This year, I have discovered a new found love for everything Harry Potter. As a kid I was never that interested in the films or the books (don't hate me, I realise my mistakes now..) but now I'm absolutely obsessed. So my family and I decided to take a trip to the Harry Potter Studios in Watford, and you have to go. Whether you've grown up loving the films, or like me are slightly newer to the club (but still as obsessed), it is magical.
We were lucky enough to go when the Goblet of Fire exhibition was on, which I loved as it's my favourite of the films. Although the exhibition has sadly ended now, throughout the year they have so many amazing themes and exhibitions so keep a eye on the website!
ENTERING THE HOGWARTS GREAT HALL
There's no better start to the tour than walking through the doors to the Great Hall. Although your time in here is short, (the only part where you have a limit) you can see the uniforms of each Hogwarts house, the long tables they ate at and all of the costumes worn by the teachers of Hogwarts as they stood in the films.
With the Goblet of Fire exhibition being on, we had a demonstration of the Goblet as well as the addition of the Weasley brothers trying to fool the Age Line...
EXPLORING ALL THE SETS
My favourite thing about the tour has to be seeing all the sets as if you've just walked into the films. There are several from all different films by my favourites had to be Snape's potion classroom and the Burrow.
The Burrow set had interactive sections where you could wave your hand over and see carrots being cut up in front of you, or the dishes washing themselves! Of course it also featured the Weasley family clock which I loved in the films so Mrs Weasley could see where her family were at all times.
I also loved seeing the meeting of the Death Eaters at Malfoy Manor as you could see the amazing full size replica snake that was used and animatronic of Charity Burbage (both of which are very likelike!) as well as the Grave of Tom Riddle as it's so detailed and intricate.
SEARCHING FOR FAMOUS PROPS/COSTUMES
There are so many amazing props and costumes featured during the 8 films, favourites of mine being the Horcruxes and the Invisibility Cloak. You know costumes have been done right when each are instantly recognisable and iconic to each character, and that's one of the many reasons I love the films.
The Hogwarts Prefect Bathroom taps were also incredible to see. Brought out especially for this exhibition, the 53 magic multi coloured running taps is controlled by 1,000 litre tank system, ultraviolet lights and various hoses and pumps!
THE FRIGHTENING FORBIDDEN FOREST
The Forbidden Forest is the newest addition to the studios and is incredible as it's the first set you can actually walk through. The air goes cold, smoke and mist blows around your feet and you feel truly immersed under the 14 feet trees, surrounded by creatures.
Whilst inside you can meet a full sized moving model of Buckbeak, as well as Aragog who, at the push of a button, emerges from his lair and is joined by spiders which hang down all around you...
HOPPING ABOARD THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS
I think my favourite part of the entire tour had to be walking onto Platform 9 and 3/4 and seeing the Hogwarts Express sitting in the station. It has the bustling feel of a real station as well as luggage from the main characters and also a gift shop.
KNOCKING ON 4 PRIVET DRIVE
One of the most iconic locations from the series has to be the home of Harry Potter and the Dursely's.
You can walk through and see the lounge filled with the Hogwarts letters like in the Philosopher's Stone and also read the certificates Dudley Dursley achieved like 'always eating his lunch'!
You can also hop on the Knight Bus, ride Hagrid's Motorbike or try and fly the Weasley's Ford Anglia better than Ron did.
TAKING A WALK DOWN DIAGON ALLEY
It's probably every 'Potterhead's' dream to stroll down Diagon Alley, and it is truly mesmerising! Looking through all the shop windows, especially the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes complete with the famous Puking Pastilles Statue.
THE HOGWARTS CASTLE
The finale of the tour is walking into a room with a breathtakingly intricate Hogwarts Castle. It was used, combined with digital effects to make the stunning views of the exterior of Hogwarts that we see in the films.
You can walk the whole way around it to see it from different views, and if you hang around for 5-10 minutes you can see it go from day to night and back again complete with lanterns, shadows and lights from inside the castle through the windows.
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
If you do decide to take a trip to the Studios, be warned! The gift shop will take you a while to look round, and you'll probably leave with you purse/wallet a hell of a lot lighter. There's countless amounts of merchandise from wands to books, chocolate frogs to scarfs, toys, stationary, magnets, keyrings.. honestly everything you could ever imagine is in that gift shop.
I came out with a Marauders Map mug (£9.95), various postcards (50p - £10), Dobby Pin (£8), Stickers (£2) and a Souvenir Guide (£9.99)
You can also ask for a passport (normally for kids but they happily gave them to adults too!) which meant going round finding stamp stations at certain points to fill out the passport (free), and everyone also received a parchment from the Goblet of Fire with Harry's name on! (free)
If you fancy taking a trip yourself, make sure you book well in advance!
