Things To Know Before You Arrive
Even if youre remotely interested in the enchanting world of Harry Potter then a Harry Potter studio tour in London is a must. But, before you set out for what is sure to be a magical experience, read this for everything you need to know so you can enjoy a mind-blowing Harry Potter experience without any problems or concerns.
Is The Harry Potter Studio Tour Accessible
The Harry Potter Studio Tour is accessible, and visitors can bring one carer free of charge with proof of entitlement.
For the studio itself, the majority of it is level and accessible for wheelchair users. There are some exceptions, such as the Hogwarts Bridge and the Knights Bus. Diagon Alley also includes an incline and cobbled streets.
Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are permitted but mobility scooters cannot be wider than 86cm.
Visitors with assistance dogs are welcome and water bowls can be provided. Theres also a dedicated toilet area for assistance dogs.
For visitors with a hearing impairment, induction loops can be provided. A portable iPad is also available , which can provide a subtitled version of some of the films. Its also possible to book a BSL tour in advance.
For more information on accessibility and any other needs you have, please visit the accessibility section of the official website.
Harry Potter Studios Tour London: Your Experience
A tour of the Harry Potter Studios is the perfect escape from the muggle world. Sip on some delicious butterbeer and grab a wand before heading to explore the beautiful sets of locations like the Great Hall, Platform 9 ¾ and Dumbledores office, along with getting an up-close, personal look at props, popular character costumes and creation of magical creatures like Buckbeak the hippogriff. Each location is designed to bring iconic moments from the movies to life — a thrill for every true fan.
Also Check: How Well Do You Know Harry Potter
Harry Potter Studio Tour: Types Of Tours
- Harry Potter Studio Tour with Transportation
On a fantastic full-day tour from central London to the Warner Brothers Studio, go behind the scenes of the Harry Potter franchise sets and walk in the footsteps of the favorite characters and the iconic actors that played them. With comfortable transfers from Central London in a premium coach, full of convenient features and wi-fi access, you can arrive at Warner Bros. Studio tours in luxury and comfort.
- Harry Potter Film Studio Tour
Take a stroll through Londons streets and visit some of the most iconic film locations from the Harry Potter Films, the eight-part series that has inspired generation after generation to read and dream. .
- Warner Bros studio tour & Oxford Day Tour from London
After a magical day at the Warner Bros. Studio TourThe Making of Harry Potter, travel to Oxford for a visit to the University of Oxford. Admission to the Harry Potter studio tour and a professional guided educational and engaging walk in Oxford are included in the full-day trip.
Gift Shops At Warner Bros Studio Tour London The Making Of Harry Potter
There are now three gift shops at the Studio Tour. There is the Railway Shop, a train-themed souvenir shop, the Forbidden Forest Shop , and the main Studio Shop located at the exit.
At these three you can purchase such Harry Potter merchandise as the books by J.K. Rowling, Hogwarts T-shirts and robes, house jumpers, pens, key rings, postcards, sweets, wands and cuddly toys. Prices range from around £2 for a postcard to around £20 for a cuddly toy.
In one section there is even a personalisation service – making that gift just that extra bit special.
Read Also: Is Harry Potter The Most Powerful Wizard
Frequently Asked Questions About Harry Potter World In London
Is the Harry Potter studio tour worth it?
In my opinion it really is. If youre a fan of the Harry Potter universe then youre gonna love the Harry Potter studio tour.
Where are the Harry Potter Studios in London located?
Theyre actually not located in London, but in the city of Leavesden right outside of Watford. You can reach Watford Junction in about 20 minutes from Euston Station i Central London.
Or you can book an all-inclusive Harry Potter Studios ticket with bus transport from London included.
How long does it take to go around Harry Potter World London?
Usually you wouldnt spend more than around 3 to 4 hours in the Studios. On my first visit I was there for just under 3 hours and Im a massive Harry Potter fan who absolutely loved every minute.
Can you stay overnight at Harry Potter World?
Although Harry Potter World in London is not currently open for overnight stays, that may change in the future. While there are no plans to make Harry Potter World an overnight stay destination at this time, it is possible that this could change in the future. So if youre hoping to spend a night at Hogwarts, keep your fingers crossed that the powers that be make it happen!
Into The Forbidden Forest
Defy Professor Dumbledores orders and follow Harry, Ron and Hermiones footsteps into the Forbidden Forest. Home to Buckbeak the Hippogriff, Aragog the Acromantula and 19 trees, each with a diameter of over 12 feet, visitors are invited to walk beneath the giant entwined roots and discover how to control the weather using the same techniques used during filming.
