All views in this post are my own and this is not sponsored or endorsed by WB Studio Tour London (unfortunately).
Location: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – Leavesden
Duration: 3–4 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
To put this into perspective this was my 15th Visit to the Studio Tours and I have 3 more booked in this year. My visit was Sunday 25th May 2025.
Check out all the different ticket types on the website https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/
I am fortunate to live within a 2 and a half hour drive from the Harry Potter Studio Tour so I am able to do a visit within a day and not have to stay over. This means I can visit more often, saving the cost of a hotel.
For those of you who are new to the Harry Potter Studio Tour, I will give an overview of the areas and those who have visited will see an insight to the newly launched Triwizard Tournament feature running May-September 2025.
Entrance & Foodhall
The walk up to the Studio tour from the car park is a feeling I always look forward to. The grand entrance combined with nostalgic pictures and statues that greet you on arrival makes me very excited! Personal choice, I always choose priority parking (costs £10), close to the main entrance and great for a car and entrance pic!
On entry, walking into the main area with the background music is just special. You are surrounded by various costumes and hints to what is around the tour. Even though this was my 15th time, the feeling has stayed the same, pure excitement. For the Triwizard event, check out the shop display window and other side where the Triwizard cup is displayed alongside the champions costumes.
My personal experience involves booking the 9:30am ticket which allows time for breakfast from the Foodhall. I tend to get a Chocolate Frog Hot Chocolate (because why not), an espresso and a pancake stack with fruit and Yoghurt, always delicious.
My personal experience involves booking the 9:30am ticket which allows time for breakfast from the Foodhall. I tend to get a Chocolate Frog Hot Chocolate (because why not), an espresso and a pancake stack with fruit and Yoghurt, always delicious.
Great Hall and First Stage
Once you have gone through the walkway to the cinema rooms, where pictures are not allowed, you are greeted with an incredible sight of the Great Hall doors. This is always an exciting time to be surrounded by the statues and golden doors. TOP TIP – any birthdays get the chance to open the doors led by the interactors.
When entering the Great Hall, for this feature you are greeted with floating candles and the hall set up for the entrance of Mad-Eye Moody. There is so much to look at so spend time taking it all in. As a special feature, it is set up to recreate Mad-Eye’s entrance and calming the enchanted ceiling. Personally, I think this could have been a little better, but I am comparing it to the Magical Mischief feature.
After moving on from the Great Hall, the first stage awaits. In this stage, there are so many different sets and I will put up a few different pictures on Instagram and Pinterest. Sets such as the Potions classroom, Dumbledore’s office (second favourite), common rooms, Defence against the dark arts and (my personal favourite) Divination classroom.
Specific to the Triwizard feature was a stage set for the entrance of Durmstrang and BeauxBatons with the background music. This was quite immersive, view points can be difficult but once all the performers arrived on stage it was amazing to see.
This stage is where the first set of Green screen photo and video opportunities are. This has been tailored to the event where your background can be parts of the Triwizard Tasks. Something I did not do this time but have done previously. Costs can be high.
Forbidden Forest and Platform 9 ¾ inc Shop
Near the end of the first stage, you are greeted by the entrance to the Forbidden Forest. This is always exciting (particularly during the Nox event but that’s another post). Walking through this dark forest set with water based effects and background music is also immersive. If you are not keen on spiders there is a cut through. Fortunately, they don’t bother me. Walking around, giant Acromantulas descend on you, there is even a glimpse of Aragog. The Forbidden Forest is a short part of the tour and it ends with a visit to its gift shop.
This gift shop is great for exclusive items and previous event exclusives at a discounted price so one to visit and look through thoroughly!
After the shop, you peer around a corner to be met with a wonderful sight of the Hogwarts Express. The sight of this train never fails to amaze and move me. The size is always a surprise, being a full size train that you can board. It is set up with one carriage to show the different films.
In addition to the train, a small area is set up for a guided craft stall. For this feature it was set up to make a flying dragon out of paper. A second Green screen opportunity is set up that is focussed on the train journey from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts.
Don’t forget the Platform 9 ¾ shop. Whilst this has other products, I would recommend to only check out the exclusives as most other things can be found in the main shop.
Backlot and Stage
Waking around the corner from Platform 9 ¾ is the Backlot Cafe. A great midway point, that is the home of Butterbeer! Outside there are spectacular views and walk through of Privet Drive, the Knight Bus, Hogwarts Bridge, Green houses, The Burrow and the new stage experience. Spend time in this area as there is more to see than you think.
I have only eaten in the Backlot cafe when I attended the Nox event last year. However, every visit I have a Butterbeer with Butterbeer Ice-cream, which I maintain to be the best ice-cream I have ever had and Butterbeer is always good… if a little pricey.
