Here's what to see at the Harry Potter Studio on your next trip:
Diagon Alley is a one-stop destination for all essential supplies needed by a wizard or witch. Step into Ollivanders, Flourish and Blotts, Mr. Mulpepper’s Apothecary, and more to replenish your school supplies. The original architecture and layout of Diagon Alley represent a combination of the rich details from the Harry Potter books along with streets described in the works of author Charles Dickens. The Diagon Alley set features intricately detailed props, shop interiors, and decorations that have undergone significant changes throughout the making of the films. Additionally, the set pieces were re-dressed for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to be showcased as the village Hogsmeade.
More about Diagon AlleyThe Great Hall served as the backdrop for several unforgettable memories through Harry’s journey, including the Sorting Ceremony, the Yule Ball, the end of the Second Wizarding War, Christmas and Halloween feasts, and more. It has been featured in 7 of the 8 films in the series. The set has stunning handcrafted props like the House Points Counter, Professor Dumbledore’s Lectern, the teacher’s table, and costumes from students belonging to each Hogwarts house. Attend the special two-course Christmas feast at The Great Hall and watch in delight as the set transforms to keep up with the festive spirit.
More about The Great HallAll aboard the Hogwarts Express! Platform 9¾ has taken thousands of wizards and witches from the muggle world to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Although several scenes of Platform 9¾ were shot on location at King’s Cross Station, a portion of the platform was recreated and restyled at Leavesden for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. The Hogwarts Express was the backdrop for the first shot ever filmed for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and was also the last shot of the entire series in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
More about Platfrom 9¾Spread across 6500 sq. ft., Gringotts Wizarding Bank is one of the biggest attractions of the studio tour. The set features props and costumes created with painstaking effort. The Lestrange vault features the Sword of Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff’s cup, and over 38,000 pieces of prop treasures. Get a glimpse of the costumes and prosthetics worn by Bogrod and Griphook and the 210,000 coins created for the Deathly Hallows films. Gringotts played a significant role in the Harry Potter film series; most importantly, the one where the trio breaks in to find a Horcrux and escape on the Ukrainian Ironbelly Dragon.
Explore other Harry Potter Studio setsHome to dozens of magical creatures including unicorns, hippogriffs, and centaurs, the Forbidden Forest is a patch of an untamed forest that is mostly under the care of Rubeus Hagrid. His hut is located at the edge of the forest. The set is featured in the first, second and final installment of the series and is adorned with 19 trees with a diameter of over 12 feet each.
More about the Forbidden ForestGet a glimpse of the fabled polyjuice potion and the unique props kept within the 950 potion jars in the Potions Classroom. These props include shrunken heads, baked animal bones, dried leaves, herbs and many more handmade items made by the props department. Each jar has been individually labeled and hand-designed by the Graphic Design duo MinaLima.
More about props at Harry Potter StudioGlance at the numerous portraits and gaze in awe at the level of painstaking detailing on display in Professor Dumbledore’s office. Take a peek at the over 900 hand-designed memory vials created for the pensieve, his memory cabinet.
Meet Buckbeak™ and marvel at its three life-size animatronic versions on the tour. Each feather has been carefully, individually inserted to look realistic. The talented artists and technicians consulted with physiologists and veterinarians to make Buckbeak’s wings, legs and proportions look as accurate as possible.
Other creatures to spot at Harry Potter StudioIf you are up for a hair-raising experience, face your fears and get up-close with Aragog. Each hair strand has been inserted individually by hand. With a leg span of over 18 feet, it took 15 people to control the animatronic Aragog on set.
Measuring 30-feet long and featuring 3-feet deep jaws, the Basilisk is an imposing and formidable sight to encounter. Marvel at the astonishing craftsmanship of the talented technicians, designers and artists that brought this creature to life using a combination of practical and visual effects.
Other sets include a 1:24 scale model of the Hogwarts Castle, Privet Drive, the Gryffindor common room, Hagrid’s hut, and Professor Umbridge's office at the Ministry of Magic. Take a peek at the hundreds of thousands of props, movie memorabilia, costumes, sets and more that were used to bring the magical world of Harry Potter to life.
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Harry Potter films. Visitors can walk through the sets, see the props and costumes, and learn about the special effects that were used to create the films.
The tour takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete.
The tour is open from 8:30am to 10pm, with the last entry at 6:30pm.
The Harry Potter Studio is located in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, which is about 20 miles from central London. The best way to get to the studio is by car or by train.
Yes, there are several cafes and restaurants on site.
Yes, the tour is accessible to people with disabilities. The Harry Potter Studio is wheelchair accessible and has facilities like lifts, accessible restrooms, accessible parking spaces, accessible seating options, multi-language audio guides, digital guides, and sensory rooms.
The best time to visit the studio tour is on a weekday or during the early hours of the day. This is when the crowds are smaller and you will have more time to explore the exhibits. November to March is a less crowded time, while the place comes with magical festivities during Christmas.
Yes, there is free parking available at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. Blue disability badge parking bays are also available free of charge near the studio entrance. You can buy priority parking online for an additional £10. Priority parking is only available for pre-booking ahead of your visit and cannot be purchased at the venue.