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Harry Potter™ Studio tips and FAQs you need to know before visiting

Planning a trip to the Harry Potter Studio in London? Here's a list of useful tips and tricks along with some frequently asked questions to ensure you have a hassle-free experience at one of the most famous studio tour in London!

Top 10 Harry Potter™ Studio tour tips

1. Visit on a weekday or during early hours

Harry Potter™ Studio tours are booked several months in advance so the best way to maximize your chances of getting tickets is to go on a weekday. They typically have better availability, so look at different days of the week to get your preferred slot. During the day, it is also recommended that you visit in the early hours. You will need 3 to 7 hours to explore the studio.

2. Choose your boarding time if you are taking a bus

If you are taking the bus, make sure you select your boarding time in advance for when you would like to board the bus from London. Keep in mind that once you board the bus, you will reach Warner Bros. Studio in approximately 2 hours and entry into the studio will be on arrival.

3. Be prepared to wait

Anticipate a wait of at least 15-30 minutes before gaining access to the studio on a standard tour. However, the wait itself can be enjoyable, as the 'Cupboard Under the Stairs' is right next to the waiting line. During peak hours, the crowds can be huge so waiting time might increase at each attraction too.

4. Skip the lines with guided tours

Consider opting for the Harry Potter™ Studio guided tours to bypass the hassle of waiting in lengthy queues at various studio attractions. This guided experience ensures you won't miss out on any highlights, and an expert guide will accompany you, providing fascinating insights and secrets related to the production of all eight movies.

5. Take your time to explore

The best part of going on a Harry Potter™ Studio tour is that you can stay as long as you like after the tour. Explore the vast expanses at your own pace and walk through the Great Hall, Professor Dumbledore’s office, or any of your favorite attractions. You can expect to finish the entire tour in just under 3 hours. However, if you are a diehard fan, stick around for at least 5 hours to experience all the wonders of the Potterverse.

6. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear

Touring Harry Potter™ Studio is thrilling but exhausting at the same time. Waiting lines can get longer than expected. So, wear comfortable footwear, preferably shoes, to help you walk for long durations with ease. Avoid heels and footwear with hard soles. It is also recommended to dress in casual and comfortable clothes while keeping in mind the weather conditions. During winter, you must wear warm clothes. Layering is your best friend!

7. Don’t hesitate to dress up

Many die-hard fans cosplay in their finest Harry Potter outfits. So go ahead and visit the tour dressed as your favorite character from the series. Hogwarts In The Snow is another brilliant opportunity for you to dress up and attend the famous Yule Ball. It will be an unforgettable Hogwarts experience that every Potterhead yearns for.

8. Upload your photos

Be #instaready. Don't forget to capture your favorite moments on your studio tour. And if you are uploading pictures from your visit on Instagram and Twitter, use the hashtag #WBTourLondon and your content might just be featured on the official studio page!

9. Accessibility

Although a majority of the studio tour is wheelchair-friendly, certain sections like the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley, the Hogwarts Bridge, or the slate floor of the Great Hall would be difficult to access for those with a disability. The studio provides a free carer ticket for disabled visitors. Fully trained assistance dogs are allowed into the studio and digital guides are available for visitors who are visually impaired or hard of hearing. Sun Flower Lanyards are provided to visitors with hidden disabilities.

10. Grab a mug of Butterbeer

You can buy yourself a mug of the famed Butterbeer at the studio's Backlot Cafe. Please note that Butterbeer may contain nuts and other ingredients that may cause allergies. The tour operator will not be responsible for adverse side effects. The Warner Bros. Studio offers several dining options. Choose from the Backlot Cafe, which serves hot and cold Western food. You can also head to the Studio Cafe or the Starbucks on the lot.

Book your tickets to Harry Potter™ Studio

Frequently asked questions about harry potter™ studio tips and hacks.

The recommended time to complete the entire tour is 3-4 hours. However, if you are a hardcore fan, you might want to stick around for at least 5-6 hours for a more in-depth look at the Harry Potter universe.

Depending on the tickets you purchase and the tour package you choose, you can get access to fully guided tours with a professional studio tour guide or tours where only certain sections are guided. Check out Harry Potter™ Studio guided tours to know more.

No, owing to the limited number of visitors at the studio at any given time, pre-booking your Harry Potter™ Studio Tours is mandatory.

A Harry Potter™ Studio tour does not include any rides. However, you will experience a behind-the-scenes look at the costumes, props, special effects, sets, and much more, including the chance to play Quidditch, choose your wand, or drink Butterbeer.

Harry Potter™ Studio is a walkthrough exhibition known for its massive sets , original costumes , authentic props , etc. You also get to experience the special effects and creature effects used in the movies and a sneak peek into the works of the Arts Department . Along with these, you can buy your favorite Harry Potter merchandise at the Studio shops and dine at some iconic Harry Potter-themed restaurants.

The entire Harry Potter™ Studio tour is in English. 

Although most areas of the Harry Potter™ Studio tour offer easy wheelchair access, certain sections, like the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley, the Hogwarts Bridge, and the slate flooring in the Great Hall are more difficult to navigate. For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing, British Sign Language tours and digital guides are also provided at no extra cost. The British Sign Language tours are available at any time and must be booked at least 14 days in advance. Registered guide dogs, hearing dogs, and medical alert dogs are also welcome on the studio tour. Please ensure that you carry formal identification for your pet with you at the entrance.

Many fans choose to dress up as their favorite characters from the series. Don’t be afraid to get creative and wear your fandom on your sleeve. However, do keep the weather in mind while choosing what to wear.

No, a Harry Potter™ Studio tour is open to all ages. However, all children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 

You are welcome to bring your own food and consume it in the Backlot or picnic area. You can also eat at the Studio Cafe Starbucks in the lobby, or the Backlot Cafe located halfway through the studio tour.

Although smoking is strictly prohibited in the indoor areas, there are several designated smoking areas outside the main entrance and at the Backlot.

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available for all persons who purchase a Harry Potter™ Studio tour.

Yes, baby changing facilities are available in every washroom block. There is also a private nursing area located near the Backlot Cafe.

The Harry Potter™ Studio is located about 20 miles (32 km) from London at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR.

While you can take a bus and/or train to reach the Harry Potter™ Studios in London, the best commute option is a return transfer as part of your tour. This way you don't have to plan to commute back and forth to London.

Yes. You can avail of free parking services outside the Harry Potter™ Studio by displaying your ticket. Priority parking is also available for visitors next to the studio entrance; however, you have to book and pay for your spot in advance.

The Harry Potter™ Studio opening times are from 8:30am to 10pm. However, timings may vary seasonally, so please refer to the Harry Potter™ Studio calendar .

The Harry Potter™ Studio is closed on March 30, November 11 to 15, and December 25 and 26.

If you're looking for smaller crowds, November to March is the best time for a Harry Potter™ Studio tour. However, if you're looking for a magical experience, you can go for a tour during the Christmas season and witness the magical festivities first-hand.

Absolutely. Harry Potter™ Studio tours are a dream come true for any Harry Potter fan. You get to experience the magic of the wizarding world firsthand and make memories for a lifetime.

Harry Potter™ Studio Creature Effects

Harry Potter™ Studio Arts Department

Harry Potter™ Studio Special Effects

A Complete Harry Potter Studio Tour London Review (+8 Top Tips)

When you have a Harry Potter fan in your family, one of the best experiences you can give them is a Harry Potter Studio Tour.

Before booking our Harry Potter Studio Tour, we had so many questions.

We thought it would be helpful to write a Harry Potter Studio Tour review to help other families get the most out of their visit.

As well as giving all our top tips for a successful visit to the Harry Potter Studios, we’ve answered a few FAQs at the end.

If you want to know what to expect, when to go and how to get tickets if WB Studios have sold out on the date you want… read on…

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and book or buy something, we may earn a small commission, but this is at no extra cost to you.

These are our top tips for making the most of your Warner Bros Studio Tour.

1. Do some research on the WB Studio Tour

This may sound like a strange tip. If you like Harry Potter, you’ll love the Warner Bros Studio Tour right?

Probably, yes. But maybe not.

It is a good idea to find out a little about the tour before you go. Thinking of the Harry Potter Studios as a museum is a good start.

Once you are in that mindset, your tour of the Harry Potter Studios will make more sense.

It is somewhere you can go to explore the magic of the Harry Potter films. You get to see real costumes, sets and props used in the movies and as the tour progresses, you get to see how the films were made.

The ‘tour’ is mostly self-guided, except for a little intro at the start.

We didn’t really have any idea what to expect. Our youngest (8) was expecting a theme park!

We obviously didn’t manage his expectations very well because he wasn’t really all that enthusiastic about it. But then, he wasn’t really a Harry Potter fan either.

Once you have decided that it is most definitely for you, snap up your tickets!

2. Buy your Harry Potter Studio Tour tickets in advance

If there’s only one thing we can tell you to make your trip to the WB Studios successful, it is to buy your tickets in advance.

The WB Studios Tour is hugely popular. People come from all over the world to visit and it is busy all year round.

It is absolutely essential that you buy your Harry Potter Studio Tour London tickets well in advance.

We booked our tickets 3 months in advance. It was a Monday during school term time in November and even then, there were barely any tickets left for the day we wanted.

Tickets are around £51 per person. You can buy them on the WB Studio website here . Children Under 4 are FREE and this is very telling. It is not really suitable for children under 4.

Top Tip : If you find that tickets are sold out on the day that you want, you can check a tour company as they should have more availability.

They are more expensive but may be your only option if you can’t be flexible on dates. GetYourGuide is a good place to look.

See here to book the best rated WB Studio tour (including transportation from London).

See here to book Harry Potter Studio Tour and a private transfer

See here for a family package tour from London (2 Adults & 2 Kids).

3. Do all the free things on the Harry Potter tour

You’ve spent a lot of money on your tickets so be sure to make the most of any freebies along the tour!

• Grab a free Activity Passport which includes a fun Golden Snitch hunt, puzzles and Harry Potter trivia. The passport also includes space for souvenir stamps that can be collected at key points throughout the tour such as Platform 9 ¾ and Gringotts Bank. You can collect the Passports from a staff member at any point during the Studio Tour.
• You don’t need to pay for an audio guide when you have staff members on hand to dish all the fascinating facts. They are hugely knowledgeable and love to talk about everything Harry Potter!
• The kids will be sure to love the free wand-duelling class next to the Forbidden Forest.
• Do the extra things like attempting to pick up the broomstick while muttering ‘Wingardium Leviosa’.

4. Grab your Harry Potter merchandise before your tour

If you want to keep the costs down during your visit to the Harry Potter Studios, you should consider buying any Harry Potter merch beforehand.

Items in the store at the studios are more expensive and if you’re visiting with kids, sometimes it can be hard to say no. Buying in advance gets around this issue.

Another thing to consider if you are going to by a gift is that buying it beforehand will mean that you will have it in your photos. You obviously can’t have your wand in your photos if you wait until the end of the tour to visit the store.

There is plenty of official merchandise on Amazon which you can browse here .

If you want other gift ideas for Harry Potter fans, take a look at this post on Harry Potter themed gifts for kids .

Having just said all this….just bear in mind that some of stuff in the shop is exclusive to the Harry Potter tour and you won’t be able to get it once you leave.

A final note on this, you can also visit the Harry Potter store at Platform 9 3/4 at London’s Kings Cross Station if you are staying in London. There you will find the trolley that passes through the wall and you can have your photo taken.

It is one of the best free things to do in London with kids (who are Harry Potter fans).

5. Buying professional photos at Harry Potter Studios

If you do want to buy the professional photos, wait until the end of the tour to do so.

You can collect the tickets as you go and then buy all together once you have seen them all. This will also save you time.

Just a word of warning here. The professional photos are very expensive (£14 for a photo).

You can sometimes take your own pictures but in some places (the train ride next to the Hogwarts Express) – it seemed to be strictly monitored.

In fact, I got told off for taking a photo before the experience had even started.

6. Take your time

You have to book a timeslot when you buy your Harry Potter tickets, but once you are in, you can take as long as you like.

Actually, once you are past The Great Hall, you can take as long as you like. Up until this point, you are on a guided tour and you need to stick with your group.

After this point, you are free to wander as you please.

