Warner Bros Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter

Families

Film and TV

Types of venues , Attractions

Until Wed Mar 6

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Time Out says

Wed Sep 7 2011

It was 2011 when JK Rowling’s bespectacled teen wizard (spoiler alert!) triumphed over evil on the big screen. But Pottermaniacs can get still get a HP hit at Warner Bros’ ‘Studio Tour’ experience on the outskirts of Watford, which brings together the sets and designs for the movies on a scale roughly equivalent to Terminal 4. Muggles be warned: the queue for timed entry to this coach-magnet of an attraction can also reach Heathrow proportions. But once you’ve made your way past the wizard chess, the holding pen full of international marketing posters, and cheesy cheer-leading from the official tour guide, you’re free to wander and appreciate the experience.

The magic of the movies was mostly down to their meticulous realisation of Rowling’s wonky, spectacular world. Here, you begin by entering Hogwarts great hall and end (on average people take three hours) with a staggering 1:24 scale model of the multi-turreted school and its grounds. Fantastical animatronic beasts, commentary and a world of wizard props including a three-decker purple bus crop up on the way.

The Tour is great but not cheap. The budget option is a daytrip (£30 off-peak return from Euston-Watford Junction; £85 tour entry for a family of four). So it’s tempting to go the whole Hogwarts at The Grove – a five-star-home-from-home to Radcliffe, Grint and Watson during the filming years, and now a parkland paradise frequented by actors and footballers. It does package deals including room, breakfast and tickets from £415 per family – and has enough free swimming pools, mountain bike trails, games rooms and Ofsted-rated childcare (£6 an hour) for you to make a weekend of it – and one that all the family will enjoy.

The studio is located in Watford (London trains run from Euston), and buses take visitors from Watford Junction Station to the venue; booking is essential.

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(29 ratings)

It's more grandiose American mini-golf than dreary British pitch and putt. The visitor experience has been really well planned and is by no means modest. My advise is to go as early as you can because as the day goes on the crowds build up. This way you can take your time, not queue too long for the broomsticks and take pictures without lots of other people in the way. You don't have to be a HP fan to enjoy this. I'm not and I thought it was amazing.

JB Fri Jun 22 2012
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The tour is wonderful. You don't need the digital guide to get the most out of the magic – enthusiastic human guides are on hand to fill you in. There is a small section featuring creatures and prosthetics which might upset timid kids (it scared our girl but staff appeared and were hugely helpful and kind, opening an access gate and guiding me and my daughter round via the outside of the building and back in through a fire door, bypassing Aragog and going straight to Diagon Alley). The huge model of Hogwarts, rightly saved to the end of the tour, is breathtaking. The gift shop, on the other hand, is a Barnum-esque exercise in hysterical overpricing. Small jar of boiled sweets for £13? No thanks.

Bob H Tue Jun 5 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Absolutely breathtaking. Very well organized - never too crowded and very emotionally thrilling. If you are a die-hard Potter fan, this is something you cannot miss. It brought tears to my eyes, especially when you walk into the room with the enormous Hogwarts model! If you aren't a Potter fan, it's still fascinating to see and appreciate the incredibly creative and detailed art that went in to making these movies.

Will D Tue May 8 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Brilliant. Surpassed all expectations. Would highly recommend to all. Truly a must if you have read the books or seen the films. The looks on peoples faces was priceless . A must.

cla'am Sun Apr 29 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Absolutely superb . A thoroughly enjoyable day. The whole experience was an eye opener and not to be missed. The souvenir shop was on the expensive side, and didn't really listen to the digital guide to be honest, but the sets and the whole experience we're brilliant. Already thinking of going again

hp fan Sun Apr 29 2012
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looks gr8

gz Fri Apr 13 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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@Sophie - it's designed to be a permanent attraction, and very well done it is too. The audio guide is definitely worth adding to your booking.

Paul Campy Wed Apr 11 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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The tour was really interesting. Great to see all the props and sets and the amount of work that went into the films. Also great that you were left to wander around at your own pace. The audio guide you can rent had some interesting snippets on it too.

Paula Wed Apr 11 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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how long is this on for?

Sophie Tue Apr 3 2012
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If you are a big fan of HP then you will easily spend a good 3+ hours looking round. Myself having seen some of the films I found it very interesting leaning how they were made. Not sure if young children would be kept entertained for long. I Was amazed how much detail went into the sets and props

John Wed Mar 28 2012
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Warner Bros Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter

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