During a day trip from London, visit the Harry Potter studios to find out all about the films and filming of the saga imagined by J. K. Rowling!
Have you ever dreamed of going behind the scenes of the most famous wizard of our time, Harry Potter? Today, this dream is accessible to everyone just outside London: the films in the Harry Potter saga were mainly shot at Warner Bros. studios in Leavesden, London, and it’s now possible to visit them and discover all the sets, backstage details, props and filming secrets!
So how do you go about visiting Harry Potter Studios from London? How much is the entrance ticket, what are the opening hours, is there a shuttle bus from London that goes directly to the studios? Our editorial team answers all these questions to help you become a wizard for the day!
What to see and do at Harry Potter Studios
Photo credit: Flickr – Shaherald Chia
Inside the Harry Potter studios, incredible attention has been paid to detail, and the 3,000 fiber-optic lights perfectly capture the atmosphere of the world of the Harry Potter adventures. You can discover the fantastic creatures imagined by author J. K. Rowling, such as the 5-meter-wide Aragog spider, meet the elf Dobby and the famous goblins of the Gringotts bank. There are also interactive activities such as sitting astride a broomstick.
When you visit Harry Potter Studios in Leavesden, you’ll be immersed in the bubbling, teeming world of wizardry! Depending on the time of year you visit the studios, you’ll have the chance to see temporary exhibitions! New permanent exhibits have been added in recent years: The Forbidden Forest and Track 9¾. Here’s an overview of the different exhibitions you’ll have the chance to see with your ticket to Harry Potter Studios – Warner Bros.
The cupboard under the stairs
The tour of Harry Potter Studios begins where it all began: the cupboard under the stairs. You’ll then be shown a film summarizing the history of the Harry Potter saga and the impact it has had around the world.
La Grande Salle
Discover the Saga’s most emblematic room, as well as the costumes of the students from each Hogwarts house, two of the large dining tables, the Hogwarts teachers’ table and magnificent handmade accessories created for the Saga, including Professor Dumbledore’s desk and the hourglasses that calculate the points of the different houses.
The Gryffindor boys’ dormitory
Photo credit: Flickr – Kevin Oliver
Your tour continues in the first hangar, starting with the famous dormitory! Here you’ll find many objects and decorations from cult places such as wands, Harry’s broomsticks, the Goblet of Fire, etc…
Severus’ Potions class
Photo credit: Flickr – Kevin Oliver
Enter this uniquely atmospheric room, where you can see Severus among the many labeled vials in his laboratory.
The Ministry of Magic
You can’t visit Harry Potter Studios without passing by the Ministry of Magic, where you can see Voldemort and Naguini sitting around with Severus and other famous Death Eaters.
Special effects at Harry Potter Studios
Photo credit: Flickr – Rev Stan
In this special area, you can discover the famous creatures of the series: Mandragore, troll, Fumseck, Aragog, the spiky Magyar, Buck and Dobby! You can also learn more about the special effects used in the films and special objects such as the invisibility cloak, the nimbus 2000 and Hagrid’s motorcycle!
Le Chemin de Traverse
Photo credit: Flickr – Andy Wilkes
As surprising on-screen as it is in real life, wander the mythical street of Chemin de Traverse. Visit Gringotts Bank, Ollivanders’ wand store, Eeylops – the store where wizards can buy their owls – and the Weasley brothers’ joke store!
The Forbidden Forest
Discover Aragog’s lair in this set of 19 trees over 360 centimetres in diameter!
Also at Harry Potter Studios – Warner Bros.
Photo credit: Flickr – Dave Catchpole
Photo credit: Flickr – Andy Wilkes
If you visit Harry Potter Studios, you can also see :
- Hagrid’s hut
- The kitchen in the Weasley family home
- Charity Burbage’s death scene
- The « Magic Is Might » statue
- Dolores Ombrage’s office
- The Hogwarts Express
- The Hogwarts model
- The door to the Chamber of Secrets
And much, much more!
Harry Potter Studios: prices & opening hours
Photo credit: Flickr – Scott Ableman
Ticket prices
There are several ways to visit Harry Potter Studios from London, both by bus and by train.
- ADULT ( 16+ ) ticket + return transport from London: €91.20
- Entrance ticket for YOUNG PEOPLE (5 to 15 years) + return transport from London: €85.50
- CHILD ticket (3 to 5 years) + return transport from London: €28.50
- Family pack 2 adults, 2 children (admission + return transport from London): €342
Harry Potter Studios opening hours
Harry Potter Studios is open every day of the week. Be sure to book your tickets well in advance, as this is a very popular attraction with fans of the saga!
