Warner Bros Studio Tour London is a fantastic place full of charm and magic straight from the world of Harry Potter. It will appeal to everyone, whether they are fans of J.K Rowling’s work or not. The interior of the film studio has been transformed into a monument to the famous magical hero. The whole place is crafted with such attention to detail that anyone with even a hint of imagination will feel like they’re in a real, magical world.
After the filming of the Harry Potter film series concluded, the authorities at Warner Bros Studio in London realized that opening the film set to visitors would be as good for business as the films themselves. Today, it’s safe to say they were right. The crowds of Harry Potter fans that pass through the studio every day suggest that the studio is making a real fortune from tourists.
From my experience, I can add that a visit to Warner Bros Studio Tour London is worth every penny spent, and I highly recommend such an adventure to all of you.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London and its history
The impressive Warner Bros film studio, located in the Leavesden district of London, was built on the foundations of a former military base. In the vast hangars, fighter planes Halifax and Mosquito were built, operating on all fronts of World War II. After the end of the global conflict, production was changed, and Leavesden began to produce civilian aircraft.
In 1992, the aircraft factory was closed, and the fate of the large hangars seemed sealed. Fortunately, just two years later, Pinewood Studios decided to use the empty hangars for the production needs of another instalment of the adventures of agent 007. Thus, the film “Goldeneye” with Pierce Brosnan was shot on the site of today’s Warner Bros Studio in London.
The vast spaces of the former aircraft factory appealed to filmmakers, as they became the birthplace of more mega-productions. I’ll mention only such films as “Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace” or “Sleepy Hollow” by Tim Burton, in which Johnny Depp played the lead role.
Ultimately, in 2000, Warner Bros studio leased the entire area, including the buildings, for many years, planning to shoot further instalments of Harry Potter there, and then use the work put into the decorations, costumes, and set design to create a fantastic world full of souvenirs from the famous student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
What to do and see in London and how much it costs
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour; Discover London’s most iconic sights on a hop-on hop-off bus tour valid for either 1-day, 24, or 48-hours.
- The London Eye Entry Ticket; A trip on the London Eye is truly captivating.
- The London Pass with 90+ Attractions and Tours; Access 90+ activities from The Tower of London to The Shard, hop-on hop-off bus, Westminster Abbey, and more.
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transfers; Take the bus from central London for this magical full-day tour of the Warner Brothers Studio.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London visiting the magical world of Harry Potter
Visiting the Warner Bros Studio Tour in London is a tremendous adventure, especially if you’ve previously watched the films based on J.K. Rowling’s novels. Everything you see as you stroll through the spacious halls is precisely what you’ve seen on the big screen or television. Literally, every corner of the space feels familiar. Here you’ll find props used in the films, such as wizards’ wands, costumes, wigs, tableware, lamps, furniture, paintings, and various knick-knacks.
Additionally, you’ll encounter well-known locations from the films, such as Rubeus Hagrid’s hut or the grand dining hall at Hogwarts, but you’ll read about the details later in the article.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London Harry Potter and the adventure begins
The whole adventure begins in the queue for entry, and this queue can be really long. We arrived in London in February, right in the middle of the week, and despite that, hundreds of Harry Potter fans had gathered in front of the studio entrance. Most of them take their affection very seriously. The characters in the queue ahead of us were colourful and dressed in costumes associated with the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Everyone was excited and rather cheerful, so standing with them in one group was not unpleasant.
After checking the tickets, which I advise buying before arrival as they quickly sell out at the ticket booths, and also because you have to stand in a double queue, we entered a giant hall where the main theme is a massive dragon hanging from the ceiling. The beast is gigantic and makes a big impression.
The walls are lined with graphics related to the world of magic, and on large screens suspended from the ceiling, the most important characters from the Harry Potter films are displayed. There is also a café and restaurant, both stylized as magical taverns, as well as a souvenir shop. However, I suggest holding off on shopping; during the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to pass through several shops and spend quite a bit of money on magical trinkets.
Without hesitation, we joined the line of people waiting in front of the next entrance, this time leading into the interior of the film studio. This queue moves efficiently and in bursts because, as we later noticed, groups of about fifty people are allowed inside at a time so that each group can watch the introductory film.
