"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends," said Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts headmaster. The Great Hall plays a significant role in the Harry Potter films and is the setting for many memorable sequences. In the first film, upon Harry's arrival at Hogwarts, he and his fellow students are led to the Great Hall to be sorted into their respective houses.
Throughout the movies, headmaster Dumbledore has several iconic speeches in this location too. Among the most famous sets from the Harry Potter books, the Great Hall plays host to several pivotal occasions. Originally built for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 2000, the Great Hall subsequently hosted the Yule Ball, the Battle of Hogwarts and other crucial settings spanning 7 more films. Relive some of your favorite scenes, as you begin your magical journey here, with the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio tour!
The Great Hall is the first set you enter on the tour, and it's instantly recognisable from countless scenes throughout the series. You can stand on the same flagstone floor where Harry, Ron, and Hermione first entered Hogwarts, imagine yourself being sorted by the Sorting Hat beneath the magnificent ceiling, or relive the wonder of attending the Yule Ball.
The Great Hall is a truly impressive sight, with its high ceilings, long tables, and stained glass windows. However, It's much smaller than it appears on film, and you can really get a sense of the grandeur of Hogwarts. Movie sets often use forced perspective tricks to create the illusion of a larger space. This might involve using smaller furniture for the actors or placing the camera at specific angles. In reality, the set is quite a bit smaller than it appears on screen. Look closely at the stained glass windows – they depict the Hogwarts houses' mascots:
Gryffindor: Lion, Ravenclaw: Eagle, Hufflepuff: Badger, Slytherin: Serpent
The Great Hall is dominated by the four long tables, one for each Hogwarts house. The tables are laid with plates, goblets, and cutlery, just as they would be for a Hogwarts feast. You can also see the banners for each house hanging above their respective tables.
Take a center spot on the Headmaster's podium and imagine yourself delivering a speech to the assembled students. Fun fact: The podium is actually a replica of the one used in the first movie and had to be rebuilt several times throughout filming as the actors kept accidentally breaking it with their forceful speeches!
Look out for the iconic school uniforms in each house's colors – scarlet and gold for Gryffindor, blue and bronze for Ravenclaw, yellow and black for Hufflepuff, and green and silver for Slytherin. You might also see some of the professors' dress robes, adding a touch of elegance to the space.
A true fan favourite – keep an eye out for the House Points counter. Despite not appearing on film, the house points counter may be the Great Hall's greatest prop. Large hourglasses loaded with beads representing each house's color trickled down as pupils scored points and disappeared when they lost them. Except for a close look, they are scarcely visible in the films.
The exact props and costumes displayed in the Great Hall might change depending on the time of your visit. The studio tour offers a dynamic experience, so there's always a chance to see something new.
The Great Hall is the iconic dining hall featured throughout the Harry Potter films. It's the first major set you'll see on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
Yes! The Great Hall is one of the highlights of the tour and you can walk right through it, imagining yourself amongst the students of Hogwarts.
Absolutely! This is a popular spot for photos, so be sure to get your picture under the floating candles or perhaps sitting at the Gryffindor table.
While there aren’t any restrooms specifically within the Great Hall itself, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London does have restrooms available throughout the tour route, including one in the lobby before you even begin the tour
No, there's no food or drink available within the Great Hall itself. However, there is a food hall located elsewhere on the studio tour.
The Great Hall is accessible for wheelchairs. If you have any accessibility concerns, be sure to check the Warner Bros. Studio Tour website for further information.