Exploring the Harry Potter Movie Set in Leavesden, England
As a self-confessed Potterhead, one of my dreams was to visit the real Harry Potter studio. So when Warner Bros Studio opened the Leavesden set to the public for tours, I made it my goal to see it. It took 20 years since the first Harry Potter film for me to finally get there, but here I am and I’m excited to share with you my tour experience.
Get ready for a ton of pictures and some useful tips at the end of the blog!
Getting There
On the same day we visited Notting Hill, and was supposed to take the bus to the Leavesden studio, which would have been a 2-hour trip. Unfortunately we were so late, it was impossible to make it in time for our scheduled tour. So we decided on taking an Uber instead. It was convenient and we didn’t have to take several transportations to get there and the travel time only took us about 45 mins.
By the time we arrived, a couple of friends—Charan and Denise—were waiting for us. We were 5 minutes behind our schedule but we had no problems entering the premises. Apparently it happens a lot. As long you arrive before 4pm, which is the last tour of the day, your ticket is good.
To learn more how to get there, go here.
Harry Potter Studio Address: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London Studio Tour Drive Leavesden WD25 7LR
As soon as we arrived at Warner Bros. Studio, we were greeted by the Wizard’s Chess pieces from the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone movie. I felt like a kid getting her first Barbie doll as we walked to the ticket entrance. After getting our ticket and bags scanned, the Gringott’s Dragon welcomed us, a perfect introduction to the magic that lay ahead of us.
Entering the Magical World of Harry Potter
The tour began with a quick walk-through of The Cupboard Under the Stairs and some photos of the Dursleys, setting the story of Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t linger in the area as we were all headed to the theater where a mini-presentation of the studio amenities as well as interviews with the Harry Potter cast were being shown. We were prohibited by the studio staff to film this part of the tour, but believe me when I say it will leave you choked up with all the excitement and nostalgia.
At the end of the presentation, the curtains were drawn up, revealing the entrance to the Great Hall. At this point, everyone gasped in awe. Suffice to say, I cried tears of joy. It’s been a long time coming, I thought, but finally I made it!
The Great Hall
My Hogwarts acceptance letter may have not arrived, much to my dismay and many other fans’, but it was such an incredible experience being able to walk The Great Hall like first year students on our way to be sorted into our Houses. The self-guided tour starts here so you can pretty much explore the area at your own pace.
As soon as we entered, we saw all the dining props arranged neatly as if welcoming us for dinner. Displayed on the podium were the professors’ costumes, while students’ uniforms per House were on the side. Like any other museum, visitors weren’t allowed to touch anything.
Hogwarts Rooms, Costumes, and Prop Display
The next area was a huge room full of of sets, props, and costumes used throughout the entire Harry Potter film series. My personal favorite was the Potions Class sets with self-stirring cauldrons. So cute!
P.S. I tried speaking parseltongue to the Chamber of Secrets door but it wouldn’t be open. 😛 Also in this area you get a chance to ride a broomstick and fly over London and Hogwarts, and you get a photo souvenir for a fee. Cameras were not allowed during this part so can’t share a sneak peek.
Hagrid’s Hut
Hogwarts is not Hogwarts without Hagrid. Just like the movies, Hagrid’s hut was filled with various knick-knacks. It was such a joy seeing them up close and peering through the window like the scene in Prisoner of Azkaban (you know, that time-turner scene where Hermione had to pelt Harry and other Hermione with black pebbles).
Ministry of Magic
These sets were a dark chapter in the story of Harry Potter when the Ministry of Magic was controlled by Death Eaters and Voldemort sympathizers. Pictured are Professor Umbridge turned Senior Undersecretary to the Minister in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and Magic is Might statue.
Just like the movies, the Magic is Might monument left quite an impression. It reminded me how humans can be so cruel to their fellow humans in the name of power.
The Forbidden Forest
The next section of the tour was the Dark Forest set where we met Firenze the centaur and Aragog and his children. Of course there was also Buckbeak, who had to take refuge in the dark forest after escaping execution.
Giants also lived in the forest and we were able to see the prosthetics used for the characters.
Gringott’s Bank
As commercial photographers, we often have to create make-believe sets so it was a real treat seeing how Gringott’s Bank was created and shot for the films.
Here you see a miniature of the bank that was most likely used for the long shots of the bank’s facade. The next part, which I didn’t get to photograph because I was too engrossed watching, was the marbling process the prop masters did to create the aged interior of the bank. It was really cool seeing how they made the walls and posts look like real marble.
Diagon Alley
If you were a kid like me when the first film came out, I’m betting you also imagined yourself entering Diagon Alley mouthing, “Can we get all of these in London?” For sure I did.
Seeing Ollivander’s Wand Shop, Flourish and Blotts Bookseller, and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes was so exhilarating, I totally felt like a witch shopping for my Hogwarts supplies.
I wish there was a way to go inside the shops, but alas, we weren’t allowed.
4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey
The second half of the tour were outdoor installations of the Dursley House, Hogwarts Wooden Bridge, and Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse. We had so much fun interacting with the sets that I only managed to snap a few photos.
I loved seeing the Dursley living room from the Sorcerer’s Stone scene where Harry’s acceptance letters were flying everywhere.
The Burrow
Another fun installation was The Burrow miniature, the Flying Ford Anglia, and dining room with the self-knitting needles from The Chamber of Secrets movie. Just like in the film, the Weasley home felt warm and homey—I would have loved to live there too.
Hogwarts Forever
The final and perhaps the most emotional part of the tour for me was seeing the gigantic model of the Hogwarts Castle, perfectly lit with blue and purple LED lights.
Growing up in depressing circumstances, Harry Potter books and films were my childhood escape. I would spend my time reading the books until the wee hours of the night, imagining myself as one of the Hogwarts students flying on a broomstick and making potions. To this day I still watch the movies, and that magical feeling never ends!
Harry Potter Studio Tour Tips
FIRST TIP:
In order to book a tour, you need to purchase tickets ahead of time from the Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter website and select a time you intend to visit. Purchase your tickets here.
SECOND TIP:
The studio is massive so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
THIRD TIP:
Butterbeers (non-alcoholic) are available mid-tour as well as some snacks. So even if you didn’t purchase the packages you can still replenish yourself at the cafeteria before you continue with the tour. The food is quite affordable, too! Plus, you can take the Butterbeer cups as souvenir 🙂
FOURTH TIP:
There are several options to get to the Studio. You can either take the train or ride a bus. Going home, we opted to take an Uber to the Watford Junction train station to get a train back to London.
