The Making of Harry Potter Tour London Tips (2025)

The Making of Harry Potter Tour London is a magical experience, perfect for all Potter fans. After several visits, we share everything you need to know.

The Making of Harry Potter is a studio tour at Warner Brothers Studio, in Watford, England, an easy train journey via London from London Gatwick Airport and Heathrow.

This was where the Harry Potter movies were filmed and you can find many of the original sets and props throughout this tour. This is a self-guided tour that takes you through some of the most famous sets from the movies including The Great Hall, Gringotts, Diagon Alley, and Privet Drive. 

The Making of Harry Potter Tour London Tips

What the Tour Is (and Isn’t)

What It Is

• The Making of Harry Potter Tour London is a walk-through exhibition located at the actual film studios in Leavesden, near Watford, making it a great day trip from London.
• It takes you behind the scenes of the Harry Potter movies, showing authentic sets, props, costumes, and film-making secrets.
• It’s not a theme park — there are no roller coasters or rides. Instead, it’s an immersive, museum-style experience that celebrates the craft and creativity of the films.
• You move through the tour at your own pace, so it’s as relaxed or in-depth as you want it to be.
• Expect to see everything from Diagon Alley and the Great Hall to the Hogwarts Express and the Forbidden Forest.

What to Expect

• You’ll explore two large soundstages and an outdoor backlot area.
• The entire experience is designed to feel immersive — walking through real sets, touching certain props, and learning film secrets.
• Most people spend 3.5 to 5 hours exploring.
• There are optional interactive experiences, such as flying a broomstick on green screen or trying Butterbeer.

Warner Brothers Studio Opening Times:

During the summer months, tours begin at 9 am and the final tour entrance is at 6.30 pm. The Studio tour closes at 10 pm and the last bus to the train station is at this time as well. In quieter months, the first tour begins at 10 am.

Before you visit this extravagant location, it might be wise to take the quiz and find out which Hogwarts house you’d be in!

When to Visit the Making of Harry Potter Tour London

Best Times of Year

• Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November) offer the most comfortable weather and lighter crowds.
• Winter (late November–January) features the stunning “Hogwarts in the Snow” event with Christmas trees, snow, and festive decor; one of my favorite festive things to do in London at Christmas.
• Halloween (September–October) showcases the “Dark Arts” theme, with Death Eater duels and spooky effects.
• Summer holidays are the busiest time, with long queues and higher ticket demand. If you want to visit London on a budget, avoid this time as much as possible.

Best Days & Times

• Weekdays are quieter than weekends.
• Morning slots (first or second entry of the day) are best to avoid large tour groups.
• Evenings are good for photographers who want more dramatic lighting and smaller crowds.

Getting to Warner Brothers Studio, Watford

There are a few different ways to travel to Warner Brothers Studio. 

Train: Most will take the train to Watford Junction from London Euston, with the train ride taking 20 minutes. From Watford Junction, you can catch the free Warner Bros Studio Tour Bus that runs between the station and the studio. This runs every 30 minutes from 9.20 am until closing. 

Drive: The tour is located 20 miles northwest of London and You can choose to drive by traveling via the M25 or the M1 and then the A41 from London. The Making of Harry Potter Tour London offers free parking and makes sure you have your ticket confirmation ready to show the car parking team on arrival. There is also priority parking available for £10 and this needs to be pre-booked online before your visit. 

Bus: Golden Tours has partnered with the studio to offer return transfer ticket packages, ideal for those visiting London on vacation. You can take a bus from London Kings Cross or London Victoria and the tour includes the bus and entrance. 

The Making of Harry Potter London address:

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Studio Tour Drive
Leavesden
WD25 7LR

How to get tickets for The Making of Harry Potter Tour London?

Tickets can be purchased online and they must be booked in advance. We highly recommend you book tickets in advance as this is a popular tour and can get booked up quickly. 

