is the complete studio tour package worth it

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 .

We participate in various affiliate marketing programs. Flashpacking Family is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Most popular posts

Guide to visiting Lake Louise, Canada

Jordan itinerary

Sri Lanka’s best beaches

Things to do in Suffolk with kids

Free things to do in London for kids

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.

If You Enjoyed This Post, Save For Later:

Related Posts

How To See The Best Of Bath In 1 Day

How To See The Best Of York In 1 Day

2 comentários

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 😊

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze the use of the website. Learn More

Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

Harry Potter World Tickets

This post is a guide to visiting Warner Bros. Studios - The Making of Harry Potter, a theme park located just outside of London.

We include tips on how to get here, ticket prices, studio highlights, and what should not be missed.

Many of our tips will come directly from members of our Facebook Group who have been to Harry Potter World and know all the best ways to take advantage of everything this attraction has to offer.

Wands at the ready!

• Studio Tour Highlights
• Transportation from London

Things to Do Near Harry Potter World

• London Potter Film Locations
• Potter Tours in London

Love Harry Potter? Join us on our walking tour of Harry Potter's London!

Tickets for the Warner Bros. Studio tour must be purchased in advance. No tickets are sold at the studio; only ticket collection is available.

There are several different types of tickets that are available.

The most popular are the Single Adult and Child tickets, which grant guests entry to the tour and allow them to explore at their own pace.

Similarly, the Group and Family Package tickets also grant self-guided access to the tour, but at a concessionary rate. 

The Complete Studio Tour Package includes a Studio Tour ticket, digital guide, and paperback souvenir guidebook and is a few £s more than the regular tickets.

The digital guide offers exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and cast and crew interviews and is available in 8 different languages.

The Deluxe Tour Package is for super Harry Potter fans and includes a deluxe guide, designated parking, a lanyard, a photo package, a hot meal & drinks, a deluxe butterbeer, and a souvenir guidebook. 

The Tickets and Hotel Package includes both a single ticket and an overnight stay at a nearby hotel. Breakfast is included at no extra cost.

In addition to these ticket types, you can also include an Afternoon Tea with your tour or even get a Souvenir Ticket based on the Hogwarts Acceptance Letter.

(NOTE: These tickets do not include transportation from London with return). Click here for transportation and ticket combos .

Tips From Tourists:

Members of our Facebook Group strongly recommend booking your tickets well in advance, as tickets can sell out for months at a time.

Single Tickets

• Free – 4 and under
• £51.50 – Adult (16+ years)
• £40.00 – Child (5-15 years and must be accompanied by an adult)
• £160 – Family Package (includes either two adults with two children or one adult with three children)

More information or to purchase self-transport tickets .

Group and Family Package Tickets

• £49.50 - Group (10-24 people) Adult 
• £38.00 - Group (10-24 people) Child
• Free - 4 and under

Deluxe Tour Package Tickets

• £250 - Adult 
• £225 - Child

Tickets and Hotel Package

• Prices start at £65
• Includes breakfast.

Afternoon Tea

• £70 per person
• Vegan options available.
• Dine before or after tour.
• Includes various sweets, treats, and scones.

Souvenir Ticket

• £51.50 – Adult
• £40.00 – Child
• £5.95 – UK Delivery
• £8.95 – International Delivery

NOTE: The Complete Studio Tour Package is not currently available as of March 2024.

While some of our Facebook Group members might prefer the complete package, others feel that it's not worth the price and prefer having the ability to guide themselves and take their time.

STUDIO TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is essentially a museum showcasing the several thousand props, costumes, and sets that were created for the 8 Harry Potter films.

The tour begins with a short video of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint talking about their time growing up on the set.

Guests are then shown the front doors of Hogwarts, which they walk through to enter the Great Hall.

From that point forward, visitors are allowed to wander around at their will, enjoying the magnificent set designs and custom-made props.

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours, though some guests are able to speed through it in 1.5, while others are reported as taking up to 13 hours!

Halfway through the tour, there is a small cafe serving up food and refreshments, including the wizard world's favorite drink....butterbeer!

At the end of the tour, guests are brought into a large gift shop where they can buy anything from chocolate frogs and quidditch sweaters to specialty wands and Harry Potter chess sets! 

The Great Hall

The Great Hall is the first set visited on the Harry Potter Studio Tour.

Especially enchanting during Halloween, the Great Hall is adorned with pumpkins, setting the scene for the unforgettable Halloween feast.

If you happen to visit around the 5th November, the atmosphere echoes with the magical essence of the season.

Guests walk through the impressive room, which was used almost continuously during the 10 years of filming and features long wooden tables and throne-like chairs.

Dumbledore's Office

Nestled in Dumbledore's office, attendees discover dormant portraits of previous Headmasters and Headmistresses.

Furthermore, prominent items such as the Pensieve and Godric Gryffindor's sword claim their rightful places here.

The vast collection of books in this chamber discreetly touches upon the dark arts and the mysterious dark mark, reminding visitors of the series' profound layers.

Visitors can test their quidditch skills with this interactive experience that allows visitors to ride a broom in front of a green screen while a fan blows their hair back.

Guests can then choose to purchase photos of themselves riding around the Quidditch field for an added cost. 

Hogwarts Express

Explore the Hogwarts Express and try to decide which luggage sets belong to which characters. But beware!

A Dementor might be floating in the carriage window! 

4 Privet Drive

Walk through Harry's old house and see hundreds of letters fly through a room, inviting Harry to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 

See this beautiful beast up close and admire the incredible skill of the set designers who pieced her together, feather by feather. 

The Knight Bus

The Knight Bus is an impressive triple-decker bus that was made by welding together multiple old London city buses.

Hogwarts Castle

Perhaps the most awe-inspiring part of the entire tour comes at the very end, as guests are welcomed to walk around a gigantic and extremely detailed model of Hogwarts. 

The Gift Shop

The Gift Shop offers a wide range of Harry Potter-themed merchandise, including wands, clothing, collectibles, and souvenirs, allowing fans to bring a piece of the magical world home with them.

WHERE IS HARRY POTTER WORLD STUDIOS?

Though the Warner Bros. Studio is advertised as being in London, it is actually pretty far outside of the city ( map ), about 40 min by car!

Luckily, it is very easy to get there by car, train, or tour bus . 

By tour bus:

Most visitors to London opt to take a tour bus to Harry Potter World from London .

This is an easy option for those who are apprehensive about using public transportation or driving in the city.

You will be with other Muggles and some even play Potter movies on the way to and back.

Below, we have detailed the best tour companies that visit Warner Bros. Studios. 

TIP: The Warner Bros. Studio is about halfway between Luton Airport and London, making it a great activity for those who have a long layover at Luton but who don't want to venture all the way into the city. 

The drive from central London to Warner Bros. Studios takes approximately 1 hour, varying with traffic.

The studio is located between 20-30 miles from London, depending on the route and departure time.

Be sure to avoid driving into or out of London at rush hour, as traffic can get quite severe and add an hour (and maybe even hours) to your trip. 

Where is the nearest car park?

There is a dedicated on-site car park which is a short walk away from the entrance to the Studio Tour.

There is also designated coach and disabled parking, just ask a member of Car Parking Team for assistance on arrival.

By public transportation:

Visitors can also use public transportation to travel to Warner Bros. Studios. 

Go to Euston Station ( map ) and take the London Midland train to Watford Junction (20 minutes).

Those with an Oyster Card should use that to pay for their ticket, as the fare is much cheaper (£5) than those purchased at a kiosk (£11).

From there, visitors can take the free shuttle directly from Watford Junction to Warner Bros. Studios.

Just look for the big double-decker bus with the Harry Potter images printed on the side! 

How Long is the Tour?

The duration of the tour is typically around 3 to 4 hours, but this can vary depending on individual preferences and the amount of time spent in each section.

Visitors are free to explore at their own pace, making it possible to spend more or less time in different areas of interest.

How Much Time to Spend?

The recommended amount of time to spend on the tour is around 3 to 4 hours.

However, the actual time you spend on the tour can vary depending on your level of interest and the pace at which you explore the various exhibits and attractions.

What Are the Opening Times?

Monday to Friday:

• STUDIO TOUR OPENS: 9:30 am
• FIRST TOUR BEGINS:10:00 am
• FINAL TOUR BEGINS: 6:30 pm

Saturday and Sunday:

• STUDIO TOUR OPENS: 08:30 am
• FIRST TOUR BEGINS: 09:00 am

Our Facebook Group members highly recommend booking your ticket for the last slot of the day, because you have free reign of the area until the attraction closes.

BUS TOURS FROM LONDON

Guests who are nervous about using public transportation or renting a car to get to the Warner Bros. Studio can instead choose to travel by a private bus tour company.

Premium Tours, Golden Tours, and Evan Evans Tours offer package deals that include round-trip transportation and a timed entrance ticket to the Harry Potter Studio Tour.

In fact, there are many more companies and a variety of options. See all of your options .

For those who already have a ticket and are just in need of transportation, Golden Tours also sells transportation-only packages for just £31 per person.

Many of our Facebook Group members recommend using the train or bus to get here and explore at your own pace with a standard ticket.

They suggest it is cheaper and easy enough to find your way around Harry Potter World without a guide.

Golden Tours

Guests can choose to purchase either the transportation and ticket package or just transportation. 

The tour costs £94 per adult and £89 for children and runs daily ( more info ).

The tour is not guided and runs for 7 hours total, including transportation to and from London.

Evans Evans Tours

The tour is not guided and runs for 6 hours total, including transportation to and from London.

The tour costs £104/adult, £84/child (5-15), and £40/child (3-4) for transportation and entrance ticket.

The tour runs daily with several departures per day. Get more info .

Premium Tours

Like their competitors, this service includes an entry ticket to the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour and transportation to and from the studio.

Prices range from £94 - £115 for adults and they are not currently offering children's tickets.

Tours run daily with multiple departures per day and tickets can sell out for months in advance. Get more details .

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Reviews

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour of The Making of Harry Potter is ranked as the #1 Thing to Do in the United Kingdom on TripAdvisor.

Tens of thousands of visitors praise the experience, giving it an astounding 5-star rating on TripAdvisor.

Reviewers call it "amazing," "absolutely brilliant," and "a must-see for Harry Potter fans." Ratings that fall below 4 stars are very few and far between, and mostly refer to overcrowding which can happen at peak times during the year.

However, Warner Bros. Studio does a very good job of trying to prevent this by staggering guests' entries.

Read some of the reviews from those who visited via bus tour.

Places to Eat

• The Three Horseshoes
• Studio Kitchen
• Hunton Spice
• Saffron House Watford

Where to Stay

• Hunton Park
• Premier Inn Watford North hotel
• The Kings Lodge Hotel

Watford is a town located in Hertfordshire, England, approximately 20 miles northwest of central London.

It combines a blend of urban conveniences, green spaces, and cultural attractions, making it an interesting place to visit or use as a base for exploring the surrounding area.

What is the best time to visit Harry Potter World?

For an optimal experience at Harry Potter World, situated near Victoria Station, visit during January-February or September-October.

During this period, you can immerse yourself in the wonders of the most acclaimed film series ever, without the usual throngs of people.

How big is Harry Potter World?

Harry Potter World is home to iconic locations such as Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and Gringott’s Bank.

Each offers a glimpse into the Harry Potter film series, making it possible for a full day of exploration.

Do you need to buy Harry Potter World tickets in advance?

It's wise to pre-purchase Harry Potter studio tickets, especially if you aim for a guided tour during peak seasons.

This not only guarantees smooth entry but also an immersive journey through the wizarding world's special effects and common rooms.

Places to eat:

• The Florist
• TGI Fridays - Watford Central
• Imperial China Watford

Places to stay:

• Hilton Watford Hotel
• Leonardo Hotel London Watford

Things to do:

• Cassiobury Park
• Watford Colosseum
• Watford Museum

RELATED CONTENT

• Harry Potter Locations in London
• Harry Potter Tours
• Things to Do in London

Choose a Destination... I want them all PLUS general travel tips. Amsterdam Berlin Boston Charleston Chicago Dubai Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Nashville New York City New Orleans Paris Philadelphia Prague Rome San Francisco Washington DC

About The Author

North America

United kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

• Find Tickets, Tours, and Experiences

A Complete Guide to London’s Harry Potter Studio Tour

We wanted to know whether the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter was really worth the hype and the expensive ticket, so we sent Anneliese, a member of our content team, to find out for herself! Read her review before you visit to get all the insider tips.