Spend some time chatting to the staff. This guy in the photo below was great. He pretended to be a Goblin in Gringotts Bank and fooled a few people who were rushing by. They are so knowledgeable and interesting.

People tend to rush through to try to get ahead of the pack but if you hang back, you can often get better photos without loads of people in them.

Consider buying tickets towards the end of the day so that you are one of the last to leave.

You can, of course, be the first ones in but then there will be a steady stream of visitors all day. To be in with a chance of having the place almost to yourself, it is best to go later.

Last admission is 6.30pm and by about 8pm it starts to get quieter. The Studios close at 10pm.

7. The best bits of the tour at WB Studios

People ask what the best bits about the Harry Potter Studio tour were.

This is quite subjective because everyone’s opinions will differ. These are just our favourite bits of the Harry Potter Studios Tour:

• The dragon encounter in the vault under Gringotts Bank was pretty spectacular. We won’t spoil it but it is a little scary, especially for little ones.
• Pulling a potted Mandrake in Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse (in the outside area just after the Backlot Café).
• Wandering through the Forbidden Forest – watch out for those pesky spiders!
• Making Dobby dance.
• Taking a ride on the Hogwarts Express.

Tip for Diagon Alley at Harry Potter Studio Tour London

People come in waves so if this is your favourite part, hang around and see if you can get a photo without people in it.

This was the view just a few minutes later.

8. Consider taking food with you to save time

We would recommend taking your own food. Not only does it help keep costs down but it will also save time if you are in a rush. The queues can be quite long in the cafés and you won’t want to spend a long time waiting for food.

If you prefer to buy food at the Studios, here is some information on the restaurants at Harry Potter Studios.

There are a few places to eat at the Harry Potter Studios and they are reasonably priced. You can read more about the eateries here .

• Chocolate Frog Café  – in the main lobby serves a selection of hot and cold drinks and sweet treats.
• The Food Hall – in the main lobby serves a fairly comprehensive breakfast and lunch menu.
• The Backlot Café – at the half way point of the tour serves breakfast and lunch and, of course, Butterbeer.
• The Hub Café – in the main lobby serves hot and cold drinks and baked goods.

If you are having lunch there, the kids will love the Harry Potter bus shaped sandwich boxes.

If you want to try the Butterbeer, you probably only want to get one per family. You can ONLY buy the Butterbeer at the Backlot Café which is around the half way point (after seeing the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 3/4).

Note – Butterbeer does not taste good! Children will probably prefer the Butterbeer Ice Cream.

Here are some FAQs about visiting the Harry Potter Studio Tour London

We are often asked about our Harry Potter Studio Tour.

Understandably, when you’re spending a lot of money on something, you want to make sure it is worth it. And once you’ve made the decision to go, you want to make sure you get the most out of your visit.

Here are some of the questions we get asked about the Harry Potter Studio Tour.

Where are the Warner Bros Studios?

We thought we would start with this for anyone unaware that the Warner Bros Studios are actually NOT IN LONDON.

It is easy to get to the Harry Potter studios from London though.

Note that the Warner Bros Studio Tour is right next door to the Warner Bros Studios.

The address for WB Studios is :

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London Studio Tour Drive Leavesden WD25 7LR.

The easiest way to reach the WB Studios from London is by train.

The closest train station to Harry Potter Studios is Watford Junction . Trains depart from London Euston and take around 20 minutes.

You can get a WB Studios shuttle bus from Watford Junction. The journey is included in your ticket price.

You can also arrange guided tours from London if you don’t want to take the train. We recommend this one.

We live very close to the studios so we drove. There is an enormous car park and parking is free.

There are also hotels nearby if you prefer to stay in the area. Here is a list of hotels near the Warner Bros Studios for families .

See here for our recommendations for hotels in London for families .

If you are staying in London with kids, there are loads of fun Harry Potter experiences in London . We also have a whole section on the blog for visiting London with kids .

Do you need to be a Harry Potter fan to enjoy the Harry Potter studio tour?

One of the most frequently asked questions about the Harry Potter Studio tour is whether or not you need to like Harry Potter.

Based on our experience with one child who loves Harry Potter and the other who doesn’t, I would say it really does help to be a Harry Potter fan.

I love the Harry Potter films. Admittedly, I haven’t read the books and am told by my son that the books are better.

Either way, I would class myself as a Harry Potter fan (although not fanatical) and I enjoyed the tour.

It is an interesting experience and unless you actually dislike Harry Potter, I can’t think that you wouldn’t enjoy the tour.

How long does the Harry Potter tour take?

The Harry Potter tour lasts as long as you want it to really. You could be the first one in and the last one out.

There are parts that you cannot go back to and do again though (like the Hogwarts Dining Hall) so make sure you have completed each area fully before you move on.

Ideally you should allow at least 3 – 4 hours to do the Harry Potter Studio Tour.

Is Harry Potter Studio Tour all inside?

We thought that the tour was all inside but actually, around 10% of the WB Studio tour is outside.

This is something you need to consider if you are visiting in the winter or when it is raining.

When you arrive, you have the option of storing your coats in the cloakroom but you might not want to store your coats if you think you will get cold easily.

Having said that, you will only spend around 10-15 minutes outside so weigh up the need to carry your coat around the rest of the tour.

We kept our coats but they were just lightweight puffer jackets by Mountain Warehouse . They were easy to fold down into our Osprey day bag .

What age is best for the Harry Potter Studio tour?

There is no age restriction at the Harry Potter Studio tour.

We mentioned briefly above, however, that children under 4 are free because the tour isn’t really suited to young children.

Firstly, it is best if they have a slight concept at least of Harry Potter. Secondly, there is a lot of walking involved.

If you are thinking about taking kids on the WB Studio tour, we would recommend waiting until they have seen the films or read the books before taking them.

Having said that, children aged 6+ will get something out of the visit. But then you need to think whether it is worth paying that money for them to potentially not enjoy it.

When is the best time to visit Harry Potter World London?

If at all possible, go on a weekday during term time. Easier said than done when you have school aged kids. If you have an inset day, maybe consider using it to visit the Studios.

We visited on a Monday and booked one of the last tickets of the day.

Don’t be fooled when you arrive and there is no queue for the ‘Tour Entrance’.

From here, you pass through into a holding area and it will fill up. We got so excited when we saw there was no queue (photo below).

We also visited during Hogwarts in the Snow. It is one of the things we recommend for kids to do at Christmas in London . It was so pretty seeing the sets covered in snow. You even get to see how they make the snow at the end of the tour.

If you can, time your visit to coincide with one of the special events. The best are the Dark Arts which is a great Halloween event for kids . See other places to visit at Halloween in London with kids . Hogwarts in the Snow (around Christmas) is also great.

And finally – is the Harry Potter Studio Tour London worth it?

We thought we would leave this to the end so that you have enough information to make up your own mind.

For so  many, the London Harry Potter Studio Tour is one of the best Harry Potter experiences in the UK .

Personally, we have mixed opinions.

For Harry Potter fans, yes it is worth it. For younger children, no it probably isn’t.

It is a lot of money but you can spend an entire day there if you want which makes it seem more reasonable.

We hope you found our review of the Harry Potter Studio Tour helpful. If you have any questions that we haven’t covered, please drop us a line and we’d be happy to help.

If you’re thinking of visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, don’t miss our recommendations for family-friendly hotels near Universal Orlando .

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Taking a Harry Potter Studio Tour in London: Everything You Need to Know

Last updated: July 21, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 24 Comments

If you’re a Harry Potter fan visiting the UK, the chances are high that you want to take the Harry Potter Studio Tour near London. This tour, of the Warner Bros. Studio where the majority of the films were shot, is a fascinating experience, and well worth doing even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan.

You can visit places like the Great Hall, the railway station, various filming locations from inside Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest, and even Diagon Alley.

As well as visiting the film sets, you will also learn all about how the films were made, see many of the props from the movies, get to participate in some green screen magic, have the opportunity to try Butterbeer, and of course, buy all the Harry Potter merchandise you can imagine!

Jess and I have been lucky enough to visit the Harry Potter Studios a number of times over the years, and we’ve always had a great time. In this guide we’re going to go through everything you need to know to visit the Harry Potter Studios, based on our personal experiences.

We’ll include information on how to get there, how to get tickets, information for making the most of your day, and lots more! Let’s get started by answering some questions you may have.

Table of Contents:

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 – we’ve visited nearly all the real-world filming locations across the UK as well as the studio itself!

The interior sets and the majority of the rest of the films were shot at the Warner Bros. Studio in Leavesden, just outside London.

Where is the Harry Potter Studio Tour?

The Harry Potter Studio Tour takes place in the Warner Bros. Studio, which is found in Leavesden, England. This is around 20 miles northwest of London.

The Warner Bros. Studio is a fully working film studio, one of the largest in the UK, and many films have been shot here, including the whole Harry Potter franchise as well as some of the Star Wars,   Batman , and Mission: Impossible films.

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 (25th and 26th of December).

How Much Does the Harry Potter Studio Tour Cost?

Prices for the standard tour are as follows (correct as of July 2024).

• Adult: £53.50
• Child aged 5-15: £43
• Childer Under 4: Free
• Family: £172
• Carer: Free

For a family, this can be either 2 adults and 2 children, or 1 adult and 3 children.

You can also purchase more expensive tour packages, but these are the basic prices. Note that these are just entry prices, and don’t include any transport.

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. There’s 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 (this must be booked in advance), which can provide a subtitled version of some of the films. It’s 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.

How to Get to the Harry Potter Studio Tour

You have two major options for getting to the Harry Potter Studio Tour – you can take a tour which includes your transport, or you can make your own way there using either public transport or a car.

We’ll go through both of these options so you can make the right decision as to which is going to be best for you.

Certainly, the easiest option for getting to the Harry Potter Studios is to take a tour which includes your return transport.

These tours leave from various locations around London (and other parts of the UK), and included in the price of your tour will be pre-booked timed entry to the Studio Tour and return transport to and from a pick-up point.

Note that most tours do not include a guide inside the experience as it is largely self-guided.

However, you can book a tour, such as this one , which does include a guide for the time inside the studio as well. When choosing tours, do check how long they give you at the studio. You will generally want a minimum of three hours, although you might find four hours will be more suitable if you want to experience everything.

Some options include:

• A slightly longer tour giving you 4 hours at the studio, with departure from Kings Cross Station, London
• Another tour with departure from Victoria Coach Station in London
• This is a fully guided tour which includes return transport and a guide throughout the experience.
• This tour of the Harry Potter studios , which includes return transport from central London hotels
• If you want to do more on your day, this tour includes a tour of Oxford as well as the Studios , with departures from Great Portland Street, London
• This tour , with one of our favorite walking tour companies Take Walks includes a short walking tour of central London (including some Harry Potter filming locations in London ), followed by round trip transport to the studio and entry to the Studio Tour for four hours. We’ve done this tour and it is a good option although does make for a full day.

As you can see, there are lots of options! We’ve got more on all of these in the section below on how to buy your tickets for the Studio Tour.

By Public Transport

From central London, it’s fairly easy to get to the Harry Potter Studios by public transport. You will take the train from Euston Station to Watford Junction.

Then you need to take a dedicated shuttle bus operated by the Studio Tour that runs from just outside Watford Junction Station (it is well sign posted), that takes you directly to the studios.

For the train, you can either buy your tickets in advance here , or you can pay on the day using a contactless or Oyster card. This will require you to tap in and tap out using the yellow card readers. Note that Oyster cards and contactless cards do not work beyond Watford Junction, so don’t go any further than this.

See our  guide to buying and using the Oyster card in London , and our  guide to paying for public transport in London  for more information on using these forms of payment for travel in and around London.

For the shuttle bus, this is included in the price of your entry ticket. To board the bus you will need to have a valid pre-purchased ticket to the Harry Potter Studios, or proof of a ticket booking confirmation (printed or on your phone).

Getting to the Harry Potter Studios by car is relatively easy. Depending on the time of day, exact departure location and traffic, the drive from central London takes around an hour to ninety minutes.

From Oxford it’s around an hour, and it’s around two hours from Birmingham. Visitors with valid pre-purchased Studio tickets can take advantage of free parking on site. Note you cannot enter the parking area without a valid ticket or booking confirmation for that day.

Where to Buy Harry Potter Studio Tour Tickets

If you are making your own way to the Harry Potter studios, you have to buy your ticket in advance from the official website . You cannot turn up without a ticket, and tickets are not for sale on site.