Booking Essentials

• Pre-booking is mandatory — you can’t buy tickets at the door.
• Entry is timed, so you’ll need to arrive in line with your chosen slot.
• Tickets often sell out weeks or even months ahead, especially on weekends and school holidays.
• Book directly through the official website for the most reliable prices and ticket types.

Ticket Options

• Standard Tickets – Entry to the tour with timed admission.
• Deluxe Packages – Include extras like a souvenir photo book, guided experience, or meal.
• Family Tickets – Discounted bundle for two adults and two children.
• Gift Tickets – Flexible date options, ideal as presents.

Prices (approximate as of 2025)

• Adults: £55–£65
• Children (5–15): £45–£50
• Under 4: Free
• Family Ticket: around £210
• Deluxe Packages: £120–£150

Highlights of the Making of the Harry Potter Tour London

You’ll see dozens of jaw-dropping sets and props, including:

• The Great Hall – Step into the actual Hogwarts dining hall where many key scenes were filmed. The details, from the floating candles to the long wooden tables, are incredible. This is my favorite part of the Making of Harry Potter Tour London.
• Diagon Alley – Explore the magical shopping street lined with shop fronts like Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Flourish & Blotts, and Ollivanders.
• Hogwarts Express & Platform 9¾ – Walk along the real train set used in the films, take photos with luggage trolleys, or board a carriage for a peek inside.
• Forbidden Forest – Meet Buckbeak the Hippogriff and Aragog the spider in a misty, atmospheric section of the tour.
• Gringotts Wizarding Bank – One of the tour’s most impressive sets, filled with marble floors, goblin desks, and a dazzling vault.
• Creature Effects – Learn how Dobby, dragons, and other magical creatures were brought to life with animatronics and CGI.
• Costumes & Props – See the outfits worn by your favorite characters and thousands of detailed props from the films.
• The Backlot – Explore outdoor sets such as the Knight Bus, Privet Drive, the Hogwarts Bridge, and Godric’s Hollow.

Where to eat at The Making of Harry Potter Tour London

There are a few places to eat and drink in the Studio Tour.

Before the Tour:

In the entrance lobby, you can visit the Chocolate Frog Cafe which serves ice creams and sweet treats, The Hub Cafe which serves Starbuck drinks and some bakery items and The food hall, which serves a range of hot and cold dishes, sandwiches and a selection of drinks. 

During the tour:

Halfway through the Studio tour, there is the Backlot Cafe and a large seating area for those that want to sit and enjoy a quick bite to eat. Here you can find hot meals, snacks, and Sandwiches as well as Butterbeer; a non-alcoholic drink from the movies and books themselves (tasting like shortbread and butterscotch). 

Need to know before you go

• The Making of Harry Potter Tour London lasts around 3 and a half hours so plan plenty of time for this studio tour.
• Tickets MUST be purchased in advance and we highly recommend you book in advance to avoid disappointment. 
• Keep an eye on events throughout the year. We love visiting between November to January because the sets are covered in Christmas Decorations and the Hogwarts model is covered in Snow. They also have a Dark Arts special for Halloween and other themes throughout the year. 
• There is a cloakroom available and this is free to use. 
• There are shops around the studio tour, with the biggest being right at the end of the tour. There are also two smaller shops near the Forbidden Forest and on Platform 9 3/4. These shops will have some items that are unique to this area so if you see something you like, pick it up here; they may not have it in the store at the end.
• If possible, we recommend you book the earliest tour possible. We booked 9am and arrived late at 9.30am but still didn’t have to wait for too long to enter. When we finished the tour at 12.30pm, the queue for the entrance was incredibly long and the wait was 45+ minutes.

What to Bring (and what NOT to bring)

Essentials

• Ticket confirmation (printed or digital)
• ID (especially if using discounted tickets)
• Comfortable shoes — expect a lot of walking
• Camera or smartphone (photography is allowed almost everywhere)
• Power bank or spare batteries
• Lightweight bag or backpack
• Reusable water bottle
• Weather-appropriate clothing (the backlot is partly outdoors)

Optional Items

• Snacks (though food is available inside)
• Notebook for trivia lovers
• Extra SD card or phone storage for photos
• A wand or themed outfit if you want magical photos!

