Step Inside Harry Potter Great Hall at Warner Bros Studio tour

An overview of the Harry Potter Great Hall at the studio tour

The Great Hall is the first grand set you’ll walk into at the Studio Tour, complete with real York stone floors, 17-foot oak doors, and the original long tables seen in the films.
Stretching nearly 120 feet in length, the Hall was built to seat 400 students. Its medieval-style design was inspired by Christ Church in Oxford, capturing the grandeur of an old English school.
Original Hogwarts house costumes, the Sorting Hat, floating candles, and an enchanted ceiling recreate the magical atmosphere exactly as it looked on screen, right down to the smallest details.
From the Sorting Ceremony to the Triwizard preparations and Battle of Hogwarts aftermath, the Great Hall was used in major scenes across the series, making it a true centrepiece of Hogwarts life.

Other set details & design features that you shouldn’t miss

Stone floor: Made of real York stone slabs, this floor was chosen for its durability and realism. It’s been walked on by cast, crew, and now thousands of fans.
House banners: Massive banners for each house hang proudly above the tables. Their colors change during special events like Dark Arts and Hogwarts in the Snow, adding a seasonal atmosphere.
Fireplaces: Lined with stone and built to function, these fireplaces were used during filming to create the warm, lived-in feeling of Hogwarts’ main gathering space for meals and ceremonies.
Entrance doors: Enter through the same towering oak doors the cast used on screen. Over 17 feet tall, these hand-built doors are the perfect lead-in to the Hogwarts experience.
Seasonal decor: At Halloween, you’ll see pumpkins and floating lanterns. At Christmas, snow-dusted trees and festive tables. The set changes to match the seasonal scenes from the films.

Moments from the films recreated here

The Sorting Ceremony

Filmed multiple times across the series, the Sorting Ceremony introduced new students to Hogwarts. With the Sorting Hat, house tables, and anxious first-years, this scene set the magical tone of the films and marked the beginning of Harry’s journey into the wizarding world.

The Yule Ball

The Great Hall became an icy ballroom for the Yule Ball in Goblet of Fire, with frosted trees, twinkling ornaments, and magical lighting. It was one of the most visually striking transformations of the set, capturing teenage nerves, awkward dances, and Hogwarts’ biggest social event.

Triwizard Champion Selection

The Goblet of Fire sat at the front of the Great Hall as it chose each Triwizard champion. The surprise inclusion of Harry made this one of the most dramatic moments filmed here, filled with flickering torchlight, rising tension, and gasps from the crowd.

Dumbledore’s Speeches

Dumbledore addressed the school from the staff table during key events—welcoming students, announcing the Triwizard Tournament, or calling for unity. Filmed with the entire cast assembled, these speeches gave the Great Hall emotional weight and captured Hogwarts’ sense of tradition and community.

Halloween Feast

Floating pumpkins, golden platters, and a troll in the dungeon brought the Halloween feast to life in Philosopher’s Stone. This scene showed the Hall in full festive mode and remains a fan-favourite moment of magical wonder, complete with delicious visuals and unexpected chaos.

Dueling Club

In Chamber of Secrets, the Hall hosted the Dueling Club showdown between Harry and Draco. With Snape and Lockhart supervising, spells flew, snakes appeared, and tempers flared, turning the dining hall into a stage for magical misfires and unexpected discoveries about Harry’s powers.

Hagrid’s Return

In Prisoner of Azkaban, the Great Hall filled with applause as Hagrid returned from Azkaban. This joyful reunion reminded fans of Hogwarts’ strong sense of family and solidarity, with students and staff showing heartfelt support for one of the school’s most beloved characters.

Battle of Hogwarts Aftermath

The aftermath of Hogwarts’ final battle was filmed inside the Great Hall in Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Emotional scenes of loss, relief, and quiet reunion played out here, giving the set a powerful role in the story’s closing chapters and final goodbyes.

Photo opportunities & tips

Stand near the High Table to capture the full length of the Hall behind you. It gives a perfect sense of Hogwarts’ scale and grandeur.
Look closely at the stone floor for scuff marks and scratches. These are from actual cast movements during filming and make great detail shots.
Snap a wide shot from just inside the massive oak doors. It mirrors the films’ perspective when students first enter the Great Hall each year.
Get a close-up of the House Points Counter beads. The colours look vibrant under the lighting and make for a great house pride Instagram moment.
Zoom in on individual place settings at the tables. Many feature original props like handwritten menus, goblets, and silverware used in the Great Feast scenes.
The floating candle props catch light beautifully. Tilt your phone slightly upward to frame them against the dark rafters for an atmospheric Hogwarts-style photo.
Stand at the middle of the Ravenclaw table for great symmetry. It gives a centered view of the enchanted candles and Hogwarts banners above.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Harry Potter Great Hall

Can I take photos or videos inside the Great Hall?

Yes, photography is allowed and encouraged! Just avoid flash, especially during peak hours, and respect any temporary restrictions during seasonal transitions.

Are any scenes re-enacted in the Great Hall during the tour?

There are no live re-enactments, but some events like "Hogwarts in the Snow" or "Dark Arts" include special lighting, props, and soundscapes that recreate iconic scenes.

Can I sit at the House tables or the High Table?

No seating is allowed, but you can walk right beside them and get very close. Staff ensure preservation of screen-used props and furniture by restricting direct contact.

What’s something most people miss inside the Great Hall?

The intricate designs carved into the staff chairs at the High Table are easy to overlook. They reflect each professor’s personality and were custom-built for the films.

Can I request house-specific photos or guides inside the Great Hall?

While there are no personal guides per house, staff are happy to point out the right areas and costume displays for each house if you ask.

Are the fireplaces in the Great Hall real or functional?

Yes, the fireplaces are real and were used with controlled flames during filming. They’re non-operational now for safety, but fully preserved with original stonework.

Can I see the Sorting Hat up close?

Yes, the Sorting Hat is displayed in the Great Hall, and you can get close enough for detailed photos. However, it’s not interactive or touchable.

Does the Great Hall appear exactly as it did in the films?

Yes, it’s the original set. However, the enchanted ceiling was added with CGI in post-production, so you won’t see the magical sky effect in person.