Don’t worry, you won’t be bored while standing in line, as it stretches along walls filled with memorabilia from the films. Here you’ll see photos of the actors and even Harry Potter’s cupboard under the stairs where he lived. Posters advertising the upcoming films are gathered on the walls; we managed to find a poster from Polish cinemas, I wonder if you’ll find it too.
The next stop is the cinema hall, where the introduction and important information about the tour are shown. By the way, this is one of several places where taking photos and filming is not allowed. This prohibition was introduced because the studio has prepared some interesting surprises for its guests. They await you in the next room, so I won’t spoil them for you, as it could ruin the experience.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London Harry Potter and the Great Hall of Hogwarts
The Great Hall in Hogwarts is the first room you’ll enter after passing through the magical gate. The size of this place is exactly as I remembered it from the films. Long tables covered with tableware stand along the walls, as if awaiting hungry wizards.
On the walls, fires burn in steel bowls held in the mouths of griffins. Somewhere near the ceiling, a wizard soars on a broomstick, while mannequins dressed in the robes of the main characters from the world created in J.K. Rowling’s imagination stand in corners and alcoves. There’s the towering figure of Hagrid and the diminutive Professor Flitwick. Further down, the stern and dark Professor Snape stands alongside Horace Slughorn and Minerva McGonagall. And of course, there’s Albus Dumbledore himself. Oh, directly across from the entrance, just below the massive pendulum clock, stands perhaps the most despised character, the twisted and false Dolores Umbridge with her mocking smile and pink attire.
The Great Hall has been the backdrop for many iconic scenes in the Harry Potter films. We’ve seen it, for example, during the Christmas Ball and the Battle of Hogwarts. The hall was built in 2000 for the filming of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and it was subsequently used in all the following instalments.
As you stroll through the Great Hall of Hogwarts, remember that most of the items you see are handmade props, many of which could be considered works of art. Take note of the tableware, Professor Dumbledore’s lectern, and the large points counter, where the achievements of each house were tallied.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London Harry Potter and the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts
The Forbidden Forest is another room that made a giant impression on me. It was built for the filming of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. It’s in this dark forest that the giant spider Aragog had his lair. The Forbidden Forest is a place full of dark nooks inhabited by sinister creatures. You’ll see them during recurring light shows. The forest consists of nineteen trees entwined with branches, some of which are over three meters in diameter.
The forest is accessed through an iron gate, and just beyond it, Hagrid awaits you with a lantern in hand. It’s the perfect place to take a photo with the giant. Throughout the journey through the forest, we were accompanied by music from the film, and occasionally, mysterious inhabitants of the Forbidden Forest emerged from the shadows surrounded by artificial fog and cleverly hidden lights.
The central point in the forest is the Hippogriff paddock, where the magical creature awaits the next brave souls who dare to approach it. I also encountered several giant spiders (Acromantula), wolves, the centaur Firenze, and a Patronus, which is a combination of a ghostly dog and a misshapen stag adorned with lights. It looks quite comical, although I assume that this is what we saw in the film as Harry Potter’s shining and ethereal defender. Apparently, there are other creatures here, but they are visible only to wizards.
On the edge of the forest lives Rubeus Hagrid, the gamekeeper and keeper of keys, who takes care of all the creatures living in the forest. You’ll also find his hut near the forest gate.
The Forbidden Forest is a fantastic place that stimulates the imagination. However, I noticed that the youngest travellers walked through it with great fear, so keep that in mind if you visit with small children.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London Harry Potter and train station with Hogwarts Express locomotive and platform 9 and three quarters
As you know, the Hogwarts Express locomotive transported students from Platform 9 ¾ to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Specifically for the film, the entire platform with the train and carriages, along with everything that should be found at a railway station, was built at Warner Bros Studio in London.
Although most of the scenes for the film were shot at King’s Cross Station in London, some important shots were created here. It was on the train, standing on the studio’s created film set, that Harry Potter met his future friends for the first time. In the carriages attached to the locomotive, young wizards indulged in magical sweets and teased Hermione Granger.
