Who knew when J.K.Rawling wrote the first Harry Potter book, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” in 1997 that it would become an international phenomenon? With a total of seven novels and eight movies. Not to mention the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Disney’s theme parks in America and the Making of Harry Potter at Warner Bros Studio here in the UK.
I first came across Harry Potter in about 2001. A friend of mine was reading them and lent me his book set. At the time there were just the four books in the series and no films had been made.
Harry Potter mania
It’s not very often I pick up a book and literally can’t put it down. Every waking moment I had my nose in the book. Page after page it consumed me. I became addicted. Pre-ordering the next three and waiting in line at the cinema to see the movies on opening night.
Harry Potter was everywhere. Catching the train to London, dozens of “businessmen” dressed in suits, glamorous ladies in their high heels, mums with toddlers, and zit faced teenagers from every background all had their faces buried in one or another of the novels. It became “Harry Potter Mania”.
Book your tour
We used Viator to book our Harry Potter tour. Having used this company many times before, it is one we recommend.
finally – our tour of Harry Potter – Warner Bros Studio
We stayed the night just around the corner from Victoria bus station, because our coach tour was one of the first in the morning. Departing at 8:15 am and arriving at Warner Bros Studios at 9.30 am. It was a pleasant, clear but chilly morning, and the suns soft gleam made this fall day feel warm and magical. It was fun to watch London wake up and get going from the comfort of the warm bus seat.
When we finally pulled into Warner Bros parking lot our tour operator jumped out and headed to the building. When she returned, she walked down the aisle to hand out our tickets, telling us where the loo was and what time to return to the bus.
With our tickets in hand we disembarked and due to arriving just before the actual opening meant no queueing up! We waited in line to have our bags checked by security and were treated to a full-body scan at no extra charge!
first impressions
Once inside, we knew this was going to be good. We were greeted immediately by a giant dragon suspended from the ceiling. His menacing pose would lead you to believe he was ready to snatch the next selfie taker right off the floor. There was a coffee shop, and some costumes worn by the cast on display before walking into the start of the tour. Our tickets were time-stamped, and the tours seem to start every ten minutes or so to control the crowds.
We could go through any time within the hour, which would give us time for coffee, check our coats in and go to the loo. None of which we did, I might add. We were too eager so went through straight away.
the sets and props
There are photos, drawings and posters all over the walls, that let you into the artists’ minds at the time of conception. The first set was “The Cupboard Under The Stairs.” This, of course, was Harry’s bedroom at his Aunt and Uncles house in Privet Drive. (The Privet Drive set is later on the tour).
There was plenty of time to view and take pictures of all the artwork and posters before we entered the room of the talking portraits. Unbeknown to us, there is no photography in this room, but I had already snapped this picture before finding out! One of the staff who was dressed in character gave a small talk about the Do’s and Don’ts, and the portraits joined in which made it entertaining.
We were guided into the next room, which is a theatre and watched a short video about the sets. After the video, we entered the Hogwarts Dining Room. A guide gave the group some information about this particular set and the props, and then we were on our own.
The tour was a self-guided, although we did opt to buy the audio tour. So with headphones on, we walked into the sets and behind the scenes of the magical world of Harry Potter.
It was mystical overload. There were so many things to see. Every tiny detail is immaculately done.
hogwarts dining room slideshow
The next clip is a 360 degrees tour of the Gryffindor common room.
More pics of different sets
And here’s a 360-degree view of Hagrid’s hut.
Behind the scenes
In the Weasley kitchen, the knitting needles were clicking away, the laundry was ironing itself, and the washing up was cleaning itself. All of which were visual effects. You could press buttons to make objects come alive.
the forbidden forest
The artwork and details are fantastic, with the lighting low and the pathway spongy underfoot. You actually feel like you are walking through a real forest full of creatures. Buckbeak is there to greet you, slowly bowing his head before raising it to look up into the night sky. Just beyond, the forest changes and it gets darker.
Here’s a short clip of Buckbeak the Hippogriff in the Forbidden Forest.
