Dark Arts And The Ministry Of Magic
The joy of wandering through the sets of the good magic will soon be overshadowed by the darkness.
Starting with the Death Eaters Meeting at Malfoy Manor, youll gaze upon the recreated scene of Charity Burbages catastrophic end with Nagini the snake.
Use your Digital Guide to see how it all comes to life on the screen.
Digital guide
I loved seeing and learning about the Ministry of Magic in this section as well. The elaborate red and green tiled building was based on a 19th century building in London.
It was one of the largest sets constructed for the films and required hundreds of extras for the films shot there. Many of the actors said it was one of their favorite scenes to film especially because many of the extras were their crew member friends!
I also found the Professor Umbridge Display fascinating as I learned that as she gained more power at the Ministry of Magic throughout the films, her wardrobe became progressively pinker. All these tiny details I cant wait to spot when I re-watch the movies.
Hotels Near Euston Train Station
- YHA London St. Pancras a good value budget option a short walk from both Euston and Kings Cross stations. Offers both private and dormitory style rooms
- Comfort Inn and Suites King Cross a great mid-range option, with all rooms coming with a kitchenette
- Point A Hotels comfortable, cosy rooms, part of the well rated budget-friendly Point A hotel chain
- Radisson Blu Edwardian luxury, boutique accommodation, a short walk from Euston station
The Cost Of The Experience
On the other hand, the Harry Potter studio tour is also an experience that just keeps getting pricer. As I had looked at getting tickets closer to G-Mans actual birthday in December , I happened to notice the price rise introduced as of January 2017 for example, the family ticket went up by £20 from £106 in 2016 to £126 now .
A quick look around the internet shows that generally all prices at the attraction have gone up a lot over the last few years (a family ticket was £83 in 2012. Butterbeer started out at around £2.95 a glass now, youre paying a few pence shy of seven pounds. The issue on prices does leave a nasty taste in my mouth, but theyre hardly the only attraction to be milking their customers for every pound. Just go with your eyes open and your hand firmly on your purse.
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Food Options At The Harry Potter Studio Tour
Cafe prices at both the Harry Potter studio tour Studio and Backlot Cafes were about average for a tourist attraction and there were enough kid-friendly options to feed both our guys.
We thought about taking a picnic lunch this time but in the end, the hideousness of the idea of lugging around lunch along with our winter gear , outweighed the cost for us.
But picnics/food from home are allowed, so if thats your thing, you dont have to worry about sneaking out your sandwiches theres a perfectly decent picnic area to enjoy them in.
A Magical Guide To The Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour In London
Grab your wands and white-spotted owls muggles. Its 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.
Entrance to Harry Potter London Studios
On this adventure you get to go behind the scenes at Warner Bros Studios on the Harry Potter London tour.
The Making of Harry Potter studio tour is a fascinating insight into the technology and whole team effort that goes into creating blockbuster movies while maintaining the integrity of the story from which they came.
Not only can you visit the film sets and see some of the movie props, but you can also drink butterbeer, interact with some of the magic, and purchase your favorite Harry Potter Merchandise.
So many photo opps
Dont get this place confused with the Harry Potter World in Universal Studios. This one is NOT a theme park with roller coasters, recreated Hogsmeade villages, or Hogwarts express rides. This is a self-guided tour through the real-life working film studios!
In this guide well 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.
Lets start with a few logistics before sharing the experience.
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Driving To The Harry Potter Studio Tour
For drivers, parking in the car park is free, or you can pay £10 for a Priority Parking space, near the entrance . There are some blue disability badge parking bays close to the main entrance too, but those arent guaranteed to be available.
There are also electric car charging stations, which require you to download the Pod Point Open Charge app.
While we got the train/bus combo for our first visit, train strikes and an even earlier ticket time encouraged us to drive down for our second trip. We didnt , pay the extra £10 to use the closer spaces, but found we were parked very close anyway .
Of course, this was because we were among the first visitors of the day, and if you have a later entry ticket then you are going to be parked further away. Personally, I didnt think the car park was big enough to warrant the extra tenner, especially going early, so bear that in mind if you also book an early slot.
Read Our Reviews On Tripadvisor
- Highly recommend this place! All wheelchair friendly even the bus to the studios.
- The Warner Bros. Studio Tour was amazing from start to finish. It was really good value for the amount of time we were there.
- You definitely have to experience this! Remember to book the tickets early, a month before the visit may be too late.
- Cookie Settings
As a mark of respect for the State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London The Making of Harry Potter will be closed on 19th September 2022.
If this closure impacts your visit, you will receive an email from our Visitor Services team with further details. For more information and FAQs . We appreciate your understanding.
