Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tours in London

WB Harry Potter Studio Tour

We had a chance this summer to visit the WB Harry Potter Studio Tours in London. I was so excited about this tour! I was also very nervous that I would be let down, I just didn’t know what to expect! We have family in Watford so we got dropped off at Watford Junction (closest station to the studios). For some reason I was expecting the Knight Bus, but that was a bit too much to expect. A round trip bus ride to the WB Harry Potter Studios is 2 pounds.Harry Potter Studio Tour

My nerves were working overtime because I was bringing my 4 year old with me and I just was not sure how that was going to go over.

WB Harry Potter Studio Tour

We arrive to see a very flashy new entrance with giant pictures of our favorite characters looking down at us. There is also a huge gift shop where it would be very easy to spend a gazillion Galleons on wands, brooms, and chocolate frogs. You have to buy your tickets in advance and give a time to arrive, in order to make sure that lines and crowds are kept to a minimum. We really did not encounter huge crowds and the organization was impeccable! There is also a cafe with with food and snacks. We had a snack there after our tour, it was very nice with some great healthy options too.

WB Harry Potter Studio Tour

When we entered, we were shown a short film of the actors who play Hermionie, Harry and Ron who tell us how they pretty much grew up on this set, and then “magically” something lifts and we are all standing before the doors to the Hogwarts Great Hall.

This place was amazing! It is not a theme park so do not expect that! However, if you have any interest in the craft movie making or are a Harry Potter nut like me, you will be amazed to walk through the Great Hall and Diagon Alley. More than that though, the volunteers and staff members are full of incredible facts about everything you will see, like how all the Wand Boxes are hand labeled and how it took 86 artists to create the 1:24 scale construction of the Hogwarts Castle and Grounds. The model was used for aerial scenes and even though you can’t see them, I am told there are little tiny owls in the Owlery!

WB Harry Potter Studio Tour

Who knew that the Giant Chess game played by Harry, Ron and Hermione were actually built and the pieces are huge! I thought they were just computer models!

I couldn’t believe I was standing looking into the Weasley’s Kitchen, Snape’s Potions Classroom and I even knocked on the Dursley’s front door! (Petunia wouldn’t let me in though). The docent outside the Potions Classroom told us how there is actually a recipe to make the dust that covers many of the bottles around the room.

Potions Classroom WB Studio

WB Harry Potter Studio Tour

I was also impressed at how my daughter handled it. They had a Passport type book for the kids to carry around and get an embossing type stamp at different stations throughout the tour. She is too young for the books and movies, but she seemed genuinely interested in seeing and hearing about the things we were looking at.

Oh, and yes there was Butterbeer, if you like Rootbeer you may like it. It wasn’t my thing, but others in my group liked it.

WB Harry Potter Studio Tour

One of my favorite sections was the robotics that were used. They have one of Hagrid’s Biting Book on display snapping away, they also have an opened up one so you can see the working parts. Forks was on his perch and Buckbeak was there as well. I couldn’t possibly name here everything we saw, there is so much. Lastly I will mention the artwork! The masks of the the House Elf’s (Dobby specifically) were so amazingly detailed and realistic! I cannot imagine being an artist on this set and getting to work on so many incredible objects. The creativity flows out of everywhere all at once.

Great Hall WB Studios

You can see yourself riding on a broom or in the Ford Anglia on a green screen and get a picture taken of it. You can also get your picture taken for “Most Wanted” in the gift shop. We did this but please be aware. The place the rolled up posted (which is thin newsprint) in a square tube that has been stored flat. Therefore it folds flat again easily and will put creases that remove the printing ink in your poster. Ours didn’t even make it back to where we were staying, let alone back to America. Where it was creased it rubbed off the ink and I had to have it scanned and digitally fixed. (Yes I am that big a dork). It was fairly expensive and I have made the Studio’s aware, but have not heard yet had a response. I hope that they will change the way the posters are handed out. (They never did respond).

By the end of it I couldn’t believe I had thought I would be let down, this place is wonderful! The staff were knowledgeable and friendly. I could have gone a second day! I really could have! It was expensive, but well worth it for us! Movie Magic is really an education all in itself and anyone who has any interest in the craft of it will be amazed. (Even if you are not a Potter Head!)

Don’t forget to visit Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station. Yes it is really there!