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Harry Potter Studio Tour

WatfordLondon, United Kingdom (UK)

Credit: IR Stone / Shutterstock.com

Last updated: 10 March, 2024

From the moment you step through the vast carved doors of the Great Hall, you know you’re somewhere truly magical. This is no mere theme park – instead, you’ll find thousands of exquisitely detailed artefacts, lovingly preserved from the eight Harry Potter movies, filmed at adjacent Leavesden studios.

The sets are the biggest draw, from a cobbled Diagon Alley to The Great Hall, the Gryffindor dorms to Dumbledore’s office, and the Hogwarts Express, which you can climb aboard. Just watch out for Dementors.

But this showcase of sets, iconic props and costumes is beautifully displayed to allow an immersive, interactive experience that stays with you long after you’ve left. Even if you’re not a Potter fan, the incredible attention to detail, commitment to storytelling and sheer craftsmanship that has gone into both the film sets and the subsequent Studio Tour, can’t fail to move anyone with even the most passing interest in movies.

Don’t miss

There’s always a big queue (and fee) for the chance to ride a broom against a greenscreen and snag souvenir snaps of yourself high above Hogwarts. But unless you’ve got kids in tow (or are a serious fan) give it a miss in favour of a proper look around the Special Effects and Visual Effects exhibition, which reveals the magic behind such wonders as the door to the Chamber of Secrets, the invisibility cloak and just how those green screenshots were made.

Logistics

Price from: £47

Minimum age: 0

Age suitable: 4+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The studios are located 20 miles north-west of London, under three miles from the M1 and M25 motorways. The nearest rail station is Watford Junction (20 minutes from Euston). From here, regular buses shuttle to the Studio Tour, taking about 15 minutes.

Ardent fans and younger visitors should pick up an Activity Passport which takes you on a Golden Snitch hunt and offers up puzzles and trivia to enhance your tour, and helps you find souvenir stamps at key points throughout the tour such as Platform 9 ¾ and Gringotts Bank.

There are plentiful atmospheric places to refuel including the Chocolate Frog Café serving sweets and treats inspired by the wizarding world, The Hub Café and Food Hall (best for full meals), and the Backlot Café where you can order an iconic butterbeer.

The gift shop has plenty of consumable souvenirs, from packets of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans to chocolate frogs.

When to do it

It’s open all year round, seven days a week. School holidays and weekends are busy throughout the day, although timed entry requirements do a decent job of spacing out the crowds. At other times, mornings are busiest.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London

London

Viator

Delve into the magical world of Harry Potter™ at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, with round-trip luxury coach transport included. Follow in the footsteps of Hogwarts’ students as you walk around original sets like Diagon Alley and Platform 9 ¾, complete with the Hogwarts Express steam engine. Get up close to costumes and props, and discover the wizardry required to create the mind-blowing special effects and animatronics.

Price £105

Min age 0

Rating 4.43 / 5 [3142 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour with Superior Transport from London

London

Viator

Walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter and explore the wonders of the wizarding world. This magical tour of the Warner Bros. Studio will leave you spellbound! Step onto the breath-taking sets and take a glimpse behind the scenes of everyone’s favourite wizard from the Harry Potter films on this spectacular Harry Potter Studio Tour. - See the breathtaking sets, including the Great Hall, Forbidden Forest and Diagon Alley - Explore the collection of authentic and iconic props - Step on board the Hogwarts Express - Discover original costumes, including the uniforms from the wizarding sport of Quidditch - Visit the special and visual effects department and see how the characters and scenes from J. K. Rowling's books were brought to life - Comfortable and convenient return transfers to the studio from London

Price £115

Min age 0

Rating 4.26 / 5 [1908 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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

London

Viator

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London provides an amazing new opportunity to explore the magic of the Harry Potter™ films – the most successful film series of all time. This unique tour takes you behind-the-scenes and showcases a huge array of beautiful sets, costumes and props. It also reveals some closely guarded secrets, including facts about the special effects and animatronics that made these films so hugely popular all over the world. Highlights: - Return transportation from Central London with branded buses - Meet and greet service before departure - Upon arrival at the Studio Tour customers will be welcomed by the supplier's representative - Exclusive opportunity to watch one of the Harry Potter films during your journey to and from the Studio Tour (subject to availability) - See the actual props, costumes and effects from the Harry Potter film series - Hourly departures - Begin your experience with an official introductory video - Free Wi-Fi available

Price £104

Min age 0

Rating 4.25 / 5 [1500 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Fully Guided Tour of Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

London

Viator

Go behind the scenes of the Harry Potter movies at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Accompanied by a guide, you'll explore the studios for three hours to see costumes, props, and sets from all of the beloved movies. Peek inside Dumbledore's office, stroll down Diagon Alley, and much more. Round-trip train travel from London is included.

Price £169

Min age 0

Rating 4.65 / 5 [604 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter and Oxford Day Trip

London

Viator

- Round trip travel by executive coach with air conditioner - Entry into Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter - 1 hour guided walking tour in Oxford with a professional guide - 1 hour free time in Oxford - 4 hour in the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London Please ensure you select the correct age bracket when purchasing tickets. If you select Child (age 3 & 4yrs) or Infant (age 2 & under) for children that are 5 years and over, you will be denied entry by the staff at the Studios when they check your tickets.

Price £153

Min age 0

Rating 4.60 / 5 [508 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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