Tickets go on sale well in advance, but despite the site having capacity for up to 6,000 people a day, they tend to sell out far in advance, so you will want to plan as far ahead as possible.

The summer months, weekends, and school holidays are the busiest days of the year for the Studio so we recommend that you book as far in advance as you can if you are visiting over those periods.

Weekdays often have better availability, so if you are flexible, look at different days of the week to maximise your chances of getting a ticket.

Tickets are for timed entry, which helps the studios manage visitor numbers throughout the day. Whilst there is no limit to how long you can stay after you enter, you do need to enter the attraction at the time you book. There is a little bit of flexibility in this, but it’s best not to show up hours later than your time to avoid disappointment.

The WB Studios Tour folks recommend you arrive at the site at least 20 minutes before your ticket time so you can go through the security checks.

If you can’t buy a ticket from the official site, don’t worry, you still have lots of options.

First, you can opt to take a tour with a tour company, as these have a different ticket allocation system. Whilst this will be slightly more expensive, at least you will still be able to go, and it will include transport as well. See here for some of the tour options available, and here for even more !

Another option is to book a Deluxe Tour, which includes a two-hour guided tour of the studios, a photo package, a hot meal, butterbeer, souvenir guidebook and special designated parking. Following the guided tour, you are free to explore yourself. As Deluxe Tours are more expensive, they tend to have better availability.

Deluxe Tours can be booked directly with the Studios, subject to availability, on the official site here .

How Long Does the Harry Potter Studio Tour take?

The regular tour itself is self-guided, other than an introduction at the beginning, so you can take as long as you like to wander the studios.

The average length of a visit is around three and a half hours, and that is what the studio estimates most people will take and forecast their capacity around.

This is also about the amount of time that most tour companies will give you, although some offer a bit more time on site, so if you think you will need more time, be sure to pick a tour company that offers more time.

Is Food Available at the Harry Potter Studio Tour?

Yes, there are multiple options for food at the Harry Potter tour. These are as follows:

• The Chocolate Frog Cafe – serves drinks and cakes all day, found in the main lobby area
• The Food Hall – a large restaurant with various food options such as pizzas and burgers. Found in the main lobby area
• The Backlot Cafe – found half way through the Studio Tour, serving hot dogs, burgers. Also the only place to get a draft butterbeer as well as butterbeer icecream.
• The Hub Cafe – another cafe option which serves Starbucks hot and cold drinks as well as bakery snacks

There is also the option to book a Harry Potter themed afternoon tea at the Harry Potter Studio Tour when booking your studio tour tickets. This is served in a special section of the Food Hall. This is only available to holders of Studio Tour tickets.

The afternoon tea lasts up to 90 minutes and includes everything you would expect from an afternoon tea including sandwiches, sweet treats, scones, and tea or coffee.

Is there a Gift Shop at the Harry Potter Studio Tour?

There most certainly is a gift shop at the Harry Potter Studio Tour, as you would expect! In fact, there’s more than one. So, if you are planning on shopping for Harry Potter themed merchandise, you have a few options.

First, there’s a massive gift shop at the exit of the tour, which you can also visit prior to starting your tour. This shop is divided into multiple themed areas and is well worth exploring even if you don’t plan on purchasing anything as it’s so well themed.

There’s also the Railway Shop, which is found by the Platform 9 3/4 installation in the tour.

This has specific railway themed items that you won’t find anywhere else, so is worth checking out.

Where to Stay Near the Harry Potter Studios

The majority of visitors to the Harry Potter Studios visit from London as a day trip, and choose a hotel in London. If you go down this route, you might want to consider a hotel that makes it easier to get to the studios, be that by public transport or on one of the tours.

We’ve suggested some options below, as well as some hotels near the Studios themselves if you want to be really close.

Note that hotels in London are relatively expensive, especially those located near major attractions, and rooms aren’t always huge. However, we’ve picked what we think are a good choice for you.

We also recommend reading our guide to where to stay in London for some suggested options across all budgets.

Hotels near London Victoria train station (where most bus tours depart)

• Comfort Inn Buckingham Palace Road – great value 3* property just 5 minutes walk from London Victoria train station
• The Resident Hotel – well reviewed 4* property, five minutes from London Victoria.
• Lime Tree Hotel – A well reviewed boutique hotel, around nine minutes walk from London Victoria
• Walrus Bar and Hostel – it’s not too close to London Victoria (15-20 minutes by public transport, or a 35 minute walk), but it’s very central and is a great budget option for London in general

Hotels near Euston train station (for the train)

• 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

Hotels near the Harry Potter Studios

• Mercure London – one of the closest hotels to the actual studios, this would be a good option if you are driving and want to be as close as possible
• Holiday Inn Express London – right next to Watford Junction, this mid-range and well reviewed property is convenient for both trains to London, and for the studio shuttle
• Jurys Inn London Watford – another great mid-range option, just a short walk from Watford Junction train station

Our Harry Potter Studio Tour Review and Experience

Now for the fun stuff! Although, if you want your visit to be a surprise, you might want to skip this section, as you now have everything you need to know in order to visit.

Still, if you want an idea of what to expect from your visit, read on, and we’ll share our own experiences of visiting the Harry Potter Studios! We have actually visited a few times over the years, both via a tour and using our own transport, and well talk about that a bit as well.

The first time we visited the studios we came from central London, taking the train to Watford Junction and the Shuttle Bus to the studio. If you are visiting from London and not taking a tour, this is definitely our recommended option over taking a car as it will be quicker and easier.

Note that you can use an Oyster card to travel to Watford Junction from central London, this is as far as you can go with Oyster card.

When we visited there was a fee for the shuttle bus, but this is now included in the price of the ticket. The train was easy, and the shuttle bus departure point was well marked just outside the train station.

We pre-booked our tickets on the official website, so with our email booking confirmation we picked up our tickets from the kiosks. They have both staffed ticket windows and automatic kiosks – both work!

Once we had our ticket, which had our entry time on it, we went through security and joined the line for entry.

On another visit to the Harry Potter Studio we took a tour from central London to compare the experience. We specifically took this tour . When we took the tour it included a short sightseeing tour of central London with a serious Harry Potter fan.

He even had a first edition copy of the book for us to see! Whilst this walking tour wasn’t specific to Harry Potter locations in London , it did include some interesting Harry Potter trivia as well as lot of information about central London sights.

Whilst getting to the studio ourselves was easy enough, obviously having a bus take us directly to and from the studio from central London did make things even easier. However, as it wasn’t a guided tour, once we were on site the experience was the same as visiting ourselves.

Regardless of whether or not you visit the Studio as part of a tour or get there on your own, the experience on site is going to be largely the same, unless you book one of the specific fully guided tours like this .

All entries for the Harry Potter Studio Tour are timed, so you have to wait in line, as they let each group in all together.

Prior to entry you can also visit the information desk to rent an audio guide if you want. You can also pick up a free Harry Potter passport which you can stamp as you go round, and there’s also a cloakroom to leave any coats or small bags.

Then, join the actual line. Waiting in line is made fun, as the line has the cupboard under the stairs set right next to it, meaning you can start getting excited about your upcoming adventure straight away (and start taking pictures!).

At the time of our entry, we were all ushered into a large waiting room with a series of screens around the walls and given a brief introduction as to what we might expect.

We then went into a cinema where some of the key cast members shared their thoughts. Then, the cinema screen rolled away, revealing a giant wooden door before us. Here, a guide welcomed us, and prepared us for our journey.

The Great Hall and Beyond

After our introduction, the massive wooden doors we were standing in front of opened, and the Great Hall was revealed. I have to say, this was pretty amazing, to be able to step into the world of Harry Potter. The Great Hall set was used as the Great Hall for six of the films, with many scenes shot here.

It certainly felt like the most complete of the sets we visited, as it was totally immersive and all around us, and was quite an experience.

From the Great Hall we were essentially allowed to continue on our own into the first half of the tour building. This had so much to see that I won’t go into it all here.

To give you an idea though, you can do everything from practice your wand waving through to seeing the Womping Willow in action through to visiting the potions laboratory, meeting Buckbeak, hanging out on Platform 9 3/4, and wandering around the Forbidden Forest!

Food and Butterbeer

Around halfway through the tour, you come to the Backlot Cafe. This serves hot and cold food, as well as that famous drink – Butterbeer!

This is a non-alcoholic beverage that tastes sort of like a mix of marshmallows and popcorn. It is definitely a must-try when visiting! We can also recommend the Butterbeer icecream which is very good.

The first time we visited the studio tour, the butterbeer was served in a plastic cup, which wasn’t very exciting. However, since then you now get a plastic tankard, which you get to keep as a souvenir, which is pretty cool.

We can also recommend the Butterbeer flight, which on our last visit included butterbeer, butterbeer ice-cream and a butterbeer muffin.

You don’t have to eat here, as there are other dining options on site, including the Studio Cafe. However, if you want to try Butterbeer, the Backlot Cafe is the place to do it.

Privet Drive and the Night Bus

Once you’ve finished your butterbeer experience, it’s time to head outside to Privet Drive! Here you can see the house where Harry grew up, as well as a number of other fairly large props and sets, including the Knight Bus and the bridge that led across the ravine outside Hogwarts.

This is the only outside part of the tour, and it isn’t a huge area, although if the weather isn’t great you might want a waterproof jacket to enjoy this part of the tour.

Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley and the Last of the Tour

After seeing the exterior part of the tour, you enter the final part of the tour. Don’t worry though, you’re only really halfway though – there’s loads to see still!

From here you’re going to see a lot of the props and costumes, as well as detailed information on how these were created, and the work that went into them.

You’re also going to have the opportunity to walk through Gringotts Bank, meet a dragon, walk right down Diagon Alley, and see such locations as Ollivander’s Wand Shop!

Finally, and perhaps most impressively, you come to the 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts itself.

This is a massive construction that fills a whole room, and is truly spectacular. You can also watch videos to see how the model was used and digitally merged into the final films, which is very impressive.

Once you’re done with all the above, you pop out into the shop, where you can buy pretty much any Harry Potter merchandise you can imagine!

Tips for Visiting the Harry Potter Studio

Based on our experiences visiting the Harry Potter Studio in London, we’ve put together the following tips to help you plan your visit and maximise your time.

Decide how you want to visit

As described earlier in detail, you have a number of options for visiting the Harry Potter Studios, although depending on ticket availability, you might not always have every option. However, the main options are:

• Book a standard tour and plan your own transport, either by train/shuttle or car
• Book a deluxe tour and plan your own transport, either by train/shuttle or car
• Book a tour that includes transport and entry like this

Whichever you choose to go for, you will definitely have a great time!

Book your tickets in advance

We can’t emphasize this enough – tickets are not available on site – you have to book in advance . If you’re travelling independently, you can do that through the official site .

If tickets are not available through the official site for the time you want to visit, or you’d rather let someone else handle your transport, here is a good selection of tours to choose from , and here are some more options .

Plan your time

The average visit time is three and a half hours, so make sure you give yourself at least this much time on site. Don’t forget there’s food on-site as well as a massive gift shop, so you’ll want to factor time in for these activities too. Some fans can easily spend 4 or 5 hours here.

If you plan on having afternoon tea, you’ll need to add in at least an extra 90 minutes for that as well.

Whilst the majority of tours that include transport give you at least three hours on site, some allow for longer visits, so make sure to book the right tour for you. There is a lot to do and see on site, so more time can definitely be put to good use and you don’t want to feel rushed!

One of the best parts of visiting the Harry Potter Studios is just how interactive the experience can be. Whilst it’s certainly not a theme park, there’s a lot to do, from pushing your own trolley through the wall at platform 9 3/4 through to riding and summoning your own broomstick! There are also multiple photo opportunities throughout.

Some of these experiences will have a short queue, but due to the timed system for entry, these will never be too long.

Many visitors also come in full Harry Potter outfits, so don’t be afraid to dress up and get into the swing of things. You won’t be alone, and it adds to the experience for many people!

Further Reading

And that’s it for our guide to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London. We hope you found it useful – we certainly had a lot of fun taking the tour and putting this post together!

As well as this post, we’ve also got a lot more content that we think you’ll find useful, both Harry Potter related, and other content to help you plan your time in London and the UK.

