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Warner Bros. Studio London

The Forbidden Forest

Included with Warner Bros. Studio London tickets

Timings

RECOMMENDED DURATION

5 hours

Pathway through the Forbidden Forest set with large trees and mystical lighting.
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The Forbidden Forest - Step into the Wizarding World’s most dangerous woods

Defy Professor Dumbledore’s orders and venture deep into the Forbidden Forest, a permanent expansion at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. This immersive set recreates the atmospheric woodland seen throughout the film series, from the foggy depths of The Philosopher’s Stone to the climactic battles of The Deathly Hallows.

Where is it located?

The Forbidden Forest is located within the soundstages of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter in Leavesden, situated between the Backlot Cafe and the Platform 9¾ section.

How to access?

Access to the Forbidden Forest is included in all standard admission tickets to the Studio Tour. You do not need a separate ticket to enter the forest; it is a walk-through part of the main tour route.

Things to know before booking Warner Bros. Studio Tour London tickets

  • Inclusive access: You don't need a specific Forbidden Forest ticket. Every visitor with a valid Studio Tour entry can explore the forest.
  • Sensory warning: The set uses smoke machines, artificial mist, and occasional strobe lighting to create an eerie atmosphere.
  • Arachnophobia note: The forest features a high-intensity encounter with Aragog and his spiderlings. If you have a severe phobia of spiders, there is a clearly marked "spider-free" bypass route so you can still enjoy the rest of the set.
  • Surface texture: The floor of the forest is designed to feel like a "spongy" woodland floor. While wheelchair accessible, it may feel slightly uneven compared to the flat soundstage floors.

The Forbidden Forest in a nutshell

Magical forest scene with a white creature at Harry Potter™ Warner Bros. Studio Tour.

This 2017 expansion offers a rare look at how filmmakers blended practical sets with groundbreaking creature effects.

  • Must-see highlights: Come face-to-face with a full-size animatronic Aragog and a life-sized Buckbeak the Hippogriff.
  • Unique facts: The set features 19 massive trees, each with a diameter of over 12 feet, built by the original film crew to match the scale of the movies.
  • Interactive magic: Visitors can "control the weather" using the same techniques used on set, triggering thunder, lightning, and mist.

Your Warner Bros. Studio Tour London ticket types

Ticket typeIs Forbidden Forest access included?Why go for it?Starting price
Standard entry

Yes

Best value/Self-paced

From €117.04

Guided tour

Yes

Expert insights

From €173.39

Transport package

Yes

Stress-free travel

From €117.04

Exploring inside the Forbidden Forest

Hagrid's hut at Harry Potter Studio Tour, Warner Bros.
Visitors at Harry Potter Studios with Buckbeak model, London film location tour.
Harry Potter Forbidden Forest set at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.
Family enjoying interactive exhibit at The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour, Tokyo.
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The gates to the forest

You are welcomed at the entrance by an original costume of Rubeus Hagrid (worn by Robbie Coltrane), standing with his lantern to guide you into the dark.

Buckbeak’s clearing

Deep in the foliage, you’ll find Buckbeak the Hippogriff. The animatronic is so detailed that it actually bows to visitors—be sure to bow back!

The spider’s lair

The atmosphere darkens as you approach the home of the Acromantulas. Here, an 18-foot Aragog emerges from his cave while smaller spiders drop from the canopy above.

The weather station

Near the end of the path, you can interact with buttons and levers that demonstrate how the special effects team created the forest's "unnatural" weather.

The Forbidden Forest in 360°

Iconic creatures you'll meet in the Forbidden Forest

Giant spider model in Harry Potter studio tour with web and blue lighting.
Buckbeak the hippogriff from Harry Potter with a hand reaching out.
People using wands at Knockturn Alley, Harry Potter Visions of Magic Tokyo.
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Aragog

Aragog, the acromantula raised by Hagrid, looms large in the Forbidden Forest. His animatronic form has an 18-foot leg span and dozens of twitching limbs and mandibles, brought to life using intricate puppetry and movement coordination.

Buckbeak the Hippogriff

A life-sized animatronic Buckbeak bows gracefully from his clearing in the forest. Covered in individually placed feathers, he features subtle head movements, wing shifts and blinking eyes that reflect his noble personality from the films.

