Making of Harry Potter ; Warner Bros Studios in London

In 1997, the first Harry Potter book was published. After eight hit films, the Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden, near London, opened their doors in 2012. The Making of Harry Potter offers a complete immersion in the world of Hogwarts and behind the scenes of the films.

Making of Harry Potter ; The Ultimate Exhibition in Leavesden

Arriving at the Harry Potter Studios near London

The Harry Potter studio tour begins in Leavesden, north-west of London. The journey is by train from Euston Station to Watford Junction. A shuttle bus in the colours of the saga then takes you to the Warner Bros Studios. Outside, the first sets of the Making of Harry Potter already set the tone. The main hall welcomes visitors with giant photos of the characters and a café. The famous cupboard under the stairs from the first film is one of the must-sees.

The Great Hall of Hogwarts and the Iconic Sets

After a short introductory film, the doors of Hogwarts open. The Great Hall impresses with its long tables, tableware, costumes and the Sorting Hat. During the festive season, it turns into a magical setting with Christmas trees and lights.

The Great Hall set was used from the very first film, released in 2001. Its real York stone floor has withstood years of filming. The costumes lined up along the tables represent each of the four Hogwarts houses. At the end of the year, the Hogwarts in the Snow event covers the sets in snow and garlands. A very popular period, to be booked well in advance.

Gryffindor Common Room and Dumbledore’s Office

The Gryffindor common room, Dumbledore’s office and Snape’s classroom complete the iconic sets.

Props and Special Effects of the Making of Harry Potter

Further on, thousands of original props bear witness to the teams’ work. Wands, costumes and everyday objects were handmade for the eight films. The Burrow’s kitchen and the Ministry of Magic reveal other memorable sets. Every detail of the Making of Harry Potter recalls the scale of a production spread over ten years.

Interactive scenes let you fly on a broomstick or drive the Weasleys’ flying car.

The creature department reveals masks, animatronics and prosthetics. Goblins and house-elves come to life thanks to the work of make-up artists and technicians. Some transformations required several hours in the make-up chair before each day of filming.

The Forbidden Forest

The Forbidden Forest offers a fascinating and mysterious immersion. It is home to centaurs and Aragog, the saga’s iconic giant spider. Opened in 2017, this section recreates the dark atmosphere of the films. Mist, huge trees and eerie noises plunge visitors into the gloom. Buckbeak the hippogriff also makes a remarkable appearance.

The Hogwarts Express and the Outdoor Sets

Making of Harry Potter ; Privet Drive and Butterbeer

The Hogwarts Express awaits visitors on Platform 9 ¾, with carriages recreated down to the smallest detail. A souvenir shop offers exclusive items.

Opened in 2015, the Platform 9 ¾ set houses a real locomotive used during filming. Inside the carriages, each compartment recalls a scene from the different films of the Making of Harry Potter.

Outside, 4 Privet Drive and the Dursleys’ living room perfectly recreate the world of the film.

The second café serves the famous Butterbeer and original ice creams. It also offers vegan options and choices for food intolerances.

The Weasleys’ Ford Anglia and Sirius Black’s motorbike are among the vehicles on display. The Hogwarts greenhouse and its noisy mandrakes complete the experience.

Making of Harry Potter ; Technical Details and Behind the Scenes

Gringotts Bank, Models and Diagon Alley

The technical behind-the-scenes area reveals models, storyboards and detailed set plans.

Gringotts Bank is impressively realistic. Marble columns, decorated desks and animated goblins create a unique atmosphere. Opened in 2019, the bank is the largest extension of the tour. Passing through the vaults, under threat from a dragon, is one of the highlights of the visit.

The legendary Diagon Alley recreates every shop with precision. The windows are full of magical objects and iconic props. Colourful signs and displays of potions and wands make the immersion even stronger. Ollivanders, Flourish and Blotts and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes are among the most recognisable shopfronts.

The Giant Model of Hogwarts

Making of Harry Potter ; A Large-Scale Replica of the Castle

The tour ends with the giant model of Hogwarts, an artistic and technical masterpiece. The craftsmen reproduced every detail with precision, and the lighting adds a magical dimension. Used for the films’ aerial shots, this replica pays tribute to the creators of Hogwarts. Admiring this model shows the full grandeur of the castle. A final nod to the magical world.

Built at 1:24 scale, the model was used for the exterior shots of the castle in all the films. More than 2,500 fibre optic lights illuminate its windows, lanterns and courtyards. A lighting cycle takes Hogwarts from day to night in a few minutes. A spiral ramp lets you walk around it and admire it from every angle.

Harry Potter Studios ; Practical Information

Tickets can only be booked online, on the official Warner Bros. Studio Tour London website. It is best to book several weeks in advance, especially during school holidays. From London, the train links Euston to Watford Junction in about twenty minutes. A dedicated shuttle then reaches the studios in a quarter of an hour. Allow at least half a day to make the most of the visit.

This exhibition suits families, friends and the simply curious. The budget is substantial, but the magic of J.K. Rowling’s saga is worth every minute. For a London immersion, also read Cinq jours en Angleterre ; Londres et Newbury (in French). On the food side, the article Harry Potter et la Gastronomie (in French) extends the magic with the saga’s recipes and feasts.

Relive the visit on video: YouTube

Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LR
Website

Making of Harry Potter