual effects, so there is no spectacular one.
But there is a teacher’s table at the tip of the room where the Hogwarts professors sat, two tables on the side set for dinner, and costumes of students from each Hogwarts House.
I gasped more as I entered the Great Hall in Christ Church Oxford, which is said be the same Great Hall that Hogwarts Great Hall was built on. It felt more real because all the tables were set up in Christ Church.
As you walk out of the Great Hall and into the interior sets at Harry Potter London studios, you’ll see informational displays of the production team as well as costumes from the Yule Tide Ball and its beautiful ice sculpture.
Interior Sets
It’s only walking through the interior sets of the Gryffindor Boys Dormitory, the Common Room, Dumbledore’s office, Hagrid’s Hut, The Burrow, ThePotions ClassroomYou will be amazed at the amount of detail that went into these films.
You’ll also be surprised at how small the rooms are!
Take enough time to examine all props and details in each space, which may include displays panels or costumes.
Dumbledore’s office especially had so much to look at with shelves filled with astronomical devices, telescopes, and star charts; the Memory Cabinet filled with more than 800 tiny vials; hundreds of books (actually British telephone books) bound in leather; forty-eight portraits of former headmasters hanging from the walls; and of course, the sorting hat!
My digital guide pointed out the important things in each room and attached a story.
In between the interior sets, you’ll find displays sharing many of the magical things from the movies like the wands, horcruxes, and the animals of the Wizarding World.
At Hagrid’s Hut you can see the clever tricks filmmakers used to make Hagrid seem much larger than other characters. There’s an interactive area where you can sit in the chairs and test it yourself.
Quidditch
My favorite Harry Potter movie moment was without a doubt seeing Quidditch in action in the first movie. It was exactly as I imagined it, but even more exciting!
This Quidditch display shows you how it happened.
Younger children will have fun stepping up to the Quidditch area’s broomstick and asking it to rise to your hand. Now it’s your turn to fly the broomstick!
The Green Screen Experience
Fly on over to the greenscreen experience. I did not think I’d participate, but once I walked up with Savannah to offer her encouragement, I couldn’t help but jump in for a witchy photo with her!
I couldn’t resist buying it because it was so cool. I tell you; I must have drunk a “buy everything, it’s just too much fun” potion walking into the studios.
Savannah took it one step further, riding the broomstick all over London. We chose to opt for the photo package and not the video one.
You will be sent a link to download digital versions of the photos. This was great, I thought.
There weren’t any lines when we arrived at the Green Screen Experience. I wouldn’t line up for a long time to do this. But, since tickets are timed entry, I don’t think the lines will be that long. However, some people might stay all day here!
You will also find displays in this area that explain how the special effects team created this magical world, including the flying car as well as the whoping willow trees!
Dark Arts and The Ministry of Magic
The darkness will soon take away the joy of exploring the sets of good magical art.
Starting with the Death Eaters Meeting at Malfoy Manor, you’ll gaze upon the recreated scene of Charity Burbage’s catastrophic end with Nagini the snake.
Your Digital Guide will show you how it all comes to life on screen.
I loved learning about the Ministry of Magic in this section. The 19-story building with its elaborate red and green tiles was built on the 19th century.ThCentury building in London.
It was one the largest sets built for films and required hundreds more for the films shot there. Many actors said it was one their favorite scenes to film. – especially because many of the extras were their crew member friends!
The Professor Umbridge Display was also fascinating to me. It revealed that her wardrobe got more pinker as she gained more power at Ministry of Magic. All these tiny details I can’t wait to spot when I re-watch the movies.
The Forbidden forest
It’s time to take a tentative stroll through the dark, eerie Forbidden forest. This was Kalyra’s favorite set at the Harry Potter Studios.
It’s a misty land of nineteen towering trees, twisted roots, and giant spiders.Click a button and they’ll fall from the sky, and life-sized Aragog with its hairy legs spanning 18ft will creep out of the tree roots behind you.
This could be frightening for younger children.
While I found it super cool, it didn’t scare me. Not after our ride on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride in Universal Studios Orlando. The ride was a disaster when the giant spiders were hanging above our heads and we were upside-down!
There is also a full-sized model in the Forbidden Forest. Hippogriff BuckbeakIt first appeared in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Platform 9¾
While they filmed most of the scenes for Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross Station in London, the crew recreated part of the platform on a sound stage here for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
The train interior scenes are shown inside the train, with blue and yellow screens for special effects such the flying Dementors or the hopping chocolate Frogs.
Take a photo of the cart running into the wall. Kings Cross station has a similar photo. Be sure to get there early to avoid waiting!
Now you’re finished the first sound stage tour and are halfway through the Making of Harry Potter experience. Take a break.
The Backlot Café
Now it’s time for another magical experience all witches and wizards can’t wait for – Butterbeer.
If you have never tried a butter beer it tastes just like it does in the book – a cross between creaming soda and butterscotch! Your first taste will be exactly as it’s described in the book.
I was slightly disappointed that they didn’t have it. frozen butterbeer Like they do at Universal Resort in Orlando. I could sip that all day.
Located halfway though the studio Tour is the Backlot Café. The café has standard café food – burgers and hot dogs and chili cheese fries – Many gluten-free options are available
As I have gluten free requirements, I was impressed with how they managed this at the café. They ask if anyone has any dietary requirements and they will take care to answer that immediately, making sure you have your own place to cook your food.