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Diagon Alley Mini Backpack
$75.00
Get ready for your next year at Hogwarts with this stylish teal colored miniature backpack from Loungefly. Everything you could expect to see on your shopping journey to Diagon Alley can be found here! Potions, robes and other magical supplies adorn the all-over print of the main body of the bag, while stunning die cut artwork of textbooks, an owl and the Sorting Hat feature prominently on the front pocket. From the exquisite stitching to the Hogwarts crest charm zipper tab, no detail of this backpack has been left untouched!
Where Was Harry Potter Filmed
Harry Potter was filmed all across the UK, at real world locations such as Glenfinnan Viaduct, Alnwick Castle, Glencoe in Scotland and Leadenhall Market in London. See our full guide to Harry Potter filming locations in the UK for more.
The interior sets and the majority of the rest of the films were shot at the Warner Bros. Studio in Leavesden, just outside London.
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Luna Lovegood Womens Spectrespecs Pyjamas
£35.00
Celebrate Luna Lovegood with these Exceptionally Ordinary women’s pyjamas. Inspired by Luna Lovegood’s famous Spectrespecs, which she acquired through an issue of The Quibbler Magazine, this pyjama set which is made from soft-brushed cotton will keep you comfortable all night. Featuring elasticised bottoms and a pale pink and purple Spectrespecs print, it also features the phrase Exceptionally Ordinary printed on the top and Luna’s signature in back. Perfect for a quiet night in or pyjama party, these Luna Lovegood pyjamas are a great addition to anyone’s Luna Lovegood collection!
Harry Potter Theme Park England:
The Harry Potter Theme Park England, known as the Warner Bros Studio Tour London is one of the most popular places to visit in England! A typical visit takes around 3 hours and highlights include:
- Go behind the scenes with awesome sets that bring the movies to life
- Ride a broomstick like in the movies!
- Enter the forbidden forest and see Buckbeak, Hippogriff and more
- Admire the authentic props and costumes that were used in the films
- Visit the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and the Chamber of Secrets
- Stand on platform 9 ¾ and take a photo infront of the luggage trolley
- See the incredibly detailed model of Hogwarts Castle, used to create amazing shots of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft
- Hop onboard the Hogwarts Express for the ultimate Harry Potter experience
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How To Get To The Harry Potter World
Shuttle Bus
There are regular shuttle buses which run from Watford Junction to the Studio Tour with a duration of around 15 minutes. Buses run every 20 minutes, starting from 9.20am. Note that the last return Shuttle Bus back to Watford Junction departs the Studio Tour when the Tour closes. A single ticket costs 2.00, return ticket 2.50. Read more additional information on the Dont forget tips list.
Train
The nearest railway station to Studio Tour is Watford Junction. Direct services arrive there from both London Euston and Birmingham New Street . Oyster cards are valid between London Euston and Watford Junction.
Non-direct train services operate from London Euston but be aware that these may take much longer to arrive at Watford junction.
You may want to look at the possibility of booking your ticket with Musement or Viator as they provide you with transportation if you book your ticket with them.
Car
The Studio Tour is located 20 miles north-west of London and less than three miles from the M1 and M25 motorways. The postcode is WD25 7LR, as you approach the Studio Tour, brown signs labelled Warner Brothers Studio Tour which will help you get there easily.
Bus
The bus company Golden Tours offer a convenient return transfer and ticket packages on their buses. The transfer you from:
- London Kings Cross
Harry Potter Studio Opening Times
You will definitely want to check the website for up-to-date opening times, but generally throughout the year the studio is open from 8.30am through to 10pm. More specifically:
- Doors open at 8.30am
- First tour starts at 9am
- Final tour starts at 6.30pm
- Studio closes at 10pm
These times do vary by day. In terms of dates, the Studio is open every day of the week. There are some exceptions, it is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day .
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Harry Potter World London
Harry Potter World London, known as the Warner Bros Studio Tour London, is the best way to explore the making of the Harry Potter movies. Located just outside of London, go behind the scenes to get a glimpse of a world of witches and wizardry. Youll get to see the awesome sets, costumes and props all used in the filming of the movie series including The Great Hall, Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest, Platform 9¾ and more! The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is the highest-rated attraction in the world every year since it opened in 2012! Its a perfect day out for the family and a must-see place on any visit to London for Harry Potter fans!
Our Warner Bros Studio Tours are available almost every day of the year! Book with or without transportation from Central London.
Harry Potter Birthday Wands
Much like the Zodiac signs, there are 13 signs based on the Celtic Tree Calendar. This calendar is what J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, used.