Here’s a disclaimer: I first picked up a Harry Potter book when I was 8 years old and I’ve been a superfan of both the books and the films ever since – I even managed to see the play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, all the way back in 2016 when it was the hottest ticket in London’s West End. So when you read this review, remember that I LOVE all things Potter!

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is probably the biggest pilgrimage site for Harry Potter fans in the UK. It opened to the public in 2012 and this April I was finally lucky enough to visit. Side-note: we’ve recently discovered that the attraction is one of the most expensive basic tickets in the world, so there were a few questions I wanted to answer on my trip:

• Is the exhibition really as awesome as the reviews make it sound?
• Is the trip good value for money?
• Are there any ways that a savvy traveler can make the most of their time at the site?

First of all, try not to judge a book by its cover. The Studio Tour is a tour of soundstages on the Warner Bros. lot in Leavesden. The building looks like a large anonymous box because that’s what it is – the magic happens on the inside. It’s also not a theme park, unlike the Wizarding World of Harry Potter World at Universal Orlando, so don’t expect rides or shows.

The first step for most visitors is taking the train from London to Watford Junction. For us, this took slightly longer than usual because engineering works disrupted the regular rail service (which is something that often happens in London, especially on public holidays – so watch out!). From Watford Junction it’s easy to find the shuttle bus to the Studio Tour site – they’re Harry Potter-branded and have their own bus stop and signage. The bus costs £2.50 per person , but the ticket is also valid for your return trip, so keep it safe during the day. The journey takes about 15 minutes, and you’ll get to watch a short introductory video while zipping through the suburbs. If you decide to book tickets that include a transfer from Central London then you won’t have to worry about the train or shuttle bus!

When you arrive at the Studios there’s a short bag search, and you’ll also be scanned with a metal detector. If you arrive more than 5 minutes before the time on your ticket, you’ll have some time to explore the main store, hang out underneath the huge model of a dragon, or get a cup of coffee at a cunningly disguised Starbucks. Then, when it’s time to go in, just follow the signs for the Studio Tour. Even the queue to the start of the tour is pretty interesting, taking you past Harry’s cupboard under the stairs and through a hall which discusses the changes in movie poster design over the years – it doesn’t feel like you’re waiting in line!

The queue to the start of the tour is pretty interesting, taking you past Harry’s cupboard under the stairs … it doesn’t feel like you’re waiting in line!

The tour gets going with a video intro, where you’ll be told all about what you’re going to see, plus any house rules you need to follow, and you’ll hear a special message from JK Rowling (author of the Harry Potter books). Next, you’ll move into a cinema area where you’ll watch some short clips that will get you in the mood for the exhibits ahead. The cinema screen zooms away to reveal the door to the Great Hall, and any birthday children will be given the chance to push them open. That’s when the experience really kicks off.

We found ourselves pretty much raced through the Great Hall, which is the first set you’ll visit. Because more tour groups are coming up behind you, you only get about 5 minutes to explore , and a guide will stay with you to make sure you don’t linger too long. I’d been warned about this before I arrived, so I was ready with my camera to snap pictures of all the incredible details – the house symbols on the fireplace, the original uniform worn by Daniel Radcliffe on the first day of filming, Hagrid’s bodysuit and costume, and the colorful hourglasses tracking house points on the wall by the high table.

Once you’re through the Great Hall, the pace slows down considerably and you’re left to your own devices. Other people we’d entered with had rented multimedia guides, and a few even had a personal tour guide, but we decided we knew enough about the books and the films to explore by ourselves. We didn’t regret that decision at any point – most of the things you’ll see are self-explanatory or have signage that explains what you’re looking at. Each set also has a display board which points out a couple of tiny details which you might not notice by yourself.

I’m not going to tell you about everything I saw, because it’s a lot more fun if you don’t know what’s coming , but my favorite moments were in the Forbidden Forest (which includes a spooky soundtrack, eerie mist, and plenty of spiders) and the newly opened Gringotts Banks. Gringotts is a truly special addition – you’ll get to see it looking its best (and you won’t believe it’s not made of real marble), plus you’ll see it destroyed by a dragon (a work of movie magic which proved to be a bit much for some of the younger visitors!).

We stopped for a bite to eat at the Backlot Café , which is slightly more than halfway through the tour, but other groups had brought snacks with them, so that’s always an option if you’re on a tight budget. Our meals were £9 for a burger with chips, so it’s not the cheapest lunch, but the quality was good enough that you didn’t mind the price. We also tried the Butterbeer, which was… unusual. If you’re desperate to taste it then I’d recommend splitting one cup between friends, as it’s not to everyone’s taste and it costs about £3.50 per cup.

Outside the Backlot Café is a small area with some larger props. There’s the Hogwarts bridge (a great photo opportunity), the Knight Bus, a walkthrough of 4 Privet Drive, and copies of Hagrid’s motorbike and the Weasleys’ blue Ford Anglia. You can sit on the bike and inside the Ford Anglia – two more great spots for photos!

The final area of the tour takes you through the animatronics lab, then into the magical Diagon Alley and around the huge model of Hogwarts, leading you out through the gift shop.

The good: There are so many tiny details which will thrill any fans of the films. From the hand-labeled vials of memories in Dumbledore’s office to the animatronic hippogriffs which bow to visitors, you’ll bounce from one delightful surprise to the next. You’ll also get to see videos of your favorite actors from the series discussing what it was like to grow up on set, in clips which will really take you behind the scenes. It does take at least 3 and a half hours to see everything on the tour, but it will feel like it was over in a flash.

The bad: The Backlot Café was very busy, with not-quite-enough seating and a poor queuing system. That might have been because the timing of our visit brought us to the café at lunchtime, so more people were stopping than during the rest of the day, it might have been less busy in the late afternoon.

There’s also something which everyone, but maybe especially parents visiting with younger children should be aware of – there are a handful of times where photo opportunities are going to cost you money if you want to take the pictures home with you. The green screen broomstick ride, the wanted poster (in robes), and the photos that are taken in a carriage of the Hogwarts Express all have a cost attached. After each encounter with a staff photographer, you’ll be given a ticket with a code on it, and my tip is to collect the tickets together and wait until the Hogwarts Express stop before going to the counter and looking through the images. If you decide to buy more than one picture then there’s a discount, and if you’re in a larger group then it might make sense to buy a USB with all your files. It’s easier to make that decision once you’ve done everything and can look through all the pictures at one time. For every hard copy of a picture you buy, you’ll be given a code to get a digital download, so it might make sense to split the cost of one photo between a group and then share the digital version later.

Overall I think the tour does a good job of not trying to sell you too many things – sure, there are two small gift shops which you’ll see as you go around (at the Forbidden Forest and the Hogwarts Express), but you’re not made to walk through them, and they’re designed to blend in with the sets. That being said, you can easily lose yourself in the gift shop at the end, and most things inside aren’t cheap.

So, back to the questions which I wanted to answer.

Is the tour as great as the reviews say, and does it provide good value for money?

For Harry Potter fans, it’s going to be an absolutely brilliant experience, and it also has a lot that will be of interest for fans of film-making more generally. I was blown away by the scale of the 10-year, 8-movie project that was the Harry Potter series, and by the skill and creativity of the people who designed the props, sets, costumes, and hair and make-up. It was informative without ever being dull, and knowing how the on-screen magic works has only given me a new appreciation for the movies. Having said that, now that I’ve been once I don’t feel like I need to go back any time soon. If the tour adds another couple of major sets then I might be tempted, but I’ve satisfied my curiosity for now and the ticket price is too high for me to make it a regular trip when I’m in London.

For people who aren’t Potterheads or particularly interested in movie-making, it might not be so fascinating to visit, and the ticket price and hassle of getting out of Central London might also be off-putting. In that case, I’d suggest skipping it or splitting your party up for half a day. Part of the fun of visiting was knowing that most people were as interested and excited as I was, and I don’t think that this attraction is ever going to be a must-see London attraction in the way that Tower Bridge or Big Ben are.

Now, for the money-saving tips

As I mentioned above, hang onto your professional photo tickets until you get to the Hogwarts Express tills, so that you can get all your shots included in a deal if you decide you want more than one picture. Book your trains to Watford Junction in advance if you can, and make sure to use your railcard if you’re a UK resident and aged 16-25 or over 60. Bring lunch with you to eat in the Backlot Café, and share a Butterbeer if you decide you want to try it. Do your best not to wander into the merchandise stores along the way, and save your shopping for the very end when you’ll know what’s available and how much money you have left!

Above all, go with the flow and remember how you felt the first time you encountered the magical world of Harry Potter – I’m sure you’ll have as great a time as I did!

If you’ve been inspired by our review, why not check out the available deals for Warner Bros. Studios – The Making of Harry Potter at TicketLens.com?

About author

Anneliese o'malley, ticketlens:, something fresh, the most expensive views in the world 2019, the most expensive attractions in the world, popular attractions.

Moulin Rouge tickets | Harry Potter: Warner Bros Studios tickets | Eiffel Tower tickets | Stratosphere Tower tickets | Guinness Storehouse tickets | Gardens by the Bay tickets | Burj Khalifa tickets | One World Trade Center tickets | Last Supper - Santa Maria delle Grazie tickets | Dohány Street Synagogue tickets | Milan Cathedral tickets | Disneyland Paris tickets

Popular Destinations

Rome | Venice | Dublin | Beijing | Dubai | Milan | Istanbul | Athens | Tokyo | Vienna | Krakow | Prague

Find the best tickets, tours, and activities and compare prices from different websites.

Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

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

Last updated: April 9, 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!

In this guide we’re going to go through everything you need to know to visit the Harry Potter Studios, including 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.

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.

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 April 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:

• This tour  which departs from the Victoria Coach Station in London
• Another tour with departure from Victoria Coach Station in London
• A slightly longer tour giving you 4 hours at the studio, with departure from Kings Cross Station, 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.

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. 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 we took a tour to central London to compare the experience, specifically this tour . 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.

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. Still, 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 half way 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.

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 half way 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 Ollivanders 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 emphasise 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.

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 practicing your wand skills through to pushing your own trolley through the wall at platform 9 3/4 through to riding and summoning your own broomstick!

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!

Enjoyed this post? Why not share it!

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 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let me know when there's a reply to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise!)

Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips. This also makes you eligible to enter our monthly giveaways!

We only ask for your e-mail so we can verify you are human and if requested notify you of a reply. To do this, we store your data as outlined in our privacy policy . Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above.

Posted on 1st July 2021 Categories Things to do

By: Author Julianna Barnaby

Visiting the Harry Potter Studio Tour (+ Everything You Need to Plan Your Trip)

Love This? Save and Share!

Love Harry Potter? The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is an absolutely magical day out for children and adults alike. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

Harry Potter. You may have noticed that I’m low-level obsessed with both the films and the books. The story that captured our imaginations 20 years ago is no less magical today.

London is filled with Harry Potter spots – whether that’s filming locations, cool graphics stores or Potter-inspired bars , there’s plenty to keep your wands busy. Even so, the Harry Potter Studio Tour is phenomenal.

I’ll admit that I put visiting the tour off for a while because I never quite got round to booking my ticket. Mistake . Now that I’ve been I can say hand on heart that it is a must for anyone who loves Harry Potter.

I’ve written this step-by-step guide to help you understand what to expect, how to book your tickets, plan your journey and have a brilliant time. No pressure then…

OK, So the Big Question is… Are the Harry Potter Studios Worth the Money?

In short – yes. The Harry Potter Studios are worth the money.

It’s pretty much impossible to talk about why you should go on the Harry Potter Studio Tour without confronting the fact that tickets are hella expensive.

£47 for adults and £38 for children over 5 is no laughing matter – particularly when you add transport and (if necessary) accommodation to that too.

Even though the tickets are expensive, I’d say that the experience is absolutely worth it – it’s been brilliantly done – so much so that I know people who’ve been back a couple of times over the years.

Want to book a tour instead? Choose from these tours from London .

Exploring the Magical World of Harry Potter at the Warner Brothers Studio Tour in London: What to Expect

All eight of the films were filmed in the Leavesden Studios over a period spanning more than a decade.

There’s nowhere else that you can visit where you can see so many of the places, costumes and details that made the iconic films the biggest movie series in history.

How to Get Your Hands on Harry Potter London Tickets

Buy tickets on the website.

Now, I’m not going to lie – trying to get your hands on the Harry Potter studio tickets is like trying to conjure a genuine smile from Professor Umbrige. As in, it will take all of your wits and whiles to make it happen. Unlike trying to coax a smile from Umbridge though, it will be totally worth the effort.