What Not to Bring

• Large luggage or bulky bags
• Tripods or professional filming equipment (not allowed)
• Food for full picnics (restricted to certain areas)

Harry Potter Studio Tour Vlog

Our experience of the The Making of Harry Potter Tour London

On arrival, the first thing you will do is collect your tickets from little kiosk machines. When you collect your tickets outside the venue, you then queue up for security to enter the studio.

Once inside The Making of Harry Potter Tour London, you have the option to queue for the tour straight away, use the restroom or cloakroom or stop for something to eat or drink in one of the three cafes in the lobby area. We chose to queue and begin the tour.

 We queued up, listening to the various Potter Soundtracks, walked past the cupboard under the stairs and within 10 minutes we were being led into another room full of thin screens. Here, a guide talked us through the journey of how Harry Potter was chosen to be a film and its growth as a franchise since then.

Next up on The Making of Harry Potter Tour London, we headed into a cinema room and watched a video reflecting on all 8 movies with behind-the-scenes footage from the films.

At the end of the video, you see Harry, Hermione and Ron head through the Great Hall doors before the screen lifts up and reveals the real Great Hall doors – queue for Katie to spring from her seat and rush to stand at the front. And so began the tour.

The Great Hall is the first set you walk onto, made with stone floors and decorated with Christmas trees and decorations during our visit. The costumes of the Hogwarts teachers are lined up across the front and props are displayed on the tables.

The guide talks you through the creation of the hall and refers to some of the famous scenes based in the hall. You have around 10 minutes in the Great Hall before you are moved on for the next group to enter.

Some costumes and props follow this section, with the ‘ice’ sculpture from the Yule Ball and the incredible dessert props on display. You can also see some of the costumes and wigs are worn by various cast members – who knew that wasn’t Bellatrix Lestrange’s real hair!? We also spotted the moving staircase along with many a portrait and the ‘rules’ from Professor Umbridge’s reign.

The Gryffindor boy’s dormitory was the next set we came across, with props reflecting each character’s personality along with a few Christmas cards. There are loads of sculptures, models, and smaller sets dotted around this first soundstage, showing what was used for establishing shots and settings.

For example, that long corridor that appeared to get smaller in the Prisoner of Azkaban movie when he ends up at The Leaky Cauldron? Or the giant swinging pendulum that can be seen on the outside of the castle in many different shots throughout the movies. Or the Phoenix sculpture that transforms into a staircase to Dumbledore’s Office.

Other sets on this soundstage include the Gryffindor Common Room with the costumes of the main trio from the third movie and again, more Christmas decorations. One thing that stood out for me was the impeccable detail of all the sets.

Dumbledore’s Office can also be explored as well as the Potion Classroom complete with self-stirring cauldrons and hundreds of handwritten labeled potion bottles. Hagrid’s Hut can also be photographed and there is some information on the different animals used throughout the filming.

There is a Green Screen section where you can pay extra for a film of you flying a broomstick around the exterior of Hogwarts but we gave it a miss on this tour as the queues were already pretty long.

You can also see the Weasley Living Room from the Bungalow as it is in the Chamber of Secrets movie. Wave your hand over different pillars across the front of the set and you can see self-washing plates, a self-ironing iron, and a self-knitting scarf.

The next area showed the first scene from the last movie, with Voldemort killing a Hogwarts Professor above a long table under the watchful eyes of his Death Eaters. The detailing of the woman is haunting and there was something so sad about the blank expression of the Snape mannequin.

The fireplaces and interior decor from the Ministry of Magic are displayed, as is the sign for the Borgin and Burke shop found in Knockturn Alley. Dolores Umbridge’s office looks spectacularly pink too.

