If you’ve ever dreamed of getting your Hogwarts letter, wandering through Diagon Alley, or standing under the floating candles of the Great Hall, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will make you feel like that letter finally arrived. I’ve had the absolute pleasure of visiting the Studio Tour not once but twice—first in October 2019 during their Dark Arts seasonal feature and again in June 2023 for their 11th Anniversary celebration, themed Exploring Hogwarts.

Visit One: October 2019 – Dark Arts & A Weasley Twin Encounter

There’s something about autumn in the UK that already feels magical—foggy mornings, crisp air, and the scent of bonfires in the distance. Now imagine all of that amplified by floating pumpkins, Death Eater duels, dementors, and the actual Weasley twins. Yes, the James and Oliver Phelps.

This was no ordinary visit—it was part of the seasonal event known as Hallowe’en at Hogwarts, running from late September through early November. And everything about this trip turned out to be one of my absolute favorites.

Here’s a funny bit: I didn’t even see the actual meet-and-greet advertised on the Studio Tour’s official website. Ironically, one day, while taking a mini break from lecture work, I casually scrolled through Facebook and stumbled across a separate company advertising the meet-and-greet experience with the Weasley twins. At first, I thought, no way that’s happening, but after doing some more digging, it turned out to be legit. So I grabbed one of my friends, convinced her to come along, and bam—magic was about to happen. I’ll be honest: meeting the Weasley twins was the whole reason I booked the trip. I’d seen the announcement that James and Oliver Phelps would be attending the Dark Arts celebrations and immediately locked in my ticket. They’ve always been among my favorite characters (besides Remus — RIP), so meeting them in person was a magical moment in itself. They were kind, funny, and just as charismatic as their on-screen counterparts.

Also, yes—they are very tall. You’ll definitely notice that in the photo… and you can absolutely see me cheesin’ with the goofiest grin. No regrets.

The magic of the evening only deepened as I explored the rest of the Studios. In the Great Hall, dozens of hand-carved pumpkins floated overhead, casting a golden glow over a lavish Halloween feast. The seasonal decorations transformed the familiar sets into something truly otherworldly. Actors dressed as Death Eaters roamed the site, cloaked in menace and staying deep in character. One crossed my path near the Forbidden Forest, and after a moment of mutual sizing-up, we had what can only be described as a mini stand-off. Wand raised, nerves steeled—I held my own and even managed to snap a photo with them afterward, which still makes me grin every time I look at it.

One of the coolest additions was the ability to learn dueling techniques in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom—yes, just like a Hogwarts student—and then test your skills against an actual Death Eater. It was interactive, exciting, and surprisingly intense (especially with so many little kids watching like you’re defending your house honor).

The Forbidden Forest was darker and more atmospheric than usual, and for the Hallowe’en event, it came with a chilling twist: Dementors lurked among the trees—and they moved toward you as you passed. Add to that the sound design and fog effects, and the forest felt even more unsettling than usual.

Near the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, I also spotted a clown Boggart—a creepy nod to the scene from The Prisoner of Azkaban. While it’s an incredible Easter egg for fans, I appreciated that the staff made it known you could ask to skip that section if clowns aren’t your thing (just talk to a nearby tour guide).

And to cap it all off, the ominous Dark Mark was projected in various places across the Studio, adding to the sense that something sinister was always lurking just around the corner.

Naturally, I couldn’t leave without a souvenir, and nothing felt more fitting than picking up the seasonal-edition Dark Arts wand—sleek, shadowy, and exclusive to the season. A perfect memento of a night filled with spells, shadows, and spine-tingling excitement.

Dark Arts Season Highlights:

Live dueling demonstrations with authentic wand choreography in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
Face-offs with roaming Death Eaters, complete with photo ops (if you’re brave enough).
The Great Hall was transformed with over 100 floating pumpkins and festive feasting tables.
Dementors in the Forbidden Forest—animatronic and atmospheric, they float eerily and move toward you.
The Dark Mark projected ominously throughout the tour.
A creepy clown Boggart on display (which can be avoided—just ask staff).
Displays featuring Bellatrix Lestrange, Voldemort, and the Horcruxes, with film insights.
Wand choreography workshops for practicing defensive spells.
Exclusive Dark Arts merchandise, including my must-have: the seasonal wand.
And, of course, meeting the Weasley twins—very tall, very iconic, and very worth the giant grin in my photo.