• Whilst this is one of the best places for Harry Potter fans to visit in the UK, it’s by no means the only Harry Potter location or activity you can take part in. Check out our guides to finding Harry Potter in London, Harry Potter in Edinburgh and Harry Potter in Scotland for more inspiration.
• We also have a complete guide to Harry Potter filming locations in the UK
• A  Two Day London Itinerary  to help you see all the highlights of London. There’s also a  1 day version  if you’re short on time, and both a  3 day  and a  six day itinerary  if you’re here for longer
• Our detailed  packing list for London , to help you prepare for your trip
• Our  guide to buying and using the London Oyster Card , and our  guide to public transport in London  to help you get around without spending too much money
• My tips for finding the  best Photography Locations in London
• Our full  review of the London Pass  to help you decide if this attractions pass can save you money on your visit to London
• The best Things to Do in Kensington , London, in case you wanted to focus more on a specific region of the city
• A review of a  one day walking tour in London , should you want a guided tour of all of London’s highlights
• Our  detailed itinerary for  two weeks in the UK , should you want to have London as the start of a bigger adventure. We also have a  one week UK itinerary  for a slightly shorter visit.
• Thoughts on taking a  day trip from London, taking in Stonehenge, Bath and the Cotswolds , our  guide to visiting Oxford for a day, and our guide to things to do in Cambridge .
• The  Eyewitness Travel Guide to London , which has all sorts of information within, including more itineraries and ideas for your trip. We also recommend the  Rick Steve’s London 2019  guide, the #1 bestseller on Amazon for UK travel guides, and always an excellent source of relevant information

And that’s it! Are you a Harry Potter wanting to take the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour? Have any questions about a visit? Let us know your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

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There are 24 comments on this post

Please scroll to the end to leave a comment

15th August 2023 at 8:43 am

what an amazing detailed blog. really helped me understand and plan the trip. I am booked for 1st October 5:30 as didn’t get any other day or time slot on the website,, do you think I should look at going through a tour agent to get more time in the day time or evening is fine? hoping there will be no issues in taking public transport while coming back. we will be staying in Westminster.

Laurence Norah says

15th August 2023 at 9:08 am

Thanks very much! So I think you will be fine. On the 1st October it looks like the studio tour doesn’t close until 10pm, and I would say that 4.5 hours should be more than enough. The last bus to the station leaves at 10pm, so just be sure to be on that. In terms of trains, looking at the West Midlands train timetables, the last train on a Sunday back to central London is at quarter to 1 in the morning, so I think you will be fine.

Enjoy your visit!

George says

3rd May 2023 at 7:47 am

I just finished reading your post about taking a Harry Potter studio tour and I have to say it was incredibly informative and enjoyable to read! You provided a lot of helpful information for anyone planning on taking a tour, from practical tips on transportation and timing to advice on how to make the most out of the experience.

One of the things I really appreciated about your post was how you made it clear that the tour is not just for die-hard Harry Potter fans. Even for those who have only seen the movies, the tour can be a fascinating and immersive experience. I also liked how you emphasized the importance of taking your time and really exploring each exhibit and set, rather than rushing through them.

Your post was also full of helpful details, from what to expect on the tour to how to save money on tickets. I particularly appreciated your recommendation to book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, as well as your advice to avoid peak times if possible.

Overall, I thought your post was a fantastic resource for anyone planning on taking a Harry Potter studio tour. You provided a wealth of information and tips that will undoubtedly make the experience more enjoyable for anyone who reads your post. Thanks for sharing your insights and expertise with us!

4th May 2023 at 5:30 pm

Thanks very much George, I appreciate your feedback!

3rd April 2023 at 10:58 am

Hi there! I just read your blog post about taking a Harry Potter Studio Tour and I have to say, it’s an incredibly informative and detailed guide. I’ve been to the Studio Tour myself and I can attest to the accuracy of your tips and advice.

I particularly appreciate the way you organized your post into different sections, making it easy for readers to find the information they need. Your advice about booking tickets in advance and arriving early is spot on – it’s definitely worth taking those extra steps to avoid long lines and ensure the best possible experience.

Your photos are also amazing and really bring the tour to life. It’s wonderful to see all the different sets and props up close and your photos do a great job of capturing the intricate details that went into creating them.

Overall, I think this post is a fantastic resource for anyone planning a visit to the Harry Potter Studio Tour. You’ve covered everything from transportation to food to the best photo opportunities, making it a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to make the most of their visit. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us!

Highly Recommended to all.

3rd April 2023 at 11:27 am

Thanks very much, I’m glad to hear you found the post useful and you enjoyed your Harry Potter Studio Tour 🙂

Jean searle says

25th October 2021 at 11:18 pm

My family live on the wirral it would take us about 3 1/ 2 hrs to get there with the price of fuel costly then the stay overnight in the hotel with bed and breakfast. Your outstanding entry price for an adult £48 Kids price extortionate my granddaughter is 8yrs old obsessed with Harry Potter reads the books loves the films she is desperate to come on the studio tour but can’t justify you outrageous prices. And then we have to pay for fuel to travel back. I am registered disabled but not in a wheelchair. My husband is my carer we are also pensioners do you honestly expect a disabled person to pay £48 to get in while OK my carer is free surely you should have compensation for the disabled person. As it stands we have to keep letting the 8yr old down as we can’t afford your prices. Then the added extras for the bus etc. I would ask you to see if you could establish a different rate for children under 10 and the disabled pensioner please as we would bring her but out of our pension we cannot afford your cost. Hope you take into account what I have said. Underprivileged children should be catered for I know.you have to make your money but at the cost of a child. Shame on you. My granddaughter may never get to see it now.xc

26th October 2021 at 10:13 am

Thanks for your message! So to be clear, this website is not associated with the Warner Bros Studio or Harry Potter tour. It’s just a guide to visiting. If you want to reach out to them directly, you’ll need to do so via their website. Their contact information can be found here: https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/contact-us/

All the best,

Dave Gaudie says

23rd July 2021 at 6:54 pm

Can I take photos throughout the tour ?

23rd July 2021 at 7:02 pm

Yep photography is permitted pretty much everywhere in the Harry Potter studio tour. There are a few exceptions – you can’t do photography in the pre-show cinema, or in the green screen areas. You also can’t use a tripod.

Have a great visit, and let me know if you have any more questions!

13th October 2019 at 4:38 am

Hello! I am so excited to have found your blog. I plan to read the entire london portion. I booked tickets to the studio for 1/1. I thought it would be a fun way to start the new year. Now I am wondering if it will be a problem to get to the studio. TfL site states train will be running on a sunday schedule. How much extra travel time should we think about? Our tix are for 1230p. We are staying by the waterloo station. Thank you for your amazing insights!

13th October 2019 at 3:25 pm

Thanks very much, I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time.

For the trains, all you’d have to do is check the timetables for a Sunday and this should give you an idea of how much time you will need 🙂 You shouldn’t have to worry too much I don’t think, 1230 should give you plenty of time to get there! Have a wonderful time!

Nurika Abdullah says

27th September 2019 at 12:33 am

Hi thank you for this it is so useful especially for first timers like me. My concern is on the age, in the studios website it says below 16 must be accompanied by adults. I am thinking of sending my 15 and 13 yr old kids on their own. Would this be possible if I take a guided tour instead? Many thanks Nurika

27th September 2019 at 7:02 pm

Unfortunately the policy is that all children must be accompanied by an adult, even on the guided tours

26th September 2019 at 7:33 am

Thank you for you site and sharing some great information!! It is just awesome!!

Would you happen to know the difference between the Studio’s VIP tour and the Fully-Guided Making of Harry Potter Tour. Looks like the Fully-Guided might have a couple more stops?

26th September 2019 at 10:49 pm

So the VIP tour (I guess you mean the Deluxe tour?) includes a few extras like butterbeer, souvenir photo, meal and guidebook. So quite a few extras. The fully guided tour includes the tour, but I believe it’s the same actual tour as the Deluxe tour, just without the extras. Of course, it also include round trip transport from London as well.

So it’s more about if you want the extras or not, or if you prefer the transport.

Have an amazing time, whichever you go for!

Dr. Abraham K. George says

2nd May 2019 at 10:15 pm

Wow! What lovely immersive writing, and lots of fine fine details. A pleasure to read. I’m so glad I stumbled on to this blog. My search is over. Have bookmarked it. Going to follow it faithfully for our first-time holiday to London + Scotland this month. The fully guided tour seems to be the best of the lot as it probably gives you the maximum time possible to spend at the studio (I hope). By the way, tickets are sold out on the official site. Thank you so much, Abraham

3rd May 2019 at 4:39 pm

Hi Abraham – my pleasure, and I hope you have a wonderful tour. For sure, the tours are very popular so they sell out far in advance on the official website, but there are a number of other ways to get a trip, so I hope you are able to visit still 🙂

27th March 2019 at 7:48 pm

Hi can i ask the extra activities you mentioned are they free or do I need to account for extra spending money Regard emma

27th March 2019 at 7:59 pm

So the activities like the wand workshop, broomstick summoning and other interactive things like that are included. The only thing you would need money for is the giftshop, or if you want to eat or try butter beer. For the green screen broomstick flying experience, where you are filmed on a broomstick against a green screen, that is an extra price as you get the experience as photos or a DVD. There are also some other opportunities to buy photos through the tour, but these are of course optional 🙂

Have a wonderful time!

Robert says

13th March 2019 at 4:51 pm

Excellent information! I’ve been to the WB Harry Potter Studios twice (2015, 2017), and you really covered everything in accurate detail.

One tiny error though it probably won’t confuse anyone: You wrote “Then you need to take a dedicated shuttle bus operated by the Studio Tour that runs from just outside Euston Station (it is well sign posted), that takes you directly to the studios.” I believe you meant “Watford Junction Station” instead of “Euston Station” in that sentence.

Thanks for your terrific work on the entire site. A colleague of mine sent me a link to it knowing I have led student/parent groups to London. I’ve enjoyed digging into it!

13th March 2019 at 5:00 pm

Thanks so much for your comment! We loved visiting and writing this post was a real pleasure 🙂 Thanks also for spotting that error – I’ve fixed it now 🙂

Thanks again!

Roslia santamaria says

28th November 2018 at 7:02 am

Thank you so much..This is very useful!!

28th November 2018 at 11:21 am

My pleasure Roslia 🙂

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Harry Potter London - Warner Bros. Studio Tour

The making of harry potter - a first hand review - is it worth it and what is there.

Want to know what to expect on arriving at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter? This page gives you the low-down on what you will see when you arrive at the Warner Bros. Studio, tips on visiting and what facilities there are, such as places to eat, gift shops, etc.

Allow plenty of time to travel to the Studio and enough time to enjoy the huge array of sets and props to make sure you make your day a truly magical one to remember!

As a Studio Tour, you will see the real sets used in the Harry Potter films, as well as countless props and special effects.

You will spend several hours discovering how the films were made, going ‘behind the scenes’, seeing props, costumes and the amazing sets themselves.

All Things Harry Potter London & UK

New for 2024 Divination, Destiny and Dark Magic - 20 years of Prisoner of Azkaban

1 may - 4 september 2024.

Exciting new exhibits are on this year at Warner Bros Studio to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban .

What's on at Harry Potter Studio in 2024?

» Book Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio tickets

» Watch You Tube video

» What's on at Harry Potter Studio in 2024

» What will I see?

» Tours to Studio

» Where is the Studio?

» How long will I need?

» Arrival at the Studios

» Facilities & eating

» Interactive opportunities

» Accessibility & children

» Entering the Studio

» The sets

» Hogwarts Express

» Outside sets

» Creature Shop

» Diagon Alley

» Set designs & artwork

» Hogwarts Castle

» Wand tribute room

Tickets to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR LONDON - THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER TOURS DEPART FROM CENTRAL LONDON

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

Multiple choices of departure location including Victoria, Russell Square, Baker Street and Kings Cross.

Just select preferred option on booking page for full details.

Transport and Entrance Tickets:

Adult from £118, child 5-15 from £108

• Frequent bus departures daily • Entrance to the Warner Bros Studio Tour • Return luxury air-condioned bus with free Wi-Fi from Central London • Cheaper tickets available off-peak

What will I see at The Making of Harry Potter Video

What's on at The Making of Harry Potter in 2024

NEW: Divination, Destiny and Dark Magic: 1 May - 4 September 2024

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban  Warner Bros. Studio are putting on a new feature for 2024.

