I've got slight Harry Potter obsession, okay so I don't exactly sport a Hogwarts cloak, hat and wand wherever I go...but still an obsession nonetheless. I have grown up with the books, films and actors alike, with the lead actors being just a year or two older than myself. There is something so enchanting about the books and films, they allow you to completely submerge yourself into the magical world of Harry Potter and provide an escape for children and adults alike. I have watch all eight films countless times, was at one of the book launches in my local book shop and I even auditioned for Loona Lovegood when I was younger!
I was still as equally excited about visiting this time round as I was the first time two years ago. For three or four hours it allows me to immerse myself into this extraordinary world and revisit my childhood.
The Harry Potter studio tour is located next to the working studios where all eight Harry Potter films were produced. Shortly after acquiring the film rights for the Harry Potter book series, Warner Bros leased Leavesden Studios. Filming of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone commenced shortly after in 2000. The former aircraft factory was perfect for building many of the larger sets, it continued to be a home for the production of all eight Harry Potter films. One hundred million pounds was invested into Leavesden Studios in 2010 to establish the location as a permanent film production base for the company. It was then renamed Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and in 2012 it became a permanent walking tour providing guests with unique 'behind the scenes' access featuring countless authentic sets, props, costumes whilst also showcasing the artistry and technology behind all the props and costumes, many of which contain story boards that include detailed explanations of when it appeared in the films and what it is.
Whilst queuing up you are able to view pictures of characters that adorn the walls, the Weasley's flying Ford Anglia, a huge suspended time turner and also walk past the set of the under the stairs cupboard which was Harry's bedroom at the Dursley's house.
At the start of the tour you are ushered into a small dark room where you are given a very short film on how the books made it to the big screen. Once the mini introduction has finished you all are guided through to another room, sit at the front of the cinema (TRUST ME ON THIS!). You are treated to another short introduction by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint who sets the scene and introduces the tour. Now I can explain why you HAVE to be at the front... At the end of this the three actors walk through the doors to the Great Hall and the screen raises and unveils the ACTUAL doors to the Great Hall. As I had previously visited the Studios I knew what to expect, but watching the facial expressions on people who had never been was great. They will ask for volunteers to help open them...PUT YOUR HAND UP! Whether it's your birthday or not just volunteer....do it for your inner child! I was shoved to the front and nominated by a friend of mine when I visited the first time round.
The tour itself is divided into 3 different sections; 2 vast hangers and a Back Lot completely filled to the brim with various original props, sets and the secrets behind the special effects used in the films. What makes it so magical is every little detail has been so well thought out to reflect this incredible magical world.
The Great Hall
This has got to be one of the most magnificent and more memorable Harry Potter sets. It's much smaller in reality but definitely still has that wow factor. Every single tiny detail has been thoroughly thought out - from the carvings in the stone walls to hand painted murals that have been faded. This set was used throughout all the films except for Deathly Hallows Part 1. I hate to break it to you but that enchanted ceiling... It's just cameras and visual effects!
This is the only part of the tour where time is limited and is guided. Whilst wandering around the hall, taking in all the precise detailing, the tour guide recites information regarding the set, props and costumes within the Great Hall. Dotted around the room there are all 4 houses with their emblems and iconic costumes from each house. There are two large tables, running from one end of the set to the other, which are dressed with never-ending feasts. The feasts are replicated on different feasts depending on what time of year you visit. Heading up the Great Hall is the Teacher's Table, which is set at the top of the hall, with a few of the recognisable professors costumes including Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody, Sybill Trelawney, McGonagall, Dumbledore, Snape and Hagrid.
The Big Room - Hanger J
This is the largest space within the studios and where you are likely to spend most of your time. There is so much to take in, you are guaranteed when visiting again that you will see something that you had missed the previous time.
This hanger contains the Gryffindor common room, Hagrid's hut, Dumbledore's office, the potions classroom (complete with cauldrons that stir themselves) and the Weasleys' Burrow (with interactive activities) to name just a few. For the darker witch or wizard you can view the terrifying set of Voldemort and his death eaters sat around a banqueting tablet with a woman suspended over it, have a look at some of the Ministry of Magic sets and get a glimpse of the ghastly Dolores Umbridge's office!
Staff are on hand for any questions you may have, it's worth chatting to these guys trust me! The staff have a lot of knowledge regarding the studios, props etc so you'll definitely walk away finding out something that you never knew before.
Interactive Activities
There's plenty of opportunities to get involved and feel like a real life witch or wizard! There's interactive sets throughout the hangers which is great for children... or the diehard Harry Potter fan. The interactive activities include; wand training, a simulated broomstick flight over Hogwarts, recreate the digital effects like Dobby and a broomstick where you can hover your hand over and it rises up. You have the option to purchase pictures from some of these activities but naturally this can be expensive!
