Your ultimate guide to visiting Warner Bros. Studio, London

It all started with a cupboard under the stairs… and went on to become a multi-million dollar franchise that includes a life-sized reimagining of Harry Potter’s world that you can visit and explore. Visiting Warner Bros. Studio is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in London for Harry Potter fans, and a tour will give you access to an exhibition of costumes and props from the Harry Potter movies, located next to the studios where all eight movies were filmed. It's a must-visit destination for Harry Potter fans who can experience the magic of these iconic films and the behind-the-scenes, wander down Diagon Alley, visit Ollivander’s wand shop and Gringotts Wizarding Bank, marvel at the Great Hall, and even see the original Hogwarts Express. Here’s everything you need to know about Warner Bros. Studio.

Warner Bros. Studio at a glance

Suggested duration:

The average visit to Warner Bros. Studio takes about three and a half hours, but there’s no time limit imposed on your visit.

Best time of day to visit:

It’s best to visit during the week and book the first tour of the day to avoid crowds.

Must-sees when you visit Warner Bros. Studio:

• The Great Hall: Serving as the backdrop to some of the film series’ most iconic scenes, such as the Yule Ball and the Battle of Hogwarts, the Great Hall was first built for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 2000 and was used as a key set for six more films. The spectacular Great Hall includes the costumes of students from each Hogwarts house plus two large tables set for dinner; at the top of the room is the teachers’ table where the Hogwarts Professors sat. The Great Hall is home to beautiful hand-crafted props, including Professor Dumbledore’s lectern and the House Points Counter.
• Diagon Alley: The original design of the street combines the rich details from the Harry Potter books and from the streets described in Charles Dickens books. Diagon Alley is home to Gringotts Bank, Flourish and Blotts, Mr Mulpepper’s Apothecary, as well as the dusty Ollivanders wand shop, where Harry’s wand famously chose him. Fun fact: during filming, the shop was home to more than 17,000 individually-labeled wand boxes.
• Hogwarts Express: Most of the scenes that take place on Platform 9 ¾ were actually shot on location at King’s Cross Station in London; however, in the last movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2, part of the station platform was recreated on a soundstage at Leavesden, where the rest of filming happened
• Gringotts Wizarding Bank: Lined with towering marble pillars, the grand banking hall is decorated with three magnificent crystal chandeliers and real brass leaf. Inkwells, quills, ledgers, and piles of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts complete the goblin tellers’ desks, just as seen on in the movies. The prop department created over 210,000 coins for the final two films alone.
• The Forbidden Forest: The Forbidden Forest seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was a combination of location and studio shooting. While shooting for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, scenic artists created backdrops up to six hundred feet long. The Forbidden Forest seen at the Studio Tour is filled with 19 trees, each with a diameter of over 12 feet.

Facts:

• Warner Bros. Studio Leavesden boasts some of the largest sound stages in the UK, spread over approximately a quarter of a million square feet with a vast backlot and a filtered and heated water tank. The studio also has over 300,000sq ft of workshop space, costume, and prop stores, and over 100,000sq ft of office space.
• Over the ten years, an incredible 588 sets were created at Leavesden Studios.
• When making Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the Great Hall was one of the first sets to be built; the vast and impressive space could seat more than 400 children.
• The giant water tank constructed to film underwater scenes for the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire can hold over 2 million litres of water.
• In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the Ministry of Magic is shown for the first time. This set was the largest created for any of the Harry Potter films: 50 London buses could fit inside the Ministry’s Atrium, and it took 22 weeks to build.
• And perhaps most fascinating of all, Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe went through 160 pairs of glasses and around 70 wands during filming for the Harry Potter film series.

Opening hours:

These tend to vary, so it’s advisable to check their website. Warner Bros. Studio is open seven days a week. Tours usually start at 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM, and the building opens 30 minutes before the tour starts.

Address:

Warner Bros Studio Tour, Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR

Why is Warner Bros. Studio worth visiting?

