A new feature has opened at one of the UK's biggest tourist attractions, and Harry Potter fans are over the moon about it. This May, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter launched Discovering Hogwarts to celebrate the Studio Tour's 11th year.
Visitors from across the world will now be able to explore Harry's early years at the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and most importantly see 400 floating candles in the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. The candles are a special and memorable part of the movies, and fans are thrilled to have this element finally added to the tour.
Located 30 minutes' drive from Surrey, tourists will also be able to sip on tankards of Butterbeer, munch on Chocolate Frogs and nibble on Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans at the magical attraction.
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Adults and children alike will be able to step into the set just as the cast would have seen it during Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. For the feature, the candles, adapted by the talented Special Effects Department, use lighting effects instead of a live flame and are hung with over three miles of wire.
Fans are also invited to witness one of Harry's first experiences of magic in Professor Flitwick's Charms class, learning filmmaking secrets behind the floating feather as he mastered the Wingardium Leviosa spell with Ron and Hermione. The effect seen on-screen was achieved with filmmaking magic as simple as stringing a feather onto a fishing line, Special Effects Supervisor, John Richardson described the technique as "going back to the silent movie era".
Visitors can also practise their wand skills as they learn the 'Swish and Flick' movement behind casting the famous spell.
A live demonstration during the feature will reveal the process in which the beloved half-giant Hagrid was brought to life. While Robbie Coltrane stood tall as 6ft, he was not quite tall enough to portray a half giant, with body double 6ft 10" England rugby player Martin Bayfield stepping in, fitted with stilts and a prosthetic head.
Interactive experiences throughout the feature will tell the story of Harry's first experiences in the wizarding world. Fans of all ages are invited to get hands on and create an origami 'Sorting Ceremony' chatterbox to take away to remember their visit.
Discovering Hogwarts is a special feature running now until September 4 and is included in the ticket price. During the tour, visitors will also be able to creep into the Forbidden Forest, discover Gringotts Wizarding Bank, wander inside the Dursley's house in Privet Drive, sit inside a carriage on the Hogwarts Express and marvel at the breath-taking miniature scale model of Hogwarts castle.
How to buy tickets for Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter
- Book: Tickets must be pre-booked at wbstudiotour.co.uk and cannot be bought at the attraction.
- Dates: Discovering Hogwarts is running until September 4 2023.
- Opening times: Studio Tour opens daily with dedicated time slots available. Times vary slightly but it usually opens at 8.30am and closes at 10pm
- Price: From £51.50 per person.
- Parking: Large, free car park on site.
- Public transport: Regular shuttle buses operate from Watford Junction to the Studio Tour with a journey time of around 15 minutes. Buses run at least every 30 minutes from 9.20am.
- Address: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR.
- Food and drink: There are various places to eat and drink inside the studio including Starbucks.
- Facilities: Cloakroom, toilets and gift shops.
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