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London puts on all sorts of fantastic things to keep our spirits up during the dark, cold days of winter. But with all the Christmas crowds and general city hustle and bustle, you’d be forgiven for wanting to escape it for a while. If you’re in the market for a winter day trip within easy distance of the capital, look no further – we’ve put together a list of places less than two hours from London that are particularly worth a visit this time of year.
One of the best day trips just outside of the city right now? The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour in Watford. Obviously, it’s a fantastic day trip for Potter fans year-round, but there’s something extra magical about the Warner Bros Studio Tour during the coldest months.
From November 15 until January 18, the studio puts on ‘Hogwarts in the Snow’. For the festive season, the Great Hall is decked out in dripping icicles, silver decorations and flaming Christmas puddings straight from the Yule Ball, while the Gryffindor and Slytherin common rooms will fill with actual decorations used in the movies and Christmas cards made by the crew during filming.
The Forbidden Forest and Diagon Alley will also be dressed up for Christmas and the Hogwarts castle model at the end of the tour will be coated in snow using the same technique used in the films (with teeny tiny snowmen dotted across the sculpture, too). A tonne of gifts and stocking fillers will be also be available in a pop-up Christmas shop.
Tickets for Hogwarts in the Snow start from £58.50 per person. To get there, it’s a 20-minute train from Euston and then a 15-minute bus to the studios. Book a visit here.
See all of Time Out’s best winter day trips from London here.
ICYMI: This chic festive fair with real reindeer is the most underrated Christmas market in London.
Plus: A huge shiny model of the Moon is going on display in London.
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