Harry Potter Studio Tour
If you are a Harry Potter fan, the Harry Potter Studio Tour is, in my opinion, one of the best days out. I was blown away by the detail that had gone into creating these films. As a former drama and theatre studies student, I really appreciated spending time looking around the props, sets and costumes that formed the backdrops for these amazing films. Often it’s the little details that make the difference between a good film and a great film.
If you haven’t yet been to the Harry Potter Studio Tour, you should make it your 2016 resolution to go this year.
There’s so much to see. From whole sets of the headmaster, Dumbledore’s office to being able to sit in Hagrid’s magic motorbike. But it wasn’t just the big props and sets that I was amazed by, it was some of the smaller assets. The book of monsters, the mandrakes, the golden snitch. It was wonderful to get up close and personal with these objects. At every twist and turn there was something to look at.
In one area, you can stand out of the front of Privet Drive and then sit in the Weasley’s enchanted car. You can board the Knight bus (no I haven’t spelled that incorrectly, that’s what it’s called). You can see Lily and James Potter’s house in Godric’s Hollow. They’ve since added the Hogwarts Express train.
One of the most impressive sets is Diagon Alley. The whole street is laid out in front of you. Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Ollivanders Wand Shop, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and more. You can literally walk through as if you were part of the film and peer into the windows to see what wares are on offer.
As you come towards the end of the tour, there are a number of different sized replications of the castle. This culminates in a very large scale replication where some of the sweeping shots were filmed. Depending on the time of the year you go, it may be themed to the season.
So, go, explore, take photos, stop for a butterbeer as we did, marvel at all that’s on offer. I guarantee you’ll have a wonderful day out. You can choose to be part of the magic by paying for a photo to be taken against a green screen background (which will be overlaid) of you on a broomstick. We didn’t as there were already so many photo opportunities. You’ll come back with a camera full either way.
Tickets to the Harry Potter Studio Tour start at £35 for adults and £27 for children. You can get there by either driving or catching the train to Watford Junction. There is a Harry Potter liveried transfer bus from the train station right to the studio. That costs £2.50 for a return ticket. You can also buy lunch or afternoon tea inclusive packages.
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We went at Christmas time and I loved it! It was amazing. Thanks for linking to #PickNMix x
I bet it was. I hear that the main set at the end is all covered with snow at Christmas time. That would be amazing to see.
I am jealous would love to see this. I am a secret huge Harry Potter fan. I wish my kids were a little older to justify going hahah I will have to wait a few years so they can watch movies or read the books and be as interested as mommy. lol Looks great. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me. I hope to see you again tomorrow for another great round of #sharewithme
It’s the one time you want the kids to grow up eh! I’m sure this will still be popular when your little ones grow up. There’s always so much interest and intrigue around Harry Potter.
Oh this is so on my wish list, although i have been tempted to date I have decided to wait until my little boy is old enough to enjoy it as well although he’s only just coming up 4 so it may take a while. Looks fabulous. Thank you for joining us at #BloggerClubUK hope to see you again next week x
I don’t blame you, he is a little small for it at the moment. But think how amazing it will be when he is old enough. It was on my wish list for ages too.
I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan and can I just tell you how jealous I am! Wow, what an awesome experience! I especially love the Mandrakes 🙂 #SharewithMe
It was a fabulous day out Erin. Perfect for any Harry Potter fan. I know, the mandrake moved as well. It was really cool.
Sally, you have no idea how much I love this post. Our whole family loves Harry Potter, the movies, the books all of it. We watch and rewatch the movies and when they come on TV we do a day of back to back watching Harry Potter movies. The kids and the husband would love a Harry Potter studio tour, we could spend the whole day there. Especially Diagon Alley that would be the absolute best, seeing the stores, the shops, the magic, every place that the Harry Potter crew went, it would be incredible. My kids love butterbeer and make it here at home but it would be so incredible to have it there. I know I always tell you I am living vicariously through you, but this is one trip I really would love to make in person. Thanks for the post, for now I’ll do with your pictures and hearing your experiences!! Thanks.
What’s not to love Nikki. It was a really special trip. I think I’ve said it before but I really was blown away by the whole experience. It was wonderful to see the props and costumes up close and personal. Yes you should definitely put London on your hit list and one day you never know. And if do decide to come for a holiday, then there’s a whole host of other Harry Potter experiences you can do in London. I’d really like to go to Orlando and see their Harry Potter attraction, but that’s such a big trip and not in the plan for the next few years (at least!)
Ahhh I didn’t see Hagrid’s bike when I went! >_<
The attention to detail on this tour is amazing though, isn't it?
It’s wonderful isn’t it. Even the tiniest props have really significance. It was a great day out. I bet you enjoyed it as much as I did!
Yes you definitely should Stevie. You could make a weekend of it and try the Muggle Tours in London too. It’s definitely worth it.
ooh this sounds fabulous. my family are harry potter fans and i imagine even my hubby would love to go and experience this. Angela x
It really was Angela. Your family would love it if they are Harry Potter fans. It’s brilliant seeing all the props and costumes. There’s so many quirky bits there.
This looks fantastic and a great day out!!
It was really good fun – highly recommended!
The more posts I am seeing about this place is making me want to go even more!
You shouldn’t definitely go. It was such a fun day out.
This would be something fun to do! My 11 year old is starting with Harry Potter so I bet she’d love this as well!
Oh yes Katrin, once she is through the first book she’ll love this. Such a lovely collection of stories.
I enjoyed the books but never really got in to the films. I’m sure I’ll try again when my daughter is older. Looks like a fantastic place though.
You quite often find that’s the way Claire. Especially if you read the books a long time before the films even come out. You get a perception of the characters and they are never the same as the film cast. I was the other way round. i thought they were kids’ books at first! How wrong I was, they are brilliantly written for all ages.
that looks so cool! I love the mandrake root and the sidecar and all the details everywhere! I’ll probably never get there (Australia is a long way away) but if I make it to the UK it is now on my wish list 🙂
Yes you should Leanne. If you do come to the UK, that’s one of your day’s out planned already.
This looks super fun!! 🙂
It was really great fun Erin – one of the best days out in London. The attention to detail was amazing.
Oh I loved Harry Potter – the books and the movies and what a wonderful experience for all those who want to go to Hogwarts!!! Thanks for sharing your experience with us and the photos are great. #lifelovinglinkie
It was a really magical (excuse the pun!) day out Sue. It was really amazing to be around all the bits and pieces you so loved about the film. An awesome day out. I am very spoilt by my other half.
I would love to go, I can imagine the faces of my daughters… and mine!!
It was so amazing. I loved the sets, the props and costumes. I bet your girls would love it too. You should plan a visit Pili!
Sally, I would LOVE to take this tour! So jealous!
It was amazing. You should definitely book to go Emily, it was well worth it the money.