If you’re a fan of the shadowy side of the Wizarding World, this is the time to visit. Halloween season at the Studio Tour doesn’t just highlight the villains—it lets you walk among them.

Visit Two: June 2023 – Exploring Hogwarts & Reliving the Magic

Fast-forward to summer 2023, and I found myself back at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour—this time for the brand-new “Exploring Hogwarts” event, created to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the Studio Tour’s opening. I somehow managed to time things just right again—because, yes, this was a new addition for 2023, and just like my previous visit, it felt like the stars (or spells) aligned.

This trip was different for another reason, too: I brought my best friend along for the ride, and this time, I got to play tour guide. She’d never been before, so watching her reactions to the sets, props, and behind-the-scenes details felt like reliving my own first visit all over again—but with even more laughter.

The event focused on Harry’s early years at Hogwarts, capturing that sense of wonder and discovery from The Philosopher’s Stone. And it did not disappoint.

For the first time EVER since filming, the Great Hall was enchanted with over 400 floating candles suspended from the ceiling—just like in the Sorting Ceremony scene. It was breathtaking. The warm, flickering glow cast real shadows on the stone walls, and you could practically feel the magic humming in the air. It was one of those cinematic moments brought to life in the most beautiful way.

Younger visitors had the chance to learn the secrets behind Wingardium Leviosa with a live demonstration. They explained how the effect was done on-screen and invited everyone to try their hand at levitating a broom. Naturally, my best friend stepped up to give it a go—and while it didn’t respond right away (cue a few giggles and dramatic wand flicks), it finally lifted and hovered toward her hand. Nailed it—eventually.

Another unforgettable feature of this event was the behind-the-scenes exhibit on Rubeus Hagrid. It showed how the team brought him to life using a combination of costumes, animatronics, and body doubles. Seeing Hagrid’s massive head animatronic up close and learning how Robbie Coltrane’s performance was blended with mechanical magic made me appreciate the character all the more.

And let’s not forget the “kids’ activity passport”—which we absolutely did not let the kids have all to themselves. Each passport came with space to collect theme stamps from various stations around the tour, and trivia questions revealed magical passwords that earned you points for your house. Did we each grab one? Yes. Did we compete to finish ours first? Also yes. And we may or may not have been weirdly competitive about it despite being several years over the target age range.

Exploring Hogwarts Highlights:

400 floating candles were recreated in the Great Hall for the first time since filming.
Live Wingardium Leviosa spell demo and broom-lifting challenge for younger visitors (or determined adults).
A behind-the-scenes exhibit on Hagrid, with insights into his animatronic head, oversized costumes, and stunt doubles.
Original sets like the Gryffindor common room, the boys’ dormitory, and Dumbledore’s office are all enhanced with extra signage for the event.
Miniature Hogwarts Castle lit up with new interactive projections.
Trivia challenges and themed activity passports that rewarded correct answers with magical passwords and house points (and yes, we collected all the stamps).
Limited-time merchandise and photo ops inspired by Harry’s first year.

Practical Travel Tips for the Studio Tour

Whether it’s your first visit or you’re planning a return like I did, here’s everything I’ve learned to help you make the most of your trip:

Getting There:

The Studio Tour is located in Leavesden, just outside of London.

The fastest route is via train from London Euston to Watford Junction (~20 minutes), followed by a themed shuttle bus directly to the studios.
If you’re driving, there’s plenty of parking, but you’ll need to book a parking pass in advance.

Theme Shuttle Bus:

The official shuttle bus serving the Studios has three exact pick-up locations:

Victoria Street (which I used both times and highly recommend for convenience)

King’s Cross Station (naturally, given its Harry Potter fame)
Baker Street Station
The bus ride is a bonus in itself, as it streams the Harry Potter movies to get you in the spirit before arrival.
Try to be at your bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time to ensure you secure a seat and don’t miss the shuttle.

How Long to Spend:

I recommend budgeting at least 3.5 to 4 hours, though I’ve easily spent over 5 hours both times.

The tour is self-guided, so you can take your time. There’s also a Backlot Café mid-way where you can grab lunch (or Butterbeer).

Great Hall Door Opening:

One of the most adorable moments during the tour is when the team members pick a very special child to open the Great Hall doors all on their own. If you want a chance to be that lucky kid, I’d recommend standing near the front of your group when entering. It’s a truly magical moment to witness (or be part of)!

