Traveler’s Guide to Harry Potter Tour United Kingdom

We’ve been huge Harry Potter fans for more than 20 years. Not only have we read all the books and seen all the movies, but we also have a gamut of Harry Potter collectibles, including badges, toys, and even laptop decals. So, imagine our excitement when our travels in May 2025 took us to the Harry Potter tour, United Kingdom! Officially called “The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter,” this thrilling studio tour and walkthrough exhibition is in the town of Watford, just an hour from London. Imagine walking through the sets and seeing the costumes worn and the props used by the actors of the beloved magic franchise – it’s mind-bogglingly magical!

The site of the studios has been the shooting location for all the movies since 1999. When the eighth and final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, was nearly complete, Warner Bros. purchased the space, Leavesden Studios, creating two new J and K soundstages that now house the permanent public exhibition that is the studio tour and permanent exhibition.

So, if you’ve ever mailed yourself a Hogwarts letter or imagined how it would be to fight a bad wizard — yeah, they have those too — then this tour is for the Potterhead in you. Here’s a detailed guide to the extremely cool wizarding world of Harry Potter in England.

Where Will The Tour Take You

The Harry Potter is located within the Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden in the town of Watford, southern Hertfordshire. It lies around 21 mi (33.8 km) northwest of central London.

If you have a vehicle, it’s very easy to simply drive down to the studios (postcode: WD25 7LR), especially since parking is free. However, every vehicle will require separate booking confirmations when they enter the studio lot. When you pre-book your tickets online, there’s also an option for priority parking in the parking lot directly across from and closest to the studio entrance. It’s very useful for those who are physically challenged, and if you think that you’re going to get delayed while driving. Priority parking costs EUR 10 per vehicle for the entire day, needs to be pre-booked, and cannot be purchased on the spot.

If you don’t have a vehicle and are arriving by train, fret not; you’re in for an all the more special experience! The nearest railway station, Watford Junction, has direct services from not only London Euston (20 minutes, Oyster cards work) but also Birmingham New Street (1 hour). From Watford Junction, you get to board a very cool electric shuttle bus, which is included in your entry ticket. It takes you directly to the studios, around 15 minutes away, with the buses running at least every half an hour from 8.15 am until the tour closes. 

Since it opened in 2012, the tour sells out very quickly every month, so book your tickets well in advance.

The Tour

Before The Tour

Our tour time was 2 pm, and we were here for over 5 hours, soaking in every bit of the magic! Interestingly, the Studio Tour is currently celebrating the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by bringing the Triwizard Tournament to life between 15th May and 8th September 2025! We were extremely lucky to visit the tour just a week after the experience flagged off, making it all the more special.

A massive display of the Hungarian Horntail greeted us when we entered. It sits right opposite the Food Hall, where we grabbed a bite before the tour, as food and beverages aren’t allowed on the tour. You won’t feel peckish later either, as the Backlot Cafe is located midway through the tour. It’s where we drank butterbeer! Read more about food and drink at the studio tour.

The Tour — A Thrilling Ride

The studio tour begins in the Great Hall with its floating candles, stunning gargoyles, and all professors standing right up front. However, the next bit is more thrilling, with sets from all movies: classrooms, dormitories, the Weasley home, Dumbledore’s study, and more, complete with all special effects. So, we could see everything, from the cauldron brewing a potion to the pan washing itself!

There’s even a special wand battle experience with a very enthusiastic guide and a scary Death Eater standing on a balcony above. This is also where the Triwizard Tournament magic unfolded, with teams from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang putting on a display that ended with the showing of the Triwizard cup — just like the movie! Do you want to go through Platform Nine and Three-Quarters? Do you want to board the Hogwarts Express? You can do all these too.

The tour also goes outdoors with sets including the purple Knight Bus, bridges from Hogwarts, Harry’s former home at Privet Drive (complete with the flying letters), the greenhouses with screaming mandrakes, and the famous blue flying Ford Anglia from Chamber of Secrets. There’s even special behind-the-scenes footage of the fourth movie as part of the Triwizard Tournament experience. However, the most surreal experience was on the set of Gringotts, the wizard bank, complete with a seemingly live dragon charging at us!

