To kick-off the series of posts that I will write about our Euro trip, I am starting it with our visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter.
If you know me personally, I am a huge Potterhead, so when I was planning our trip to London, this is one of the top places I wanted to visit. I told my husband we cannot not visit this place! It's a dream come true for me to be able to visit the actual shooting sets, and see the actual props and costumes used in the Harry Potter films.
On the day of our visit, obviously, I was so excited. However, my mood was dampen because I was sick. Although I wasn't at my 100%, I didn't let it ruin the trip and really tried to still enjoy myself. But in the photos, it was really obvious that I wasn't feeling well. So please don't mind my face in the photos. I was really happy that day. Haha!
By the way, tickets cost £53.50 each. But we opted for the tickets + transfer package which costed us £105 each. I suggest you opt for the package. The studios is quite far from London and it is in a remote area. I don't think there's direct public transport. You can find more details from their website.
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We started the day early as we needed to catch the Harry Potter bus that will take us to the studios. It is actually not exactly in London; it is located in Watford in Hertfordshire. We boarded the bus from Baker Street and we reached the studios in less than an hour.
Once you enter, you will be greeted by the massive Hungarian Horntail hanging on the ceiling. This was the dragon that Harry Potter fought in Goblet of Fire.
We visited the studios in mid-October, and the current theme was the Dark Arts. I suppose, since Halloween is approaching, this theme is the most fitting.
The Great Hall
The entire Great Hall was adorned with candies and Halloween-related decorations. The ceiling seemed like it was enchanted by Dumbledore just like in the movies.
Yule Ball
The costumes which were worn by the actors during the Yule Ball in Goblet of Fire were showcased. Hermione's dress is so pretty, and look at that waist!
Potions Classroom
This is the set of the potions classroom where Professors Snape and Professor Slughorn taught their classes. Remember the potions class scene in Sorcerer's Stone where Snape was asking Harry Potter a bunch of questions, and Harry couldn't answer? The audio from that scene was played continuously in this set.
Mirror of Erised
Of course we didn't miss the chance to take mirror selfies in the Mirror of Erised! I did not see my desires, though!
Gryffindor Common Room
This is the set of the cozy Gryffindor Common Room. They displayed the costumes worn by Harry, Ron, and Hermione in Prisoner of Azkaban. This third film is my favourite out of all seven movies.
Dumbledore's Office
I think this set is the most intricately designed. There were lots of artefacts displayed like the Sorting Hat, Fawkes the phoenix, the Pensieve, and they even have the gargoyle stairwell.
Umbridge's Office
Umbridge has a penchant for all things pink.
This is where Harry's detention took place. That detention was so cruel, isn't it?
Herbology Greenhouse
The mandrakes here are interactive! You can really pull the mandrakes out from the soil and they will shriek just like in the movies. Good thing, here, their cries are not fatal! Haha!
Platform 9¾ at King's Cross & the Hogwarts Express
As a Harry Potter fan, I have always wanted a photo pushing a trolley and entering Platform 9¾. It was also a nice experience to board the actual carriage they used in the films.
During our trip, I was able to visit the actual King's Cross in London, and the viaduct in Scotland where the Hogwarts Express passes through on the way to Hogwarts. It was so surreal to visit these places.
Diagon Alley
"Welcome, Harry, to Diagon Alley!"
Too bad, we did not have Hagrid tapping on the bricks to open the entrance to Diagon Alley. Haha! Just a side story: when we were in Scotland, we joined a Harry Potter walking tour and we visited Victoria Street which the fans have speculated to be the inspiration of the Diagon Alley. It looks pretty close, but it's debatable! Anyway, I will also blog about that walking tour we did in Edinburgh.
Gringotts Bank
The bank operated by goblins! Do you remember the scene in Deathly Hallows where the trio broke into Bellatrix Lestrange's vault? Helena Bonham-Carter was so good copying Emma's quirks as Hermione.
Number 4, Privet Drive
The residence of the Dursleys. They have exhibited the scenes from the first film where Harry's letters were flying around, and the one in the third film where Harry inflated Marge Dursley. These sets were so well done.
The Malfoys and the Death Eaters
The photo on the left was the scene in Deathly Hallows where the Death Eaters are at the Malfoy Manor. While the photo on the right were the costumes worn by the Malfoys and the Black family tree tapestry.
The Flying Ford Anglia
The Weasleys' enchanted, flying car!
Scale Models
In the Art Department, they have displayed various full scale models of the cast.
Daniel is quite short, isn't he?
Hogwarts Castle
At the end of the exhibits before reaching the gift shop, you will see a model of the Hogwarts Castle in 1:24 scale. It looks amazing as they replicated every last detail of the castle.
Backlot Cafe
After all that exploring, of course we needed to eat! We ate at the Backlot Cafe. We ordered burgers and Butterbeer! But I'll be honest, I didn't liked the Butterbeer. Haha!
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I hope you enjoyed the photos! While there are other sets, props, and costumes that I couldn't include here, these should give you a glimpse of what you can expect to see in the studios.
Even though I was feeling under the weather, I was really happy and I really enjoyed exploring the entire studio. If you are a Harry Potter fan, I highly suggest paying a visit should you ever find yourself in London.
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