Harry Potter Studio Tour

Claire Young on 14 August 2019
School holidays are always a tricky time and it’s not always possible to get away if you have the kids and work to juggle. So, I was made up this year when we were given the opportunity to visit the Harry Potter Studios Tour in London. Arriving at the studios, even parking the car gave us Goosebumps. On the approach, as well as the large banners adorning the walls on the outside of the building are the oversized chess pieces that stand outside the main entrance, these are the actual chess pieces used in the first film.

Walking into the main entrance you are greeted by more overhead dynamic banners of the cast as well as a huge replica of the Ukranian IronBelly Dragon so memorable from that scene in Diagon Alley. Whilst the dragon for the film was totally digital in creation, this homage to the skill of the artists is an entrance piece you won’t soon forget. We then spotted an extra edition to this lobby area. 7 of the costumes worn by the cast from Fantastic Beasts. Could these costumes be hiding the next big thing to happen at Harry Potter Studio Tour in Early 2021?

We had some time to spare, so we wandered around the souvenir shop. You can find absolutely everything you want in here from a notebook to quills, as well as wands for every style of wanna-be wizard. When the time came, we joined the queue to enter the tour itself. Rounding the corner, we were greeted with replicas of the scripts adorning the walls. Making our way at our own pace we were then treated to a display of other artwork from the movies as well as large cut outs of the cast as their alter egos. Past the family photos on the wall of the Dursleys and past that famous Cupboard Under the Stairs. I could see the excitement on the girls faces!

As we made our way further in we were then ushered to a room where the most secret of secret things happen, as well as instructions on what to expect next. No phones/cameras allowed for the next couple of bits and I’m not going to spill the beans here either – so if you want to know what we know – you’ll have to go!

When we left this most secret of secret meeting, we walked through those large, heavy doors into the great hall itself. Its strange thinking that once upon a time, the cast was walking these stone floor tiles with the cameras in action. Once you have explored, you then head out into the main tour which takes you through all the sound stages and lets you see more of the costumes, props and sets that we used for the filming. From floating candles & prop food, to make up areas. Floating staircases, talking paintings, the boy’s and girls dorm’s, the Gryffindor Common Room & the Giant Pendulum Clock. The TriWizard Cup, Dumbledore's Office complete with Pensieve. You can even prove just how much of a wizard you truly are and lift a broom by magic. Have your photo taken for a newspaper clip or riding a broom over some of the most iconic landscapes from the films.

If the darker side of Harry Potters world is where your allegiances lie, like my 13-year-old daughter, Daisy. Then you can also see the grave of Tom Riddle and his parents, see the scene (complete with replica cast) of the meeting at Malfoy Manor, Dementors, huge hairy spiders and much more from the baddies that we love to hate. Before you know it you have burst onto the platform at 9&¾. Push your luggage trolley through the wall, see inside the Hogwarts Express, or the set which they used to film the in-carriage scenes – what will you see through the window?

At this point I was a little confused as to whether we were finished with the tour. Surely the Hogwarts Express was the big finale – but no, there was plenty more to come. The Back-Lot café area which had a great café & bar area where you can enjoy some real food (walking makes me hungry) was a comforting sight. You can even have a flagon of Butter Beer, or even a Butter Beer ice cream. If you don’t want the added expense of meals on the day you can take your own picnic & eat it around the outside picnic area. Whilst you are outside here you will also notice that you are not done with the sets from the movies. Here you will find the Night Bus, The Hogwarts Bridge & 4 Privet Drive as well as vehicles used in the scenes from the films. There is plenty to see at this part, but I don’t want to spoil it all for you.

The second part of the tour shows you the animatronics, artwork, make up work & more costumes. You can also see all the architectural samples from when they were designing the sets. The attention to detail & the work that went into them is unbelievable. Next is the newly opened Gringotts Wizarding Bank. The set itself is lined with marble walls & pillars as well as all the cashier desks & replica Goblins. Moving through this gilded chamber with its glass chandeliers you enter a darker part of the set where you are surrounded all the mounds of Bellatrix’s gold in the Lestrange Vault, not to mention the Sword of Gryffendor & Helga Hufflepuff’s Cup. But the piece de resistance is what you wander into next. Tumbled down pillars & collapsed walls, can you hear something at the back? You’ll have to wait and see!

After all the excitement of that last ground shaking experience, you will be in awe as you walk into a cavernous chamber that houses the actual prop for Hogwarts Castle. At this point I stood with Daisy & Darcy, just staring. I could feel myself welling up. It really was quite an emotional sight. You can see the entire building and spot locations for scenes that you will know so well as a Potter fan.

When you have had your fill, wander back out into the shop area before back into the lobby and it’s time to leave. The whole tour is about 3 hours long, but you don’t need to rush any of it. Once in, you can stay for as long as you like. Make sure you don’t miss a thing. Even then, I guarantee you there is so much to see & do that you will want to return. The whole tour is complemented by interactive screens, displays, videos & lots of plaques that tell you all about each attraction. If you want to you can have an audio guide but we loved finding our way through & chatting to one another as we did.

If you would like to know more about the Harry Potter Studios Tour & the best way to book your tickets, get in touch today.

Claire

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