Bucket list experience:
Credit: IR Stone / Shutterstock.com
From the moment you step through the vast carved doors of the Great Hall, you know you’re somewhere truly magical. This is no mere theme park – instead, you’ll find thousands of exquisitely detailed artefacts, lovingly preserved from the eight Harry Potter movies, filmed at adjacent Leavesden studios.
The sets are the biggest draw, from a cobbled Diagon Alley to The Great Hall, the Gryffindor dorms to Dumbledore’s office, and the Hogwarts Express, which you can climb aboard. Just watch out for Dementors.
But this showcase of sets, iconic props and costumes is beautifully displayed to allow an immersive, interactive experience that stays with you long after you’ve left. Even if you’re not a Potter fan, the incredible attention to detail, commitment to storytelling and sheer craftsmanship that has gone into both the film sets and the subsequent Studio Tour, can’t fail to move anyone with even the most passing interest in movies.
There’s always a big queue (and fee) for the chance to ride a broom against a greenscreen and snag souvenir snaps of yourself high above Hogwarts. But unless you’ve got kids in tow (or are a serious fan) give it a miss in favour of a proper look around the Special Effects and Visual Effects exhibition, which reveals the magic behind such wonders as the door to the Chamber of Secrets, the invisibility cloak and just how those green screenshots were made.
The studios are located 20 miles north-west of London, under three miles from the M1 and M25 motorways. The nearest rail station is Watford Junction (20 minutes from Euston). From here, regular buses shuttle to the Studio Tour, taking about 15 minutes.
Ardent fans and younger visitors should pick up an Activity Passport which takes you on a Golden Snitch hunt and offers up puzzles and trivia to enhance your tour, and helps you find souvenir stamps at key points throughout the tour such as Platform 9 ¾ and Gringotts Bank.
There are plentiful atmospheric places to refuel including the Chocolate Frog Café serving sweets and treats inspired by the wizarding world, The Hub Café and Food Hall (best for full meals), and the Backlot Café where you can order an iconic butterbeer.
The gift shop has plenty of consumable souvenirs, from packets of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans to chocolate frogs.
It’s open all year round, seven days a week. School holidays and weekends are busy throughout the day, although timed entry requirements do a decent job of spacing out the crowds. At other times, mornings are busiest.
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
London, United Kingdom (UK)[24.7 miles]
A colourful boutique hotel with an even more colourful rock’n’roll history, in the boho-chic residential quarter between Portobello Road and Notting Hill.
Official star rating:
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
London, United Kingdom (UK)[22.2 miles]
320 hectares of ancient London parkland, complete with woods, grassy meadow picnic spots, ponds to swim in and, set at one of the highest points in London, some of the best views over the capital.
Best for ages: Any | Free