The platform is huge, and you can spend quite a bit of time exploring the locomotive and the carriages attached to it, where you’ll see many items known from the films. Magical sweets are scattered on the seats in the compartments, someone forgot suitcases or wands. Coats with the colours of the respective schools hang on the racks, and in the background, the music from the film plays, interrupted by the shouts of the train driver and conductor.
The final scene of the Harry Potter saga also ends on the platform by the train to Hogwarts, as an aged Harry, along with his wife and friends, bids farewell to their children who are embarking on their first journey to the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
On the platform, there is a restaurant with enticing delicacies and a souvenir shop. However, I still advise you to hold off on spending money. Towards the end of the tour, you’ll come across a gigantic shop where you’ll be tempted to spend your hard-earned money, and suddenly, the children might decide they would prefer a different souvenir than the one they chose earlier. We experienced that ourselves.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London Harry Potter and Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley is one of the sets that made the biggest impression on me. At Warner Bros Studio in London, every detail of the magical street where Harry Potter strolled, gathering the items needed for his schooling at Hogwarts, has been faithfully reproduced.
During the production of each part of the film, Diagon Alley was often rebuilt and adapted to specific needs. All the houses are built solidly and with attention to detail. Artificially aged walls, slightly leaning buildings, and shop windows and flats filled with props make it a true masterpiece of set design.
During my walk, I saw Ollivander’s shop, the famous wand maker, Madame Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, Slughorn and Jiggers Apothecary, Flourish and Blotts bookshop, the magical menagerie, and of course, Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. I’m sure you’ll spot many other places known from the films.
For the production of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Diagon Alley was redesigned to become the centre of the village of Hogsmeade. The famous Gringotts Bank also stands in Diagon Alley, and its interior was recreated in another part of the Warner Bros Studio, which you’ll visit after exiting Diagon Alley.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London Harry Potter and Gringotts Wizarding Bank
The Wizarding Bank of Gringotts is another part of Warner Bros Studio Tour London that left me speechless. Every smallest detail of the grand banking hall has been faithfully reproduced here. The tellers’ stations and counters manned by goblins, crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and massive columns supporting the bank’s ceiling vanish high above your head. The set designers outdid themselves, and it was only upon entering this part of the studio that I understood why its owners decided to preserve the set as a museum.
Everything in this hall is real; the lamps at the tellers’ stations are made of tarnished brass, just like the precise scales and trinkets lying nearby. The railings, intricate floor mosaics, and dark wood on the walls—all of it looks fantastic.
As you probably remember, guarding the treasures amassed in the Wizarding Bank of Gringotts was the formidable Ukrainian Iron belly dragon. It is precisely this dragon that is suspended from the ceiling in the main hall of Warner Bros Studio, which we passed through at the beginning of the tour.
The next room you’ll enter after leaving the bank is dedicated to the Gringotts dragon. It depicts the ruined bank after the dragon broke free from the underground and wreaked havoc on the bank building. Additionally, a clever re-enactment of this event has been set up here. The ruined hall is full of debris, marble elements of decoration, broken benches and teller stations, shattered chandeliers, and dust.
Suddenly, the lights dim, and with a slow rumble from the dust and smoke, a huge fire-breathing dragon emerges. Believe me, like many others who were there with me, I felt a shiver of fear. Many screamed, women fainted, and children began to flee back to the previous rooms.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London Harry Potter and Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse and the studio’s outdoor area
Professor Sprout’s greenhouse is supposedly one of the most eagerly visited places in the entire studio. I think this is due to the moments when the staff at Warner Bros Studio in London organize herbology and magical horticulture lessons here. When we visited the greenhouse, such activities were not taking place, so we only walked along the beds full of screaming mandrakes.
As you know, mandrakes scream so loudly (especially when pulled from the ground) that an ordinary person would go deaf instantly from the noise. Fortunately, those in the greenhouse are young specimens, and their screams only give you a headache. The greenhouse is home to many other exotic and magical plants. If you are attentive enough, you will notice Venomous Tentacula hanging from the ceiling. In the film, these plants twist and stretch, but in reality, they remain motionless and slightly wilted.