Website: https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/
Thank you for reading,
Becci x
ENTERING THE HOGWARTS GREAT HALL
There's no better start to the tour than walking through the doors to the Great Hall. Although your time in here is short, (the only part where you have a limit) you can see the uniforms of each Hogwarts house, the long tables they ate at and all of the costumes worn by the teachers of Hogwarts as they stood in the films.
With the Goblet of Fire exhibition being on, we had a demonstration of the Goblet as well as the addition of the Weasley brothers trying to fool the Age Line...
EXPLORING ALL THE SETS
My favourite thing about the tour has to be seeing all the sets as if you've just walked into the films. There are several from all different films by my favourites had to be Snape's potion classroom and the Burrow.
The Burrow set had interactive sections where you could wave your hand over and see carrots being cut up in front of you, or the dishes washing themselves! Of course it also featured the Weasley family clock which I loved in the films so Mrs Weasley could see where her family were at all times.
I also loved seeing the meeting of the Death Eaters at Malfoy Manor as you could see the amazing full size replica snake that was used and animatronic of Charity Burbage (both of which are very likelike!) as well as the Grave of Tom Riddle as it's so detailed and intricate.
SEARCHING FOR FAMOUS PROPS/COSTUMES
There are so many amazing props and costumes featured during the 8 films, favourites of mine being the Horcruxes and the Invisibility Cloak. You know costumes have been done right when each are instantly recognisable and iconic to each character, and that's one of the many reasons I love the films.
The huge Triwizard Cup (which was actually in the queue rather than inside the tour) was also amazing to see as it had been made especially for the premiere of the Goblet of Fire in 2005.
The Hogwarts Prefect Bathroom taps were also incredible to see. Brought out especially for this exhibition, the 53 magic multi coloured running taps is controlled by 1,000 litre tank system, ultraviolet lights and various hoses and pumps!
THE FRIGHTENING FORBIDDEN FOREST
The Forbidden Forest is the newest addition to the studios and is incredible as it's the first set you can actually walk through. The air goes cold, smoke and mist blows around your feet and you feel truly immersed under the 14 feet trees, surrounded by creatures.
Whilst inside you can meet a full sized moving model of Buckbeak, as well as Aragog who, at the push of a button, emerges from his lair and is joined by spiders which hang down all around you...
HOPPING ABOARD THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS
I think my favourite part of the entire tour had to be walking onto Platform 9 and 3/4 and seeing the Hogwarts Express sitting in the station. It has the bustling feel of a real station as well as luggage from the main characters and also a gift shop.
You can actually walk through a section of the train and see a carriage for each film decorated with props from that particular film which is such a nice touch. At the end of the train stands Hermonie and Ron, Harry and Ginny dressed as they are in the end of the last film dropping their children off at the Hogwarts Express.
One of the most iconic locations from the series has to be the home of Harry Potter and the Dursely's.
You can walk through and see the lounge filled with the Hogwarts letters like in the Philosopher's Stone and also read the certificates Dudley Dursley achieved like 'always eating his lunch'!
EXPLORING THE BACKLOT TRANSPORT
The Backlot was home to the exterior sets of the films, such as the Hogwarts Bridge and Potter's Cottage in Godric's Hollow. You can along the Hogwarts Bridge, but sadly it doesn't lead you to the entrance of the castle..
The Backlot was home to the exterior sets of the films, such as the Hogwarts Bridge and Potter's Cottage in Godric's Hollow. You can along the Hogwarts Bridge, but sadly it doesn't lead you to the entrance of the castle..
You can also hop on the Knight Bus, ride Hagrid's Motorbike or try and fly the Weasley's Ford Anglia better than Ron did.
It's probably every 'Potterhead's' dream to stroll down Diagon Alley, and it is truly mesmerising! Looking through all the shop windows, especially the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes complete with the famous Puking Pastilles Statue.
From the other end of the Alley you can also see Gringotts Bank, but sadly you cannot go in any of the shops.
The finale of the tour is walking into a room with a breathtakingly intricate Hogwarts Castle. It was used, combined with digital effects to make the stunning views of the exterior of Hogwarts that we see in the films.
You can walk the whole way around it to see it from different views, and if you hang around for 5-10 minutes you can see it go from day to night and back again complete with lanterns, shadows and lights from inside the castle through the windows.
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
If you do decide to take a trip to the Studios, be warned! The gift shop will take you a while to look round, and you'll probably leave with you purse/wallet a hell of a lot lighter. There's countless amounts of merchandise from wands to books, chocolate frogs to scarfs, toys, stationary, magnets, keyrings.. honestly everything you could ever imagine is in that gift shop.
I came out with a Marauders Map mug (£9.95), various postcards (50p - £10), Dobby Pin (£8), Stickers (£2) and a Souvenir Guide (£9.99)
You can also ask for a passport (normally for kids but they happily gave them to adults too!) which meant going round finding stamp stations at certain points to fill out the passport (free), and everyone also received a parchment from the Goblet of Fire with Harry's name on! (free)
Website: https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/
Thank you for reading,
Becci x
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