First of all, let me be clear. You have to buy tickets in advance – there will be no turning up on the day and hoping to strike lucky.

That shizz just doesn’t fly (as in they don’t even sell tickets on the door, so you’ll have schlepped out to Leavesden for no reason – and I’ll warn you, apart from the studio tour, Leavesden isn’t the kind of place where you go to have a lot of fun).

So, you need to plan your trip in advance. Preferably as far in advance as you possibly can.

Tickets for the Warner Brothers Harry Potter tour sell like hotcakes – and months ahead.

Don’t be all blasé like me, hopping onto the website and thinking you’ll pick one up for the next day. I was totally sucker punched when I saw that tickets were pretty much booked out for two months in advance. That’s not a typo and yes you’re reading it right. Two months.

Now, there are a couple of workarounds, which I am going to go into more detail below but that is the standard position.

So if you’re thinking about taking a trip to London and you want to get a ticket, do it the moment you book your flights. I only wish I were joking.

Book Tickets Here

Sneaky Trick Number One for Getting a Ticket to the Warner Bros Studio Tour

Book a tour – or transport inclusive ticket from a tour operator.

I have to be honest – I am prettyyyyyy disorganised a lot of the time and I’ve often found that hunting around for a tour can mean that you can nab a last minute spot when all other hope is lost.

Have a look on Get Your Guide and simply work your way through the different operators until you can find one with a ticket for the date that you want. Simple and oh so crafty * cackles uncontrollably in the manner of Bellatrix Lestrange *.

PS – I talk more about tours and transport inclusive options in the How to Get to the Harry Potter Studios Section Below.

Sneaky Trick Number Two For Getting Your Hands on Harry Potter Studio Tickets

You’ll have better luck if you can visit on a weekday outside of school holidays, but as you’re likely to be grown-ass adults with actual jobs, whether you can do that depends on exactly how much magic you’re willing to practice to get yourself a spot.

Sneaky Trick Number Three for Nabbing Those Tickets

Now I know that I said that you have next to zero chance for nabbing tickets to Harry Potter land in London without booking them at least a couple of months in advance but guess what… I lied.

Well, kind of.

You can get last-minute tickets on the website if you’re willing to be flexible and just take whatever day and time is available. I booked my tickets on Tuesday to go on the Sunday of the same week – and was pretty lucky that the tour started at 2pm so I had loads of time to make my way around.

There were only a couple of tickets for the Sunday available – and a few more for the following Monday and Tuesday… after which the earliest I could book was 2.5 months later.

It’s a big gamble – definitely not one I’d recommend taking if you’re only in the country for a short period but it is always worth checking.

Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to London’s Magical Harry Potter Spots

Tips for Making the Most of Your Time in the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour

If you’re more of an adult than me and actually book your tickets far enough in advance that you get a choice about which slot to choose rather than having to take whichever one’s available because you’re trying to find a ticket for this weekend, I have a tip.

Go as early in the day as possible – and try and avoid the last slot or two.

Much as I’d love to pretend that these are sage words I winkled out of prophecy buried in that creepy vault in the Ministry of Magic, the boring truth is there are very good reasons for this advice.

One is that the tour is untimed. Once you’re in, you’re in for however long it takes you to make your way around.

Considering that some people (ME) literally won’t rest until they’ve read / played with / googled at / photographed / posed with every tiny little bit on every single set, you can understand how later slots can get pretty busy.

The second reason I say to go as early as possible is kind of the same – you want to make sure that you have all the sweet sweet time that you need to make your way around that tour.

They suggest three to four hours but who knows, you may end up taking more (particularly if you kick back with a butterbeer in Hogsmeade).

Someone once spent over thirteen hours in the tour, which seems a liiiitttttle excessive – what were they doing? Reenacting the films? Actually, that’s a brilliant idea.  

Either way, with the earlier slots you pretty much have all the time you want. It would be a real shame to have to rush any of the experience – you paid enough to justify squeezing every last second of pleasure from your well-spent galleons.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Did you see that bit above where I said that the average person takes three to four hours walking around the studios?

Now imagine doing that in some flimsy-ass high heels that make you want to cast a spell and set your own feet on fire after half an hour and I think you’ll get my point about comfortable shoes.

Unless you have your own flying broomstick that is, in which case you can wear those heels as you zip around the tour with your cape billowing in the breeze behind you.

Dress Up (If You Want, but Why Wouldn’t You Want to…)

I have one regret about my trip to the making of Harry Potter and that is that I didn’t dress up. There were so many kids (and adults!) rocking cool Harry Potter attire that the moment I saw them, I knew that I a) wanted to be them and b) would feel so sad about it for the whole time I was there.

So dust off your capes, your house scarf, your Potter-style glasses etc with free abandon – ain’t no one going to judge you for it.

Swot Up on the Films (and the Books for Extra House Points)

This will only apply if you haven’t watched the film in a little while (in which case, who even are you?).

There are so many cool spots here but there’s no point if you can only dimly remember the films from some time a few years ago when you watched it as you did your knitting.

No. That is not good enough. You want to make sure that you’ve watched the films recently, that they’re fresh in your mind, that you recall every detail – and preferably you can do some short reenactments as you go around…

And, if you want to get extra mega-nerdy house points, breeze through the books so you can say sage things comparing the books to the films and the sets and totally blowing everyone’s minds with your crazy levels of knowledge.

Don’t Whizz Through the Great Hall too Fast – In Fact, Don’t Whizz Through Any of the Tour too Fast

The tour starts with a couple of short intros – one in a small room where you can see the cast on small screens above you and marvel at how much older they look. Then start thinking about how much older you must be too and actually get so wrapped up in this that you actually end up missing everything they say.

The second intro film is a much grander affair and in an actual cinema. Now, once you finish that second film, the doors beyond open and you’re let into the Hogwarts Dining Hall.

What do you get when you take lots and lots of very keen Harry Potter fans, lock them in a dark room and then let them loose onto one of the film’s most exciting sets?

I think mayhem is the word that you’re looking for. I had a whole family push into my photo, pretty much stampeding over me to nab a picture with a statue of Dumbledore.

No worries though, jokes on them because I just waited behind until almost all of the people had trampled their way through to the next room and quietly (and rather smugly, channeling my best Hermione knows it all face) took my pictures and had a nose around the now empty hall.

Don’t take too long though – you only have a certain period of time until the next group of people are released from the cinema room and into the frenzy.

That advice applies to all of the tour actually – unless you’re in one of the later slots you have all the time that you need to make your way around, take millions of pictures and absolutely live your best Harry Potter life.

There’s no need to rush that – if you do, you won’t have anything good to put into your pensieve.

Read Next: Mischief Managed: This is What it’s Really Like to Visit the Harry Potter Inspired Bar in London

Pick the Guides’ Brains

No, not literally. The guides in the Warner Bros studios take Harry Potter fandom to. another. level. You will bow in the face of their superior and all out geeky knowledge of the things on the set.

I totally encourage you to sidle up to one and ask a really niche question about a tiny piece of the set buried in the back of a scene, then watch as *poof* all their magical knowledge comes out. It’s BEAUTIFUL.

Do Fill in Your Making of Harry Potter Passport

You’re handed a Harry Potter Passport with your tickets. I tried to be all cool and dismissive about it – what do they think we are? Children who are going to run around getting stamps and filling in the questions in our magical books? Damned right we are.

Now is not the time to pretend that you’re in any way not excited about finding the 13 golden snitches that are hidden throughout the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour.

Finding those snitches and getting those stamps is better than that moment when everyone thinks that Harry’s dead and he bursts out of Hagrid’s arms to turn Voldemort into tiny pieces of ash. I shizz you not.

Highlights of the Warner Bros Studio Tour in London

Now that you’ve booked your tickets and are incredibly excited, I thought I’d help fuel the fire with a few sneak peeks at some of my favourite spots from the set 😀

The Great Hall

Feasts, howlers, ominous speeches – Hogwarts’ Great Hall has seen it all. It’s pretty cool to see the hall in real life (though if you’ve ever visited Christ Church in Oxford – another city with many Harry Potter filming locations , you’ll notice the strong resemblance).

I won’t let you in on all of the little secrets but you get to peek behind the scenes to find out how they created the floating candles and enchanted ceiling effects, plus there’s a cool display of the house uniforms and details on how they changed throughout the films.

The Gryffindor Dormitory

Lush velvet, wooden four poster beds – welcome to the Gryffindor Dorm. Biggest surprise? The beds are absolutely tiny as they were designed for the kids for The Philosopher’s Stone but ended up being used in all the films.

Dumbledore’s Office

So much wisdom, so little time.

The calm retreat in which many of the films’ most memorable scenes took place – Dumbledore’s Office is adorned with rows and rows of books and many portraits of former Hogwarts headmasters.

Though it brought up all the feels from that awful moment when Snape kills Dumbledore and you feel like your soul has been split in two.

The Potions Room

Press it, don’t squeeze it Hermoine. The potions room is lined with all manner of tinctures and strange ingredients – ready to be made into love potions or poisons… let’s hope it’s the first of the two!

The Forbidden Forest

The Forbidden Forest is a real eye opener – dark, ominous and more realistic than I’d like to admit, it’s crazy walking through the forest as giant spiders descend from the ceiling, accompanied by thunder and flashes of lightning.

Malfoy Manor

The ominous tone of Malfoy Manor is set by a dummy of Charity Burbage hanging over the long table at which the death eaters sit. Who can forget the poor teacher’s death – brutally attacked by Nagini while the whole table watched.

The Ministry of Magic

Glimpses of the Ministry of Magic peep out from the giant sets – one of the largest ever created for a film. The larger-than-life Magic is Might statue stands to remind Muggles of their rightful place. Creepy.

Read Next: The House of Minalima – Step into a World of Harry Potter in Soho

Platform 9 ¾

It’s real! All aboard the Hogwarts Express! Many of the scenes on Platform 9 ¾ were actually shot in King’s Cross (one of the filming locations in London) but part of the station was reconstructed in the studio – complete with a Hogwarts Express that you can jump aboard and trolleys buried in the walls for that iconic shot of you running through to the secret platform.

Diagon Alley  

Hop into Ollivanders and get your wand at the ridiculously lifelike set for Diagon Alley . The set changed significantly throughout the progress of the films – the final version is a cross between a Victorian shopping street and a weird, wacky emporium.

Hogwarts Castle

The last stop on the Harry Potter studio tour is IMHO the best – the scale model of Hogwarts Castle. Each of the films directors changed bits on the castle to suit the mood of their film – the result? An incredible sprawling model, complete with intricately-designed details. When can we move in?

What’s The Best Way to Get to the Harry Potter Studios from London?

Where is harry potter studios.

The Harry Potter Studios are actually situated just outside of London in Leavesden, Watford. There’s not too much to do in this area besides visiting the studio tour but there’s plenty to do inside, so you can still make a day of it.

Have no fear though – no matter which part of London you’re in, the Harry Potter Studios are pretty easy to get to. I’ve outlined the easiest ways for you below…

Getting to the Harry Potter studios isn’t difficult if you have a car. It’s about a 45 minute drive from Central London and parking is free.

Like many places outside of the city, Sat Nav does tend to lose its way a little when you put in the postcode, so you’re better off entering in Warner Bros Studios Leavesden to make sure that it takes you to the right place. We don’t want any Diagonelly / Diagon Alley mix ups here.

Make sure that you have your booking confirmation to hand as you go into the car park as they need to check it before you go in.

By Bus from London

Did I mention that the studios are kind of in the middle of nowhere? Upshot is that your options for getting to them are far more limited than for places in central London.

If you’re not driving, the easiest thing to do is to buy a Bus and Entrance Package. The package covers your bus from a central London location and your ticket for the tour. Mischief managed!

There are a few different operators offering buses from different London locations – t his one does them from Victoria coach station , or browse here for other options . Most bus and tour packages cost around £85 for adults.

On a Guided Tour

This is different (and a lot more expensive) to the Bus and Ticket Combos. I’m talking fully guided tours for those who want that next-level Harry Potter knowledge and aren’t afraid to make it rain pounds and pennies in order to get it.

This guided tour includes transport from London, a fully-guided tour around the studios plus re-entry to the studios so that you can go back and explore them at your own leisure before heading with your guide back to London again.

Book your spot for £89 pounds – and no, you can’t rob Gringotts to fund the cost of the tickets.

