Who would have thought that during the filming of the Harry Potter series, Daniel Radcliffe, who played the main character, went through 160 pairs of glasses, and the impressive library in Dumbledore’s office is actually filled with telephone books bound in leather? It’s time to discover even more amazing facts and secrets of the wizarding world.
Harry Potter Warner Bros is an attraction that every fan who grew up reading about the extraordinary adventures of Harry Potter and his friends dreams of visiting. Located in Leavesden, just 35 km from central London in the UK, this place served as the home of the Harry Potter film series for over 10 years. Today, Warner Bros Studio Tour London “The Making of Harry Potter” (as it’s officially called) showcases the talent and craftsmanship of the film crew, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to step behind the scenes of the magical world known from the books and movies.
How did the Studio Tour come about?
In 2010, after the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 was completed, the production team was left with a treasure trove of thousands of intricate, highly detailed, and beautifully crafted props. Let’s face it, most of these items wouldn’t have been saved during a typical production. But this was the extraordinary world that captured the hearts of millions and brought so much magic into the lives of its most devoted fans.
With Harry Potter fans in mind, the team behind Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter decided to preserve and showcase iconic props, costumes, and set designs. All of this was done to give fans the chance to experience the magic of creating these remarkable films firsthand. During the creation of this space, many original cast and crew members returned to Leavesden. Thanks to them, sets were rebuilt, memories from filming were captured, and on March 31, 2012, the long-awaited Studio Tour was finally opened to the public.
Secrets of the Magical Film World
Harry Potter Studio Tour lets fans see firsthand how one of the most famous film series in the world was made. Here, visitors can explore props used in the Harry Potter films, step into authentic sets, and discover the behind-the-scenes secrets and magic that brought these films to life through special effects. Now it’s your turn! Dive into the world where goblins run banks, owls deliver letters, and wizards fly on magical broomsticks!
Film Sets from the Wizarding World
The magical world at Leavesden lets guests uncover many of the secrets behind the creation of the wizarding world. You’ll walk through the Forbidden Forest, complete with 19 trees each measuring over 12 feet in diameter, step into the main hall of Gringotts Bank, and explore the unique greenhouse where students attended herbology classes with Professor Pomona Sprout.
Even if you haven’t yet embarked on a Harry Potter movie marathon, there are scenes you’ll undoubtedly recognize. After all, who hasn’t heard of Platform 9¾ and the wizards disappearing into the wall with their luggage carts? At Warner Bros Studio, you can not only visit this famous station but also feel like a first-year student heading to Hogwarts. Before reaching the castle, however, you’ll make a mandatory stop at Diagon Alley. Usually off-limits to Muggles, this time you’ll get a rare chance to see where the finest wizards buy their wands, potions, and robes.
Perhaps the most exciting part of the tour is stepping into the Hogwarts castle set, which served as the backdrop for some of the most iconic scenes in the Harry Potter series. Prepare for a visit to the Great Hall, where you’ll find the dining tables, Dumbledore’s podium, the house points counter, and student uniforms representing Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.
FUN FACT: Among the sets, you’ll not only see furniture but also props used during filming. Inside the desks of the goblins working at Gringotts, you’ll find magical coins—over 210,000 of which were created by the props department just for the last two films. In the greenhouse, you can even pull a screeching mandrake from its pot. Be sure to look out for the venomous tentacula hanging from the ceiling too!
More Magical Props
As you continue your tour, you’ll encounter even more familiar props from the films. In the potions classroom, there are 950 jars hidden throughout the set, and Dumbledore’s office features memory vials kept in a special cabinet. You’ll also see the humorous yet gross Sickles Stand in Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and the distinctive cat plates in Professor Dolores Umbridge’s pink office.
Costumes Fit for Wizards
A space designed specifically for magic lovers wouldn’t be complete without the costumes used during filming. One room displays the evolution of Quidditch robes, from the thick uniforms used in the first two films to the more lightweight, athletic gear with names and numbers on the back featured in later films. Among the displayed costumes are also the uniforms of Beauxbatons Academy students and the elegant outfits from the Yule Ball, which stand out among the otherwise understated attire in most films. The crown jewel of this collection is Hermione’s romantic gown, which took three months to create.
Goblins, Monsters, and Magical Creatures
What would the magical world be without its extraordinary creatures? During the studio tour, you’ll come face-to-face with Aragog, see a real-life hippogriff, and get dangerously close to the jaws of the Basilisk. The costume room also showcases special goblin heads, which were used to transform actors into the bank clerks and officials working at Gringotts.