You can use your birthday date to find which wand might be best for you. Or maybe choose your anniversary or another special date to choose your wand.
You can look at the attributes of each wand to see which one to choose, too.
This helpful wand chart will guide your towards choosing the best wand for you. However, wands choose the wizards, so if you feel like you really like a wand that isnt for your birth month, its okay!
Get a free download of our Harry Potter Wand Chart by Birthday to bring to Universal Studios with you.
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The Harry Potter Studio Tour Backlot
Outside in the Backlot, the kids can clamber all over Mr Weasleys Ford Anglia and Hagrids motorbike, as well as the back of the Knight Bus lots of free photo ops here too. Alas, you cant go very far into the Knight Bus no testing out the beds if thats what you fancied, but the kids enjoyed hanging off the platform at the back.
2022 update: The backlot has changed a lot since our last visit. The bus and vehicles are still there, and so is the Hogwarts Bridge and Privet Drive. This time we got to go inside the Dursleys pad, and though its only a couple of rooms, they are great fun. Hello Aunt Marge!
New additions to the Backlot were the Burrows , and Professor Sprouts Greenhouse. You can go inside this, and try your hand at gardening while you are there. Watch out for those Mandrakes
Serious fun!
What If There Are No Tickets Available
Wipe your tears muggles! Wizards dont cry, they get to work finding a solution. Wave that wand. The luck you seek may be found hidden with a tour group company.
The tour group ticketing system is a little different so you may get lucky with some spare tickets. Its a good last-minute option. It will mean youll be venturing with a group, and it may be slightly more expensive. Some of them may even include transport. . Check tour availability here.
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Tip Number Four: Dress For The Part Even Just A Little Bit
Lots of people dress up for the tour, and its great fun for most kids. G-Man however is one of those children who, to my eternal chagrin, doesnt much like dressing up.
Probably just as well though, as I would happily have blown the budget and remortgaged the house to see the kiddos dressed in Hogwarts quidditch robes like these.
In the face of filial revolt and because I insisted there was at least some dressing up, I got the kids really cheap scarves in Gryffindor colours instead .
Wear Hogwarts scarves or full on costumes!
The scarves arrived by Owl Post on the morning of our trip, along with a couple of brown paper party bags. The boys opened the scarf parcels before we left and proudly wore their scarves most of the day, even when sweltering inside.
Tip Number Two Book Ahead Way Way Ahead
You cant buy tickets at the door, and dates book up very early on. It can be a bit of a schlep to get to the Harry Potter studio tour. The last thing you want is to have to turn around and go home again, so plan ahead, and dont forget your tickets!
On a side note, I paid the postage to get our tickets sent to us. When we got there, I was very glad I did. You can pick up your tickets from ticket machines and a box office outside, but there were long queues for these.
Then you have to queue again to go into the building. They do a full bag search/metal detector security check before youre allowed inside, so it can take some time when its really busy.
And everything cafe, shop, tour is inside. Thank goodness there is a small building out by the bus stop with toilets for the desperate..
Beautiful graphic design is evident everywhere.
You then also have to queue if you want/need coffee for the grown ups in the group. And queue again inside the lobby area to start the actual tour.
And lets not forget the queue for the shuttle bus from Watford Junction.
One less queue in the freezing cold of an English January morning, only a day after it snowed with two antsy seven-year-olds in tow was definitely worth that £3.95 postage .
Just remember youd need to book at least a couple of weeks in advance. This is so there is time to get the tickets posted to you before your visit.
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How To Get Last Minute Harry Potter Studio Tickets When They Are Sold Out On The Official Website
As you have probably seen already on the official website, the tickets sell out very fast and it is almost impossible to get a ticket last minute. Normally, you need to book the tickets in advance, usually 3-4 months ahead.
However, the good news is that there are a lot of resellers that can sell the tickets and you can check all of them to see if something is available. You are also in the right place to avoid checking tens of websites: in fact, TourScanneraggregates all of them and you can easily check what is available.
There are also few tours leaving from Birmingham, if this is an option for you. You might book one and meet your group at the Warner Bros Studio if you are located in Central London and you cannot leave from Birmingham.
If you dont find anything available on TourScanner, then, its probably really sold out everywhere. However, even though you will not be able to visit the Warner Bros Studio, you can visit other places and landmarks in London in which the movie was recorded, such a Diagon Alley, Platform 9 ¾, Gringotts Bank, etc. The price for such guided walking tours starts from £15 . .
The last option is to join a Harry Potter Locations Tour in Oxford, if you plan to visit Oxford. Many scenes were filmed in the old University of Oxford.