Full Guide: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

Intro

I was just in Europe for Christmas and New Year’s, but I had to come back for 12 more days to enjoy places I had not been, and to visit cities that I visited last 10 years ago. It was my opportunity to relax, but in a Jump Travelling way, jumping from place to place, enjoying each area, but also following a schedule, like an adventure. But first, I was leaving New York City to quickly stop in London for 12 hours, here I go…

From New York to London

Went to JFK after work and after getting ready once again and picking up my suitcase. Since Norse does not allow web check in, I had to come in person and check in at the airport, which took longer than I expected. I actually thought I was going to miss the flight. But fortunately, I made it to the gate after security, and went off on the plane.

I knew this was a red-eye flight, meaning I would get there on the next morning, so I popped a small dosage of melatonin, and fell asleep for a good few hours. When I woke up, I just saw some YouTube videos and ate a pre-purchased meal on the descend. Now, when landed, it was time for the immigration, which took some time, but it was easy.

I had been in London last Christmas Eve, and it was kind of a nightmare. I was not able to take the train into the city in my stop back then, because it was a holiday, but this time the Gatwick Express was working and thank God, cause I had big plans today, on already Day 02 of this trip.

Made it into London, and switched trains a couple of times to make it to Watford, a town close to London, and where the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is located.

Starting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

I only had a few hours for this stopover in London, since my continuing flight was later tonight. The shuttle from Watford station to the tour was included with the ticket. I recommend to buy tickets to the tour months in advance. Back in 2023 I was not able to get the ones for Christmas.

After an interesting short ride in the double decker, we made it to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.

My return time was 9:15 am and I was already late. I had been here 10 years ago, when I first came to Europe, and a lot had changed since then. I really love this experience, and had been trying to do it once again for years, in all those time I came to London ever since. The entrance with the dragon from Gringotts is so iconic.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

I immediately went into the tour line, it did not matter that I was late, as everyone started heading in. There were two presentations by tour guides and a projection, and I do not think I remember any of that from the past. At the beginning, when they explain all about the movie making felt a little bit crowded, but as the tour progressed, and the props and behind the scenes materials started to show up, everyone was just doing their thing and the crowd was more dispersed.

The show in the Great Hall introducing to the first set was amazing. Entering those huge doors into this iconic place seen in the movies, was mesmerizing. It is crazy to me, that as far as I remember, this has not been duplicated in the parks.

Seeing Dolores Umbridge, or at least her very recognizable costume, made me think a lot about Epic Universe, which by that time I had not visited yet. She is do good at Battle at the Ministry in the new Harry Potter world: Ministry of Magic.

In the tour they detailed a lot of props and costumes, like for example these ones used during the Yule Ball scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, probably one of the best in the franchise.

More from Dolores Umbridge, the Educational Decrees as seen on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

At this point the tour is pretty much at your own pace, and do as fast or as slow as you wish. I had places to go, but still checked almost everything I could, like for the Mirror of Erised, as seen in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

And the always cozy Gryffindor common room.

The Hagrid’s Hut was a nice touch, and can also be seen in the Universal Resort at Flight of the Hippogriff.

Talking about the newest ride in Orlando, the replica of the Ministry of Magic in this tour is amazing. I cannot believe they did this so many times bigger in Epic Universe. Like what???

Let’s not talk about the Magic is Might statue that Voldemort added during the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The area of the Forbidden Forest in the tour is amazing, with the fog and ambience. It kind of look like Halloween Horror Nights in there.

I did not remember the scale of the King’s Cross station replica at this tour. OMG it is huge. Looks exactly like the real station, and the one in Universal Orlando.

Exterior section at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

Once around half to 3/4 of the tour you find the Food Hall, with views to the outside. This restaurant / food hall is huge, and it has an accommodating menu.

I picked a burrito and a butterbeer. I saved the burrito for later because look how huge that thing is lol. The butterbeer was good as always, although the recipe seemed to be a little bit different to the one at the parks, and more similar to the store in New York.

Once outside in a huge interior terrace they have during the tour, you can see many memorabilia from the movies, including the replica of the 4 Privet Drive they built after they could not use the original location anymore. They do say multiple times that there is a section of the tour that is outside, and since rain is very common in this part of the world, be aware and prepare for the elements.

The Knight Bus once again, but in all its glory.

And this particular scene with the inflating aunt Marge from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

There is a little section with the Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse, where you can actually pull the Screaming Mandrakes.

Thank God it was a sunny day, everything looked so good, and it did not even feel cold at all. I had to remove my hoodie.

The end of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

Once inside again, I walked past the Gringotts Wizarding Bank, really very similar to the one in Diagon Alley in Universal Orlando. Wow.

I knew it was almost the end when I saw the Diagon Alley coming across, very different to the one in Orlando but it seemed to tell way more stories.

Finally, the huge model of the Hogwarts Castle marks the end of this tour. It is just amazing.

Exploring a little bit of London

I still had a few hours left before my flight, so I took the shuttle bus, and then the train back into London, where I was able to see the London Eye.

And I could not say I came to this city, without visiting the Big Ben lol.

Really perfect weather. I took an Uber to Soho, just to walk a little bit, buy a coffee, which I desperately needed after basically being travelling without touching a bed for the last 18 hours, and to eat something.

With still burrito in my Ziploc bags, I got the Fish and Chips from Old Compton Brasserie in Soho. Really loved getting my portion of one of my favorites dishes, and that I have to try every time.

Passed without knowing the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play at Palace Theatre on my way to get to the tube to another Harry Potter location…

… The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4 at the King’s Cross station. I had been here before, so just quickly checked it out while everyone was doing the line to take a picture with the vanishing wall. And I was on the right spot to take the express train back to LGW Gatwick International Airport.

After doing emigration, it was time for my next flight, but where??? It’s in Italy and I was so excited to explore it in the next few days. Follow this blog for more updates on this trip.