The Divination Tower

Check out Professor Trelawney's Divination classroom, with its 'tea-shop' feel, the jewel-toned velvet pouffes, numerous patterned rugs and Arabian-style lanterns.

Boggarts in the classroom...

You'll also get to see for the first time, a new section of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, complete with the Boggart wardrobe and sinister Boggart jack-in-the-box.

Ride the Knight Bus...

Plus - explore the inside of the legendary Knight Bus. Experience the bus as Harry would have: as the bus rattles, chandelier sways, beds move and London’s city streets zoom past.

Search for Scabbers...

Step foot in the Great Hall, decorated with over 100 floating candles and the Hogwarts Frog Choir, and begin your search for Scabbers. Use your Studio Tour passport to receive your ‘Mischief Managed’ stamp!

Dark Arts: 13 September - 10 November 2024

Like every Halloween, The Warner Bros. Studio knows how to deliver a thrilling exploration of all things Dark Arts.

Those famous floating pumpkins will of course make their annual appearance, over the great tables laden with the spooky feast.

As always you can follow the Dark Mark - the symbol of Lord Voldemort projected throughout the Studio Tour - mark them on your passport as you go around.

Enjoy learning wand combat with the interactive display of the wand choreographer Paul Harris (he of Order of the Phoenix through to Deathly Hallows fame).

Hogwarts in the Snow: 16 November 2024 – 19 January 2025

Planning your Christmas fun for next year? Hogwarts in the Snow will be back in 2024; hold the dates from 16 Nov 2024 - 19 Jan 2025.

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.

What will I see at the Harry Potter Studio, London?

Featuring the original Studio sets of the critically acclaimed film franchise, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is a fan and family friendly day out not to be missed! As a self-guided walking tour, you will get the chance to wander down  Diagon Alley,  peeping into sets such as the Weasley's Joke shop, and Ollivanders. You'll get the chance to step into the actual  Great Hall,  complete with banqueting table and fireplace.

Further down on this page we describe in more detail the  sets you will see on this breathtaking Harry Potter walking tour.

While the Studio Tour is aimed primarily at fans of the Harry Potter film series, if you have an interest in special effects and film sets more generally, there would be plenty to get out of this tour.

The detail you can see in the sets and props on show is awe inspiring and the information on offer as to the process of film making is very instructive. The guides are friendly and helpful and happy to chat if you want a bit of extra information. Some of them were extras from the films themselves so have a bit of insider knowledge.

Only the beginning part of the Studio Tour is guided (although guided Harry Potter tours are available)  You will see two short films and then the guide gathers everyone at the doors of the great hall. If you're lucky (like it's your birthday!) you might even be picked to open the doors. After you step into the hall, they will explain a little about this magnificent room; following this you are free to take the rest of the tour at your own pace

Booking tickets for Warner Bros Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

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 (see banner below), 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 (or Kings Cross) in Central London, with around 4-4.5 hours Studio time.

Other tickets options are available for example:

Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Oxford in one day

Warner Bros. Studio Tour with hotel pick-up from Central London

Harry Potter walking tour + Studio

Where is Warner Bros Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter?

The Warner Bros Studio Tour is not in the centre of London, it is located just outside London. The nearest railway station from London is Watford Junction from where a dedicated shuttle (not free) runs to the studio.

For detailed information on how to find the Warner Bros. Studio please see our dedicated page  Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - visiting independently

For those visitors  staying in Central London , several tour operators offer a dedicated shuttle bus to the studios which include tickets. The tours often have better availability of studio tickets that can be sold out many weeks ahead.

How long is the Harry Potter tour?

Now the Studio has expanded even more, you should allow at least four hours for your visit. Realistically, allowing time for lunch and doing any extras such as Ride a Broomstick (which involve queuing time) many people find they can stay six hours or more.

If you have small children you will need to allow for making stops (see below facilities for children ).

Arriving at Warner Bros Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

If coming by bus, it will take you to just a hundred metres or so from the entrance, and then you are left to walk inside independently.

There are now more queues for security; if you didn't get your tickets delivered to your home address, you will need to pick them up from the ticket machines and a box office outside, you will need to queue for this.  

You will then need to queue to go through security which includes a bag check and personal scan. If you are going on an organised tour, your arrival time will allow you about twenty minutes to queue, ready for your pre-booked entry time into the Studio itself.

Facilities and eating opportunities at Harry Potter Studios

Cafes and eating places at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

If you have any extra spare time before your tour begins, you can grab a drink in the Cafe, which also sells a range of snacks.

There are a number of cafes at the Warner Bros. Studio including The Chocolate Frog Cafe at the beginning of your tour, serving indulgent treats such as the specialty hot chocolate and ice cream.

There is also the Hub Cafe serving Starbucks drinks and snacks, and the Food Hall which includes breakfast, sandwiches and hot and cold meals, and lots from the bakery.

You can bring your own food with you but it must only be eaten in the Backlot area or outside picnic area. The Backlot Cafe is located halfway round the tour and it is here you can sample the ever-popular drink, Butterbeer!

Butterbeer is non -alcoholic and has quite a sweet froth to it, with a slight taste of butterscotch. In addition the Backlot also serves hot food – both children’s and adult’s - from a daily specials board, sandwiches and salads, snacks and hot and cold drinks.

You can choose to eat and drink inside or out, where there are nice views of the next section of the tour - the  Knight Bus, Hogwarts Bridge, Godric's Hollow and Privet Drive .

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  (selling Forbidden Forest related items), 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.

There’s a toilet block in the car park (by the bus stop), and a bigger rest room in the lobby, plus a couple of small toilets in the first half of the tour and more toilets by the Backlot Cafe, halfway round the tour.

If you need somewhere to store any small suitcases (or coats and bags) you may have, you can do this free of charge in the lobby cloakroom. Pushchairs are also encouraged to be left here if possible due to the restricted amount of space in the Studio Tour.

There is free Wi-Fi throughout the Studio Tour - so you can share your photos as you go (see below for restrictions).

Digital guide hire and souvenir guidebook

If you wish you can hire a Digital Guide, with extra information on the Studio Tour, for around £5 from the desk in the lobby before you go in. You can also purchase a Souvenir Guidebook of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for around £10, with behind-the-scenes secrets and beautiful photography.

Photography and video footage

The cinema areas and the green-screen areas are the only parts where you are not allowed to take photographs or video footage. Otherwise, you are free to do so in all other areas of the Studio Tour.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London encourages you to share your photos with them on social media and there are signs up around the Studio telling you how to do this.

Interactive opportunities at Harry Potter Studio including free and paid for

As well as the sets and props there are also a few interactive things you can do at the Studio. For example, at  Weasley's Burrow  there is plenty to do.

There is a  wand choreography demonstration  (free), featuring a video demonstrating correct wand moves; very popular with the kids as they see themselves perform in front of two mirrors, much like the mirror of ‘Erised.’

If you wish to  ‘ride a broomstick ’ you can pay extra (check the prices on the board beforehand), to perform in front of a green screen’, on to which a marvelous Hogwarts background is super imposed, and as a memento take home with you your choice of photograph, DVD or HD USB. This attraction is a highlight so it is best to check out the queues and make your timings accordingly. Note,  photography is not allowed in this area.

Outside you can also have your  photo taken in the original  Ford Anglia car ,  like Harry and Ron, and even wobble yourself over Hogwarts Bridge!

Throughout there are  interactive touch-screen boards  which play videos showing the cast and crew, or information about the making of the films, such as the  'Marauder's Map ' board, and around the magnificent Hogwarts Castle.

Accessibility and children

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London have done everything they can to make the Studio Tour accessible for wheelchair users. There is a lower window for ticket collection and step free access to the attraction. The Studio Tour itself, including the loos, gift shop and special effects green screen area, is completely accessible.

If you have small children or just need a break yourself, there are seats dotted around inside where they can sit and rest if needed. Fold up chairs are available for those who require one if you ask in the lobby. There are also toilets to be found around the Studio Tour.

There are some interactive things for younger ones to do but because of the nature of the Studio Tour and the amount of information on offer, it is probably most appropriate for children years eight and up.

As you hand your tickets over, if you have any children with you, they will be given a Studio Tour Passport each. In this A5 size booklet kids are able to collect stamps as they wander around the Studio Tour, and even find the Golden Snitch if they follow the clues on each page.

Entering the Studio and the Great Hall at Hogwarts

There are several 'holding rooms' before you enter the Studio itself. One you have gone through the lobby area, you queue to enter a smallish room featuring props and memories on screens of the Harry Potter films, and even Harry's cupboard under the stairs from Privet Drive - where the Story Begins...

The main cast of Harry Potter warmly welcome you to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

When you begin your tour you are guided into a large room with cinematography on the walls, and an introduction behind the original motivations for making the films. You will see interviews with the producer and the ‘discoverer’ of Harry Potter, the production consultant, and many others who were there from the beginning.

You are then guided into a cinema room, where you take your seat to watch a short film introduced by the three main actors themselves, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. They acknowledge all the hard work of the thousands of people who worked behind the scenes on the famous films and made them become a reality.

Step inside the Great Hall at Hogwarts School

The magic really comes alive as you step in through the doors of the Great Hall, of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As you walk down the real stone floor, you enter the vast hall, with its high ceiling and tall Gothic windows. You can see the long house tables, dressed with individual place settings, all hand created for the films. Around the edges of the hall you will see models dressed in Hogwarts robes, the great fireplace and winged beasts holding the lanterns.

At the top of the room is the high table where models of the staff stand; Dumbledore at his Owl Lectern, Professors McGonagall and Snape, in their robes, and a huge Hagrid. Here too is the famous Sorting Hat, sitting at the front, just as it did in the films. After about ten minutes you are told they have to close the doors to allow the next group to come through, but you are free to come back later if you wish.

Explore the main Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter at your leisure

You are then free to go at your leisure into the rest of the studios. There is so much to see here it is great to be able to take your time and wander at your own pace. One of the first things you see as you go in is the 'ice palace' used in the film The Goblet of Fire, for the Yule Ball.

Below we look at some of the amazing sets from the eight films you will get to see.

What sets will I see at the Harry Potter Studio London?

In the studios, large sets intermingle with smaller props, all of which took months to create.

Professor Sprout's Greenhouse

In 2022 a new permanent addition appeared at Warner Bros. Studio London: Professor Sprout's Greenhouse.

At the studio you will have the chance to step into the greenhouse and stop to pull out a potted Mandrake as part of an interactive display. 

Be enthralled by exotic and magical plants as you learn Herbology lessons with Professor Sprout.

Look out for the Venomous Tentacula hanging from the ceiling as you walk through the greenhouse.

A fantastic new addition to the much loved studio.

Gringotts Bank

Featuring the magnificent banking hall, with crystal chandeliers come face to face with the goblin bankers, peering down at you. Visit the Lestrange vault, including the Sword of Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff’s Cup, one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes.

Find out about our experience of the exhibition by reading our blog on the Gringotts Bank expansion .

Other top sets at the Harry Potter Studio

You will see the boys’ dormitory complete with made up beds around the central fire-burner.

Snape’s Potions room contains over 950 potions jars, as well as cauldrons ready for mixing on the table, dried herbs and even shrunken heads!

At Dumbledore’s Tower there is one of the most expensive set pieces created – the telescope – only used in a background scene. Here you can see mannequins of Dumbledore standing in his robes, and shelves and shelves of books, as well as old magical artefacts, such as the mysterious pensieve.

At the Weasley’s Burrow you can wave your hands over various boards, making them ‘magically’ start performing mundane household chores such as chopping carrots, knitting and ironing! This is popular with kids and adults alike. You can see here the Weasley magical clock with its nine golden hands, each pointing to one member of the Weasley family and their whereabouts.

Nearby is Hagrid’s hut with its quirky roof; a cosy indoor scene complete with mannequin of Hagrid, table and chairs, furs, lanterns and cauldron on the fireplace.

In the Gryffindor common room, more life size mannequins stand, Ron, Hermione and Harry, and you see the actual chairs by the fire, with real tapestries and portraits (all created from scratch for the films) and the wireless with ‘moving lips.’

Around the corner you can view the portrait of the Fat Lady, the Mirror of Erised , and the giant clock pendulum from Hogwarts Clock Tower.

