Have you ever dreamed of feeling like a part of the magical world of Harry Potter?
You can feel just like that on the Warbner Bros. studio tour in Leavesden. Immerse yourself in the original sets, discover the secrets behind the scenes and feel like a part of this wizarding world.
Here I would like to take you on a journey through the highlights of the tour – and give you useful tips to make your visit unforgettable.
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is absolute necessity for any Harry Potter fan. The film offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the magical world and admire the creativity and craftsmanship that went into bringing this beloved series to the big screen.
The self-guided tour of the studios is a special experience where you can walk through the original sets from the films – such as the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest and Platform 9 ¾. You’ll also see lots of costumes and props from the films, including the characters‘ wands, Hermione’s time reverser and the prowler’s map. Of course, there are many more sets and props to discover, but I don’t want to reveal too much.
There are also exciting behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the film, such as demonstrations of how special effects, costumes, make-up and props came together to bring this magical world to life.
Numerous photo opportunities await you, including an area where you can ride a broom yourself. About halfway through the tour, there is an area where you can buy food and drinks. And if you need a little refreshment, you can always order a butterbeer.
In the second part of the tour, you will see some outdoor sets. You’ll find the Dursley house at No. 4 Privet Drive, you can see the travelling knight and pull out some mandrakes in the herbology greenhouse.
What to expect: The highlights of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour
- The Great Hall: Your first magical step Imagine stepping through the iconic doors of the Great Hall of Hogwarts. The stone floor, the long tables and the impressive details such as the house banners will make your heart beat faster. Here you will find original props such as Professor McGonagall’s and Dumbledore’s robes – a real goosebump moment!
- Diagon Alley: a walk through the wizarding world The legendary Diagon Alley is one of the absolute highlights. From Ollivander’s wand shop to the quirky Weasley’s Wizarding Jokes shop, there are endless details to discover here. Don’t forget to have your camera ready!
- the Hogwarts Express: board, please! The original Hogwarts Express awaits you on platform 9 ¾. Take a seat in one of the carriages and imagine yourself travelling to Hogwarts with Harry, Ron and Hermione. The windows of the train show scenes from the films – simply magical.
- special effects and animatronics How are magical creatures such as Dobby or Buckbeak created? The tour gives you a fascinating insight into the technologies that brought the magical world to life. You will be amazed at how complex the film work was.
- the grand finale: the model of Hogwarts No visit is complete without a look at the gigantic model of Hogwarts that was used for the exterior shots. Illuminated and full of details, it is the perfect end to your journey through the magical world.
Tips for your visit
- Plan enough time: The tour usually lasts around 3-4 hours, but if you’re a real fan, you can easily spend the whole day there.
- buy tickets in advance: The Studio Tour is incredibly popular and tickets often sell out weeks in advance. It’s best to secure your tickets online.
- Bring a camera: There are so many magical photo opportunities, you won’t want to go home without souvenir photos.
- try butterbeer: A must for every fan! The flavour is sweet and unique – perfect to get you in the Harry Potter mood.
- check out the shop: The souvenir shop is a paradise for Potterheads. From wands to clothing to chocolate frogs, there’s everything your fan heart desires.
How do you get to the studio from London?
The studios are located in Leavesden, about 30 kilometres north-west of London. There are several ways to get to the studio tour from London:
Travelling by train/bus shuttle
One option is to take the train from Euston station in London to Watford Junction station. The train journey takes around 20 minutes. Trains depart regularly from Euston, usually every ten minutes. A single journey costs around £12, while a return ticket costs around £21 per person. If you use an Oyster card or contactless payment in London, you can also use it for this journey, so you will always pay a maximum of daily caps.
Once you arrive at Watford Junction station, there are shuttle buses that will take you directly to the studio. These run approximately every 30 minutes and the bus journey takes around 15 minutes. The shuttle buses are included in your entry ticket to the studio, so have your ticket ready before you get on. An extra film showing behind the scenes of the Harry Potter series will be shown on the journey there.