“The visual effects – especially the dragon charging down the Gringotts set – were simply mind-blowing! It might have been a fan experience, but it sure felt real!”

WOW Travel

After walking through the stunning sets of the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley, and more, the tour ends in a huge room with a jaw-dropping replica of Hogwarts Castle and its grounds. Stunning visual effects and lighting made walking around the best way to end this magical tour.

What’s the Weather Like

Most of the studio tour is indoors, with the exception of when you arrive and the outdoor sets. When we went in May, the weather was gorgeously sunny, but the wind did make it colder, especially later in the day when the sun went behind the clouds. Also, since London and its surrounding regions usually receive rain anytime, we’d suggest that you carry travel umbrellas and eco-friendly travel water bottles.

You’ll be spending a lot of time inside the studios, as there’s no exit time, no matter the time you entered. We highly recommend carrying a travel portable charger or a power bank. Since you’ll be clicking tons of pictures, your camera or phone shouldn’t run out of charge, since you also need to get home or to a hotel after the tour!

We recommend the highly versatile compact and travel-ready Anker Power Bank, which is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and boasts a 10,000mAh battery. What’s more, it features USB Type C and USB Type A input and output and is available in two colors, white and black. The best bit? It costs less than USD 20!

What to Wear for the Harry Potter Tour

Most of the Harry Potter tour is indoors in air-conditioned environs, which means that it’s best for you to cover up. Hence, choosing layers is a great option since you can easily put them on and take them off depending on your comfort. Above all, wearing comfortable walking shoes is also a must, since the entire tour will be on foot. Finally, if you’re bringing suitcases and large bags on the tour, there are cloakroom facilities available.

That being said, people do really embrace the spirit of the Harry Potter world by wearing themed attire like scarves, t-shirts, Harry’s iconic glasses, and even robes. While wands and other accessories are available at the studio shop, we’d suggest you bring yours along for fun photographs. We donned our nerd badges and Gryffindor scarves proudly, getting admiring glances from people when we were traveling to the studio!

Do you want a Gryffindor scarf too? The Cinereplicas Harry Potter Classic Scarf is an official product under the Warner Bros. license. It’s not only ultra-soft and warm but also features the house crest patch and the same official Pantone colors from the Harry Potter movie archives. if you don’t want to wear the robes, it’s the perfect accessory to be worn on your comfy tour clothes.

Best Places to Stay for Harry Potter Tour, United Kingdom

Even though the Harry Potter studio tour is just an hour north of London, you might not want to travel back after a long day of being on your feet. Luckily, Watford has a plethora of accommodations, including a Harry Potter-themed stay!

Livin’ Serviced Apartments

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If flexibility is what you’re after, then check out the Livin’ Serviced Apartments in Watford. They lie just a 15-minute drive from the Harry Potter tour of England. If you’re a large group of family or friends, these apartments are ideal as they’re also just a two-minute walk from Watford Junction train station. If that wasn’t enough, there’s private parking available on the property too.

You have a choice of studios, deluxe king suites, standard apartments, triple apartments, and even family suites. What’s more, all units boast seating areas and fully-equipped kitchens, which allow you to cook meals any time you want. While some like the studios and standard apartments have one bedroom, others have two and even three bedrooms. Moreover, all units have luxurious bathrooms (larger units have more bathrooms) and free Wi-Fi throughout.

Even though these are serviced apartments, the place has a mini-gym, an award-winning restaurant, and a cafe too.

Leonardo Hotel London Watford

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Formerly Jurys Inn, the Leonardo Hotel London Watford blends contemporary comfort and luxury. It sits just 10 minutes from the studio tour and has a 24-hour reception, which means that you can check in anytime after your HP tour. You have the choice of many stylish rooms and suites with Dream beds, flat-screen TVs, luxurious bathrooms, and spa bath products. It’s just what you need to put your feet up after a long day of being on your feet.

Downstairs, the hotel brims with amenities. The best of them all is the Bar and Grill at Leonardo’s, which offers an extensive range of all-day dining meals and foods. Plus, there’s also the iconic Illy coffee on offer at the hotel, with public parking close by.