If you are interested to see the individual wands for all the characters, a wand dial features all the principle ones, and you can see up close how differently they are all crafted. More than 3000 were made for the films altogether.

You will see the area with the set of the Ministry of Magic and the giant Magic is Might monument of muggles being crushed in their rightful place by the statue, from the film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Malfoy’s Manor features the long table with assembled Death Eaters, Voldemort at the head with Nagini the 20 foot long snake, slithering down underneath a suspended model of the victim in the stories.

Professor Dolores Umbridge's pink office is on show, complete with all the painted kitten plates you remember from the films.

It is in this area where the famous winged-boar gates of Hogwarts stand, (the gates are based on Il Porcellino, a bronze fountain of a boar, made in the 1630s in Florence, Italy).

They guard the entrance to The Forbidden Forest . Hagrid stands just inside the gates, you can peek through and see him holding his lantern as you wait for the gates to open - to enter if you dare!

In the Forbidden Forest you'll see 19 enormous trees each with a diameter of over 12 feet and a full size model of Buckbeak as well as the magnificent Hippogriff and Aragog the giant spider, and his rather large babies.

Following the Forbidden Forest are more famous sets: the impressive Hogwarts Express , the enchanting Diagon Alley and fabulous outside sets including the Knight Bus, No 4 Privet Drive, the Hogwarts Bridge, Lily and James's house in Godric's Hollow and the Ford Anglia car .

Hogwarts Express

Your next part of the tour takes you through to a recreation of Kings Cross Station, with its own ‘Platform 9 ¾’. Here you can pose for a photo, of yourself, pushing the model luggage trolley ‘through’ the wall, just like in the films.

The Hogwarts Express is a beautiful red steam engine, the original used in the films, and you can board it! This is a popular attraction, and there is normally a slight queue to board. Once on board, you can walk down the corridor, peering into the compartments complete with student belongings; sweet wrappers from the trolley lady, satchels and an owl cage.

Near to the train is the Railway Shop, a train-themed souvenir shop, where you can purchase Harry Potter memorabilia.

What sets are there outside at Harry Potter studios?

There is seating outside just beyond the Backlot Cafe where you are allowed to bring your own food to eat. Here you also get a nice view of the Knight Bus, the houses in Privet Drive, Hogwarts Bridge, Godric's Hollow, and further down the Ford Anglia car too!

At the Knight Bus you can go inside the back door and look inside... see Bert and Ernie - the shrunken heads!

Number 4, Privet Drive

The famous house where it all began... Step inside Number 4, Privet Drive.

See the Dursleys' living room with a flurry of Hogwarts letters from the iconic scene in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , plus their kitchen and the Aunt Marge dinner scene from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban .

Hogwarts Bridge

The bridge itself is a highlight – you can wander along it yourself and imagine you are walking up to the famous castle.

Lily and James’ house in Godric’s Hollow

See the fated house that Harry lived in until he was one - when he was attacked by Lord Voldemort himself. You can even see the blast in the roof where the attack claimed the lives of Lily and James Potter.

Ford Anglia and chess game

Outside there is the famous large scale chess pieces from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone , and the original Ford Anglia, in which you are free to sit and have your picture taken.

The Creature Shop

After leaving the courtyard area, you enter the second part of your tour, the Creature Shop, where there are displays of the animatronics used, and waxworks of main cast.

Here you can see suspended up high the huge model of Aragog, the giant spider and the basilisk’s head.

There is also the animatronic Buckbeak, and Hagrid, masks of the Gringotts Goblins, models of Dobby and Kreacher, and a moving Monster Book of Monsters.

Diagon Alley

Following this is one of the highlights of the Studio, a walk down the actual Diagon Alley!

Entering at Gringott’s Bank with all its wonky charm; next door is Ollivanders , the famous shop where Harry gets his first wand.

Other shops include Eeylops Owl Emporium , Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream shop , Flourish and Blotts Bookseller, and very overtly in its bright colours, the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes , Fred and George’s Joke Shop.

This is a lovely set to take photos in.

Set designs and paintings from the Harry Potter films

Leading out from Diagon Alley you go through to a room where you can see lots of drawings and blueprints of all the set designs, such as Hagrid’s Hut, the Burrow, Hogsmeade and of course Hogwarts itself.

If you like artwork there is a white gallery with lots of beautiful paintings of the characters, with notable scenes from the books.

If architecture is of interest, here you will also see amazing scaled models of all the buildings featured in the films; such as Diagon Alley, Ollivanders Wand Shop, Hogsmeade and classrooms in Hogwarts. The models themselves are highly intricate and fascinating to see.

Hogwarts Castle, the original scale model used in the films

When you enter the next room there is, in a quietly blue lit room, a very wonderful scene: Hogwarts Castle, the original large castle used for the films, resplendent on its mountain side, with pine forests surrounding.

It is a 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts; this is very large and fills a great space, allowing you to walk all the way around it. The lighting is very effective, changing through ‘day-time’ to ‘night-time,’ giving very different perspectives.

Every part was detailed so you can see the astronomy tower, the Owlery, the bridge and the courtyard as well as the Great Hall.

Around the model castle are many interactive screens – great for kids – giving information on how it was constructed and how it was used in filming.

Wand Tribute Room

Following the Castle room you exit via an impressive Wand Room, a room stacked high with thousands of pretend wand boxes. This is a lovely tribute room where each member of the cast and crew of all eight films has their name inscribed on a wand box. Appropriately, J.K. Rowling herself has a place here.

This room leads you back out to the lobby, through the gift shop where you can pick up a memento of your Harry Potter day.

And so ends your Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. A very magical day out, with masses of opportunities to learn more about the films at every corner. Like Hogwarts, it might just be somewhere you wish to return to again.

Harry Potter themed tours & activities in and around London

Tours from london including warner bros. studio tour, harry potter london hotel & ticket packages, harry potter tours within london, harry potter locations within london & oxford including platform 9 3/4.

THE ORGANISED EXPLORERS

• Apr 13, 2022

16 Top Tips & Tricks For The Harry Potter Studio Tour London (2022)

Tips & tricks we picked up on our visit to the warner bros. studio tour - the making of harry potter.

We recently returned from our first trip to The Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making Of Harry Potter. We LOVED it! The tour exceeded our expectations, we were not expecting to enjoy it as much as we did.

Photographs and videos don't capture how magical (pun intended!) this tour is - you really need to see it for yourself. We had originally planned on doing the tour just once, but we enjoyed it so much that we are already planning another visit.

We picked up some great tips and tricks on our visit and wanted to share them with you. These are the things we wish we knew before planning a trip to The Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making Of Harry Potter.

Booking Tickets

01. book your tickets weeks (even months) in advance.

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making Of Harry Potter is one of the UK's most visited attractions , with 1,000s of visitors walking through it's (Great Hall) doors each day.

Tickets are limited and can sell out quickly. You may even find there is a queue just to access the booking page on the website. For example, at the time of writing (April 2022) the next available dates for 2 adults is in July! And if you want a morning slot, you'll have to visit in September! Crazy! So don't miss out, book your tickets as soon as you know the day you'll be visiting.

02. Book An Early Time Slot

Book your tickets as early in the day as possible. The first time slot of the day (typically 9am) is near impossible to book, so if you see it's available book it!

We booked our tickets for 9am and the place was nearly deserted. There was no queue to enter the main building, no queue for the bag check and scanners and no queue to start the tour.

This wont be the case later on in the day. By the time we had finished our tour, the queues were very long for everything and the place was much busier and noisier.

The other option for a quieter visit is to book a ticket for late afternoon. You'll need about 3-4 hours to complete the tour (without rushing) so don't book a time slot too late in the day.

03. You Don't Need To Buy The Digital Guide

When buying your tickets, you'll have a few ticket options. We would recommend purchasing a standard entry ticket.

We opted for The Complete Studio Tour Package, which included entry to the tour, a digital guide and a paperback souvenir guide, but found we didn't really use the digital guide.

We felt it would have been better suited for before or after your visit as it was more about behind the scene stories than extra details about the props, sets and effects.

There is more than enough information to read, see and do as you make your way through the tour.

We would, however, recommend picking up the paperback souvenir guide from the giftshop before you leave.

What To Wear & Bring With You

04. wear comfortable shoes.

The tour typically takes between 3 and 4 hours to complete, which means you'll be on your feet for a long time. Look after your feet and wear some comfortable shoes for your visit.

05. Don't Wear Too Many Layers

Most of the self guided tour is indoors, in heated rooms and amongst crowds of people, so you'll be warm enough without lots of layers. If visiting in the colder months, we would recommend just wearing a jumper and leaving coats and scarves in the car.

06. A Small, Rechargeable Fan

We were warm on the tour on a cold. frosty morning. We can only imagine how warm it must be during a summer heatwave. If you're visiting in the warmer months, pack a small rechargeable fan in case you need to cool down.

07. A Bottle Of Water

As we've already mentioned, the tour takes a few hours to complete. We forgot our water bottles and regretted it. Make sure to bring yours and stay hydrated.

08. A Small Umbrella

A small part of the tour is outdoors. As you may already be aware, England is well known for it's rain. If it's forecast rain during your visit, make sure to bring a small umbrella with you so you can get up close to number 4 Privet Drive and the Knight Bus without getting wet.

09. Phone & Backup Charger

If you're like us and are planning on taking lots of pictures on your phone, remember to bring a portable backup charger and cable with you. We didn't realise how many pictures we would want to take and it drained our phone batteries. So be sure to bring a portable power bank with you.

10. Wand and Wizarding Outfit

Don't be too embarrassed to bring your wand along or to put on your finest wizarding robes . Plenty of adults were dressed up and lots of adults and children got stuck in with the interactive elements to the tour and made use of the photo opportunities.

Tips For The Tour

11. tips for the preshows.

Before your self-guided tour begins, you'll watch 2 preshows.

When you enter the room for the 1st preshow, stand on the left-hand side of the room . By standing on the left, you'll get a front row seat to the 2nd show .

Why is this important? A front row seat in the 2nd show mean's you'll be the first to enter the tour's first room - The Great Hall!

We had no idea what to expect and by chance, happened to stand on the left-hand side of the first room and then a seat on the front row of the second show. But being the first to enter The Great Hall was a pinch me moment. Seeing The Great Hall with no other people inside was a great way to start the tour.

So remember, stand on the left-hand side of the first room and get a front row seat in the second room. And have your camera ready!

12. You Can Re-Enter The Great Hall

As mentioned above, the tour begins in The Great Hall.

You'll notice when you enter The Great Hall that there are no other visitors in this room . That's because the room guides have (gently) ushered the previous group out of the room for grand reveal for the next group.

You'll have a few minutes in this impressive room before being ushered out the next part of the tour.

But if you would like some more time in The Great Hall (like we did) be sure to walk back in once the next group is fully in the room . This is something you may not realise, but the room guides are happy to let you back in.

13. Take Your Time

You've likely spent a lot of money to be here and spent weeks, or even months, looking forward to your visit, so take your time and soak it all in . Take plenty of pictures, read all the information boards and watch the screens for information on the sets, props and effects.

Try not to miss anything. We almost walked right passed a small glass cabinet with some brilliant small props such as the time turner, a golden snitch and the philosopher's stone along with the deluminator and Rita Skeeter's pad and quill.

It's so easy to miss things, so make sure to take your time and look out for small little details.

14. Don't Let Other People Ruin Your Visit

The tour attracts thousands of visitors each day, so it's going to get crowded in places.

Other visitors will block your shots, walk in your way and bump into you. And you'll likely walk in the way of other people. Nobody likes crowds but knowing it will be crowded in advance can help ease any frustration you'll feel when you're there.

15. Take Plenty Of Breaks

As amazing as the tour is, it's also tiring. There are plenty of benches to sit on throughout the tour, so if you feel like having a break, take it .

Half way through the tour is the backlot café, where you can grab food, a drink and even some butterbeer (more on that next).

Don't do too much and get worn out. Some of our favourite sets were near the end of the tour and it would have been a shame if we were too tired to appreciate and enjoy them.

The benches are there for a reason, so if you feel like taking the weight off your feet for a few minutes, then have a rest and take a break.

16. Try The Butterbeer Ice-cream

Half way through the tour is The Backlot Café. If you have ever wanted to try butterbeer, now is your chance.

