Although the studio isn't strictly speaking in London, but near-by Leavesden, Warner Bros. is well worth the short trip. This is where the eight Harry Potter films were created over ten years and is jam-packed with iconic sets, props and costumes especially made for the films and preserved year-on-year by the production team.
As well as welcoming visitors to the Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Diagon Alley and Gryffindor Tower, children and their parents can have a pint of the wizarding world's favourite beverage, butter beer (non alcoholic) and film themselves playing quidditch and flying on broomsticks in front of a green screen.
This summer, the studio has unveiled a 20,000ft² expansion that includes the original Hogwarts Express steam engine and a recreation of Platform 9 ¾ that visitors can pose with.
Potter fans can climb aboard the train’s carriage, used during filming, and examine the ‘windows’ that demonstrate the process behind the making of iconic train scenes such as the escape of Harry’s first Chocolate Frog and the Dementor attack.
Every inch of the platform’s glass roof, yellow brick walls and luggage racks, originally designed by Production Designer Stuart Craig, has been painstakingly reassembled by the team.
As well as sitting in the famous Potter carriage and posing with the luggage trolley on Platform 9 ¾ visitors will see a selection of prop luggage and find out which character owned which items by turning an interactive dial, before deciding to visit the train-themed souvenir shop.
All of this, of course, is nestled amongst a pantheon of treasures from the Harry Potter film sets that are worth a visit on their own. It's magical.
How to get to Warner Bros. studio from London by train
The Studio Tour’s nearest railway station is Watford Junction and direct services arrive there from both London Euston (20 minute journey) and Birmingham New Street (1 hour journey). Other non-direct train services operate from London Euston, but please be aware that these may take longer to arrive at Watford Junction.
A shuttle bus, operated by Mullany's Coaches, runs from Watford Junction to the Studio Tour with a journey time of around 15 minutes. Please plan to arrive at Watford Junction 45 minutes before the time stated on your ticket and have your ticket or booking confirmation ready when boarding the shuttle bus. The last bus departs from the Studio Tour 20 minutes before our closing time which varies depending on the day of your visit.
Click here for more information on how to get to Warner Bros. studio.
Suitable for Harry Potter fans of all ages.
What | The Hogwarts Express, Warner Bros. studio |
Where | Warner Bros., London Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR | MAP |
Nearest tube | Watford (underground) |
When |
19 Mar 15 – 31 Mar 16, Tour times vary. |
Price | £25-£33 |
Website | Click here for more information and to book |