Any avid Harry Potter fan, or even cinematography geek would love a visit to the Making of Harry Potter, Studios Tour Leavesden. Located just 30 minutes from London, the studios provide an unparalleled insight into the film making process, letting you glimpse at the original sets and costumed used in the movies, whilst providing a perfect rainy day out. So, whether you’re a fan, or just tagging along, here is everything you need to know about visiting this enchanting destination.
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How to Get There
- By car: If driving, use the postcode WD25 7LR for navigation. Parking is free but must be pre-booked with your tickets. There is tons of parking space, so driving to the studios tour is very possible.
- By train: Take a train from London Euston to Watford Junction, and from there, a dedicated shuttle bus runs frequently to the studio.
- By bus (tours): Some London-based operators offer packages that include transport and entry tickets, making visiting the studios a hassle-free experience.
Full information about how to get to the studio (including detailed driving directions) can be found on the Making of Harry Potter website: https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/getting-here/
What to Expect
- Iconic Indoor Sets: expect to see the great hall in all its glory, the Forbidden Forest, Gringotts bank, and even Hogwarts itself!
- Behind the Scenes Facts and Magic: along the way, you’ll see tons of display boards and facts about the filming of the series. Don’t miss out on reading some of these, they are fascinating.
- Immersive Activities and Interactive Elements: from riding a broomstick to learning to wave a wand, and stamping a passport with different harry potter stamps on different sets, there is lots of immersive activitity to get involved in.
- Outdoor Sets: not only are some of the most iconic harry potter sets on display, but you will also have the opportunity to head ‘outside’ and walk through 4 Privet Drive and see the Knight bus.
Special Events at the Making of Harry Potter
Throughout the year, the studio hosts seasonal experiences that transform the sets, offering an extra layer of magic and entirely new experience. These range from Hogwarts in the Snow (the Christmas and winter edition) to Dark Arts (a halloween themed set transformation), and even special edition exhibitions featuring additional set items from the Triwizard Tournament.
If there is any event you are particularly interested in, make sure to try and book a ticket for the studios tour whilst that event is on. The calendar of events for the year tends to be released on the Making of Harry Potter studios tour main site at the beginning of the year, though certain exhibitions (like Hogwarts in the Snow) are an annual occurrence and can be planned for in advance.
Shopping for Merchandise
If experiencing the magic of the set isn’t enough, the studios tour also have a massive merchandise store bound to make any muggle, or budding witch or wizard feel as though they’ve entered Hogwarts itself. Keep some time (and money) aside to shop for all your wizarding delights!
Top Tips for Visiting
- Book tickets in advance! If there is nothing else you take away from this article, note that the studios tour is ticketed and sells out very quickly. Often, it is not possible to get a booking 6 months in advance, so make sure to book tickets early to avoid disappointment. Tickets can be booked here.
- Arrive early to give yourself time to enjoy the entry to the studios tour before your ticketed slot.
- Wear comfortable shoes as the tour involves a decent amount of walking.