Thestrals

These skeletal winged horses appear quietly in the shadows of the forest. With translucent wings, protruding bones and glowing eyes, the Thestrals are a hauntingly beautiful addition to the forest and a nod to the darker themes of the series.

​Creature effects

Architectural highlights of the Forbidden Forest

forbidden forest harry potter studio

Though it looks like a natural woodland, the forest is a masterpiece of construction led by Production Designer Stuart Craig and Construction Manager Paul Hayes.

  • Hand-crafted trees: The trees were built using a combination of plaster and real bark textures to ensure they looked authentic even under high-definition cameras.
  • Backdrop artistry: The "infinite" depth of the forest was achieved using giant scenic paintings (translite backdrops) that wrap around the set, blending seamlessly with the 3D trees.
  • Spongy flooring: The ground was engineered using specialised materials to mimic the damp, mossy feel of an ancient English woodland.

The filmmaking magic behind Forbidden Forest 

  • Dynamic lighting: The entire forest is controlled with clever lighting design that switches from day to night, creating eerie transitions and moments of sudden tension just like in key scenes from the films.
  • Immersive soundscape: Fog machines, artificial leaf crunch and ambient audio work together to make visitors feel they’re standing inside a deep, enchanted woodland straight from the wizarding world.
  • Interactive creatures: Buckbeak can be summoned using a motion sensor that triggers a short interactive animation, including his signature bow and subtle mechanical gestures.
  • Weather effects: Thunder, lightning and wind effects are programmed into the set to evoke the unpredictable forest weather seen in scenes with Hagrid and the acromantulas.
  • Lifelike greenery: Trees are crafted from real bark textures and oversized trunks to feel ancient and gnarled, giving the illusion that you're surrounded by centuries-old woodland.
  • Textured paths: Floor pathways are intentionally uneven, and sounds of distant creatures, breaking twigs and whooshing wings echo through the space to heighten the sense of realism.

Moments from the Harry Potter films recreated here

Harry meets Buckbeak

This scene from Prisoner of Azkaban is brought to life with a detailed forest clearing, where Buckbeak bows to guests just as he did to Harry. It captures the magic and nerves of their first interaction.

Aragog’s lair

A highlight from Chamber of Secrets, the moment visitors enter Aragog’s webbed lair is recreated with hanging silk threads, creepy crawlies and Aragog himself nestled in a shadowy corner of the forest.

Thestrals and centaurs

Inspired by Order of the Phoenix, this section features glimpses of Thestrals in a shadowy grove, evoking Luna’s introduction of the creatures and Harry’s growing awareness of life and death.

Notable figures of the Forbidden Forest

Stuart Craig

The Academy Award-winning Production Designer who conceptualised the forest’s look for all eight films.

Know more

Nick Dudman

The Creature and Make-Up Effects Designer responsible for the lifelike animatronics of Buckbeak and Aragog.

Know more

John Richardson

The Special Effects Supervisor who created the practical "weather" and atmospheric effects within the set.

Know before you go

The forest follows the standard Studio Tour hours (typically 9am–8pm or 10pm).

It takes approximately 15–20 minutes to walk through the forest at a steady pace.

​Detailed timings

  • Photography and filming are encouraged! There is a great photo op with Buckbeak.
  • Photos are allowed, but low-light conditions mean a phone camera may not capture clear images without night mode or flash. Alternatively, you can also get a good low-light performance camera.
  • Fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, though be mindful of the textured floor.
  • Paths inside are uneven in places and may be difficult for those with limited mobility. Ask staff for support if needed.
  • The lighting is kept deliberately low, so allow time for your eyes to adjust as you enter the set.
  • The atmosphere includes fog, sudden sounds and creature movement, which might startle younger or sensitive visitors.
  • Buckbeak and Aragog both feature motion effects that can trigger when visitors are near, so be prepared for sudden movement.
  • If visiting with small children, keep them close as parts of the forest can feel a little intense.

​Plan your visit

Frequently asked questions about the Forbidden Forest

No, entry is included in your standard Warner Bros. Studio Tour London admission.