By Train (and Bus)

In my opinion, getting to the studios by train is the most awkward option, though it isn’t too bad. You need to hop on a train from London Euston to Watford Junction (this takes about 20 minutes) and then catch a bus (£2.50 extra – cash only) from Watford Junction to the Studios (this takes about 15 minutes).

In theory, you could do the trip in 35 minutes but everyone I’ve spoken to says it takes a bit longer and there’s the hassle of having to change at Watford Junction.

I’d rather hop on one bus to do the full journey but that’s just me. You don’t need to book ahead but check train times to make sure you’re not waiting around in Euston for the next one.

Hotels Near Harry Potter Studios London

Premier inn watford north (budget).

I tend to prefer Premier Inns over Travelodges but it’s the same deal – a comfortable budget option that’s only a short distance from the studios. Check availability.

Hemel Hempstead Holiday Inn (Budget)

The Hemel Hempstead Holiday Inn is everything that you’d expect from a Holiday Inn (as in basic but clean and comfortable). The real draw is that it’s less than a ten-minute drive (seven minutes to be exact) away from the Studios – particularly perfect if you’ve got an early morning start. Check availability.

The Grove (High End)

The Grove is hella pricey but what else do you expect when you opt to stay in a gorgeous country manor house? Stylish interiors, ridiculously snuggly beds and a fabulous in-house restaurant. Totally your pick if you really want to push the boat out. Check prices and availability.

Other Hotels in Watford

I should point out that there are quite a few hotels in and around Watford Junction, where it totally makes sense to stay if you are getting the train to the station but don’t want to hurry there and back the same day.

Compare prices and availability for hotels in Watford.

Harry Potter Studio Tour London Map

Love this? Save and share on Pinterest!

Looking for More Harry Potter Guides?

Check these out…

Harry Potter Filming Spots in London

Guide to Leadenhall Market

Soho’s Magical House of Minalima

LET'S GET SOCIAL!

London x London is the insider’s guide to discovering the best of London.

We delve into the cool, interesting and quirky spots that make London such a dynamic city, telling you the best things to do, eat and drink along the way. 

Tired of the same old dull suggestions? Want to know where to find London’s secret bars, tastiest eats and weirdest finds? We provide practical guides that help you do just that.

Find Out More

Recently Published

• Eltham Palace: Discovering South London’s Gorgeous Art Deco Secret
• Staying At: The Laslett, Notting Hill Review
• Carreras Cigarette Factory: A Curious Reminder of London’s Egyptian Art Deco Craze

RELATED LINKS

On this page, harry potter london, warner bros. studio tours, w.b. studio tour transfers, most popular tours, special interest tours, tours from london, hop-on hop-off bus tours, central london tours.

• Guide to hotel areas
• Bed & breakfast
• Backpacker hostels
• Airbnb London
• Central London tours
• Tours from London
• Hop-on hop-off bus tours
• Harry Potter tours
• Stonehenge tours
• Downton Abbey tours
• Windsor tours
• Cotswolds tours
• Private tours
• Ticket & pass offers
• Central London attractions
• Attractions outside London
• Harry Potter attractions
• Tower of London
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT
• London City
• London Southend
• Southampton

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.

• Mar 24, 2023

Harry Potter Studio Tour Review

Thinking about going to Warner Bros. studio London for The Making of Harry Potter tour, but not sure if it's worth the rather expensive price or what to expect? Having visited there myself, I can tell you with certainty that the studio is an absolute must-see for every Harry Potter fan. And as for what to expect... Read my Harry Potter studio tour review for lots of useful tips, from booking your tickets to getting there and making the most of your experience. It's everything I wish I had known before going!

Buying tickets to Warner Bros. studio tour

In order to visit the Harry Potter studio tour, you must book your tickets in advance. Having a ticket is a prerequisite for being allowed on site, so you can't just show up and hope to be admitted. The tickets are timed, and visitors are grouped according to their timeslot and let inside at regular intervals.

When it comes to booking tickets, you have two options:

Buying tickets from the Warner Bros. website and making your own way to the studio. The pro here is flexibility - you can spend as much or as little time visiting the Harry Potter studio tour and leave whenever you feel ready. I have read very varying accounts of how much time people have ended up spending at the studio, so it's tricky to know in advance just how long you will want to stay for. However, with this option, it might not always be possible to get a ticket for the date you want, especially if booking at relatively short notice (and when I say short notice, I mean the next month or two).

Going through a tour company and getting a package of entrance tickets + bus transfer from Central London . The pro here is not having to worry about train + shuttle bus times, as you know exactly what time the bus leaves that gets you to your booked entrance slot. I also found availability of the package tickets to be a lot better than the tickets on the WB website. Picking this option does make it more expensive though, plus you are less flexible with your time at the Harry Potter studio tour.

Tip: If you decide to book on the Warner Bros website, but can't see any availability for your dates of visit, don't feel forced to book the bus package straight away. When I was booking our tickets, I discovered that availability changed every day and suddenly dates became bookable that had previously shown as full. So I kept checking, and, eventually, a slot opened up that worked for us. Of course, there's no guarantee that this will happen, but it's worth a try anyway.

Travelling to Warner Bros. studio from London

Warner Bros. Studio is located in Leavesden, which is quite a long way away from Central London. The best train station is Watford Junction, as there's a free shuttle bus from here arranged by the studio that ferries the guests back and forth at regular intervals.

If you decided to opt for a package of ticket + bus transfer, then not much to plan for you, as you will be driven straight to the studio. The tour company will give you the details of where the pickup point in Central London is. From what I've seen, the majority of pick ups are in the area of Victoria station, but there are a few other possible pickup locations, like King's Cross or Baker Street. All you have to do is find your way there, and also be at the collection point at Warner Bros Studio at the right time after completing the tour.

I chose to make my own way to the studios. The first part of the journey was taking the train from Euston station to Watford Junction. You can use an Oyster card or contactless for this journey, as Watford Junction is inside the London transport network. The trains are quite frequent and the journey time is around 15-20 minutes, and you can check the schedule in advance for your travel date.

The trickiest bit for me was figuring how to time arrival at Watford Junction, so that the wait for the shuttle bus would be minimal. The Warner Bros. website doesn't have a fixed timetable, instead saying that the buses run "at least every 30 minutes from 9.20am". Now, I don't know if they run more frequently, but I planned my timings based on 30 minute intervals, and there was indeed a bus there at that time.

The bus station is right next to the train station and it's easy to identify which stop the shuttle bus leaves from. You have to show your Harry Potter tour ticket to be able to board. Once you're on the bus, it will take another 15 minutes or so to get to the Warner Bros. Studio, during which you get shown a short intro video.

Tip: If you are travelling to Watford Junction using an Oyster card or contactless, make sure you keep your eyes open for where to tap in at Euston station. Usually, there are gates to pass through, where you use your card or ticket to open them, but the platform that we were assigned didn't have these gates in operation on entrance. There was a single tapping point pretty high up, which we completely missed, as it was hidden by the crowd of people streaming onto the train. So then we had to ask staff where to tap in, run all the way back up to do it and run back down to get on the train, which we almost missed as a result.

On the way back to London, there is a screen in the cloakroom area of the WB studio that counts down the time until the next shuttle bus. That's where it all went a bit wrong for us. We exited when it said the shuttle bus would be leaving in five minutes and queued up at the collection point. However, the only shuttle bus that came dropped off the passengers from Watford, and then went and parked up at the charging point instead of picking us up. So we waited and waited, and the queue got longer and longer. There were only a few seats towards the very front of the queue under the small bus shelter, whereas everyone else had to stand the whole time. Plus, there is no screen at the bus shelter that tells you when to expect the next bus. I don't even know how long we stood there for, it certainly felt like an eternity, but when a shuttle bus finally arrived for the trip to the station, there were so many people waiting that not everyone managed to fit onto the bus, even though they allowed people to stand on the top deck, which is normally prohibited. I really hope the people who had to remain behind didn't have to wait 30 minutes for the next shuttle...

Arrival at Harry Potter studio tour

Whether you come on a tour bus or the shuttle bus from Watford Junction, you get dropped off in the parking lot of the Leavesden studio, from where you walk a short way through a wand alley towards the building entrance.

At the entrance, there are bag searches in operation, so be prepared for a short wait as the security men go through everyone's bags. After completing that, you end up in a very large lobby, with the digital guide station and cloakroom right by the entrance, plus as you walk further in, there are several cafes, toilets, the studio souvenir shop, as well as the queueing point for starting the tour.

Cloakrooms are free to use and will take bags and coats. If your visit is during the colder time of the year and you come wearing a coat, be aware that though most of the tour is indoor, some of the sets are outside, so the cloakroom attendant recommended keeping our coats on.

If you arrive with time to kill before your entrance timeslot, you could do your Harry Potter souvenir shop straight away and then leave the shopping bags in the cloakroom, so as not to carry them around. The souvenir shop is very large and has lots of different categories to choose from:

My tip: definitely get the souvenir guidebook! You can pre-buy it when booking the tickets at the Warner Bros. website, in which case you will get a voucher to show to the cashier. You will still have to pick the book up in the shop and queue up with the rest of the shoppers, so there is no advantage of pre-booking vs. just buying it when you get there. The book is a lovely memory and is put together in a great way, with lots of photos and interesting bits and bobs to know about each set. I love mine!

I opted for pre-booking digital guides as well, so we picked those up on arrival. You don't have to pre-book and can also decide to just pay for one on arrival, and it's the same queue for both. To be honest, my tip for you is to skip them. I thought the digital guide experience wasn't very cohesive with the exhibition. There is TONS of extra information on the guide, with many videos and photos, so you end up having to spend a lot of time standing around looking at a tiny screen rather than the exhibits. I found it rather overwhelming and time-consuming. There were a few extra bits on the digital guides we found interesting, like the talk about how the child actors were schooled during the filming, but by and large, we felt the actual sets and the information displays at the exhibition were more than enough to have a great experience. Plus, about halfway through the tour, my guide decided to give up the ghost. By that time, we'd given up on using them anyway, so it wasn't a big deal.

Food and drink at Harry Potter studio tour

For our visit, I booked the Warner Bros. studio afternoon tea in the Food Hall before starting the tour, and I can highly recommend it. The Food Hall is in the lobby area, so you can visit here either before or after the studio tour.

I'll be honest with you, I wasn't expecting much in terms of taste and quality as it's such a popular tourist destination, but the food was really excellent and the service very friendly. There were sandwiches, savoury pastries, sweet pastries and scones. The visual highlight was the golden snitch choux, which I stupidly forgot to take a close-up photo of... Not only was everything delicious, but, compared to what you pay for afternoon tea in Central London, I felt it was great value for money as well (£70 for 2 people when we visited in February 2023).

We went for a traditional afternoon tea, but there are also vegan and gluten-free options on offer. The portion size is generous and it's very filling, but if you can't finish everything there and then, the staff can put the leftovers in a doggy bag and even store it for you until the end of your tour.

During our session, there were quite a few tables still free and there was a sign inviting visitors to ask about the afternoon tea, so it might be possible to be spontaneous and get a spot on arrival, but booking in advance is of course a more certain way to guarantee access.

I was also really looking forward to a break in the Backlot Café, which is located about midway through the tour. By that time, we were ready for a small rest after walking around for so long. The coolest thing about the Backlot Café is of course the famous butterbeer. Unfortunately, the queue was out the door and there weren't any free tables to sit at either, so we had to pass. That means I still don't know what butterbeer tastes like... *sigh* Therefore, my tip for you - if having a taste of butterbeer is a non-optional activity during your Harry Potter studio tour, be prepared for waiting, and you might have to drink it while standing too.

There are actually two queues in the photo above, one is for food + butterbeer, and the other one, on the right hand side, is for just butterbeer. Both queues were long and only got longer.

There are more cafés in the lobby that you can visit before or after the tour, but I didn't use them, so nothing to report here.

What happens during the Harry Potter studio tour?

The first (short) part of the Harry Potter studio tour is led by staff. After everyone has gathered for the current timeslot, you are ushered through the first few rooms as a group, with some staff announcements plus a video during those. The last staff-led room is the Great Hall. Here, you are given some time to take photos, after which you have to leave the room, as the next group will be coming along shortly. You can't come back to that first part of the tour afterwards.

After the Great Hall, you are no longer linked to your timeslot group and can explore the exhibition at your own pace, however quickly or slowly you want to do it. You can also double back if you want to see something again. There are members of staff around in case you have questions about any of the sets, but there's no guide assigned to your group. If you do want a guided tour of the Harry Potter studio, you might want to look into their deluxe tickets .

