‌

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London history | From aircraft hangar to Hogwarts

Spanning 80 acres, the Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden was once a WWII airfield before becoming the only place on Earth where all eight Harry Potter films were produced. The best part? You can walk the actual stone floors of the Great Hall without a Portkey!

Warner Bros. Studio history timeline

  • 1940: Leavesden Aerodrome opens 
    The site serves as a factory for Mosquito and Halifax bombers during WWII.
  • 1994: From runway to reels 
    The abandoned hangars are converted into film stages, hosting GoldenEye.
  • 2000: Harry Potter arrives 
    Production begins on The Philosopher’s Stone, making Leavesden its permanent home.
  • 2010: A permanent legacy 
    Warner Bros. officially purchases the site, becoming the first Hollywood studio with a permanent UK base.
  • March 31, 2012: The magic begins
    The Studio Tour officially opens to the public, featuring original sets and props.
  • 2015: The Hogwarts Express pulls in 
    A massive expansion adds Platform 9¾ and the original steam engine.
  • 2017: Entering the Forbidden Forest 
    A new permanent expansion opens, featuring Aragog and 19 towering, handcrafted trees.
  • 2019: Gringotts Wizarding Bank 
    The tour’s largest expansion to date opens, featuring the lavish bank and the Lestrange Vault.
  • 2022: Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse 
    A new section of the backlot opens, allowing fans to interact with Mandrakes.
  • Today: A living production hub 
    While fans tour the magic, blockbuster hits like Barbie and House of the Dragon film next door.

Warner Bros. Studio history explained

The aviation era (1940–1993)

Before it was a cinematic powerhouse, Leavesden was vital to the British war effort. The massive hangars that now house the Great Hall were originally assembly lines for aircraft. This industrial scale provided the unique ceiling height required for the sprawling, multi-level sets that defined the Harry Potter aesthetic.

The golden era of production (2000–2010)

Leavesden wasn't just a set; it was a home. For over a decade, the cast and crew lived and worked here. Because Warner Bros. owned the space, they didn't have to strike (tear down) sets between films. This allowed the Gryffindor Common Room and Dumbledore’s office to remain standing for ten years, gathering a "lived-in" detail that CGI simply couldn't replicate.

The making of the tour (2012–Present)

When filming wrapped on The Deathly Hallows, the Roman question for the studio was how to preserve the craftsmanship. Instead of archiving props in crates, the studio was reimagined as a walking museum. Since its 2012 opening, it has evolved into a global pilgrimage site, continuously expanding to showcase the evolving art of filmmaking.

Construction and architecture of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Building the Wizarding World (2000–2010)

The architecture of the Harry Potter sets was a monumental feat of practical movie magic. Led by production designer Stuart Craig, the crew utilised the massive scale of the former aircraft hangars to build permanent, high-ceilinged structures.

  • The Great Hall: Unlike traditional film sets made of plywood, this was built with a real York stone floor and solid oak tables to withstand the weight of hundreds of actors over a decade.
  • The Model Room: The crown jewel of the studio's architecture is the 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts. It was built by 86 artists over seven months, using real stone and gravel for texture and over 300 fibre-optic lights to simulate torches.
  • Materials & methods: The crew pioneered techniques in ageing materials, using plaster and paint to make new wood look like ancient stone or centuries-old castle walls.
Art Department feats

Major expansions: Beyond the ‘boy who lived’

Platform 9¾ (2015)

This expansion allowed fans to board the actual 78-year-old steam locomotive, the Olton Hall, which was used throughout the film series.

Platform 9¾

The Forbidden Forest (2017)

A masterclass in set design, this section used scenic forest lighting and atmospheric effects to bring the outdoor location into the controlled environment of a soundstage.

The Forbidden Forest

Gringotts & seasonal events (2019-Present)

The 2019 addition of the bank showcased the sheer scale of the series' architecture. Today, seasonal events like Hogwarts in the Snow use the original salt-based cinema snow developed for the films.

Gringotts Wizarding Bank

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London today – Why it matters

Today, the studio is far more than a museum; it is a UNESCO-level celebration of British film industry talent. While the Studio Tour preserves the legacy of the Harry Potter franchise, the surrounding Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden remains one of the most advanced filming facilities in the world.

  • Global significance: It is one of the few places where fans can see the bones of a production. It serves as an educational hub for aspiring filmmakers to study costume design, creature effects, and set engineering.
  • What to see: Visitors can now explore the Backlot, which features the exterior of 4 Privet Drive and the towering triple-decker Knight Bus.
  • The legacy: The studio's success paved the way for the UK to become a global leader in high-end television and film production, proving that movie sets are historic artefacts worth saving.

​Plan your visit

Frequently asked questions about the Warner Bros. Studio history

A guided tour is highly recommended. Expert guides share behind-the-lens stories about the actors and the technical challenges faced by the crew during the decade of filming.

More Reads

Plan Your Visit

Tips For Visiting

Sets of Harry Potter London Studios