As we walked along the path, cobwebs hung from the trees. You can hear the low rumble of thunder and bright flashes of lightning. Ginormous spiders watched our every move, with one final bright flash the spiders’ rain down from the ceiling and you must run for safety! Thankfully Sirius Black appears in his Animagus form, but beware, there are a few more surprises in the dark forest……..
Our pics of the forbidden forest slideshow
Hogwarts Express
On platform 9 3/4 we have the Hogwarts Express. This is the original steam engine from the films. The big red locomotive is a real train which was a passenger train from 1937-1963. It was originally called ‘Olton Hall’. It was saved from rusting away and is now a film star being visited by thousands daily.
For all you locomotive enthusiasts, here is a short video about the Hogwarts Express aka Olton Hall.
And now for our pictures……
all aboard for the Hogwarts express – slideshow
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outdoor sets of Harry Potter – Warner Bros Studio
After a nice glass of ButterBeer and the packed lunch we brought with us, we ventured outside to see some of the outdoor sets.
When filming the Knight Bus scenes, certain roads in London had to be closed down to accommodate the height of the bus.
outdoor sets
As you walk through the house at Privet Drive, you see all the letters in flight around the living room. Here’s how it was done.
special effects
From the outdoor sets, we ventured into the special effects area. This is where the real magic happens, as the artists literally bring their works of art to life. The T.V. monitors play videos explaining how they use animatronics, flame throwers and motors to make inanimate objects move, talk, make you laugh, cry and become scared.
Honestly, we could have taken hundreds of photos. Here is a handful for you to look at.
behind the scenes SPECIAL EFFECTS – slideshow
Mandrake – special effects 
Grindylows are water demons with long fingers and sharp, tiny horns on their heads. 
Fawkes the Phoenix 
Merpeople are sentient beings that live underwater. 
The head of Hagred which was used by his double to create Hagred’s size in certain scenes 
Giant’s head 
Some of the shots used real owls but also this remote control owl was used as Hedwig
gringotts wizarding bank
Moving on from the special effects area we headed into Gringotts Wizarding Bank. This is the only bank of the wizarding world and is owned and operated by goblins. It was created by a goblin called Gringott, in 1474. The scale of these sets is impressive and so is the detail, you can see how much fun they must have had making it all.
There are two sets of Gringotts, one before the destruction and one after. Once we walked through to the vault, saw the philosophers stone and the gold, we came to the second of the Gringotts sets where there is a fire breathing dragon.
gringotts wizarding bank – slideshow
Gringotts Wizarding Bank is the only bank of the wizarding world, and is owned and operated by goblins. It was created by a goblin called Gringott, in 1474. Its main offices are located around the North Side of Diagon Alley in London, England 
One of the goblins working at Gringotts 
Head goblin of Gringotts 
The staircase leading to the vaults 
Vault 713, which stored only the Philosopher’s Stone 
Riches upon riches 
Mummy hand 
A new addition to the characters in Harry Potter. You saw Master Steven here first! 
The distruction of Gringott 
A fire breathing dragon at Gringott’s
Diagon Alley
For me, this was my favourite set. It’s colourful and childlike with many windows to peer in. Ollivander’s selling wands, Eeylops Owl Emporium and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes joke shop. It was a shame that we weren’t able to actually get in the shops! But I guess that’s what the gift shops are all about.
our photos of diagon alley – slideshow
This is just the tip of the iceberg here at Warner Bros Studio. There was so much more to the filming and making of the Harry Potter movies. It’s wonderful to see and experience this first hand. Both of us had a fantastic time and thoroughly recommend it.
Harry Potter – Warner Bros Studio – in a nutshell
- Address: Studio Tour Dr, Watford WD25 7LR, United Kingdom
- Hours: 8.30 am to 10 pm daily
- A permanent exhibit offering an authentic behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Harry Potter films
- Book tickets in advance – either from Viator or directly from Warner Bros
- Or book a coach trip through a tour operator (we did this through Viator and boarded the coach from Victoria Coach Station, London. Coach tours are the easiest way if you don’t want to hire a car. We were extremely happy with this tour operator and will definitely be using them again)
- Ticket prices vary depending on which tour you decide.
- Alternative ways and directions to Warner Bros Studio
BOOK YOUR TOUR Here
location map
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