We continued the Making of Harry Potter Tour London to another room that was not there on our first trip in 2012. We were greeted with the spectacular sight of the Hogwarts Express in all its glory. There is a section for you to get your “pushing the luggage through Platform 9 ¾” picture and you can walk onto the train itself and see the carriages, made up as they were in the different movies.

By this stage, we had been exploring for nearly two hours so took the opportunity to stop for a Butterbeer with a souvenir tankard. Food was also available at the ‘Backlot Cafe’. 

Thankfully it had stopped raining as we headed outside to some of the outdoor sets. I, of course, got my obligatory shot outside No.4 Privet Drive and marveled at how tall the Knight Bus was! An additional set on our visit was Godric’s Hollow, the home of the Potter family before Voldemort’s attack.

In this outdoor section, we also photographed the Hogwarts Bridge, seen predominately in the later films. You can normally walk down the bridge but it was too wet on our visit so they had closed it to visitors, but this did give us a better shot for our video.

The huge chess pieces from The Philosopher Stone (or Sorcerer’s Stone) were dotted around the outside of The Lot as were the blue flying car and Hagrid’s motorbike.

Next, we headed into another sound stage and were greeted by the costume, makeup and special effect sections.

Here, actor Warwick Davis is shown on a large TV, explaining how the artistic designers spent hours creating prosthetic masks, and electronic creatures, and months in the design studio, creating the magical beasts and characters we see in Harry Potter.

The next part of the tour gave you the chance to walk down Diagon Alley and see popular shops and buildings like Gringotts, Ollivanders, Flourish and Botts, and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes; complete with moving window displays.

I will be honest, on our first visit to Warner Brothers in 2012, this was my favorite section of the tour but after visiting the Diagon Alley in Harry Potter in Orlando’s Universal Studios, I was a bit sad I couldn’t walk into each of the shops like you can in America. However, knowing this was the original set did make it enchanting!

The final part of the tour really is the ‘grand finale. An enormous, enchanting model of Hogwarts itself; is used in the movies with a green screen for establishing shots of the school. Just wow! Because we visited at Christmas, Hogwarts was covered in snow; one of my best tips for visiting the Harry Potter Studios London, is to visit at Christmas!

Couple this with the beautiful John William’s soundtrack from the movies and you feel true like you are in the World of Harry Potter. As odd as it sounds, it is kind of moving in a weird, childlike, “I want to be a wizard” kinda way.

Lastly came the gift shop!

The gift shop sells everything you could possibly imagine, with so many different t-shirts, robes and wands available – they could barely fit in the store. You have your typical magnets, pens, notebooks etc and I couldn’t resist picking up some Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and a Chocolate Frog (both for a whopping £7.95 each!).

Of course, the gift shop is expensive but that being said, it was a busy, bustling place with lots of purchases going on.

Insider Tips to Make the Most of Your Visit to the Making of Harry Potter Tour London

Before You Go

• Book as early as possible — tickets regularly sell out for the Making of Harry Potter Tour London
• Aim for an early time slot to enjoy quieter conditions.
• Check which seasonal exhibition is running and plan accordingly.
• Review train or bus times the day before your visit.
• Charge your phone and camera fully.

During Your Visit

• Take your time — there’s no time limit inside.
• Skip ahead if an area is crowded, then return later.
• Use the Activity Passport to keep kids engaged.
• Look up and around — there are many small Easter eggs hidden in the sets.
• Ask staff questions — they often have fun behind-the-scenes trivia.

For Families

• Children under 4 enter free.
• There are baby-changing and stroller facilities.
• The Activity Passport and interactive areas are great for kids.
• Allow plenty of time for breaks and snacks.

For Couples and Adults

• Consider visiting in the evening for a quieter, more atmospheric experience.
• Don’t rush the Great Hall reveal — it’s magical.
• Pair your visit with dinner in Watford or London for a full day out.