This is the only place on the tour where you can enjoy this frothy beverage, so don't forget to pick one up before you carry on the tour

(you can purchase bottles of butterbeer from the shop at the end of the tour, but if you're looking for the frothy, cold drink, it's exclusive to The Backlot Café)

And for £3 more, you can have your butterbeer served in a souvenir cup .

We really enjoyed our butterbeer, but definitely preferred the butterbeer ice-cream . You can have your ice-cream in a cone (which was delicious) or you can enjoy it from a plastic souvenir cup.

We hope this post has helped you plan for your visit to The Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making Of Harry Potter.

Do you have any other tips for the tour? Let us know!

If you have any questions about our visit, please ask them in the comment section below.

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These are all brilliant tips and this is definitely one of fave places we've visited this year. Great post guys :) All the best from Tanith and Ben (whattodoattheweekend.com)

Thanks guys! Much appreciated 😊

A Magical Guide to the Warner Bros Studio Tour in London: Everything You Need to Know

Last Updated: February 16, 2022

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Fact: In my entire life, I’ve only cried once at a tourist attraction.

And judge me all you want, but this cryfest happened at a Harry Potter studio tour.

… Allow me to explain myself.

Like most children born in the 90s, much of my youth was spent daydreaming about the arrival of my Hogwart’s acceptance letter. As this dream dwindled with the hardships of adulting, I instead took comfort in carbs and magical movie marathons.

But, it didn’t take much for these childhood dreams to resurface. A trip to London was all it took to re-open the floodgates (literally).

Let me tell you: for a Harry Potter fan, there is no attraction on this Earth more overwhelming and amazing than the  Warner Bros Studio Tour London, (AKA London’s Harry Potter set tour), which brings you through the filming site for all 8 movies in the Harry Potter franchise.

In addition to sets, you’re also shown countless props, the best gift shop in the world, and even a chance to taste butter beer for yourself. Come on now, is it at all a surprise that I bawled when I got to the end?

Read onwards for important info to know about the tour, some tips to keep in mind and of course, a recap of the experience (with plenty of photos!) Be careful for this section, as spoilers are abound!

PS: Check out my full list of Harry Potter themed attractions and experiences in London for more nerdy goodness.

Basic information to know about the Harry Potter Set Tour

If you’re interested in booking the epic Warner Bros Studio Tour in London for yourself, then here are some basic must-knows.

Harry Potter Studio Tour Tickets Info:

I first visited this attraction in 2014 and it was a hot mess then, and has only grown in popularity in the past few years.

If this Harry Potter set tour is a must-do for you, then make sure you book your tickets WELL in advance or you risk not being able to go!

Luckily, even when tickets are sold out on the main site, there are tours you can book online that will have tickets available for sold out dates.

Sometimes, booking with a tour is worthwhile because you not only guarantee your tickets, you also get the convenience of private transport there, which is nice and much less stressful than using public transport yourself.

Here is a breakdown of different Harry Potter Studio tour options that include transport. For your convenience, I also lay out their costs and what they have to offer:

Tickets can also be purchased online from the studio itself  here.

How to Get to the Warner Bros Studio Tour in London:

Despite its name, the Warner Bros Studio London is actually located in Leavesden, which is northwest of London.

While booking a tour/private transport is the easiest and most convenient way to get there, it is still quite painless to reach via public transit, as a shuttle bus runs from Watford Junction railway station.

To get to the Watford Junction station, you need to make use of London’s overground system.

Not sure about the best route to get there? Check out this handy trip planner .  The tour’s website recommends that you arrive at Watford Junction 45 minutes prior to your tour time.  

Remember to bring change, as the cost for the shuttle bus is 2 pounds each way.

NOTE : Leave a lot of leeway for you to get there. We definitely got lost a few times due to the transfers, and were stressed to the max! For a more stress-free experience, consider prebooking a tour that comes with transport. Here’s one for under $100USD.

Tips for Doing the Harry Potter Set Tour Like a Pro

Having addressed the basics, here are some tips you should keep in mind when planning your visit:

1. Check on the Warner Bros Studio Tour website for special events

The studio tour often has special weeks during which there are specialized displays or demonstrations.

If you have quite some time in London, I suggest looking up when special events are happening and to plan accordingly.

I was luckily around for the beginning of Wand Week, so I got to see wandmakers do their thing and I even got to pose with some Death Eaters. Super cool!

2. Allow extra time for travel

Especially if you are new to London, trying to navigate the transit there can take time, so give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the studio.

That being said, do not hyperventilate if your ticketed time is fast approaching. While the reservation system does assign you a time, they won’t turn you away if you are a bit late.

3. Don’t forget to print your Warner Bros Studio Tour ticket

This will make the whole process smoother.

One girl that came with us didn’t print hers and upon arrival, she realized that her order never actually went through.

Luckily, even though they claim there is no box office at the attraction, she was able to purchase a ticket there, but do book in advance to save yourself the trouble.

4. Set yourself a budget for magical souvenirs

Trust me, when you enter the Harry Potter Studio Tour Shop for the first time, you will lose all sense of self control.

You will suddenly want all these things that you would never need.

Legit wizard robe? Okay!

Replica wand? Yes please.

There are so many amazingly crafted souvenirs for sale that you will easily empty your wallet.

For budget-conscious backpackers (like me) or large families with crying children, setting a budget beforehand is a must.

5. Grab yourself a free Warner Bros Studio Tour London passport

At some point during the tour, you might notice children getting awesome embossed stamps on a Harry Potter passport.

Uh, yeah, those are actually not just for kids!

I shamelessly (and sweetly) asked a staff member for one, and they kindly obliged.

Getting the stamps is fun and having a Harry Potter passport is pretty much the best souvenir ever.

6. Be sure to check out other Harry Potter filming locations around the UK too

If you’ve made it all the way to Leavesden, you’re actually pretty close to a variety of other Harry Potter filming locations!

While this set tour is of course incredible, there are dozens of other real-life filming locations scattered around the UK that you can visit for yourself. Click here for a full list.

Harry Potter Set Tour Recap with Photos

With those tips out of the way, I’d love to show you some photos and a brief overview of the experience from my visit in 2014. Note that they have added a lot since then, but still…

WARNING: spoilers, spoilers, spoilers. 

Some would say that the best way to experience this tour is by seeing everything first hand, but if you are curious to see photos and more, feel free to scroll further.

Your magical experience begins as soon as you walk into the building. All around the lobby are canvases with various Harry Potter characters, as well as props and other cool artifacts hanging off the walls.

Even the task of waiting in line (typically the most mundane thing ever) is a joy for this tour.

The queue moves very quickly and there is plenty for you to nerd out about as you wait.

Most notably, Harry’s  cupboard under the stairs , is right next to the queuing area, ensuring that you get a perfect view of this iconic set.

You’ll notice that groups are taken in based on their spot in line, rather than their timed reservation.

This is why there is some flexibility when it comes to your arrival time.

If you’re a few minutes late, no worries, just hop in the queue and you will make it in all-the-same.  

The tour begins with a brief video introduction to the franchise, followed by a preshow featuring Rupert, Daniel and Emma themselves.

As this preshow concludes, the screen reveals the doors to the  Great Hall!  During my tour, they invited any birthday kids to come up and help open the doors.

After  seriously  wishing it was my birthday, I bitterly watched two ecstatic kids live out their childhood dreams, revealing the first stop of the tour, the amazing…

1. Great Hall!

This is the the only part of the tour where your time will be limited, as they let tour groups in every few minutes.

As such, if you want photos, be sure to snap them  quickly !

Being in this room is an unreal feeling. In addition to the long tables, cutlery and elaborate set pieces, you also get to view costumes from students in each house, and important Hogwarts faculty as well!

2. The Big Room

After your time in the Great Hall, you are brought into the  Big Room , which houses a variety of sets, props and costumes.

Here, you are given free reign to explore for yourself and gawk at all the amazing pieces the room contains!

Highlights for me were definitely the  Potions classroom  (complete with a Snape costume on display),  the Gryffindor Common Room  and  the Weasley House .

Many of the sets also have interactive buttons where you can make objects move by pressing them.

This was especially cool in the Weasley kitchen, where the touch of a button could make an iron move on its own, make vegetables chop themselves, etc. Super neat!

For those seeking a sweet photo opp, there are several green screen opportunities to ride a broom as a Quidditch player and more! I didn’t wait in line for this bit, but it definitely looked like a lot of fun! Here are some photos from the Big Room:

3. The Backlot

After perusing the Big Room, you are brought outside to the  Backlot , home to a variety of sets including Harry’s  Privet Drive home , the  Hogwarts Bridge , the  Knight Bus  and of course,  the concession stands!  

It’s at this point in the tour that you can live out your childhood fantasy of sipping a nice, cold  butterbeer.  

Be sure to explore the bridge before you purchase a butterbeer, as no food or drink is allowed on that set. 

Now, while public opinion seems to be split on the taste of butterbeer, I have to say that  I. loved. every. single. sip.  

It’s very possible that I was blinded by the magic of my surroundings, but I would argue that it’s worth a try regardless!

NOTE: If you want to purchase a souvenir cup, remember to bring a bag or something to wrap it in, as that stuff can get mighty sticky. Here’s a sample of the cool things you’ll see in the backlot!

4. Art Department, Creature Effects and Diagon Alley

When you’re ready to go back inside, countless wonders from the  creature effects & art department  await you. Here, you really get to appreciate the depth of work put into creating a whole magical world.

I was really wowed by everything.

In this area, you will see masks, wigs, models and more of your favourite magical creatures.

In this second half of the tour as well, you get to walk through Diagon Alley. The details and work in the set will absolutely blow you away. The shops look so real, you’ll be tempted to go knocking on their doors.

5. Hogwarts Castle Model

And lastly, the grand finale of the Harry Potter set tour… The model of Hogwarts!

This one here is a real showstopper.

A walkway surrounding the model allows you to view it from all angles, taking in the fine details of this wonderful school.

For many Harry Potter fans, seeing the castle like this is a dream come true. Now, if only it were real!

At the end of the tour, just before the entrance of the Harry Potter Studio Tour Shop, you will see this wonderfully beautiful quote appear on the screen:

It was at this point that  I began to bawl.  I couldn’t help it!

Everything that I loved about the series had been shown to me in the past few hours, and for that short period of time, I got to live out my dream of seeing the magical world that made my childhood.

Messy and gross, I walked into the gift shop, which was a massive treasure trove of things you never knew you wanted or needed. Wands for every character? I’ll take 100.

And there you have it,  the most magical experience ever . One day, I  will   visit the Wonderful Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but until then, I think this tour has given me enough happy & geeky memories to last. …. At least for the next little while.

Any more questions about visiting the Warner Bros Studio Tour in London?

 Over to you – have you ever been to the Warner Bros Studio Tour in London? IF NOT, THEN WTF ARE YOU WAITING FOR? No jk, uh I meant to ask, which part would you most look forward to?!

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7 thoughts on “A Magical Guide to the Warner Bros Studio Tour in London: Everything You Need to Know”

Enjoyed every bit of your blog article.Much thanks again. Really Cool.

Thanks for reading! 🙂

bookmarked!!, I like your blog!

thanks Jane!! 😀

Hi Christina! I’m going to be traveling alone to London this week, would the Harry Potter tour be fun for a solo traveler? Also, I was considering buying a groupon for a night tour, but the picture of you holding the butter beer appears to be outside? I guess we would be missing this part of the tour if I went at night then eh?

hi Lisa, I hope this comment isn’t too late! but YES YES YES the tour would 100% still be fun as a solo traveler (provided that you like Harry Potter haha). I didn’t realize they had a special night tour, but the butterbeer was outside in a special lot where they had lots of big props and set pieces (it’s part of the tour) so I can’t imagine they would leave it out for any reason. I have my fingers crossed for you!

Thank you for this article and the pics. I always need to take a peek of the atmosphere beforehand since I’m going solo. I hope they will let me use my selfie stick inside.

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20 tips for visiting the harry potter studios in london.

Looking for some useful tips for visiting the Harry Potter Studios in London ? We are here to help!

If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter series, a trip to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London is a must-do.

Located in Watford, the WB Harry Potter Studios are where the Harry Potter movies were filmed.