FUN FACT: To film the Gringotts Bank scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, 140 makeup artists from across Europe were hired to turn 60 actors into goblins in just four hours. Even more impressive, the prosthetics used to create the goblins couldn’t be reused after each day of filming, so the process had to be repeated daily until the scene was complete.
Art Department
You’ll find some of the less obvious props in the Art Department section of the tour. The crown jewel of this department is the highly detailed model of Hogwarts. Created for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, this model was used for sweeping exterior shots of the castle. By adding a few lights and digital effects, the filmmakers brought to life the enchanting view of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The art department was also responsible for producing thousands of props that brought the magical world of J.K. Rowling’s books to life. During this part of the tour, you’ll see designs for wizard textbooks, magical candy packaging, potions, and the wizarding newspaper The Daily Prophet, for which 40 different issues were “published” during the film series. Also on display are cardboard models and technical drawings that helped the filmmakers perfect the finer details of the magical world.
Special and Visual Effects
The tour isn’t just a dream come true for fans looking to immerse themselves in the magical world of Harry Potter, but also for movie buffs eager to uncover the secrets behind the making of the biggest films in cinema. As you walk through the studio, you’ll learn about the filmmakers’ best friend—the green screen—which allows any action to take place against any background. You’ll also see how the magical doors to the Chamber of Secrets were created and the technical tricks behind Harry’s famous invisibility cloak.
A Touch of Temporary Magic
The Making of Harry Potter studio constantly refreshes its offerings to ensure even the most frequent visitors never get bored. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter temporary installations and additional surprises. During the holiday season, you can see Hogwarts Castle covered in snow and the Great Hall decked out with Christmas trees, while in October, you’ll get to experience Dark Arts—a celebration of the dark magic that strikes fear into even the youngest witches and wizards.
Even More Fun
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping onto a real movie set, you can take advantage of the green screen and fly over London on a broomstick, or step into the Hogwarts Express train car and see how the iconic train scenes were filmed. After this experience, you can purchase souvenir photos to prove to your family that you too can master a magical broom.
For an extra dose of fun, ask any staff member for a free Activity Passport, which will add even more excitement to your studio walk. The passport contains fun puzzles and facts, helps you hunt for the elusive Golden Snitch, and includes space for collectible stamps you’ll find at key locations, like Platform 9¾ and Gringotts Bank.
A digital guide will also enhance your understanding of the behind-the-scenes magic of one of the world’s most beloved film series. As you explore the studio, the guide will reveal fascinating facts about the sets, props, and costumes, along with exclusive interviews with filmmakers and behind-the-scenes footage.
Magical Shopping
Can’t imagine returning home without a souvenir scarf from one of the Hogwarts houses? This paragraph is for you. At the studio, you’ll find everything a budding wizard could need. Alongside t-shirts, keychains, and mugs, you’ll also discover wizard robes, plush owls, and highly detailed replica wands.
Prefer experiences over physical souvenirs? Then stop by one of the magical restaurants or cafes and eat like the characters from the films. Enjoy breakfast or lunch in true British style, and for dessert, try chocolate frogs, mint toads, or Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. This is also the only place in Europe where you can sip the Hogwarts students’ favorite treat—Butterbeer.
Visiting Warner Bros Studio London
You can easily reach the studio by car, but you can also take advantage of a special bus service included in the price of your admission ticket. The bus departs approximately every half hour from Watford Junction, a station that you can reach by train from London Euston. Another option is to book an organized tour, which typically includes both the ticket and transportation from key locations in London (such as Russell Square or Victoria Coach Station). These tours are often combined with a trip to Oxford or a walk through London following in the footsteps of Harry Potter. You can book all such trips and studio admission tickets on the GetYourGuide website.
Harry Potter’s biggest fans will likely be interested in the Deluxe Tour, a special package offering much more than just studio entry. The Deluxe ticket includes a 2.5-hour guided tour, where the guide will reveal behind-the-scenes secrets of the studio and tell you everything about the surrounding sets and props you pass by. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to take an exclusive photo in front of the Hogwarts School doors. The price also includes special parking, breakfast, Butterbeer in one of the cafés, photos and videos from your broomstick flight, and other themed gifts.
GOOD TO KNOW: A popular way to save money when visiting London is the London Pass, a tourist card that allows you to visit the city’s top attractions at a discounted price. Unfortunately, Warner Bros. Studio Tour is not included in this pass. Tickets to this attraction must be purchased separately, so save the London Pass for other sights like London Eye, Tower of London, Madame Tussauds, or Westminster Abbey.
Practical information
- It is best to purchase tickets for the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio in advance. This way, you can avoid standing in long lines and reduce the risk of tickets being sold out.
- Address: Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR, United Kingdom
- Buy tickets on GetYourGuide