The new feature for the Triwizard event is a stage experience that explains some behind-the-scenes talks about how the events of the Triwizard Tournament took place during filming. This was a lot more interesting than I expected it to be as filming and film making isn’t a huge interest of mine. Ending with a dragon was cool though, the things that some artists can create amaze me. I have no photos of this other than outside as it is restricted.
Creature effects
After finishing the Backlot cafe walk around, you enter the creature effects department. There is so much to look at and take in. Personally, I walk through this area quite quickly as it is not my favourite part with all the goblins but do take time to look at the dragon, Buckbeak and Lupin as a werewolf!
Usually, there is an interactor showing some of the background effects needed to make some of the creatures and goblins. Also look out for screens where you can become Dobby!
For this event, there is some special lighting to reveal some letters in your passport.
Gringotts and Diagon Alley
After the creature department, you walk around to Gringotts. This never fails to take my breath away with the sheer size and detail. It is a great place for a photo opportunity and to walk down the centre just as Harry did in the Philosophers Stone.
Gringotts has grown over the years and you walk around the underground exploiting the carriages and columns of Gringotts before entering Bellatrix’s vault. Look out for the Philosophers Stone in one of the vaults!
Before the end of Gringotts, look out for the Ukrainian Iron Belly as it works its way towards you in a blaze of water based effects.
Once you are clear and safe of the dragon, music greets you ready to explore the wonders of Diagon alley. Prepare to take this in. Make sure to walk around this slowly and look at all the little details (half talking to myself too). All the shops that we know and love are there from Ollivanders to Florian Fortescue’s Ice-cream and of course Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes.
Hogwarts Castle Model
Finishing up in Diagon Alley, there is a walk through of small models. Whilst walking up the ramp, my excitement builds. I know that walking around the corner with my favourite background music for the Castle (Harry in Winter), I will get that Homely feel and sense of awe as Hogwarts Castle comes into view.
Spend time at the top and look around the castle (Bigger than you think). Let the music transport you to another world. Recently, projectors have been placed in this room to give effects to the castle that runs every few minutes, this is worth waiting around at the top for to get the best view!
For the Triwizard event, we see Harry battling the Hungarian Horntail finishing with a glimpse of the Triwizard Cup.
Once you have taken a slow stroll around the castle, you walk into the wand room. Where for this event, has been set up with a Goblet of Fire. Here you can write your name on a piece of paper from your passport and scrunch up to throw into the Goblet. A must for this feature!
Gift Shop and Lunch
Once you have finished exploring the wonders of Hogwarts castle and entered your name in the Goblet of Fire, you will end up in the main Studio Tour Shop. There is so much to see and get from robes, wands, plush toys and replicas. So much so that I would not be able to describe it all. On my next visit I will post it all on Instagram (go check it out and give us a follow 🙂).
I always end a visit to the tour with a nice lunch from the food hall and if feeling still peckish a cake from the Chocolate Frog Cafe. Every event there is themed food and cakes. This time I had a smoked salmon pizza which was amazing.
Tips for the Best Experience
- Book in advance (I usually book months in advance), tickets sell fast!
- Visit during off-peak hours for fewer crowds, I usually go first thing on a Sunday Morning.
- Have your phone charged! Lots of photo and video opportunities.
- Collect a passport to stamp along the way, if it’s your birthday, ask an interactor for a badge
- Go with a spending budget in mind
- Don’t rush around! Tempting it may be but slow down and be present.
Connection to Wand and Phoenix
As a magical business, this is to educate and promote magic and happiness to as many people similar to me as possible. I want people to experience the happiness and joy that magic and the magical world brings me. WB Studio Tour London feels like a home to me and working with them on projects or events would be a dream of mine (if you are reading).
There are many other places I will be writing and posting about, on here, and socials so watch out. Please also keep an eye out for other magical places for me to visit and review 🙂 Always looking for new places!
Final Verdict
Whether you’re a lifelong Potterhead or a curious first-timer, the Studio Tour is a masterclass in film magic and storytelling. It’s more than nostalgia – it’s an inspiring journey through the craft of movie-making. As I have said, it was my 15th visit and I have 3 more planned this year with one being a potential exclusive event at Halloween. I cannot recommend this enough to any Harry Potter Fan if you are fortunate enough to get there and to afford the visit. I am grateful for living close and having the savings to go multiple times a year. It is worth the effort.
Remember magic can never be taken away from you and how it makes you feel.
Stay Magical,
Jonathan 🙂
The Wand and Phoenix Team
www.wandandphoenix.com