I was surprisingly, unsurprised when I received a text one afternoon simply saying “I’m hoovering Hogwarts”.
The sender of the text was indeed referring to the school of witchcraft and wizardry from the magical world of Harry Potter, brought to life by the pen of J K Rowling and to the big screen by Warner Brothers. 8 films in total were made and following the release of the last film, the doors were finally opened to the Warner Bros Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter.
Two years later it was my turn to walk through those doors and into Hogwarts and the world of wizards, goblins and muggles. We entered via the Great Hall itself, home to many a fancy feast and of course, the sorting into houses of each new first year as they start their wizarding journey.
The tour takes you around familiar sets including the Gryffindor common room and offers you a close-up look at many cleverly designed items such as the snakes on the door to the Chamber of Secrets. In the film of the same name, the snakes slither across the door as it opens and closes but they weren’t computer generated as many assumed. They are hand-made articulated snakes that move along slotted tracks, powered by a hidden electric motor.
You can take a peek inside Hagrid’s hut and the Weasley’s kitchen. You can even take a ride in the Weasley’s flying car or on a broomstick and being the big kid that I am, I thoroughly enjoyed flying over London and the towers and spires of Hogwarts itself. (Although you’ll have to go on the tour itself to see how that is done.)
Back down to earth, the tour heads outside where you’ll find a bar selling butterbeer (an acquired taste)and exhibits including Privet Drive, where Harry grows up, and the fantastical Knight Bus that features in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’.
Back indoors again, there are yet more displays including many of the creepy prosthetic masks worn by the actors playing the goblins of Gringotts Wizarding Bank. There’s also a recreation of Diagon Alley, one of a number of highlights of the tour for me.
Detailed drawings that the model makers work from are also on display, as are some of the white card models used to check the size and scale and to determine camera angles for filming, before the actual model set is constructed.
The tour ends in a large exhibition hall where the whole of Hogwarts is laid out before you – all at 1/24 scale that is. It is spectacular and has a real wow factor. I’d love to return one day and see it covered in snow, as it is each Christmas.
So just WHO was hoovering Hogwarts?
Neill, my fiance. He was helping  prepare the exhibition for its opening.
Neill works as a sculptor and model maker in the film industry, specialising in making costume armour and has worked on films such as Thor and Clash of the Titans and the TV series, Game of Thrones. He also makes models, including part of the huge scale model of Hogwarts that we were now admiring.
Neill started working on the Harry Potter films during the making of the 6th film, ‘Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince’, when an extra tower was needed.
From a detailed scale drawing such as those shown earlier, he made the scale model of the tower in wood and plaster and then, a few years later, he helped prepare the Hogwarts model for the Warner Bros Tour.
“The model was made in pieces so that it could be moved around to be set up in the studio for filming and put away for storage between films. We would never have been able to get it to its present location at the exhibition otherwise. It was then reassembled and repaired and all the joints hidden. There were also 1/10 scale sections made for closer shots.” Neill explained.
And if you are wondering why suddenly, so far into the series, a new tower was needed…
“All throughout the series of films Hogwarts changed as more bits were added, but it is a school of witchcraft and wizardry after all!”Â
The exhibition opened in March 2012 but it was not until Neill’s younger daughter asked to go and see it for her birthday that Neill and I went. We all loved the tour and it was such a thrill to see Hogwarts and to watch everyone’s reaction to this fabulous miniature world, that Neill had helped create.
Warner Bros Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter.
The Studio Tour, while not in London is easy to reach from the city for a day out. It is 20 miles north-west of London and less than three miles from the M1 and M25 motorways. The tour’s website has all the details of how to get there by car or by bus, including a transfer package from central London here. For hotels in London visit travelstay.com.
Being a big Harry Potter fan I had a fabulous time and thought the ticket price of £31 was good value for money as there is so much to see. Child discounts and family tickets are also available. If you want a souvenir of your broomstick flight or car ride, however, you are not allowed to take any photographs or videos yourself and those taken by the studio are very expensive.
The souvenir shop has an amazing range of goodies from a Gryffindor polo shirt or a Slytherin scarf to a copy of the Marauders Map or Hermione’s wand but I do have to say I was very disappointed at the high cost of everything there too. Be sure to set a strict budget for your children before you go in.
That being said, the tour is a great day out and a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of the making of Harry Potter.
Brought to you in association with TravelStay.com.Â
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Definitely sounds like a day well spent, will have to try and fit it in to a future London trip. Fascinating to see the drawings and the small scale Hogwarts!
Neill’s job definitely sounds interesting! Must be great to see your work up on screen. I shamefully have to admit to having never seen any of the Harry Potter films or read any of the books, must do it one day as this place looks great!
I am probably one of very few people that really can’t get into the whole Harry Potter furor but I still think it would be pretty cool to take a tour of Hogwarts and learn more about this series. The price is a little bit of a turn-off for me given that I am not a ‘huge’ Potter fan, but maybe it’s worth taking the plunge at least once to sample this and possibly turn me into an avid follower!
This is a fantastic post Kat, and of course that super personal connection of your fiancé makes it even more interesting. The photos are gorgeous, and I am another one who may join yourself and Deirdre on the broomstick – well, would definitely want my own broomstick, no doubt both of you would too. That fact about the snakes is fascinating also.
Thanks Jackie. It was a fascinating and really fun day out.
I’m not the biggest fan of Harry Potter, but I did enjoy the movie, so going there would be a great experience. It’s such a mysterious place!
I’d love to go and see this – looks fabulous! Even more fascinating for you knowing that Neill made some of the model. Thanks for the useful info on getting there too.
I visited with my family about a year ago and really enjoyed it (even though I’m not quite as avid a fan as my children). For me, the unveiling of the Great Hall at the start was perhaps the most impressive part, but it was all good, and the model at the end is also impressive. Well worth a day out – and you can easily spend a full day there.
OMG, Kat, I am SO jealous! That is just fabulous! It is probably worth a trip to the UK just to see that! Ok, I admit, I’ve read the entire series twice, and could easily go again! And own all the videos.
Your photos are wonderful, as always…can you tell me what it says on the Hogwarts Bridge sign? I got part of it, “Though it was never in the original novel or movie….invented the now iconic Hogwarts Bridge to…”
Terriffic post!
Thanks Deirdre. It’s something along the lines of …to make Harry and Hermione’s journey with the Time Turner more physical and exciting (in the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). This is the only section of the bridge ever built, the rest being computer generated.
I’d bet you’d love riding on the broomstick too. I was accused of enjoying it too much!
You are so right! I would LOVE riding on the broomstick (guess it proves my students right in what they sometimes think of me! haha) I know I would love everything about the place – I’d be like a kid in a candystore! Just seeing the photos makes me want to start reading The Sorcerer’s Stone again!