Most of the sets are visible to everyone. What I mean by that is that you are naturally walking through them (Forbidden Forest, Gringotts, Diagon Alley) or by them (Gryffindor and Slytherin common rooms, Dumbledore's office etc.) as you go through the studio tour. And my oh my is there a lot of awesome stuff to see and learn. The amount of detail that goes into making each of these sets is absolutely incredible! I don't want to give too much away, but here are a few photos to whet your appetite:

As you go through, you learn both things specific to the Harry Potter film franchise and also more generic things about film making. One of my favourite parts was discovering how the goblin masks were made - a truly fascinating and intricate process that is shown through a really well-made video.

Some sets have to be entered to be seen. These are the sets like the inside of Hogwarts Express, Privet Drive and the greenhouse. Because they can only take so many people at once, that results in queues to get in, which means we skipped those. Here's the queue to get on board Hogwarts Express, for example:

Also, the majority of the sets are of the 'you can look, but you can't touch' variety, but there are some very cool free photo ops where you interact with the set, like Hagrid's motorbike, Mr. Weasley's car and Bellatrix Lestrange's vault. There was hardly any queuing needed for those, and the photos turned out awesome. And speaking of which, photography during the Warner Bros. studio tour is not only allowed but also actively encouraged, so do bring along a camera to make sure you have plenty of memories to take home with you.

On top of that, in the green-screen experience areas, you can get transplanted into the Harry Potter world, flying a broom or riding the Hogwarts Express. There is no filming or photography allowed here, except for what is done by the staff. After filming, you can purchase photos or videos, but those come at an additional cost and are yet another thing we decided to pass on. If you do want to take part, there were hardly any people queuing, so you will be able to get your turn quickly.

Another fun part of the Harry Potter studio tour for me was the Activity Passport. The staff will tell you where to pick one up at the beginning of the tour, and then you can collect stamps at various points as well as answer trivia questions. The passport made for a really cool souvenir!

So how much time did all of the above take? I mentioned in the beginning of the post that it seems to be very individual, so I am not sure you can use my visit as a guideline for yours. For us, just the actual tour, excluding afternoon tea, browsing the souvenir shop and things like that, so just walking through the exhibition, took 3.5 hours. And that was skipping all the places with queues and the green screen experiences. There is a lot to take in and time sure does fly when you're having fun!

I hope you found this post useful and that it answered any questions you might have ahead of your visit. I thought that Harry Potter studio tour was absolutely amazing and hopefully you feel that way as well after you see it all for yourself! Feel free to also check out my other London posts to make your stay in the capital even more fun.

• Local London
• Sightseeing

Recent Posts

Things to Do in London in the Evening - 6 West End Musicals You Must See

The Ultimate Foodie Guide to London

Visiting Battersea Power Station in London

• Meet the Team
• Work With Us
• Itineraries
• Italy Travel Guide
• Hawaii Travel Guide
• Travel Tips

Attractions

What to expect on the harry potter studio tour in london.

You wouldn’t actually consider visiting London without going to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London (aka the Warner Brothers Studio Tour), would you? I mean, what kind of Harry Potter fan are you if you don’t get tickets for the tour?

Okay, I confess. I lived in London for 7 months before I went on the tour, but I was waiting for my sister, who is a bona fide biggest fan of Harry Potter, to come for a visit from the United States . I wanted to take her there so she could see the studio lot in person, after having spent years of her life reading the book and adoring the movies.

I’m so glad we went, because there’s really no better way for a fan of the series to relive the magic and experience the excitement, than seeing the set in person.

Planning your trip to London?

• Book a  transfer from the airport  to the city center with  Welcome Pickups .
• Rent a car  from London airport through  Discover Cars .

Where to Stay in London See all hotel options

• Marriott County Hall ⇒ Read reviews on  Trip Advisor .
• Clermont London Charing Cross ⇒ Read reviews on  Trip Advisor .

Best Tours and Experiences in London

• Best of London, Including Tower of London, Changing of the Guard + Cream Tea or London Eye – Best of London’s landmarks on a comprehensive city tour.
• Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London – Experience a guided day trip from London to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath, where you can explore historic landmarks.

Table of Contents

How & When to Buy Tickets for the Harry Potter Tour in London

We were planning to go in mid-July and I started looking for the tickets in April. Let this be a lesson to you if you think you can wait to book your tickets. In April, there were quite a few tickets for July, so I put it off until May.

When I looked in May, all of the tickets were gone for July. EVERY SINGLE ONE. They highly regulate the number of tickets sold for each time slot, which you’ll appreciate once you get there.

But don’t let this happen to you. If you know when you’re coming to London , book your tickets for the tour right now. Imagine how disappointed you, or your kids, will be when you have to admit that you waited too long and all the tickets are gone.

⇒ Book your Harry Potter tour to the Warner Bros Studios here.

Lucky for me, my Internet skills are highly developed and after checking the website every hour for a few days, I was able to snag 2 tickets for an afternoon in mid-July.

Adult tickets currently cost £47, child tickets are £38. To add a handheld audio-visual guide is an extra £9.95. You might be tempted to forgo the guide, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The tour is not nearly as good without it. Note that there are also family and group tickets available.

Check the website for details. You can also pre-purchase butter beer online, though I don’t really think that’s necessary – you can buy it straight from the cafe when you get there.

You can purchase your tickets on the website. Or you can book a tour, which saves you the hassle of booking your tickets and transportation separately, and figuring out the train/shuttle situation that I’ll explain in moment. With a tour, you’ll be transported by bus directly to and from the studios.

⇒ Book your Harry Potter tour with transportation to the Warner Bros Studios here.

If you’re interested in carrying on the fun, there are other great Harry Potter tours in London you can do:

(Note: this is an affiliate link to Viator . If you book through this link, I’ll receive a small commission.)

How to Get to Warner Bros Studio in London

Getting to the studio wasn’t as difficult as I thought it might be. It’s located about 40 minutes to the north of central London. You’ll either need to take a taxi or Uber (which will be both expensive and frustrating because of traffic), or you can take the train from Euston Station. It costs roughly £10 each way.

I’ll let you figure out how to get yourself to Euston Station. From there, you’ll need to buy a (likely) round trip ticket to Watford Junction. Make sure you get on the right train. There are two – one is a Midlands train (this is posted on the side of the train), and one is a London Overground train. If you get on the Overground, it will take you nearly an hour to arrive.

Once you board the train, it’s about a 20 minute ride to Watford Junction, where you’ll get off, leave the station, and look across the parking lot for the shuttle bus that will take you from Watford Junction to the Studio Tour. Don’t worry, there will be no confusion as to which bus to get on when you see it. The trip takes about 15 minutes and costs £2.50 (in cash) for a return ticket.

The shuttle bus drops you off in front of the studio. When you see it, I’m sure your excitement will be at its peak.

What Happens Once You Arrive

If you’ve printed off your tickets, you can go right in. If you haven’t, you’ll have to stop by the ticket window, or use one of the convenient machines. You can arrive earlier than your time slot and hang out in the entry room until your time arrives.

They may even allow you in early, depending on the flow of things for the day. Once your slot arrives, you’ll be ushered into a room to see a short film, then taken to the start of the tour.

If you didn’t already know, the tour is completely self-guided. If you don’t know everything you already wanted or needed to know about the set, the costumes, and the filming, then you should pay for the audio guide. I found it to be completely invaluable and fun to listen to.

This is when you’ll enter the Great Hall and are set free to explore the set at your leisure. Seriously, you can stay as long as you like. To get you super excited for what you’ll see, here is a short video I filmed while I was there:

The video gives you a pretty good idea how the set is laid out. The Great Hall is all dressed up for dinner, and near the end of the room are some of the great costumes on character models. Next, you’ll go into the set warehouse, where many different displays are set up. There’s one for set design and costume design. There’s a section full of the portraits that were commissioned for the movies.

You’ll walk past sets for the Gryffindor Dormitory, Dumbledore’s Office, the Potions Classroom – complete with “magic” cauldrons, the Malfoy Manor, the Ministry of Magic, the creepy Forbidden Forest, and Umbridge’s Office.

There’s even a piece of train your can walk through, with different cars depicting different years. Plus, there are areas set up for photos of yourself with a magic broomstick, or pushing luggage at Platform 9 3/4.

I personally loved the set decoration from the Yule Ball.

Basically, everything you ever wished was included in the tour, absolutely is. You’ll see it all. And it can take a good number of hours to get through it all.

I have to admit that by the time we made it to the backlot, which is only halfway through, I was so ready for a mug of Butter Beer and a place to sit. Luckily, there is a large Backlot cafe with tons of seating before you go out to see the exterior sets. The cafe also has hot and cold food, in case your famished from the hours spent walking around.

In case you’re wondering, the Butter Beer is pretty good. It’s like a butterscotch-flavored soda, with whipped cream on top. It really tasted like it was made with fake sugar, though. Had somewhat of a “diet soda” taste. It was fun to try, though. And you get to keep the souvenir mugs.

In the backlot, you’ll see things like Number Four, Privet Drive and the Hogwarts bridge, plus the Knight Bus. Then you’ll go back inside for the second half of the tour, where you’ll go through the impressive make up department, get a chance to walk through the train and Diagon Alley.

One of the highlights of the tour is walking into Gringott’s Wizarding Bank where you will see the costumes and prosthetics of the goblin bankers. You can even enter the Lestrange vault and try your hand at catching a horcrux with the Sword of Gryffindor. Watch out for the dragon that guards the vaults. You will actually feel like it is breathing down your neck.

At the end of the tour is the Hogwarts Castle model that towers in the middle of a huge room, where you can walk around the spiral ramp taking it all in.

When you’ve had your fill of the castle, you’ll exit in the gift shop – but it’s no typical gift shop. It’s HUGE, and literally packed full of just about every imaginable souvenir you could want to buy. Save plenty of time to go through it, if you’re looking for gifts. It can take a while.

All in, the tour took us about 3.5 hours to complete. We were on the bus with a couple who had been there for 6 hours. Its up to you how much you want to geek out. We won’t judge how big a fan you are by how many hours you spend there.

Other Harry Potter Tours You May Enjoy:

If you have more time to spend in London, try out our one-day walking tour of the top tourist sights, or spend some time doing a few fun foodie things . Have you been to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London? Got any tips for visitors?

Be Prepared For Travel Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:

🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home

• Find and book the best hotel (our favorite booking site is Expedia)
• Research flight options (our favorite tool is Skyscanner )
• Book a tour (we always use Viator to find the best tours)
• Rent a car through Discover Cars (they search the best deals for you!)

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

6 Unique & Fun Restaurants in London

How to Spend One Day in London

Where to Find the Best Cocktails in London

Like this post? Why not save it to Pinterest? FOLLOW US  on  Pinterest ,  Instagram ,  Facebook  for more great travel inspiration and tips.

Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

4 thoughts on “ What to Expect on the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London ”

Awesome info you provided! I have some questions what website did you use to purchase the tickets? When you get the shuttle bus that takes you the Studios, do you purchase the ticket for the bus there? Or is it included with your ticket to enter the studio?

Hi Yessi, There is a link to book directly from this post that includes transportation from the railway station. You can also book directly from the studio website as well. I hope you have a great time! It really is a wonderful tour if you are a Harry Potter fan. 🙂

Your blog about what to expect on the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London is incredibly informative and exciting! It’s a great resource for anyone planning to visit, and it captures the magic of the experience. Well done!

Thanks Prashuk!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Travel Resources

Warner Bros Studio Tour London: Harry Potter Deluxe Tour

Harry Potter has been a part of my pop culture life for over 20 years, and I have successfully made Elizabeth a huge fan, too. I knew that going to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London to see the real sets, costumes, and props from the Harry Potter movies would be a must-do on our trip to Ireland and England. The Harry Potter Studio tour is extremely popular and sells out very early. It sells out so early, in fact, that the only option left during our trip was the Harry Potter Deluxe Tour, a VIP experience at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London.

No trip to London in your future? That’s okay! Find out more about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando.

What Is The Harry Potter Deluxe Tour?

The Warner Bros. Studio London Deluxe Tour is a VIP experience that provides a different experience than the self-led tours. The Harry Potter deluxe tour gave us a private tour guide for 2 hours within the exhibits, a full meal in a private seating area, vouchers for Butterbeer or Butterbeer ice cream, a complete guidebook, 4 photos and 1 video for each ticket holder, and then access back into the tour where we could explore the exhibits more in-depth on our own. By far the best part of the Harry Potter deluxe tour was our guide, Joe. There were 10 of us in the deluxe tour group, and Joe did an excellent job of sharing fascinating anecdotes about what went on behind-the-scenes during the filming of all 8 Harry Potter movies.