• It’s where the movies for one of the world’s most popular series of books were made. The Harry Potter books have sold over 600 million copies worldwide, and the movies have made around $7.7 billion at the box office worldwide. For Harry Potter fans, visiting the studio is a must because you get to experience the behind-the-scenes and do a studio tour, plus see real props, costumes, and sets used for the films.
• You’ll experience sets, props, special effects, and more, up close, and be able to observe every detail. From the bottles and jars used to hold potions to seeing how creatures like Buckbeak were brought to life, it’s an incredible insight into the movie making magic of Harry Potter’s wizarding world
• There are three gift shops where you can buy everything from Chocolate Frogs to replica wands, cloaks, collectible items, and more.

What to see at Warner Bros. Studio, London

• The sets: From the Great Hall to Platform 9 3/4, you can stroll around the places where key movie scenes were filmed.
• The props: In the Potions Classroom, over 950 glass jars line the walls, filled with items including baked animal bones from a local butcher shop, dried leaves, herbs, and shrunken heads made by the props department. You can also see Professor Dolores Umbridge’s collection of plates in her pink office at the Ministry of Magic. Over 130 plates were created featuring various moving kittens, which involved filmmakers having to photograph and film real kittens with crystal balls, witches' hats, and balls of wool.
• Special and Visual Effects: Discover how the filmmakers made Harry Potter fly, see the cloak that made him invisible, and marvel at the fully operational door to the Chamber of Secrets.
• The costumes: From the Quidditch uniforms to the Yule Ball, you can examine the extraordinary detail with which these costumes were made.

Best time to visit Warner Bros. Studio

The Studio is indoors, meaning you can visit at any time of year, whether it’s raining or snowing outside. You’re more likely to avoid big crowds if you go during the week and book an early morning tour.

Tips for visiting Warner Bros Studio

Are the guided tours worth it?

A guided tour will let you in on behind-the-scenes secrets and stories with an expert guide, but for a more affordable ticket you can hire a handheld Digital Guide, which contains fascinating facts about the sets, props, and costumes showcased at the Studio Tour, as well as exclusive interviews with filmmakers and behind-the-scenes footage.

Is it worth buying your ticket in advance?

Entry to the Studio is generally by timed ticket, so if you buy online in advance, you would not need to wait for a specific time before entry.

Are there different entrances?

No, there is only one main entrance.

Any other tips?

• You have to pre-book a timed entry ticket and are advised to arrive at least 20 minutes before it starts.
• You can purchase an audio guide in various languages on arrival.
• It’s not advisable to bring large bags or luggage with you. Bags will be checked before entry.

How to get to Warner Bros. Studio

• If you’re coming from a central location such as Leicester Square, you can take the Northern line north to Euston station, then a train to Watford Junction. From here, there is a free shuttle bus (included in your entry ticket) that takes you to the studio.
• Depending on traffic, a taxi from somewhere central like Leicester Square will take around an hour.

Is it, or certain parts of it, suitable for people with mobility impairments, eg. climbing stairs to a dome?

Some areas can be challenging to navigate, such as Diagon Alley’s cobbled street, which is also on an incline, the Great Hall’s slate floor, and the Forbidden Forest’s spongy surface.

Warner Bros. Studio, London FAQs

Are there any age restrictions at Warner Bros. Studio?

The Studio Tour is suitable for all ages, and children aged four and under can visit for free, although they will still require a ticket. All children must be accompanied by an adult (aged 16 and over).

Are you allowed to eat or drink within Warner Bros. Studio?

There are several cafes and restaurants on-site, including the Chocolate Frog Cafe, the Food Hall, The Backlot Cafe, and the Hub Cafe. You can also bring your own food, which can be consumed in a designated picnic area.

Is there anything I should know about visiting with children?

Pushchairs and buggies are welcome, as the experience is a self-guided walking tour. These can also be stored in their free cloakroom, subject to available space.

Is Warner Bros. Studio wheelchair accessible?

Yes, there is level access throughout the majority of the tour, although some areas can be challenging to navigate.

Can I take photos and videos inside Warner Bros. Studio?

Taking photographs and video footage with handheld cameras and mobile devices is allowed in most areas, apart from the pre-show cinema and green screen areas. Filming with the use of tripods and other specialist photographic equipment (such as drones) is not permitted across the site, including in exterior areas such as the parking lot.