Don’t Miss: What Point Of View Is Harry Potter Written In
Booking Tickets For Warner Bros Studio Tour London
Ticket collection at Harry Potter Studio, Watford
This Harry Potter attraction is always very popular. Unfortunately it is not an attraction that you can just arrive at on the day and gain entry. You will need to book your tickets in advance.
The further in advance you book your tickets the more choice of dates and times you will have. However, you may find late availability on some dates, so it is always worth checking.
You have two choices when it comes to tickets: you can book independently direct from the Warner Bros. Studio Tour website, or alternatively, you can book a combined transport and Studio entrance ticket , which will take you from central London to the Studios in Watford. For the latter option you pay extra for the convenience per ticket.
See our page Warner Bros Studio independently by public transport for more details on how to do it on your own.
There are currently three London tour operators who will take you to the Harry Potter Studio in a luxury coach, from Victoria in Central London, with around 4-4.5 hours Studio time.
Other tickets options are available for example:
Best Harry Potter Stores In London
Are you a fan of the Harry Potter universe? In London there are plenty of stores about the saga of the young wizard where you can buy a nice souvenir.
Isabel Catalán
8 min read
Harry Potter objects | Shayna Douglas
After taking one of the best Harry Potter tours in London, there’s no better way to end this magical adventure than by visiting the Harry Potter stores in the city, where you can buy that Harry Potter souvenir you’ve been dreaming about for so long to add to your collection. Take note because there are plenty of them!
Read Also: Magical London Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour
Harry Potter Studios Tickets Incl Transport From London
First of all: you have to buy Harry Potter studios tickets before you get there and preferably as soon as you know you want to visit the studios.
Harry Potter studios is one of the most visited attractions in London and so the tickets are always sold out, so its a very good idea to buy tickets as soon as possible.
I recommended to buy Harry Potter studios tickets in advance at GetYourGuide.
Read more & buy your tickets here.
This tickets gives you free transport from Central London directly to the studios in Watford included in the price.
It is simply much easier than having to first go by train to Watford and then by shuttle bus to the studios.
The prices for tickets to Harry Potter studios incl. transport from London are as follows:
- Family ticket : £256
Where to get on the bus in London?
The bus runs from Victoria Coach Station, located right next to the Victoria Station in central London.
See the location on the map below:
With a Harry Potter studios ticket from GYG, there is no need to book a stay at any hotel near the studios or think more about transport from London.
Youll get easy access to the studios from Central London and youll go back to Central London after spending 3,5 hours at the Harry Potter studios.
This special ticket with transport included makes it easy to visit the Harry Potter studios and look forward to a good experience.
Get an idea of the tour of the studios in the video below:
Plan your own visit to the Harry Potter studios
What To Expect At Warner Bros Studio Tour London
At the Studio Tour visitors are invited to go behind-the-scenes and:
- Explore authentic sets.Walk in the footsteps of all your favourite characters as you experience countless special sets including the Great Hall, Forbidden Forest, Gringotts Wizarding Bank and the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 ¾.
- Discover the real-life magic behind spellbinding special effects, along with visual and creature effects. Experience green screen technology used in Quidditch first-hand, learn how intricate prosthetics transformed actors into Gringotts goblins and how life-size animatronics brought Buckbeak the Hippogriff to life.
- Spot all your favourite props, from the big to the small – Harry’s first Golden Snitch to a giant model of Hogwarts Castle. Delight in the attention to detail and artistry that could be easily missed on screen, like the 950 filled potion jars lining the walls of the Potions classroom.
- Enjoy a closer look at the costumes worn by well-loved characters. From Quidditch uniforms to Yule Ball robes, you’ll be able to see all the hidden details on these beautifully embroidered costumes.
Don’t Miss: When Did Harry Potter World Open In Orlando
Millennium Bridge And St Pauls Cathedral
London has many postcard-worthy bridges, a lot of whichlike the Tower Bridge and Lambeth Bridgemade brief appearances in the Harry Potter films. The Millennium Bridge, in particular, was featured in the dramatic opening of the “Half-Blood Prince”, where it was unceremoniously destroyed by Death Eaters.
The Millenium Bridge also connects you to another filming location: St. Pauls Cathedral. The mesmerizing spiral staircase of this 17th-century Anglican cathedral was featured in the “Prisoner of Azkaban”, the Divination Staircase where Harry and Ron can be seen leaving Professor Trelawney’s classroom.
Visit both of these spots on this Harry Potter walking tour of London where your guide will share some little-known Harry Potter trivia during the two-hour tour.
For the die-hard Harry Potter fans, you might also want to add these spots to your London itinerary: Lincolns Inn Fields, the filming location of Grimmauld Place Piccadilly Circus, where Harry, Ron, and Hermoine apparated to in “Half-Blood Prince: Part 1” after fleeing from Death Eaters and the London Zoo where The Boy Who Lived first discovers his parseltongue curse.