The greenhouse is located in the outdoor part of Warner Bros Studio in London. In addition to it, you will find the triple-decker bus, a miniature version of the Weasley’s crooked house, a wooden bridge connecting Hogwarts to the Forbidden Forest, and, of course, the tavern where you can buy butter beer. It is a drink served both hot and cold. Supposedly, it can put anyone in a cheerful mood. To be honest, it only made me nauseous because it’s very sweet, especially the marshmallow foam on top. However, it’s cool that the plastic tankards in which the beer is served can be taken home.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London Harry Potter and a miniature of Hogwarts
I must admit that upon entering the room where a miniature Hogwarts was created, I was amazed. The building was reproduced with every detail, so much so that during the film, you couldn’t distinguish it from real buildings.
There are towers we saw when wizards flew around them on broomsticks, there are bridges, gardens, courtyards, the Forbidden Forest, and many other parts of the magical world. Moreover, everything is alive. Trees gently sway in the non-existent wind, lights flicker on and off in the windows, and shadows move along the corridors.
You can stroll around Hogwarts and see everything in detail. Throughout, you can hear sounds coming from inside the great castle, and occasionally, the atmosphere changes, and we have storms, snowstorms, or whirlwinds. An incredible place, if only I weren’t so tired from the hours-long walk, I would have stayed longer.
If you visit Warner Bros Studio in London around the holidays, you will see Hogwarts covered in snow.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London Harry Potter and other attractions
Apart from the main halls, which I described above, in the studio, you will find a plethora of smaller setups and minor parts of the film set. They accompany visitors literally at every step, so you must be very vigilant and focused not to miss anything important.
Pay attention to the paintings hung all around. All of them were painted specifically for the film and are small works of art in themselves. They depict existing or mythical characters that appear in books in one way or another.
Don’t overlook the classrooms, such as the poison classroom with Professor Snape dressed in black. Hundreds of glass containers, bottles, and beakers filled with herbs and all sorts of substances necessary for brewing magical potions are gathered around the professor. On a large table, there are scales, cauldrons, books, and a multitude of magical instruments. All the jars and bottles have handwritten labels and markings.
Another interesting place is the interior of the Weasley house. It’s a warm and friendly place that you’ve seen in several parts of the film. Many items related to magic and the daily life of the wizarding family are gathered here. The tables are laden with food, and various magical items are scattered around the corner. There’s an iron that irons shirts by itself and a rocking chair where an invisible creature knits a jumper.
A little further in a stone niche is Professor Dumbledore’s office with hundreds of books, magical instruments, vials containing human thoughts, and, of course, Fawkes the phoenix.
Hagrid’s hut, where the large and slobbery dog, Fang, awaits his master. The room is cluttered with various items and is in constant chaos, just like in the film.
On a small stage just before the entrance to the Forbidden Forest, young wizards can try their hand at spells or try to lift a magical broomstick from the ground. You can also sit in a magical tavern and take a photo with a tankard full of beer. Nearby stands a massive table where the wizard council discusses the problems of the wizarding world, and a large snake winds its way around the feet of those seated.
That’s just a small glimpse of what’s collected in each room. I’ll remind you once again to be very observant during your tour, as you’ll discover many more extraordinary things.
Mechanisms, costumes, wigs and various techniques and special effects from the set
As you stroll through Warner Bros Studio Tour London, remember that it’s one giant film set. Although we live in an era where many film effects come from modern graphic stations, for the Harry Potter saga, many mechanisms, and devices were created to ensure excellent visual quality.
You’ll find special sections explaining how individual elements of the set design and mechanisms worked. Perfectly crafted masks, mechanical hands, faces, jaws, or remote-controlled monsters are a very intriguing part of the studio that you shouldn’t miss.
In such places, you can see the immense amount of work put into the production of films. Every detail is perfected almost to perfection. The wigs look like real scalps, the masks are like living faces, and moving objects actually seem magical. It would be difficult to count how many people are involved in preparing something like this. So it’s no wonder that each subsequent production costs millions of dollars.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London Harry Potter, practical information helpful when visiting
Remember that although Warner Bros Studio is located in London, it takes about 2 hours to travel there from the city centre. You need to factor this into your plans. Therefore, the ticket price to the studio is just part of the costs you’ll incur. The most convenient option is to purchase a ticket with transportation included, or as we did, arrive in London a day earlier and find a hotel near the studio.