Forbidden Forest
This expansion is a fairly new feature that opened at the end of March 2017. You follow a path into the dark depths of the Forbidden Forest where you will be greeted by Hagrid, Buckbeak and Aragog.
Buckbeak, the Hippogriff is incredibly impressive. The half horse half giant eagle took a team of twenty a year to make the three incredible animatronics. To recreate the creature, artists sorted through thousands of goose and chicken feathers before dying and individually gluing each one in place by hand. They worked closely alongside mechanical engineers to replicate the precise wing movement of a real bird. The models were each fitted with wings, necks, eyes and beaks so they could move. In some scenes, Buckbeak had to digitally recreated.
Aragog, owned by Hagrid, is an 18 foot spider. Originally the designers initially suggested that the creature would be computer-generated, however it was decided that it more economical to construct the blind Acromantula rather than use CGI. The beast was created using a Aquatronic hydraulic system, this allowed for a smoother and more graceful movement which imitated a spider creeping around. Aragog's legs were manipulated by puppeteers while his forelegs were mechanical.
Platform 9 3/4
Stepping onto Platform 9 3/4 is pretty spectacular and doesn't involve the rigmarole of having to run through a wall in order to get there! There are the obligatory photo opportunities including the 'pushing the trolley through the wall' money shot and filming your very own Hogwarts Express ride via the magic of green screen technology, re-enacting scenes with flying cars and dementors going past the window!
The Hogwarts Express is pretty breath-taking, the train used to be a functioning steam train called 'Olton Hall'. Once you've taken in the Hogwarts Express in all its glory, you can step inside and view the tiny compartments where iconic scenes were shot, unfortunately it won't take you to Hogwarts! Each carriage is decked out from each film, including a 'R + L' smeared on the year 6 window.
You can browse the Railway shop where they sell special 'Platform 9 3/4' merchandise and sweets like you would find on the trolley... 'Anything from the trolley dears?' Some bits you will still be able to find in the souvenir shop on your way out.
The Back Lot
The Back Lot is where you can find some of the most memorable exterior sets and props from the world of Harry Potter. You could knock at No. 4 Privet Drive, take a nose round the Dursley's living room and hallway, take a ride on the purple Knight Bus or Hagrid's flying motorbike. As well as walk across the Hogwarts Bridge, sit in the blue Ford Anglia and view Harry Potter's parents house.
This is your only opportunity get refreshments and to finally try some.... Butterbeer, one of the only two places in the world where it can be purchased!
Muggle Warning: Butterbeer is extremely sickly!
... But well worth trying, just do it for the Instagram photo!
Butterbeer basically tastes like butterscotch with some sort of sweet topping on top. If Butterbeer isn't your thing, you can always try the ice cream version, which I did this time round.
Hanger 2
Once you have finished exploring the Back Lot, you will head into another hanger and are greeted by Bathilda Bagshot and some Inferi's. In this hanger you learn more about the creature effects where animatronics, models and special effects are all showcased. Throughout the whole of the creature effects department a video is played, hosted by Warwick Davis, crammed full of information on how some of the creatures were made and revealed some secrets! For example Hagrid isn't played by Robbie Coltrane, no... he's played by a humongous rugby player in a remote control head. I felt like my whole childhood had been a lie finding this out! After finding that traumatic secret out you are guided into another room where the video continues, where you will find another Buckbeak and a colossal Aragog suspended from the ceiling.
Diagon Alley
One of my favourite parts of the tour has to be Diagon Alley. Strolling down this little wizarding street will leave any visitor speechless. Every little intricate detailing has been thoroughly thought out, from the cobbled stones to the shop signs, the carefully constructed rustic shop fronts to the shop window displays, nothing has been overlooked or missed out. All of the classic shops are there including Gringotts Bank, Ollivander's Wand Shop (where even the top windows are full to the brim of wand boxes) and George's infamous Weasley's Wizard Wheezes shop (where the Weasley's Puking Pastilles statue stands proudly in the doorway). Unfortunately you can't step inside the iconic shops however there is an opportunity to spend your cash at the end of the tour.
Design studio
You then move through to a design studio, in this art department you will see artwork and scale drawings of location, props and scenes. There are also scale models of Hogwarts, the whomping willow tree, Dumbledore's office, the Lovegood house and many others.
The Hogwarts Castle
This really is as spectacular as it sounds! This 'miniature' scale of Hogwarts is amazing and not a speck of detail has been missed. The intricate detailing is absolutely incredible. Be sure to stick around for a few minutes to see the castle go from day-to-night. </