The Making of Harry Potter London F.A.Q

How long does the Making of Harry Potter Tour London take?
Most visits last around 3.5 hours, but there’s no time limit once you’re inside. Some fans stay much longer to take everything in.

Do you need to book tickets in advance?
Yes. Tickets must be pre-booked for a specific time slot, and there are no walk-in sales. Dates often sell out weeks in advance.

Can I change the date of my ticket?
Yes, you can change your ticket date for a small £10 admin fee, provided there’s availability on the new date.

What is included in the Making of Harry Potter Tour London?
The experience includes:

• Original film sets like the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the Forbidden Forest
• Costumes, props, and animatronics from the movies
• Green screen experiences like riding a broomstick
• Outdoor sets such as the Knight Bus, Privet Drive, and the Hogwarts Bridge

Is there a time limit inside the studio?
No, you can stay as long as you like once inside — most visitors spend between 3–5 hours.

Can you take photos during the tour?
Yes, photography is allowed in almost all areas except the introductory cinema section. Professional lighting, tripods, or flash photography are not permitted.

How do I get to the Harry Potter Studio from central London?

• Take a train from London Euston to Watford Junction (around 20 minutes).
• From Watford Junction, take the official shuttle bus to the studio (about 15 minutes).
• Some ticket packages include direct bus transport from central London (Victoria or Baker Street).

What time does the studio open and close?
Opening times vary by season, but the studio usually opens around 8:30 AM and closes by 10:00 PM. The last entry is typically between 4:00 PM and 6:30 PM.

Is the tour self-guided or guided?
The main experience is self-guided, allowing you to move at your own pace. Optional guided or deluxe tours are available for an upgraded experience.

Are there special effects inside the tour?
Yes — the attraction uses lighting, fog, sound, and animatronic effects throughout. Visitors who prefer to avoid these can speak to staff for alternative routes.

What should I wear to the Making of Harry Potter Tour London?
There’s no dress code, but comfortable shoes are essential because there’s a lot of walking. Many guests wear Harry Potter robes or themed clothing for fun photos.

Are children under 4 charged for entry?
Children aged 4 and under enter free, but they still require a ticket.

Can I show my e-ticket on a phone, or do I need to print it?
You can show your digital ticket on your smartphone — printing isn’t required. Just make sure you have the confirmation handy for parking or entry checks.

Is the studio wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the tour is fully accessible for wheelchair users, with ramps and accessible toilets. Some outdoor areas have cobbled paths that might be uneven.

Is food available at the Making of Harry Potter Tour London?
Yes, there are several dining options:

• The Food Hall for full meals
• The Chocolate Frog Café for snacks and sweets
• The Backlot Café, where you can try Butterbeer and light bites

Can you bring your own food or drinks?
Small snacks and water bottles are allowed. There are also picnic areas outside for visitors who bring their own food.

Do tickets include transport from London?
Some packages include return transport from London Victoria or King’s Cross. You can also buy transport-only add-ons if you already have entry tickets.

Are there discounts or group tickets?
Yes, group and school discounts are available. Group bookings must be made in advance and may be non-refundable or non-changeable.

What happens if tickets are sold out?
The studio doesn’t sell tickets at the door. If a date or time is sold out, you’ll need to choose another available slot.

When is the best time to visit the Making of Harry Potter Tour London?
Weekdays and early morning slots are typically quieter. Special seasonal events — like Hogwarts in the Snow (November–January) — are very popular and should be booked early.

Is there parking at the Harry Potter Studio Tour?
Yes, parking is free for visitors who have booked tickets. You’ll need to show your booking confirmation when entering the car park.

Can I buy souvenirs at the studio?
Yes — the Studio Shop is one of the biggest Harry Potter shops in the world, selling wands, robes, plush toys, sweets, and collectibles.

Is the studio the same as Harry Potter World?
No — “Harry Potter World” is often confused with Universal Studios’ Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando or Japan. The London Studio Tour is the real working film studio where the movies were made.

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