The VIP Experience – Value of a Tour Guide

Each Harry Potter Deluxe Tour guide is well educated on everything associated with the filming of Harry Potter from characters, costumes, props, and sets to fun trivia. The two guides we spoke to were both huge Harry Potter fans and it really showed in how they presented the information. We learned details about the movies, and it made me appreciate everything I saw on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London even more.

Elizabeth asked a lot of questions of our tour guide, and he impressed us by knowing the answers right away. One of the most interesting things she asked Joe was how they made Madame Maxime appear so large. The answer was fascinating! The actors for Madame Maxime and Hagrid both had a body double who wore an animatronic head to make them even taller. Madame Maxime was a 7’1” basketball player, and Hagrid was a 6’10” rugby player.

The Harry Potter Deluxe Tour guides lead you through the exhibits and sets. The guides are allowed to go into the displays and even handle some of the props. This allowed us an up close look at the amazing detail in everything associated with the films. When we went to the potions classroom we could see all of the potions textbooks have lovely hard covers. While filming a scene there, the director thought it odd that all the students would have closed textbooks on the desks. Because of that director, an entire book of potions was written for the scene. On our deluxe tour our guide Joe went into the display and showed us the beautiful hand lettered potions textbook with a foreword, full textbook of chapters, and even a bibliography inside.

Thanks to our tour guide we also saw up close one of Harry Potter’s scars made for the film and Bellatrix Lestrange’s teeth. Did you know that they made thousands of the scar for Daniel Radcliffe, as one would expect of a young actor, he kept picking at them. Once they even had to re-shoot an entire scene because there was a visible fingerprint on the scar.

Here are some of my other favorite bits of trivia from the Harry Potter Studio Deluxe Tour:

• All external shots of Hogwarts were filmed with an extremely detailed model. Each miniscule brick is hand painted in the massive scale model. There are even miniature furnishings in some rooms to make them look real as the camera flies past.
• It took one of the graphic designers three months to hand draw the Marauders Map. Unfortunately, right after completion her toddler decided to color it. It then took her another four months to create an even more intricate Marauders Map which is the one we are all familiar with.
• Creating Dobby the house elf’s appearance had been difficult for the creative department. They couldn’t quite find the right inspiration. One day, a staff member brought her dog to work. The German Shepherd’s big eyes and floppy ears were perfect inspiration for the Dobby we know from the films.
• Although there are a lot of animatronics and practical effects, Dobby is all computer generated. Dobby was just a puppet on green sticks to help actors know where to look during filming. The only “real” Dobby is the one that Harry cradles in his arms after his great sacrifice.
• The beds in the boys dormitory are tiny! They only built the Gryffindor boys dormitory set once, and the beds were a only a good fit at the very beginning of filming.

Harry Potter Deluxe Tour Procedure

Once you arrive at Warner Bros. Studio you will check in for the deluxe tour. Your tour guide will then come out to greet you, escort you to security screening, and then into the lobby of the studio. We arrived early, because I did not want to chance being late. Our guide, Joe, covered the procedures and what to expect on the tour. He then told us we could look through the store and use the restroom while we waited for the rest of our group to arrive.

Our tour started right on time despite one family not being present. The Harry Potter Studio tour starts the same way for everyone whether self-guided or a deluxe tour. There is a holding room with a brief introduction on how the Harry Potter books got the green light to become films. Next you are led into a small movie theater and shown some clips from the movies. Then you move to a large set (but I won’t spoil the surprise). After this first set is where your Harry Potter Deluxe Tour really begins.

Your guide will walk you through the many exhibits. Halfway through the tour you stop to place a meal order. When we told the cafe staff about Elizabeth’s food allergy, they were able to research ingredients and provide us some options. Our only food allergy disappointment was that we could not find out if Butterbeer was safe. The formula is secret, and the only allergen information is a sheet showing safety for top allergens, a list that doesn’t include corn.

After placing your meal order, the second half of your Harry Potter Deluxe Tour begins. There is no set script for the guide, so they each provide a special flair to the tour. We learned tons of fun and interesting facts about the movies. The two-hour tour seemed to fly by, and we were disappointed for it to end.

Once the guided tour was over, we were led to a roped off dining area where our food was brought to our table. Don’t fret if you think two hours is too little time to see everything at the studio. After eating, the guide will allow you special re-entry into the tour. As a special perk of the Harry Potter Deluxe Tour your guide escorts you through a special hallway. This special access allows you to explore the Great Hall in between sets of traditional tour groups before you resume the self-guided portion of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Deluxe Tour

• Book Your Tour Early – Booking early gives you the best options for tour times. Our deluxe tour was at 3 pm, so we had limited time to spend exploring on our own after the guided portion was over. A morning deluxe tour would give you more time for the self-guided portion.
• Arrive To Warner Bros. Studio London early – The Harry Potter Deluxe Tour will begin on time, with or without you
• Use Your Photo Vouchers – There are 1 video and 3 professional photo opportunities in the studio tour. Your vouchers allow each person 4 digital/printed photos and 1 video. Have fun taking goofy pictures! We laughed so hard when each of us was making our flying broomstick videos.
• Redeem The Voucher For Butterbeer – The Harry Potter Deluxe Tour voucher entitles each person a Butterbeer or Butterbeer ice cream in a souvenir plastic cup or dish. We tried both. The Butterbeer tastes exactly like the traditional drink at Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando . The ice cream was a thumbs-down in our family, but I know some people like it.
• Get Your Guidebook – As part of your Harry Potter Deluxe Studio Tour you receive a souvenir glossy, color guidebook with tons of fun facts about the movies.

Getting to Warner Bros. Studios London

Warner Bros. Studio is located in Leavesden which is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) outside London. If you are comfortable with city public transportation in general this is an easy trip to navigate. You will need to take the West Midland Rail train from Euston Station in London to Watford Junction. Once you arrive in Watford Junction you exit the train station and follow the signs to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London shuttle bus. This air-conditioned double decker bus cost us £2.50 per person for a round trip and brought us directly to the studio.

Find out more from Warner Bros. Studio London about transportation , including self-park options.

Final Thoughts

Although more than I had originally budgeted, I left our Harry Potter Studio Deluxe Tour feeling extremely glad we booked it. Having a private guide to share their knowledge and answer our questions was invaluable. I got much more out of the tour by having our expert guide, relative to just perusing displays ourselves. After adding in the cost of drinks, meals, a souvenir guide, and photos to the general admission tour price the Harry Potter Deluxe Tour was a better value than it first seemed.

The fascinating details and stories our guide shared with us and seeing props up close was a special experience. I never dreamed I would see the Great Hall empty and stand alone by the gigantic doors into Hogwarts. The tour guide, special experiences, and the wonderful service from everyone we met made the Warner Bros. Studio London Deluxe Tour feel well worth the additional cost. Even Mr. Smart Mouse, who to my utter shame is not a Harry Potter fan, said that the tour was fabulous and made the experience more interesting for him.

Find out more specifics including current pricing for the Harry Potter Studio Deluxe Tour from the Warner Bros. Studio London website .

Pin it for later:

About The Author

Comments are closed.

• Travel destinations
• Architecture
• Digital nomad jobs
• Business ideas
• Digital nomad interviews
• Join mailing list
• Mailing list

© 2024 Bright Nomad

Harry Potter Studios, London: full review of the Warner Bros Studio Tour

• Post date January 12, 2020
• Post categories In England , Cultural Travel , London
• Tags Culture , Entertainment

The Harry Potter Studio Tour takes you behind the scenes to see the real film sets, original costumes, Platform 9 ¾, Hogwarts Castle and so much more. And it’s not just for Harry Potter fans.

When I booked my last trip to London , my sister suggested she’d join me and we’d go to the Harry Potter Studios together, to do a tour of the sets where the Harry Potter movies were made.

Having visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in LA, which was a brilliant experience, I got curious and Googled it.

I found that The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making Of Harry Potter (that’s the full name of it…) had some really amazing reviews online and it looked like a truly exciting day trip from London.

But it wasn’t until we got inside the studios that I could fully appreciate what an impressive, immersive, spectacular and fun experience it was!

The whole experience is designed so beautifully and with so much attention to detail that it really left us stunned.

Visiting the Harry Potter Studios takes a good few hours and it does take a bit of planning in advance.

In this post, I’ve gathered all the tips and advice that will help you plan your visit efficiently and added some extra tips that will help you make the most of it.

By the way, the Warner Brothers Studio Tour isn’t only for avid fans of the J.K. Rowling books or of the Harry Potter movies. Even if you only watched some of the movies or read some of the books, you will definitely have a great time at the studios.

How to get tickets to the harry potter studio

Tickets to harry potter studio may sell out for your dates, because it is such a popular attraction, so you have to buy your tickets online in advance as soon as you can.

here are your harry potter studio ticket options:

Your main options are: Just the entry ticket; ticket + transport; or ticket + transport + a guided tour.

1.  Book a ticket that includes transport to and from the studios: I think this is the most practical option, as you won’t have to plan the journey by yourself (it’s outside of London). This option doesn’t include a live guide, but you can buy an audio guide when you get to the studios.

2.  Book a fully guided tour : This option includes transport, entry tickets and a dedicated guide who will take you around the studios.

3. Get tickets for the studios without transport. You can get them from the studio tour website and I suggest you also check for current discount codes on Klook .

Tips on booking tickets to the harry potter studio

If you don’t take a guided tour, I recommend adding the audio-visual guide to your order.

Tickets to the Warner Brothers Studios are for specific time slots. That means you have to pick your time of entry when you book the ticket.

However, you can stay in the Harry Potter Studios as long as you like (that would be several hours, normally).

Demand is high in summer and during weekends. If you visit in the summer months, try to book for a weekday rather than Saturday or Sunday.

That way, you’ll stand a better chance of finding tickets at the time slots that are convenient for you.

You want to arrive about 20 minutes before your time of entry, as there might be a line and there are some security checks.

There are several other ticket packages available, I’ll give you more details about them later in this post.

Where is the harry potter studio tour?

Though the official name of the tour is The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, it is actually not in London itself, but very close to it in Leavesden (Hertfordshire, England).

It doesn’t take very long to get there from central London, and can easily make for a nice day trip from London.

How to get to the warner bros harry potter studios

The easy way to get to the Warner Brothers Studios is by joining a tour that includes transport to the studios from London and back.

The other option is to plan how to get there yourself using public transport (a train and then a shuttle bus) or by car.

If you don’t want to worry about transport, there are different options to choose from.

Tours including transport & tickets from london

Tours from London leave from central locations in the city that are easy to get to: Victoria Station or Baker Street.

Check availability here or use the calendar below.

WB studio guided tours, transport included

• Book a fully guided tour : This tour includes transport from London and back, an entry ticket and a dedicated guide who’ll take you through the studios.
• A guided tour combining film locations and the WB Studios : This guided tour takes you on a walking tour around Harry Potter film locations in London and then continues with a tour of the Warner Bros. Studios.

Tours to the harry potter studio combining other uk destinations

• With a tour in Oxford : This full-day trip includes a visit to the studios followed by a guided tour in Oxford. The Great Hall at Christ Church College in Oxford was the inspiration for the Hogwarts Great Hall.
• Dover to London & Heathrow Transfer via Warner Bros Studios : This option will help you make the most of your time in England. This tour takes you by bus directly from Dover to the Warner Bros Studios and then takes you back to your London or Heathrow hotel. The price also includes the entrance ticket to the studios.
• From York : This tour departs from York train station early in the morning and takes you to London and to the Harry Potter studio. The price includes all transportation and admission to the studio.

Getting to the WB studios by public transport

If you want to plan your own journey to the Harry Potter studios, you’ll have to take a train from London and then a bus to the studios.

When you plan the journey, you want to allow more time in case the train is delayed or the bus gets full quickly and you have to wait for the next one.

First, take a train from Euston Station in central London and get off at Watford Junction.

You can use your Oyster or contactless card for this train ride, or buy train tickets in advance here by searching for London-Watford Junction trains.

Outside the station, you’ll see the bus stop for the Harry Potter Studio Tour shuttle bus, that goes from the train station to the studios.

Prepare some cash in advance, as there’s a small charge for the bus. Also have your ticket booking confirmation ready (you can show them the email confirmation on your phone).