Harry’s House

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If you’re visiting the Harry Potter studio tour, why not stay in an HP-themed stay? Welcome to Harry’s House, which even welcomes muggles, by its own admission! The gorgeous two-bedroom ground-floor apartment even features a garden and a terrace, and sits just 15 minutes south of the studio tour.

Enter the living-cum-dining-room space in a pleasing rectangular layout, complete with a fully-equipped kitchen to make meals on the fly. Moreover, it even has a fireplace and a washing machine, making it perfect for those families who are on a long road trip and could do with a load of laundry. The free Wi-Fi aside, the space even had a modern bathroom with a standing shower and a TV in the living room to comfortably get together in after meals and spend time together. Rounding things up are the two bedrooms, one with a double bed and the other with a bunk bed, making this perfect for a family to stay.

Bedford Arms Hotel

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If you’re a couple looking for a traditional English hotel experience before and after your Harry Potter tour, we highly recommend the Bedford Arms Hotel. This charming country house hotel sits in the serene Chiltern village of Chenies, just 20 minutes from the studio. What’s more, this 1860-built Elizabethan-style inn, which was once owned by the Duke of Bedford, is now a traditional yet modern English-style country pub and hotel.

You have the choice of 15 rooms, 10 of which have a traditional and historic style and 5 of which are done up in a contemporary manner. However, they all have modern comforts, contemporary bathrooms with high-quality bathroom products, satellite TVs, and even free Wi-Fi. Plus, most of them boast wonderful views of either the Chiltern countryside or the gardens. A beautiful, oak-paneled restaurant and two bars with traditional menus complete the place.

Holiday Inn London – Watford Junction by IHG

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If you’ve gotten to the studio tour by train, then nothing can be better than the Holiday Inn London – Watford Junction by IHG. It sits right opposite the Watford Junction station, which is where the shuttle buses for the Harry Potter tour depart from. Plus, it also offers the convenience and the familiarity of a chain hotel for those who are looking for it.

Choose from a host of contemporary rooms, which feature all mod-cons, including plush beds, flat-screen TVs, slick bathrooms, and free Wi-Fi everywhere. If that wasn’t enough, there’s even a café and stylish lounge area downstairs which serves Starbucks coffee and a delicious inclusive breakfast, making it the perfect start to your day-long Harry Potter adventure.

Leafy Suburban Bed & Breakfast

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We loved the gorgeous and intimate Leafy Suburban Bed & Breakfast, which is where we stayed after our Harry Potter studio tour. The independent house-turned-B&B sat in a lovely, lush northern Watford neighborhood in Northwood, just 30 minutes from the studio tour. Our host, Raj, was very warm and welcoming and showed us around the B&B. He even gave us keys to access both the main door and our rooms when we headed out to dinner.

We had the choice of four rooms, which were to share two bathrooms, and we chose two rooms on the first floor, right next to one of the bathrooms. Not only were they large and luxuriously equipped, but they had lots of walking-around space. What’s more, there were fluffy robes and extra linens in the wardrobe, a flatscreen TV, and even a kettle with basics for tea and coffee laid out on the nightstand. Accessing the bathrooms was never an issue since we were free to use either of them. Moreover, both featured swanky sanitary fittings, a bathtub, and bath products.

The highlight of our stay was the breakfast in the morning, which Jessica cooked to perfection as we sipped on freshly brewed coffee and conversed with our fellow guests. Think cooked eggs, toast, jam, butter, fresh fruits, and cereal. After breakfast, we enjoyed walking around the manicured back gardens before heading out. Did we mention that parking is available right outside on the street for free? What could possibly be better?

How much time do you need at Harry Potter World London?

There is no limit on the time you spend here. That being said, ardent fans can spend anywhere from 3.5 to 5 hours here easily.

What is the best time of day to do the Harry Potter Studio Tour?

Since you need to give time to enjoy this tour, we’d advise booking tickets either in the first half of the day, until 2 pm. That’s because the crowd is peak around 4 pm, so it’s best that you’re done with a major part of the tour by then.

What happens if you’re late for the Harry Potter Studio Tour?

The ticket mentions that you need to arrive 20 minutes before your “Allocated Entry Time,” or you aren’t guaranteed access. Since we were driving down from beyond London, we reached the tour right at 2 pm, and encountered no problems. However, if there are crowds, then it could become an issue.