Monday: 09:30-22:00
Tuesday: 09:30-22:00
Wednesday: 09:30-22:00
Thursday: 09:30-22:00
Friday: 09h30-22h00
Saturday: 08h30-22h00
Sunday: 08h30-22h00
How do I get to Harry Potter Studios from London?
How to get to the studios from London (by car, train or shuttle)
By car
The Studio Tour is located 32 kilometers northwest of London and less than 5 kilometers from the M1 and M25 freeways. Packages include transport from London. If you already have your tickets for Harry Potter Studios, then you have several choices for visiting the studios:
You can visit Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden by car. Just follow the itinerary on the map below. On-site parking is free in the lot just outside the Studio Tour.
By train
To get to the Harry Potter studios by train, the nearest station to the Studio Tour is Watford Junction, where direct trains arrive from London’s Euston station (20-minute journey) and Birmingham’s New Street station (one-hour journey).
By shuttle
Finally, for £2.5 return (approx. €3), regular shuttle buses run by Mullany’s Coaches take you from Watford Junction to the Studio Tour in around 15 minutes.
Why book your ticket to Harry Potter Studios online?
Photo credit: Flickr – Sarah_Ackerman
London’s Harry Potter Studios are one of the most visited tourist attractions, and not just for fans of the saga! The studios are in great demand, so availability is extremely limited for the dates in the near future. We advise you to book your tickets for the studios at least 1 month in advance to avoid disappointment.
In addition, as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London can only accommodate a limited number of visitors, tickets are not available for purchase at the park entrance. If you wish to reserve tickets for a specific date, we recommend that you book as early as possible. Ideally, you should check availability on the various resale sites authorized to sell tickets online.
FAQ : How can I visit Harry Potter Studios?
Photo credit: Flickr – Shaherald Chia
Visiting Harry Potter Studios in London requires careful preparation. We’ve put together a selection of the most frequently asked questions:
How do I book last-minute tickets?
Getting last-minute tickets for the Harry Potter Studio in London, when they’re sold out on the official website, is almost impossible. Tickets for this attraction sell out very quickly, and getting them at the last minute is no mean feat. We strongly recommend that you book your tickets two to four months in advance.
As explained above, please note that some reseller sites allow you to reserve Harry Potter Studio tickets on their site. You can see a list of these ticket resale sites via this link.
Are there any Harry Potter ticket resale sites?
In fact, there are a number of Harry Potter Studios ticket resale sites. You can see the different ticket offers via this link.
How long does a visit to Harry Potter Studios last?
You’ll need at least 3 hours to visit Harry Potter Studios. Of course, you can stay as long as you like!
Accessibility
People with reduced mobility can visit Harry Potter Studios. Indeed, most of the Studio Tour is wheelchair-friendly. But beware, as certain areas can be difficult to navigate: the cobbled street of Chemin de Traverse and the slate floor of the Great Hall. Hogwarts Bridge is only accessible via a small staircase, so is not suitable for wheelchair users.
For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing, tours in British Sign Language are available at no extra charge.
Is there a changing room?
Yes, you can drop off your belongings free of charge.
Can we eat on site?
You can either bring your own picnic, or eat in one of the on-site cafés.
Are pets allowed?
Only guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are accepted.
Good to know: Only a limited number of strollers and baby carriages are accepted per time slot. You can leave them in the checkroom.
Our opinion of Harry Potter Studios
In the studios where scenes from the films were shot, immersion is total, as the detail is exceptional. Wherever you go in the Warner Bros. studios, you’re sure to get a glimpse of the world behind the scenes of the little wizard in round glasses. If you’re looking for a constantly renewed sense of excitement, stunning sets and accessories, and a unique experience, don’t hesitate to discover the world of Harry Potter. The visit lasts an average of 3 hours if you take the time to watch a few videos and drink a Butterbeer!
Photo credit: Flickr – Sarah_Ackerman
Where to stay in London to visit Harry Potter Studios?
It’s true that the cost of living in London is relatively high. However, this big city has the advantage of offering a number of hotels and youth hostels, giving you more choice for all budgets! The question now is where to stay in London…
For quick access to the park, choose accommodation near Watford Junction station. This is the closest station to Harry Potter Studios, and shuttle buses run regularly between the area and the park.
As there’s no real tourist interest in staying close to Harry Potter Studios, it may also be worthwhile to stay in the Camden district, where Euston station is located and trains leave for Watford Junction. Watford Junction is located in North London, and is therefore a good compromise if you also want to visit London and the nearby must-sees: Regent’s Park, Madame Tussauds London, British Museum…
To find a cheap hotel in London, use our hotel comparison service.
Book your accommodation near Harry Potter Studios
Have you visited the Harry Potter studios in London? What do you think?