You can’t help but think about Harry Potter when you are in London and if you are a fan of the books or movies, you will want to go to the closest thing to a Harry Potter theme park London has to offer! Part museum, part interactive experience, the Warner Brothers Studio tour is not just a museum, it is a full-on Harry Potter experience.
Harry Potter Theme Park: London Warner Brothers Studio Tour
When the production of the Harry Potter film series ended, it was decided that all of the movie props, costumes, and sets should be able to be enjoyed for years to come.
Thus, Warner Brothers Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter was developed.
You’ll find complete movie sets, props, costumes, and wigs used by the actors, and you will get to see how all the special effects were designed and used!
While there are plenty of Harry Potter walking tours in London, we feel like the Warner Brothers Studio Tour is the best Harry Potter experience in London!
Harry Potter Passport
When you arrive you will get a Warner Brothers Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter Souvenir Passport.
This little book gives you information about the things you will see on the tour and interesting facts.
4 Privet Drive
4 Privet Drive was the street address of the home owned by the Dursley family and where Harry Potter’s famous cupboard under the stairs is located.
You will find both the cupboard bedroom of Harry Potter and the 4-Privet Drive set on display as part of Warner Brother’s studio tour.
The Great Hall
The Great Hall is probably the most iconic set of all the Harry Potter films. The set was inspired by the Dining Hall in Oxford’s Christ Church University.
It was one of the first sets to be built and appears in the first 7 films.
You will also see numerous costumes used during the filming as well as many significant props.
Hogwarts Classrooms
Check out the classrooms where Harry Potter learned his spells. You’ll find pots stirring themselves and nearly 1000 potion jars lining the walls.
Dumbledore’s office
Take a stroll through Dumbledore’s office. There you will find a large library of books (they are actually telephone directories bound in leather!).
Rooms at Hogwarts
You will be able to see several sets that were used in the filming of the Harry Potter series of movies.
Each features not only the props used in the sets but costumes as well.
Diagon Alley
Take a walk down Diagon Alley, see Ollivander’s Wand Shop, and stop by Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes to see Puking Pastille.
Forbidden Forest
If you are brave enough, you can go into the Forbidden Forest where you will see some lively spiders.
Platform 9 3/4
Get the full-on Harry Potter experience by pretending to run through the wall at Platform 9 3/4.
You will even be able to see the luggage carts for some of your favorite characters from Harry Potter.
Hogwarts Express
Not only will you see the actual train, but you will also find several props used during the filming of scenes on the train, and can even take an imaginary trip on it!
It is the actual set and was painstakingly reassembled by the original set designers in this location.
The Knight Bus
Who can forget the bus that picks up Harry Potter when he is stranded? This triple-decker bus is exactly as it looks in the movies!
Prop Room
You will find a room full of creature props used during the filming; Everything from the Monster Book of Monsters to how the Gringot Goblins came to life with the use of masks!
Hogwarts Castle
The pinnacle of your time at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter comes at the very end of the tour.
You will get to see the Hogwarts Castle Model. With the addition of special effects, this is the model that was used when filming.
As you walk around the Hogwarts Castle Model, take your time (you may even want to circle it many times) because as you do, the lighting will go from dawn to dusk and back again.
You will also notice that the model uses fiber optic lights to simulate the illusion of students passing through the hallways. The details are absolutely amazing.
If you are a fan of Harry Potter, this will probably be the highlight of your trip. With the music accompaniment in the background and Hogwarts transforming before your eyes, it will be hard not to be affected by the whole Harry Potter experience!
Why This is the Best Harry Potter Theme Park London Has
During your time at the Warner Brothers Studio Tour, you will feel like you are at a Harry Potter theme park. While it is part museum, it also has interactive features.
You can take a trip on Hogwarts Express just like Harry Potter! You never know who or what you might see as you ride along!
This is the only place where you will get the opportunity to ‘fly’ a broomstick! Choose your wizard costume and jump on your broom!
While you won’t be able to photograph yourself, you can purchase a video of yourself flying the broom through one of several scenes (via green screen technology)!
If you are hungry, you can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the cafe. You’ll find sandwiches, salads, and baked goods along with various beverages.
Those longing to buy a Butterbeer will find a few options! You can drink your Butterbeer or get it in the form of ice cream! Either choice is yummy!
Getting Tickets to Warner Brothers Studio Tour in London
Be sure to buy your Warner Bros. Studio Tour ticket in advance.
The lines can be incredibly long if you don’t. You will reserve a specific time to tour and you cannot be late!
I would get there about 15 minutes ahead of your allotted time so that you give yourself time to park and use the restroom before getting in the queue.
You will want to plan for 2-3 hours to explore this amazing space.
Have you been to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter? What was your favorite part?