Photo Ops You Shouldn’t Miss:

Hogwarts Express at Platform 9¾ (they let you pose with trolleys and suitcases!)
The Great Hall (only available at the very beginning—make sure to soak it in)
Diagon Alley, with its crooked storefronts and glowing wand shop windows
The Model Room – a breathtaking scale model of Hogwarts Castle that glows and changes with the lighting
And if you’re lucky, during October, a photo with a Death Eater

Booking Tips:

Book tickets through the official Warner Bros. Studio Tour site well in advance, especially if you’re planning around seasonal events.

Tickets are timed-entry and often sell out weeks or even months in advance, particularly during summer and school holidays.

Bonus: Let’s Talk Butterbeer

No trip to the Harry Potter Studio Tour is complete without stopping for a frothy cup of Butterbeer. It’s sweet, fizzy, and topped with a dreamy foam that honestly tastes like liquid marshmallow fluff. Between both trips, I may or may not have consumed copious amounts—no regrets.

Seriously though, is there a term for getting drunk off Butterbeer that’s completely non-alcoholic? Sugar-drunkenness? Foam-buzzed? Whatever it is, I was there. Fully immersed. Butterbeer in hand, camera at the ready, grinning like I’d just been sorted into Hufflepuff (again).

You can also try Butterbeer ice cream if you’re feeling adventurous or just want a second dessert—which, let’s be honest, you deserve after all that exploring.

Souvenir Spots: Where Your Galleons Go to Die

If you’re a sucker for merch (hi, it’s me), bring a little extra spending money because the Studio Tour has three gift shops, each with its own flair:

The Forbidden Forest Shop – moody and creature-focused, perfect for stocking up on dark and magical items.
The Railway Shop – located near the Hogwarts Express and styled like a classic station shop, this one features some adorable old-fashioned Hogwarts-style trunks—just like the ones the kids use in the films. And yes, you can actually use them as real luggage! Even better, they can be customized with your initials and shipped to you. (One of my favorite moments was convincing my friend during the first visit to get one—she’d been debating it, and I gave her the final push. She still thanks me for it.)
Note: Shipping may only be available within the UK—double-check with the cashier before you buy!
The Main Studio Shop – the biggest of the three and an absolute treasure trove.

The leading shop is divided into themed sections, which makes it easy (and also very dangerous) to spend hours browsing. You’ll find:

All four house-themed sections stocked with scarves, notebooks, robes, and pride gear
Magical Creatures and plushies
Wizarding sweets and treats
A whimsical Luna Lovegood corner
A Dark Arts section with sinister souvenirs
And tons of film prop replicas, wands, and collector’s items

Over both trips, I accumulated quite the magical haul:

A classic Gryffindor sweater
Pins galore (I may or may not have a minor obsession with enamel pins)
Replica jewelry like Hermione’s Yule Ball earrings
The beautifully illustrated, pop-up MinaLima editions of the Harry Potter books (mostly bought with future kids in mind… but let’s be real—they’re also for me)

My friend, as usual, definitely outspent me—she scooped up cute clothes, plushies, and a bunch of things I totally missed. I kept turning to her like, “Where did you even find that?!”

And yes, I only turned back once after that to snag something else to add to my already overstuffed pile. Totally justified.

Final Thoughts: A Spellbinding Experience, Every Time

Whether you’re a die-hard Potterhead, a casual fan, or just tagging along for the Butterbeer, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter is pure magic from start to finish.

Both times I visited, I somehow managed to stumble into once-in-a-lifetime events—the Dark Arts takeover with roaming Death Eaters and dueling lessons in 2019 and the enchanting Hogwarts early years experience with floating candles and levitating brooms in 2023. Honestly, I couldn’t have timed it better if I’d used a Time Turner.

From meeting the Weasley twins to helping my best friend rediscover her inner child with a wand in one hand and a plush in the other, every moment has been unforgettable. And let’s not even talk about the shopping… actually, let’s, because if consumerism is wrong, I don’t want to be right when it comes to magical merch.

There’s something incredibly special about walking through those studio doors and being surrounded by the craft, detail, and heart that brought the wizarding world to life. It hits you in waves—the nostalgia, the wonder, the fact that someone really thought to put floating Dementors in the Forbidden Forest. Chills. Every time.

So, are you debating whether it’s worth it? It is. Book the ticket, drink the Butterbeer, and buy the wand (or three). Just maybe leave a little room in your suitcase… and your heart.

Wands, Butterbeer & Tall Weasley Twins: A Studio Tour Adventure