You have a range of ticket options from the most popular and cheapest to the more expensive ones, which may include a formal dinner in a magical-themed restaurant.
Address of Warner Bros Studio in London: Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR
Parking at Warner Bros Studio in London is free, but you must have a reservation confirmation, which will be checked by studio staff before you park. A designated part of the parking area is reserved for disabled individuals.
You should arrive at the studio at least 20 minutes before the time on your ticket. If you’re late, the studio does not guarantee that you will be admitted; it all depends on the number of tourists that day, so it’s better to be on time.
Before entering the studio, you must undergo security screening similar to that at an airport. Therefore, make sure you don’t have any items that may cause concern for studio staff.
With your ticket, you can reserve a digital guide in your chosen language or join a tour in Polish.
Photography and filming are allowed throughout the studio, except for the first few rooms, as you’ll be informed. Furthermore, note that tripods and flashlights are not allowed.
If you have luggage that you don’t want to carry with you during the tour, you can leave it in a designated area.
There are several restaurants on the studio premises. They are costly, but it’s the norm for this type of attraction. If you get hungry, look for The Chocolate Frog Cafe, The Backlot Café, or The Hub Café. There are also numerous souvenir shops and snack stands.
The studio is open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, with the last tour starting at 6:30 pm.
A place I recommend buying entrance tickets to Warner Bros Studio Tour London.
The tour takes about 4 hours, but it took us a bit longer, and if it weren’t for the need to travel to Bristol after the tour, we probably would have stayed longer.
Map of Warner Bros Studio in London:
Important information: If it is your birthday on the day of your visit, please let the staff know, and you will receive some bonuses and surprises during the trip.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London interesting facts, information and interesting facts
- The studio was established in 2000 for the production of the Harry Potter film series.
- For the needs of the film, a non-existent game popular in Hogwarts was invented, Quidditch. The filmmakers faced a huge challenge to transform the fictional sport into a real one. This led to the creation of unique costumes and other props used in the matches.
- The Yule Ball was the most difficult challenge for the costume department on set. Over 300 costumes were created, and to meet the challenge, an additional 100 staff members were hired.
- Some costumes created for the film later went into production and can be purchased in many stores.
- Costumes not only had to fit the film’s themes but also had to be given the right colour to match specific shots.
- Each character in the film had their own custom-made costume.
- The visual effects department during production was highly elaborate, involving hundreds of technicians.
- Some effects were computer-generated, while others were practical. An example is the basilisk living deep beneath Hogwarts. Engineers responsible for the effects created a full-scale model of the monster’s head, making scenes with it very realistic.
- For the film, three versions of Buckbeak the Hippogriff were created: flying, standing, and lying down.
- Another very realistic part of the set design is the goblin masks. They serve as bank officials and cashiers at Gringotts Bank on Diagon Alley. Over 140 qualified makeup artists from across Europe worked to transform over 60 actors into goblins within a few hours. Remember that each of them looks different and has their own unique features.
- One of the mechanical characters in the film was the giant spider Aragog. It took 15 people to operate him.
- There are 19 trees in the Forbidden Forest.
- Many scenes were shot against a green screen, allowing for a wholly different background to be added in post-production. At the studio, you can participate in activities using this technique.
- In Ollivander’s wand shop, manufacturers of wands for wizards, there are over 17,000 individually labelled and marked wand boxes on the shelves.
- In London, tours to locations where scenes for the film were shot are organized.
- Warner Bros also owns other film studios that can be visited, including Warner Bros Studio Tour in Tokyo and in Hollywood.
Other attractions in London worth visiting
- Tower Bridge in London information and interesting facts about the most famous bridge in the capital of England.
- Tower of London is one of the most valuable monuments in the capital of Great Britain.
- Warner Bros Studio Tour London is a fantastic place full of charm and magic straight from the world of Harry Potter.
- Sky Garden in London, a free rooftop terrace and a incredible free attraction in the capital of England.
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