"Welcome, Harry, to Diagon Alley. Here's where you get your quills and your ink, and over there all your bits and bobs for doing your wizardry."
Hagrid's booming words, echoing in the cobblestone streets, might have been directed towards a young wizard, but their magic extends to all who step into the cobbled streets. To the next big name in the wizarding world, here's all you need to know about Diagon Alley.
Oh, and don't forget, it's 'Diagon Alley' not 'Diagonally'!
Diagon Alley is a popular part of the Studio Tour, and it's easy to see why. It was, after all, the one-stop shop for every witch and wizard before a new semester began. Recreated within the sets are some of the most famous shops that you've probably read and dreamt about visiting. Here's a glimpse of what you can expect to see:
From London: Harry Potter™ Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Return Transport
From London: Harry Potter™ Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Day Trip to Oxford
Harry Potter™ Film Locations Walking Tour
Combo (Save 5%): Tower of London + London Eye Tickets
From London: Harry Potter™ Warner Bros. Studio Small-Group Guided Tour with Train Transfers
From London: Harry Potter™ Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Hotel Transfers
Throughout the films, the set of Diagon Alley saw several transformations. The street shown in the films is the result of thorough tweaking, tilting of whole buildings, shifting of walls, and relocation of storefronts since its inception. To use in Hogsmeade's village in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, some set pieces from Diagon Alley were also re-dressed. The initial plan for the streets shown in the movies drew heavily on both the Harry Potter series and Charles Dickens' descriptions of streets. Gringotts Bank, Flourish and Blotts, Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary, and the dusty Ollivanders wand shop—the place where Harry's wand famously picked him—are all located on Diagon Alley. During shooting, over seventeen thousand wand boxes, each with its own label, were housed in the store.
It's pronounced "Diagon Alley"! Do not mix it up or you’ll end up in the dark side of the wizarding world, ‘Borgin and Burkes’ in Knockturn Alley. Kidding! Unfortunately, Knockturn Alley is not featured in the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter, as a physical set or any related exhibit.
While you can't interact with the wands directly, there might be opportunities to experience a wand-choosing ceremony demonstration during your tour.
Unfortunately, the shops on Diagon Alley are just sets and don't sell actual merchandise. However, there are numerous gift shops within the Studio Tour where you can buy Harry Potter souvenirs.
The sets are often updated to reflect different scenes from the films, which may include holiday decorations depending on the season.
Keep an eye out for special events or activities that might be offered during your visit, such as wand combat demonstrations or Butterbeer tastings.