Here you will find everything that was used to make the films. This includes some of the sets (such as the Grand Hall), the props, the costumes but also many interactive attractions.

It’s important to note that this is not a theme park like you would find in Orlando. These were the actual studios and they were turned into more of an exhibition for visitors to learn more about the movies and how they were made.

So, are you ready to discover all our Harry Potter studios tips? Let’s get started!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!

🔎 Table of Contents

1. Book your tickets in advance

The Studio Tour is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions , and tickets often sell out.

There are two ways you can book tickets for the Harry Potter Studios.

The first one is to book your ticket directly on the Warner Bros studios website . This is ideal if you are booking well in advance and don’t want transport included.

The second option is to book a tour from London . This will include the entrance to the studios as well as transportation from central London.

As a general thing, it is advisable to book at least 2 or 3 months in advance if you are booking direct.

As previously mentioned, tickets sell out fast! Also, it’s important to take into consideration the season since some periods are busier than others.

The studios are open most days but they do close for a few days in November and around Christmas time so make sure to check this beforehand.

Click here to book your ticket

2. Book a tour from London if you are looking for last-minute tickets

If you’re looking for tickets last minute and none of them is available on the website, don’t worry! You can also book a tour from London that includes the entrance to the studios and transportation.

You can book these tours even if they are tickets on the website since they include transportation so they work out about the same price as paying for everything separately (Ticket, tube, train and shuttle) but they are particularly convenient when you want to score some last-minute tickets.

The fact is that we can’t always plan months or weeks in advance so if you are already in London or are going soon and really want to visit the Harry Potter studios, make sure to book one of these tours.

3. Book an early slot and arrive early to maximize your time at the Studios

When you book your ticket, you will be asked to choose a timed entrance.

The studios open at 10 AM so you can book anytime from then.

In average, visitors spend 4 hours in the studios however, you are actually free to stay as long as you want.

This means that if you want to get there at 10AM and stay until it closes in the evening, you can do so!

For this reason, I highly recommend to book an early slot (10AM, 10:30AM and 11AM are ideal).

That way, you will have loads of time to explore, take your time for lunch and will have more than enough time.

If you are a huge Harry Potter fan, this is the best tip you’ll find!

Regardless, even if you don’t want to spend more than 4 hours, you can always leave whenever you wish and will have the afternoon to enjoy your time in London.

If you take a midday slot, you will need to dedicate the entire day to the Harry Potter Studios since it will take a couple of hours to get there and back.

3. Plan your journey from London

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is located in Leavesden, which is about 30 miles from London.

While this doesn’t seem too far away, you will actually need between 1 and 2 hours to get there from central London.

There are different ways to get there but the most convenient is by taking a tour that includes transportation.

This way, you don’t have to worry about anything and will be taken straight to the studios.

If you want to do it yourself, then head to Euston station and take a train to Watford junction (you can use your Oyster card for that but it’s one of the furthest zones so the cap will be a bit high).

From Watford Junction, simply walk across to the carpark and you will see the Harry Potter buses. They are impossible to miss since they are entirely decorated.

The shuttle will take you straight to the studios and costs £6 return.

Make sure to keep your ticket for the return!

READ MORE: 20 Best Harry Potter Things to do in London

4. Consider driving (if you have a car and are not in London)

If you are not in London and have a car, driving is definitely a good way to go. You can easily get there and the area is not busy. It’s actually pretty remote.

There is free parking at the studios so that’s definitely a plus!

If you’ve been on the website, you may have seen that there is a closer carpark for £10 but the free carpark is very close. It only takes 1 minute (if even) to get to the entrance so unless you or one of your passengers can’t walk 100 yards, you can simply use the free carpark.

When you get there, follow the signs to the carpark. You will be asked to show your ticket to enter so keep it handy.

If you get there before 11 AM, it should be pretty empty too.

5. Dress appropriately

Since you will be walking around a lot, it’s advisable to dress comfortably.

The studios are air-conditioned so you might feel cold in the beginning but once you start walking, you will warm up.

It’s also important to take into consideration that there might be some rain and since some parts of the studios are outdoors, you may want to take a good jacket.

There is a fair bit of walking around so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Finally, I would advise you not to wear straight or short skirts since it could be uncomfortable if you are trying the Quidditch activities.

6. Wear your Harry Potter clothes and accessories!

This one is a no-brainer. If you’re dressing up for the occasion, why not go all out and wear your Harry Potter clothes and accessories?

You will fit right in and will feel like you are a part of the magic!

Also, you will be taking a lot of photos and they will look even better if you are a bit dressed up!

Rest reassured, you don’t actually need to rock your cape but don’t hesitate to wear your Hogwarts house scarf or a hat.

7. Ask loads of questions!

The staff working at the Harry Potter studios are really friendly and they love answering questions.

There are people in each room and although it may look like they are watching everything, they are actually here to answer your questions and tell you more about what you see.

Don’t hesitate to go see them and ask your questions. If you don’t have any questions, then just ask them if they have any interesting facts to share with you. They will have loads!

For example, if you are in the Gringotts Bank, they will tell you how it was built. They may also mention the Harry Potter reunion since it was filmed in the studios and Tom Felton was sitting there for parts of it.

They will also show you some hidden gems.

Basically, they have extensive knowledge and talking with them will make your experience even better.

They all speak English but a lot of people also speak other languages. Make sure to look at their badge to see which language they speak.

8. Take loads of photos!

This is another no-brainer. The Harry Potter Studios are a paradise when it comes to photo opportunities.

You will want to take loads of photos and you should not refrain.

This is your one chance to get loads of Harry Potter themed pictures!

There are so many photo spots in the studios including Platform 9 3/4, the Great Hall, the Gringotts Bank and more.

Take your time and if you need someone else to take a photo, don’t hesitate to ask one of the other visitors.

Everyone is here to enjoy the studios and nobody would run with your phone. Also, they may ask you to take a picture of them in return. Win-Win!

9. Take your time

This is probably the most important tip I can give you.

The Harry Potter studios are a lot to take in and there is so much to see!

I would advise you to not rush through it and to take your time. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you should enjoy it!

As previously mentioned, you are not being rushed for time here. You can stay as long as you want so take your time and enjoy.

If you are scared you are taking too much time and will then have to rush, here is a tip.

The restaurant is located halfway through the tour so as long as you don’t reach it, that means you haven’t done half.

Once you do, you can consider it will take you as much time to finish.

10. Get a Harry Potter passport and the stamps!

The Warner Bros studios were built in a very interactive way. They did everything they could to make sure that visitors would have fun and would bring back loads of memories

If you want, you can get a Harry Potter passport and the stamps of all the places you visit!

You can get them at the entrance or by the first stamp station.

You will find different pages with stories and games as well as a spot to get your stamps.

The stamp stations are located all around the studios. You can see where is the next one by simply turning the pages.

It’s very fun and you will enjoy looking for the stamp stations. Also, it’s free and you get to take it back home!

11. Do a Harry Potter Quiz

If you want to add a bit of fun to the experience, you could consider playing a bit and doing a Harry Potter quiz!

You can find a free Harry Potter quiz here . Get it on your phone or print it beforehand and ask your crew the questions.

This will test your knowledge of Harry Potter and will create a fun atmosphere during the visit.

12. Get food at the Harry Potter Studios or bring your own

The Harry Potter Studios have a restaurant located on the premises. This is a great opportunity to get some food and relax for a bit, especially since it’s located about halfway through the tour.

The restaurant has a wide variety of food, including vegan and vegetarian options. It’s also really affordable! Your meal should cost under £10 and can be paid cash or on card.

This is a pleasant surprise since usually restaurants are very expensive in this kind of things.

Since it’s so easy and affordable, I recommend to get food there.

However, it’s important to know that you are allowed to bring food in. If you are travelling with kids, this will be a cheaper option.

You can find picnic areas outside, just next to the knight bus and the bridge.

Please note that you will also find a Starbucks and a snack place at the entrance (once you went through the security control but before starting the tour itself).

You can fill out bottles of water as well so I would highly recommend to take a bottle beforehand.

13. Try a butterbeer

It doesn’t get any more Harry Pottery than a good butterbeer.

Butterbeer is the ultimate wizarding drink and you can’t get it in many places since the recipe is secret. The Harry Potter Studios in London are one of the rare places in the world where you can get a real butterbeer.

Getting one is a must-do! You will either love it or hate but this is not really the point. It’s just a cool thing to do and to experience at least once.

Also, if you get it in the butterbeer mug, it will be a great prop for photos!

The butterbeer bar is located right by the restaurant (Backlot Café). You can get it in a regular plastic class or in a butterbeer mug (it costs £3 more but it’s a nice souvenir).

Since it’s right by the knight bus and the Dursley house, you can take beautiful photos holding your butterbeer.

Please note that a butterbeer is alcohol-free and therefore suitable for children.

That having been said, it’s very sweet so you may want to share it with someone. You may not manage to finish it on your own.

14. Use the Harry Potter Fan Club App

The Harry Potter Fan Club App is a great way to get extra content and make the most of your visit.

Available on both Android and iOS, it includes a map of the studios, videos, photos and more.

15. Do all the green screen attractions

A lot of scenes in the Harry Potter movies were created using special effects and CGI. Amongst them, you will find all the Quidditch scenes.

Basically, and without being spoiler, the actors would ride their broom in front of a green screen and the images in the background would be added in post production.

You will find these green screen sets in the studios and not only do you get to see them, but you can also try them!

There are two of them, the Quidditch and the train carriages right by the Hogwarts Express.

As you get there, you will realise that photos are being taken and you have to pay extra to get them. While this is true, it’s important to note that you can do them and not buy the photos.

The photos are nice souvenirs but there will be no pressure to buy them.

Knowing that, you might as well make the best of the experience and get in line to play some quidditch!

This is important to note because these attractions are very good fun and super interactive. You will have such a good time doing them but yet, a lot of people skip thinking they have to pay.

You do not have to pay to do it. You simply have to pay if you want to buy the photos but once again, there is no obligation to do so.

16. Get a digital guide if you speak another language

The Harry Potter Studios are all in English and while this is not an issue for some, if English is not your first language, you may struggle with some of the explanations or even names (all names were translated differently).

For this reason, it could be a great idea to get a digital guide. They can be hired at the entrance for less than £5 and provide information and facts in many languages including French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and more.

You can book it with your ticket beforehand or simply head to the reception desk and ask for one. You will be provided a small digital screen and headphone and can go around the studios while learning even more about the world of Harry Potter.

17. Use the free Wi-Fi

The Harry Potter Studios offer free Wi-Fi which is great because it means you won’t have to use your data roaming while you’re there!

Also, the coverage is not always great in certain parts of the studios so it comes very handy to have free Wi-Fi available.

18. Use the cloakroom

Located at the entrance, the cloakroom is free of charge which is perfect if you want to leave your bag or coat.

They will be safe and sound at the cloakroom and you won’t have to lug things around.

That having been said, it can be a bit cold in certain parts of the studios and of course outside, so I wouldn’t leave everything there.

19. Watch the movies before you go

If you want to make the most of your visit, watching the Harry Potter movies is a must.

As you know, the Harry Potter Studios are entirely dedicated to the movies. This is not about the books.

Of course the movies were based on the books but the WB are very much about the movies.

If you want to learn more about the books, make sure to visit Edinburgh. It will be a much better place for that.

Knowing that you will discover everything about the movies, it would be much better if you watch them before going.

Not only will you recognise many of the sets and props but you will also understand more of the references.

It will get you excited and you will have the images very fresh in your mind which will enhance your experience.

20. Get some souvenirs

The gift shop at the studios is great and it’s definitely worth leaving with a few souvenirs.

There are many different items available, including clothes, wands, prop replicas and more.

While they are not cheap, they are definitely worth buying as they will remind you of your amazing day at the Harry Potter Studios!

You may also be interested in:

• The Ultimate Guide for visiting the Harry Potter Studios in London: tips, tricks & Review
• 20 Best Harry Potter Things to do in London
• Harry Potter in Scotland: 13 Harry Potter locations & experiences you can only have in Scotland
• Harry Potter Train in Scotland: Ultimate Guide to riding the Jacobite train in real life

Founder of Beeloved City, I am originally from France and have been living in the UK since 2016. I've travelled to 25 countries as a backpacker, travel coordinator and for holidays. I spent a year in Australia before eventually settling down in Manchester, England