Reptile House At London Zoo
Back at the very beginning of the first Harry Potter film, before Harry even knows about his magical abilities, he speaks parseltongue to a Burmese python inside the reptile house at London Zoo before accidentally setting it free from its display case.
This scene was filmed on location at London Zoo and you can visit the exact display inside the reptile house where the filming took place. Its not difficult to find thanks to the special board right next to it with details about the scene and the python.
Nearest tube station: Camden Town.
Don’t Miss: How Much Did Daniel Radcliffe Make From Harry Potter Movies
Hogwarts In The Snow: 12th November 2022 15th January 2023
Hogwarts in the Snow is back in 2022. The festive makeover will see the Great Hall transformed with the icy silvers of the iconic Yule Ball scenes. The Gryffindor common room will be dressed for the season and a blanket of film-making snow will cover the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley and the magnificent Hogwarts castle model.
St Pancras International Station
While the scenes featuring Platform 9 3/4 were filmed inside Kings Cross Station, the exterior shots instead featured St. Pancras International Station, located just across from the main entrance of Kings Cross.
The majestic Gothic exterior of St. Pancras International Station and the adjoining St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel can be spotted in the “Chamber of Secrets”, where the Weasleys parked their flying car that Harry and Ron later take off in for their misadventures.
You can visit St. Pancras International Station, Platform 9 3/4 and several other filming locations as part of this Harry Potter bus tour of London while being ferried in style on a luxury coach.
Also Check: How Far Is Harry Potter Studios From Central London
Dont Get Carried Away In The Gift Shop
The gift shop is full of really wonderful stuff but it is expensive, so dont get carried away. While youre browsing, feel free to try things on. We tried on the cloaks of our favourite houses and took pictures of each other. Staff didnt seem to mind. If you know youre likely to get carried away and run up a huge debt, you may want to set yourself a budget prior to going.
What Is There To Do At Harry Potter World
There is so much to see and do at Harry Potter World! Go to the Great Hall or Gryffindor common room at Hogwarts, sample a Butterbeer, take photos with a broomstick, motorbike or the Knight Bus or explore number 4 Privet Drive.
You can also explore the exhibits or take an interactive class. Dont forget to leave time for the Harry Potter store in London this gift shop is packed with glorious magical goodies!
Recommended Reading: When Did Harry Potter Open At Universal
How To Get Tickets:
Harry Potter World London, known as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, is one of the most popular attractions in the world with over 6,000 visitors a day! This means that tickets get booked up months in advance. We recommend planning your trip early and buying your tickets at least 6 weeks in advance.
Getting to this magical London world of Harry Potter is easy! The Warner Bros Studio Tour is located 20 miles from Central London and there are lots of tours which include tickets and transportation from Central London. Our tour from Victoria Coach Station departs several times a day and you can choose from a morning or afternoon departure. Youll travel to this Harry Potter world in luxury transportation with the journey taking about 1 hour.
We also offer a tour with hotel pickup which is the best option if you prefer to travel in a smaller group vehicle. Youll travel directly to this world of Harry Potter from your accommodation. Alternatively, you could choose to stay in a nearby hotel and purchase just an entrance ticket.
Please be aware that you must purchase tickets in advance! If you find that tickets are sold out weve come up with a useful last-minute guide.
Are There Any Discounts
From the official website, there are special prices available for primary, secondary schools or sixth form colleges within the UK who follow the National Curriculum. But, again, very often the tickets are sold out and, therefore, discounts and exclusive offers depend on the websites reselling the tickets. Use TourScanners search to compare tours and prices. They usually offer discounts or sell good ticket packages.
Read Also: Will Harry Potter Ever Be On Netflix
Visit Warner Bros Studio Tour
The Warner Brothers Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter, is an exhibit offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the Harry Potter films.
At the studio, visitors are able to visit real film sets from the franchise, including Hogwarts Great Hall, the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express, as well as seeing many of the authentic movie props and original outfits worn by the cast.
Youll also learn all about the special and visual effects which went into bringing the magic alive on screen as well as how the costumes and sets were originally designed.
Plus, there are some great photo opportunities so dont forget your camera!
How to get to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour from London?
Despite the fact that the Warner Brothers Studio Tour usually tops lists of the best things to do in London for Harry Potter fans, did you know that the studio is not technically in London?
The Warner Brothers Studio is actually located in Watford, just to the north of London. However, it is easily accessible from central London by either:
- The train from London Euston to Watford Junction followed by a regular shuttle bus to the studios.
- The official Golden Tours bus service from London Kings Cross or Victoria .