The train ride from London should take about 20 minutes with the express train, but if you board a local train it takes about an hour.

If you’re not sure which train to board, ask the staff at London Euston station for advice.

The shuttle bus ride should take around 15 minutes.

How to get to the harry potter studios by car

You can use postcode WD25 7LR in your satnav system to reach the studios.

The studios provide free parking (you’ll have to show your booking confirmation).

Check the official website for detailed routes from London and other parts of the UK.

What to do when you arrive at the warner bros studios

When you arrive, collect your ticket from the ticket desk. It will have your entry time printed on it.

When you collect your ticket, they’ll give you a beautifully illustrated Harry Potter passport , full of puzzles, trivia and a Golden Snitch hunt to play during the tour.

If you didn’t get a passport with your ticket, you can ask a staff member to get you one during the tour.

Then you’ll have to go through a security check and probably stand in line to get in.

I recommend you book an audio-visual guide with your ticket (unless you’re taking a guided tour of course). Pick it up at the Digital Guide desk. It’s available in 10 different languages.

If you forgot to pre-book it, you can still hire one when you arrive.

There’s a cloakroom at the Warner Bros Studios that you can use to store your bags or coats for free.

You can also have a hot chocolate at the Chocolate Frog Café 🙂

It all goes quite quickly and you’ll soon find yourself inside with a large group of people and a guide who’ll give you a short briefing.

Inside the harry potter studios

The Studio Tour starts with a short film about the making of Harry Potter. It’s a little appetizer before you actually go into the studios.

After the film, the door to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is revealed and that’s where the spectacular Harry Potter experience really starts!

Once the door opens, you’ll find yourself in the Great Hall.

It’s a magnificent surprise and I can’t think of a better way to start a tour like this.

You’ll want to take pictures of the great costumes and the Sorting Hat, but there will be lots of people around… I waited till they were all ushered into the next room so I could take some photos 😉

You can basically stay until the staff ask you to move on, because another group is about to enter The Great Hall.

However, during the rest of the tour you’ll be completely free to explore everything at your own pace.

Highlights from the harry potter studio tour

There is  a lot  to see in the studios. You can easily spend 3-4 hours there, or even more.

Everything is presented in a way that really draws you in.

The audiovisual guide has video interviews, behind the scenes photos and much more. It is well worth getting.

I’ll give you a quick description of the highlight, without revealing too much, because you really want to experience it yourself 🙂

After The Great Hall, you’re introduced to the people behind the movies, from the costume designers to the soundtrack composers.

There are many costumes and wigs on display, as well as models and parts of the set, including the marble staircase, the boys’ dormitory, the Gryffindor common room and Dumbledore’s office.

The sets are full of fascinating details to spot.

Original props from the different movies are displayed in the middle of the room, like the golden egg and the Triwizard Cup.

The potion classroom is super entertaining, as is the Weasley family house, full of mechanical tricks.

The special effects and visual effects part of the tour is really exciting and you’ll get to try the green screen yourself.

Walking into the forbidden forest is a truly immersive experience!

A full-size Hogwarts Express train awaits you in the next room, next to Platform 9 3/4 in a recreation of King’s Cross station in London.

You can board the train and walk inside the carriages.

When you exit the train station, there are even more movie sets to discover, like the 4 Privet Drive house, the Knight Bus and the bridge to Hogwarts.

We felt like we’d seen so much! But there was still a lot more to see.

This tour keeps surprising you. It feels like at every stage there should be a “Wait! There’s More!” sign 😉

In the next rooms, we learnt about the set design and special effects, the various creatures from the movies and how they were made and lots of behind the scenes secrets.

Towards the end of the tour, expect some more beautiful highlights:

A very impressive model of Hogwarts Castle occupies an entire room and as you walk around it you can see how it was shot from different angles.

The Diagon Alley set is as wonderful as you’d expect, colourful and full of cool details.

And… there’s more, but I don’t want to reveal everything.

The harry potter studio tour shops

There are several shops in the Warner Bros Studios with plenty of gifts and souvenirs for both adults and kids.

The Studio Shop is the main shop. It’s the one you reach at the end of the tour and it is simply huge.

It offers all the official merchandise you can imagine, collectables, wants, costumes and clothing items (a Gryffindor Scarf or a Deathly Hallows scarf? tough choice), homeware, art and more.

They also have Harry Potter sweets like the irresistible Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and Peppermint Toads.

There are smaller souvenir shops you’ll go through during the tour:

One is the Forbidden Forest Shop and the other is the Railway Shop , next to Platform 9¾.

Hotels near the harry potter studios

If you want to stay close to the Warner Brothers Studios for easy access, here are some good hotels in the area:

holiday inn london watford junction

This hotel has great reviews and is located only a 5 minute walk from Watford Junction railway station, where you can take the 15 minute shuttle bus to the Harry Potter Studios. If you arrive by car, it’s a quick ride.

travelodge watford central

A budget-friendly option, about 15 minutes walk from Watford Junction and about 10 minutes by car from the studios.

jurys inn london watford

Another convenient option, a very short walk to Watford Junction and a short drive to the WB Studios.

mercure london north watford hunton park

This hotel is close to the studios, but there is no direct access on foot, so it’s a good place to stay if you arrive by car or if you want to take a taxi.

My tips on the harry potter studio tour

Visiting the Harry Potter Studios is an experience that you want to prepare for. There is so much to see you might be overwhelmed!

Here are some tips I want to share after visiting myself that will help you make the most of your visit:

Book your tickets way in advance, preferably on a weekday to avoid the crowds. Check availability here:

Watch at some of the Harry Potter movies or read some of the books shortly before you go. You don’t have to read or watch the entire series to enjoy the tour, but it will make your experience much more meaningful.

When you select the time of entry , make it as early as you can, so that you have as much time as you like inside.

Allow at least 3 hours for a self-guided tour, or even four. Then, if you’re a big fan, you’ll want to spend some time in the gift shop.

You’ll want to take a lot of pictures and videos, so make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a power bank with you just in case.

On selected dates, there are special events in the Warner Bros Studios. Have a look at the official website to see if any of those coincide with the dates of your visit. These include events like Valentine’s Dinner in the Great Hall or the Christmas event Hogwarts in the Snow.

You can bring some food with you or eat at the Backlot Café. It’s about halfway through the tour. If you bring snacks with you, you can eat them at the cafe.

If you’re an avid fan, you can come in a Harry Potter outfit. I saw quite a few fans who dressed up for the tour.

save this harry potter studio tour guide on pinterest

Faq – harry potter studio tour london

The Harry Potter tour takes 3-4 hours on average.

Definitely! It’s an amazing experience, beautifully designed and very entertaining.

You can buy tickets on the official site or join a tour that includes tickets and transport.

The Harry Potter Studios are in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, north of London.

The nearest train station is Watford Junction.

Take a train from Euston Station to Watford Junction and then a shuttle bus to the Warner Brothers Studios.

No, it’s a tour around the film sets of the Harry Potter movies.

The studios opened in March 2012.

Thanks for sharing, I was supposed to visit earlier this year but I’ll have to get back another time, now I will be even better prepared!

I live in London and have been curious about this tour. Yes, I find it so expensive. Thanks for putting together this post with a lot of useful info.

I know the price can be an issue… Still, it’s such a great experience, it’s worth it 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Is Harry Potter Studio Tour Worth It?

If you need to buy tickets for a whole family, you are probably asking yourself Is Harry Potter Studio Tour Worth it?   Fortunately for me, my ticket was a 50 th birthday present!  As a self-confessed fan, the Harry Potter Studios Tour was definitely worth it for me. However, what if you are not a fan of the Harry Potter phenomenon?

The Harry Potter Studio Tour is worth it for anyone who loves movies.  This tour gives you a first-hand insight into the hidden process of filmmaking including special effects, props, and costumes.  Where else in the UK can you walk amongst original sets and learn about the magic of cinematography?

Read on to find out why I think the Harry Potter Studio London is worth your time and money.  I promise I won’t give too many secrets away! To help you make up your mind, scroll down to check out our video guide. 

How Much are Harry Potter Studio Tour Tickets?

A visit to the Warner Bros Studio Tour London currently costs:

• £51.50 for an adult (16+)
• £40 for a child (5-15)
• Free for infants 0-4 years (tickets still required)

You can save money by booking a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children.

If you want to book a Harry Potter Studio Tour package, head to the official website.  Options can include group visits, private tours, souvenir books and digital guides, etc.

To avoid disappointment, we highly recommend that you book your Harry Potter Studio Tour tickets well in advance.  This is because ticket numbers are limited each day.  The advantage of this is that that the studio is never too crowded.

What I also like about the Warner Bros Studio Tour London is that there are special events throughout the year.  Before you book your tickets, check out the official website for details of forthcoming events.  I’m tempted to return for ‘Hogwarts in the Snow’ which takes place annually from mid-November until mid-January!

What Will I See at the Harry Potter Studio London?

I think a better question is: What won’t you see at the Harry Potter Studio London?  From the second the intricately carved Hogwarts Castle doors open, Harry Potter fans will be completely immersed in J K Rowling’s magical world.

1. Stunning Sets

Stepping onto the stunning sets of the Harry Potter films is a one-off experience you will never forget.  The Studio Tour starts with the impressive Great Hall complete with fireplace and floating candles.  All of the detailed sets will transport you to a different part of the wizarding world.

The tour is cleverly arranged so that you experience the magnificence of the entire set first.  Once you’ve appreciated the enormity of the whole set, you then zoom in on some of the props used and costumes worn.  Turn the corner and you learn about the tricks of the trade. 

Whether you are a Harry Potter fan or not, the secrets of filmmaking are fascinating.  Who can resist learning how the magic comes alive?  The illusion of the moving staircases is particularly revealing.  Will you also discover the secret of the marble pillars and floor in the newly opened Gringotts Bank?

Other sets include the Forbidden Forest, Privet Drive, Diagon Alley and Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse.  You can also board the iconic Hogwarts Express and peer into the Knight Bus with its wobbling talking head.  Don’t miss out on a walk along Hogwarts Castle’s wonky wooden bridge!

2. Authentic Props

A visit to the Harry Potter Studio Tour certainly reveals the attention to detail needed to bring a film alive.  Whilst the sets themselves are extremely lifelike, the incredible number of props increase the realism.  Added to that, the props displayed on the Studio Tour were actually used in the films!

Some of my favourite props include the Yule Ball ice sculpture inspired by the Taj Mahal and the cosy pyjamas and monogrammed trunks in the Gryffindor dormitory.  In the dingy Potions classroom, the self-stirring cauldron and hundreds of hand-labelled ingredient jars bring the scene to life.   You can also visit Dumbledore’s office, stare into the Pensieve and watch the rows of memory bottles as they turn slowly.

Also look out for the Triwizard cup, furry belted monster books, glittering vaults of golden treasure and the menacing Endgame chess pieces.  It is amazing to see the number of props included in different scenes.

Although the props look real enough, it is fascinating to learn about how they were made.  They are not what they seem!

3. Original Costumes

As you progress along the tour, you will also discover original costumes used in the film.  Even if you are not a Harry Potter fan, take time to admire the intricacy and skill involved.  The detailed costumes cleverly reflect the characters and add another layer to the illusion of reality.

Costumes on display include outfits made for the towering figures of Hagrid and Madame Maxime.  On a smaller scale, you will see tiny suits made for the goblins working in Gringotts Bank.  You can also see wizarding robes for each of the Hogwarts houses, plus those belonging to Professor Snape, Dumbledore and Bellatrix Lestrange.

4. Special & Visual Effects

Another thing I loved about the Harry Potter Studio Tour was learning about the special and visual effects.  Whether you love Harry Potter or not, it is fascinating to learn about the technology which enables imagination to be translated into film reality.  I was also impressed that the exhibits were labelled with clear explanations which were easily accessible.

Look out for the truth behind the ‘Levioso’ spell.  Just how did those broomsticks rise off the ground?  Other favourite effects included the Chamber of Secrets moving snake encrusted door and the self-bolting doors of Hogwarts Castle.  Stand and marvel at the mechanics involved in the unpredictable Whomping Willow and Gringotts Bank carts.  Then, prepare yourself for the amazing fire-breathing dragon which stomps towards you through the smouldering rubble of Gringotts Bank!

5. Creature Effects

As you step into the eerie Forbidden Forest, you are greeted by a life-sized moving model of Buckbeak.  It’s so realistic that you find yourself wanting to bow your head, climb on its back and fly!  Walk a little further into the forest and you will come face to face with a cluster of enormous spiders including the hostile Aragog!

