Bookish Places: Harry Potter Studio Tour

The Great Hall in Hogwarts Castle, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

The Kids' Book Review Bookish Places posts are a chance to celebrate museums, galleries and other places with a connection to children's literature and reading. The posts are compiled by KBR's Consultant Librarian, Sarah Steed, our intrepid traveller and hunter-gatherer of amazing places! 

If you've read the Harry Potter books, and watched the Harry Potter movies, then you're bound to enjoy the Harry Potter Studio Tour. 

'The Studio Tour offers visitors a unique experience to explore two soundstages and a backlot filled with original sets, animatronic creatures and breathtaking special effects. Along the way, you’ll enjoy interactive activities such as the opportunity to ‘fly’ a broomstick like a member of the cast and there’s also the chance to purchase a frothy cup of Butterbeer!'

We're delighted to present a photographic exploration of the studio tour, thanks to KBR's Managing Editor, Dimity Powell who has been lucky enough to experience the studio tour in person. This is just a sneak peek of what's on offer.

The Harry Potter stories began with Harry living with his Aunt, Uncle and cousin, and on the tour you can visit the Dursley's home on Privet Drive, and see Harry's cupboard under the stairs.

The Dursley's house, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

Harry's cupboard under the stairs, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

 

Letters for Harry, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

After he discovered he was a wizard and that he was to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry is taken to Diagon Alley and Gringott's Bank to collect everything he needs, before getting aboard the Hogwarts Express. You can visit them, too!

Diagon Alley, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

Gringott's Bank, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

The Hogwarts Express, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

 

 

Aboard the Hogwarts Express, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

There's so much to see, from movie sets dressed for specific scenes, to the costumes and wigs of some of your favourite characters.

Aunt Marge balloons inside the Dursley's house, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

The Griffyndor common room, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

Character costumes, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

Wigs and facial hair for your favourite characters, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

Hogwarts classroom, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

 And not to forget Dumbledore's office, some magical creatures, and Hagrid's hut. And plenty more!

The Pensieve, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

Fawkes the phoenix, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

Mandrakes, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

Inside Hagrid's Hut, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

There are detailed scale models and and life-size props.

A scale model of Hogwarts, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

The Knight Bus, Harry Potter Studio Tour, England (Photo: Dimity Powell)

If you're interested in taking the tour in person you'll need to travel to England. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is part of the purpose built Warner Brothers Studio Leavesden, and to get to Leavesden you can take a train from central London, then a 15-minute bus ride. Tickets for your studio tour should be booked in advance and it's best to allow three to four hours to complete the tour. For up-to-date information about visiting, make sure you check out the official official Harry Potter Studio Tour website.

Click to read reviews and other Harry Potter-related posts on Kids' Book Review.

Interested in taking a Bookish Places trip around the world with Sarah? Enjoy this sensational map, also created by Sarah, and check out our other Bookish Places posts here.