Although the prices are high, there is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and views of the Privet Drive as well as magical vehicles.
The Backlot: Privet Drive & Magical Vehicles
Before you enter Studio 2, take a look at some of the exterior sets used in the films. Number Four Privet Drive, home to the Dursleys; The iconic Hogwarts BridgeCreated for Prisoner Of Azkaban; and the purple double decker Knight Bus.
You can jump in the Ford Anglia and Hagrid’s Motorbike for some fun family photos!
Creature effects
Creature Effects is a room that will delight those who love the Wizarding world’s creatures.
Learn how they created Dobby, the House-Elf, and the many features of the various Goblins and mandrakes. Also, discover the animatronic features of Buckbeak, Aragog, and the makeup effects that were used to create the Dark Lord’s terrifying face.
You can even make Dobby dance!
Gringotts & the Vaults
One of my favourite sections of the Making of Harry Potter tour was the vaults of Gringotts bank.
First, you will walk through Gringotts Bank. It is complete with goblin-speaking bank tellers. If you’ve done the Gringotts’s ride at Universal Studios in Orlando, you may walk through here quite quickly as they are the same.
The most fascinating thing about the vaults is to see how they were used. 38,000 pieces of rubberized treasureTo set the scene for Lestrange Vault’s multiplying cups. You can take your picture here in a spot that creates the optical illusion that you are lost in the cups.
The Dragon Escape sequence is next to this set. Prepare for a fire breathing dragon to charge at your face through the smoke!
Diagon Alley
I wasn’t as excited about Diagon Alley in Harry Potter World London. Although I know that Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Orlando isn’t the real thing, it felt magical with all the shops open and the fire breathing dragon at its end.
Harry Potter movie buffs will love this as it is the actual Diagon Alley featured in the films. It has quirky shops and slated structures. Again, you’ll be surprised at how small it is and how dark!
Model Room at Hogwarts Castle
There is no better place to end your tour of Harry Potter Studios than at the model Hogwarts Castle.
You’ll learn how they built this 1:24 scale model based on production designer Stuart Craig’s initial concept sketch. The model was filmed with digital enhancements to make it look real.
Take your time and take in all the details that have been meticulously crafted to scale.
A special lighting show of the Weasley Twins fireworks shooting onto Hogwarts was on display during our visit. This can be seen in the Reel.).
Seeing Hogwarts Castle was the highlight of the tour. My eyes were pricked by tears just like it was when I walked into Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure in Orlando.
It symbolizes magic, belief, imagination, and the ability to create what you feel and see in your own mind as a gift to the world.
It’s amazing to me what J.K Rowling created with the Harry Potter Realm, simply because she chose to. During times of hardship, jot down a few notes on a napkin. She followed that trail and looked at what she brought to all of us – a story of magic, friendship, courage, and possibility.
Is there a more beloved story? Over twenty years later it’s still drawing in fanatical muggles of all ages from all around the world. We all want to feel a bit of that magic in our Muggle Land.
The Studio Shop
Your tour ends in the Studio Shop. You can’t access it without a ticket.
The merchandise store is large and divided into sections for each house, as well as other items like Dark Magic! This store stocks jewelry, clothing, trinkets and knick knacks as well as housewares, books and games.
I loved the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio tour so I bought the T-Shirt. I couldn’t help but pick up the black singlet top with Spells are written all over the back. It makes me feel so magical.
I also bought a Harry Potter souvenir books for the girls. Order onlineWhen you purchase your tickets.
How to get to Warner Bros Studios London
The closest railway station to Studio Tour is Watford Junction. Both stations have direct train service to the destination. London Euston(20-minute drive) Birmingham New Street (1 hour journey).
Don’t fear if you are not on a direct line. It is easy to get around London. Take the tube to the nearest train station to get to Watford Junction. Be prepared to take extra time. To plan your route, Google Maps or TFL Go can be used.
We caught the TFL RailTransport fOr London) to the Harry Potter Studios from Shepherd’s Bush Station.
You can use your oyster card/contact less card if traveling through London zones 1-9.
A shuttle bus will take you from Watford Junction into the Studio Tour as part of your ticket. They run every 30 minutes, and take about 15 minutes.
Where can I stay near Harry Potter Studios?
I assume you are a tourist visiting London. I don’t recommend you stay in Watford near Warner Bros, there is not much there!
You can easily find accommodation in Central London near other attractions. As mentioned above, it’s easy to get around London.
The 4-star Hilton Kensington was our choice. It was close to Shepherds Bush Station. This station is on the train line that goes to Watford Junction. It took us just over an hour to get there, and it only required one train change. We stayed two nights in the hotel as guests.
The hot buffet breakfast was delicious and offered many options. It was a great way to start the day. I loved the kids breakfast section they had – the girls especially with the doughnuts available!
Excellent location. It’s only a two-minute walk to Shepherd’s Bush tube station and five minutes in the other direction to Holland Park Tube, both on the red Central line.
The stunning Holland Park and Kyoto Gardens are close by (a London park secret). Westfields Shopping Center is across the road – this is the largest shopping center in Europe with more than 265 shops and 50 restaurants.
The Southern terrace is the closest to the hotel. There are 17 restaurants in the cluster. We stopped by one evening for great Thai food.
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