There are so many convincing creatures in the Harry Potter films.  The Studio Tour gives you the unique opportunity of going behind the scenes and learning about the skill involved in creating creature effects.  It was particularly intriguing to watch the transformation of a human into a lifelike goblin!

6. Art Department

The Harry Potter Studio Tours also provides visitors with an understanding about the vital role of pre-production work.  It is unbelievable how much planning happens before filming starts. 

There is a whole section dedicated to concept art, graphic design, white card models and technical drawings created for the films.  Who knew that poster artists pitch up to 40 designs a week? The Art Department’s pièce de resistance is the stunningly intricate model of Hogwarts Castle.

7. Bonus Extras

Another positive point about the Harry Potter Studio Tour is that they have thought about ways to enhance your visit.  Some of these are free and are great for children and adults alike!  For me, these bonus extras improve the value of the ticket price:

Activity Passport:   You can collect a complimentary Activity Passport from any staff member.  As you progress around the Studio Tour, you can collect souvenir stamps from key points.  The Activity Passports also contain a golden snitch hunt, puzzles and trivia.

Wizarding World Fan Club App: This free app works alongside the Studio Tour.  Similar to the Activity Passport souvenir stamps, Enchanted Keys are placed throughout the Studio Tour.  You can unlock them using the app to reveal more secrets, quizzes and videos.

Digital Guides:   You can hire a digital guide (£5.25) to learn more information about the Harry Potter sets, props and costumes.  It also contains interviews with filmmakers and behind-the-scenes footage.  The digital guides are available to hire in many different languages. 

As English speakers, we did not hire a digital guide.  As mentioned before, we found that the Studio Tour had excellent information signs which are easy to understand.  If you don’t speak English very well, you may find a digital guide helpful.

Green Screen Experiences:   If you want to experience green screen technology first-hand, there are a number of opportunities to do this.  You can fly a broomstick or face a Dementor on Hogwarts Express.  Please note that there is an extra charge for the various souvenir options available.

Food & Drink:   There are a number of places where you can buy food and drink at various points on the Studio Tour.  Alternatively, you will find the Backlot halfway through the tour.  There is all-weather outdoor seating here where you can consume your own food.  This might be helpful if you have many mouths to feed!

Harry Potter Studio Tour Shop: There is a small souvenir shop on Platform 9¾ and a larger Harry Potter Studio Tour shop at the beginning and end of the Studio Tour.  Be warned that some of the Harry Potter merchandise can be expensive, especially if you have a number of young children wanting wizarding gowns!  However, there are cheaper souvenirs available.

Harry Potter Studio Tour Guide Video

Is Harry Potter Studio Tour all Indoors?

No, the Harry Potter Studio tour is 95% indoor and 5% outside. There is a small part outside where you can visit the house of Harry Potter on Privet Drive, the Knight Bus and you can walk on the Wooden Bridge of Hogwarts Castle.

To explore more Harry Potter locations outside, why not extend your visit with this fabulous walking tour across London?

Is Harry Potter Studio Tour Worth it?

Although the Harry Potter Studio Tour is relatively expensive, it is worth it.  Of course, fans will love becoming part of the film, discovering its hidden secrets and seeing authentic props. 

However, any visitor will be rewarded with a fascinating insight into the process of filmmaking.  Undoubtedly, the Harry Potter Studio Tour is a special archive of the wizarding story which touched the world.  From start to finish, the passion and enthusiasm of those who worked on the films here for 10 years shines through.

Where is the Harry Potter Studio Tour England?

The Harry Potter Studio Tour England is located in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.  The studios are situated just 20 miles north-west of London.  This makes them easily accessible from London and a perfect choice for a day out.

📍 Harry Potter studio map here

Originally, the Leavesden site was owned by the Ministry of Defence.  During World War II, military aircraft were manufactured here: Mosquito Fighters and Halifax Bombers. 

In 1994, the site started to be used for film production.  Famously, the Leavesden Studios were used for more than 10 years to make the Harry Potter films. 

How to Get to Harry Potter Studio London?

The Harry Potter Studio London is easily accessed by road and rail via good public transport links:

By Road – If you drive, the studios are conveniently situated less than 3 miles from the M1 and M25 motorways.  There is also free parking in front of the main entrance to the Studio Tour.

By Bus – Sadly, the Knight Bus is not available for direct transfers!  However, you can book direct buses from London or Birmingham via the official Studio Tour website.

By train – The nearest railway station is Watford Junction.  London Euston is a 20-minute journey and Birmingham New Street is a 1-hour journey.  Mullany’s Coaches operate a regular shuttle bus service from Watford Junction railway station to the Studio Tour (£3 for a return journey).

Read our guide on London Tube and Is London Safe?

Sarah de Winne

Sarah De Winne creates and edits content for the Off the Tourist Treadmill and Enjoy Retirement Life blogging websites and YouTube channels.  She has a professional background in education and is passionate about sharing quality and engaging information.  Sarah currently lives in the south-east of England in the UK.

Is Strasbourg Worth Visiting?

Fabulous french riviera cities, you may also like, is bologna worth visiting, prague vs budapest – which city is best, is venice worth visiting, koh kood waterfall, one day in barcelona, one day in valletta, one day in messina, italy, one day in genoa, water jousting in sète, msc world europa cruise ship, off the tourist treadmill data and cookie consent, privacy overview.

Election latest: Starmer makes 'Swift pit stop'... at the Eras Tour

The Labour leader has taken a break from general election campaigning tonight - to shake it off at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. Listen to the latest Electoral Dysfunction as you scroll.

Saturday 22 June 2024 00:33, UK

• General Election 2024
• Starmer makes 'Swift pit stop'... at the Eras Tour
• Tories raised less than £300,000 in donations in second week of campaign - Labour received £4.4m
• Sunak asked if he's confident no more Tory candidates will be caught up in betting scandal
• Electoral Dysfunction: What are odds betting scandal sinks Tories?
• 'Own it': Corbyn responds to latest Starmer comments
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler

Election essentials

• Manifesto pledges: Alliance Party | Conservatives | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid Cymru | Reform | SNP | Sinn Fein | Workers Party
• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo | Sky's election night plans

We'll be back from 6am with all the latest from the general election campaign, with a little under two weeks to go until polling day.

You can scroll back through the page to catch up on what you've missed, or check out our 10pm round-up for a brief look at the day.

Join us on Saturday for another day of live updates.

Slashing red tape for Britain's pubs, restaurants and music venues would be the focus of a review launched within the first 100 days of a Tory government, the party has said.

Ministers would look into ways to "crack down" on councils imposing "disproportionate conditions" and restrictions on licences as part of a bid to boost the UK night-time economy, the Conservatives say.

It comes as Rishi Sunak seeks to shift the focus of the campaign away from the betting scandal that has thrown his party into fresh turmoil in recent days.

The Tories used the announcement to attack Labour's record on nightlife in London and Wales, as polls continue to put the opposition party on course for a historic victory on 4 July.

Business minister Kevin Hollinrake said: "The night-time economy is a vibrant sector that's vital to our economy and our society as a whole.

"We've always supported our night-time economy, with business rates reliefs, economic support during the pandemic - but wherever Labour have been responsible for the sector, it's suffered.

"We'll continue to back our night-time economy - Labour would cripple it further with higher taxes and more burdensome regulation."

It's 10pm - time for your evening election update.

The general election takes place in under two weeks, and political parties from across the House of Commons are busy on the campaign trail.

Here's what you might have missed today:

• Rishi Sunak has reiterated he was "incredibly angry" when he learned about allegations that his own parliamentary aid Craig Williams, who is a Tory candidate, had placed a bet on the election;
• Laura Saunders, the candidate for Bristol North West, and her husband, director of campaigns Tony Lee, are also being investigated by the Gambling Commission;
• David TC Davies , the Welsh secretary, told Sky News this morning that he "certainly" did not bet on the date of the general election;
• And the Conservatives got less than £300,000 in party donations between 7 and 12 June - far behind the £4.3m handed to Labour;
• But a Tory candidate told Sky News tonight that the Conservatives have a "sizable war chest" to run a "decent campaign" this year;
• Mr Sunak's favourability is now at an all time low, with three quarters of Britons having an unfavourable view of him - less even than Mr Johnson's lowest polling;
• The Welsh Conservatives have launched their manifesto today.
• Over with Labour , who - as we just mentioned - have come top of the list for party donations for the second week of the general election campaign.
• And Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer today said he would not enter negotiations with the Scottish government on an independence referendum if the SNP wins a majority of Scottish seats at the 4 July election;
• Sir Keir has also admitted today that the choice the public faced in the 2019 general election - Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn - "wasn't a good one";
• But he opted to have a night off - at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in London;
•  And Welsh Labour has launched its manifesto today,  with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves detailing the "simple choice" voters have to face on 4 July.
• Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey today criticised Rishi Sunak's response to his party's betting scandal as "not good enough"; 
• And Plaid Cymru has claimed Welsh Labour's manifesto lacks ambition and undermines devolution. The party said that Labour is imposing further austerity on Wales with £1.8bn worth of cuts to public services.

While you're here, check out more of our election coverage below:

By Rob Powell , political correspondent

The architect of the government's delayed reforms to social care has told Sky News politicians need to "grow up" and tackle the crisis in the sector.

Amid a bitter election row over public spending, Sir Andrew Dilnot said he believed the two main parties were reluctant to discuss care reform for fear of being accused of plotting future tax hikes.

Sir Andrew - whose 2011 report laid out several key measures adopted by the government - described social care as the "biggest risk that isn't managed" that the country faces.

He said: "Four out of five people are going to need  social care  before they die, we should grow up and face it."

"I think politicians are reluctant to talk about it firstly because they're worried about anything that means an increase in public spending and therefore possible taxation," he added.

You can read more below:

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has taken a break from general election campaigning tonight - to shake it off at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

Sir Keir and his wife Victoria joined thousands of Swifties at the first of three Eras Tour shows at Wembley Stadium - which will be followed up by five more in August.

Government borrowing was less than expected in May, new figures have revealed.

Net borrowing - the difference between public sector spending and income - was £15bn, an increase of £0.8bn on the same time last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported on Friday.

The amount is below the £15.7bn forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and less than expected by economists.

However, it was still the highest amount for the month of May since the  COVID-19 pandemic .

The ONS also said that public sector net debt, excluding public sector banks, was provisionally estimated at 99.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) in May - the highest level since March 1961.

The figure is also 3.7 percentage points higher than during the same period last year.

Economists said it showed that whoever wins the  upcoming general election  will face a string of potential financial challenges.

Nigel Farage has stood by his comment describing Andrew Tate as an "important voice" for men as he greeted supporters in Clacton-on-Sea.

The Reform UK leader had praised Tate while speaking on the Strike It Big podcast in February for defending "male culture" and said the "jury is out" on investigations into the influencer, The Guardian reported.

Since December 2022, Tate has faced charges in Romania of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, which he denies.

Asked whether Tate was an "important voice" for men as he was leaving a meeting with supporters, Mr Farage said: "He's got a massive following and that shows you how big the gap is.

"I mean, clearly he's facing some serious allegations and has said some things that are difficult to level with, but the fact that he's got the following shows you how big the gap is."

Mr Farage did not specify what "gap" he was referring to.

Our live poll tracker collates the results of opinion surveys carried out by all the main polling organisations - and allows you to see how the political parties are performing in the run-up to the general election.

It currently shows a drop in support in recent days for Labour and the Tories - with a jump for Reform and the Liberal Democrats.

Read more about the tracker here .

The Politics Hub is live on Sky News every night at 7pm throughout the general election campaign.

But stick with us online - we'll have updates throughout the evening.

Norman Phillips and his wife Ros - who lives with multiple sclerosis and dementia - are the human faces of the social care crisis.

Initially Norman was able to combine work with his caring responsibilities, but as Ros's condition worsened, he took early retirement.

The couple found help hard to come by and after Norman suffered an injury, they were forced to sell their home to settle care-related debts.

Ros is now subject to an NHS continuing healthcare plan after Norman suffered a breakdown earlier this year and authorities decided he was unable to carry on caring for his wife.

This includes around the clock care for Ros - something Norman said would not have been needed if a lower level of help had been made available earlier.

He said: "They've got six million of us unpaid carers. If they… help us, we can help the system.

"But what's happened to me, you know, is the system just kept backing away and backing away until I cracked."

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free