Shuttle bus direct from London
Another option is to book your studio ticket via platforms such as ‘Get Your Guide’ and choose an option that includes return transport from London by shuttle bus. It’s a little more expensive, but of course convenient that you can get on in the middle of the city and get off directly at the studios without having to change buses in between.
Many of these buses depart from Victoria Coach Station in London, most of them in the morning and a few in the early afternoon. The shuttle buses take you directly to Warner Bros. Studios without changing buses and take about an hour.
On arrival, a member of staff on the bus will give you an entry ticket to the studios when you get off. You will then have around four to five hours to explore the studios at your own pace. You then return to the coach park and start your journey back to London.
Travelling by car
If you are travelling by car in London, there are also car parks available for drivers.
What does a tour like this look like?
As soon as you enter the Warner Bros. studio tour, you are greeted by a magical atmosphere. If you arrive a little early, that’s no problem at all – the entrance hall is an experience in itself. Here you can look around, gather your first impressions or make yourself comfortable in the Chocolate Frog Café. Sweet treats, a hot chocolate or other small delicacies await you there to get you in the perfect mood for the adventure ahead. Right next to it is a magical catering area, where floating candles create an incomparable atmosphere. Even waiting becomes a highlight.
When the tour finally starts, you make your way to the entrance. The friendly staff will be waiting for you there. Once your ticket has been scanned, the adventure begins: the doors open and you dive straight into the magical world.
The tour starts with an introduction to the world of Harry Potter. You watch a short film, that takes you behind the scenes and shows how much passion and creativity went into these magical films. And then comes the first goosebump moment: the doors to the Great Hall open and suddenly you are standing in the centre of Hogwarts. The long tables, the high windows and the iconic costumes of the houses bring the films to life.
From here you embark on the self-guided part of the tour. You can stroll through the original sets at your own pace and discover the incredible details. Whether you’re entering Dumbledore’s office, standing in the Gryffindor common room or walking down Diagon Alley, it feels like you really are part of the wizarding world. The attention to detail is breathtaking: the shelves are full of spell books, the walls tell stories and even the smallest props are masterfully designed.
In addition to the sets, there are many interactive experiences. You can fly on a broom (at least virtually), wave your magic wand or have your photo taken with the prowler’s map. The insights behind the scenes are particularly exciting: Here you can find out how the magical creatures were created, how make-up artists and costume designers worked and how digital effects made scenes such as the Quidditch game possible.
After so much magic and amazement, it’s time for a little break – and what could be better than a butterbeer? In a cosy café area, you can sample the sweet cult drink and fortify yourself a little before diving into the second part of the tour.
More highlights await you in the outdoor area. You can walk through Privet Drive 4 and see the famous cupboard under the stairs, admire the travelling knight or stand on the bridge of Hogwarts. Pulling a mandrake out of the ground is particularly magical – but be careful, it really does scream!
The grand finale of the tour is a moment you are guaranteed to remember: The giant model of Hogwarts that was used for many of the exterior shots. The model is so detailed that you could spend hours marvelling at every tower and window opening. With atmospheric music and perfect lighting, this sight is the perfect end to a magical journey.
Before you leave the studios, there is one last temptation: the souvenir shop. Here you will find everything a wizard’s heart desires, from chocolate frogs and Bertie Botts beans to wands and capes.
A tour of the Warner Bros. Studios is not only an experience for fans of the films, but also a look behind the scenes of an incredible film universe. The combination of magic, creativity and history makes this an unforgettable excursion – a day you’ll look back on again and again with a smile on your face.
Why the tour is worthwhile
Whether you grew up with the films and books or have only recently discovered them, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Leavesden is an experience that will immerse you in the magic of the films. Every corner of the tour tells a story that has been created with love and attention to detail. It’s a journey that will not only leave you amazed, but also with a big smile on your face.
Your unforgettable adventure awaits
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Leavesden is a must-visit for every fan. It offers you the perfect mix of nostalgia, magic and background knowledge about the films. Grab your tickets, lace up your magical shoes and get ready for a magical adventure – you won’t regret it!
Have you already visited the Studio Tour or are you planning to? Share your experiences and anticipation in the comments or at #hop-on-hop-london 🪄✨