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Must-See Attractions At The Harry Potter Studio

From towering sets to hidden film tricks, the Harry Potter Studio Tour highlights reveal everything that made the films so memorable. This guide is your shortcut to the best bits, rare finds and magical details you really should not miss.

Iconic film sets that you’ll see

Entrance to the Great Hall at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, showcasing Harry Potter film set.
Fawkes the phoenix perched in Dumbledore's office at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.
Gryffindor common room set at Harry Potter Studio Tour, featuring iconic film props.
Visitors exploring the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest attraction with towering trees and mystical ambiance.
Diagon Alley at Harry Potter Exhibit, featuring cobblestone street and shopfronts, London.
Visitors exploring Platform 9¾ at Harry Potter Studio Tour, London.
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The Great Hall

The Great Hall was one of the first sets built for the films and includes real flagstone floors, hand-carved house points counters and house tables that appeared in the Sorting Ceremony scenes. Costumes and props from all four houses are displayed throughout the space.

Dumbledore's Office

This set combines hundreds of detailed objects, including the Memory Cabinet, the Pensieve and books made from phone directories. The circular staircase and rich lighting recreate the feeling of Dumbledore's presence, making it one of the most layered and intricate tour highlights.

Gryffindor Common Room

Step into the warm red-and-gold furnishings of Gryffindor Tower, where the fireplace, worn furniture and real costume displays make the set feel lived-in. Portraits and tapestries were hand-painted, and many appeared in multiple films across different scenes.

Forbidden Forest

Designed on indoor soundstages, the forest includes life-size trees with tangled roots, immersive fog effects and animatronic versions of Buckbeak and Aragog. The lighting changes between stormy and calm, capturing the shifting tone of scenes set in this magical forest.

Diagon Alley

With real storefronts like Quality Quidditch Supplies and Eeylops Owl Emporium, Diagon Alley was one of the most complex sets built. The lighting simulates time of day and magical atmosphere, while details like shifting bricks and signage make it immersive and playful.

Platform 9¾

This section includes a full-size replica of the Hogwarts Express and the famous disappearing luggage trolley. You can walk inside the carriages, see original props like suitcases and chocolate frogs, and learn how exterior train shots were filmed using green screens.

Who created behind-the-scenes magic?

Forbidden Forest set at Harry Potter Studio with towering trees and mystical atmosphere.

Creature Effects and Animatronics

Explore how animatronic creatures were built using robotics, silicone and hand-sculpted designs. The area features Buckbeak bowing on cue, life-size Thestrals and goblin head prosthetics. Artists combined traditional sculpting with mechanical engineering to create lifelike characters for close-up scenes.

Warner Bros. Studio entrance with Harry Potter tour bus, London premium transfers.

Special and Visual Effects

Learn how broomsticks flew, candles floated and invisibility worked using a mix of practical and digital effects. Displays include green screen sets, motion rigs and camera breakdowns that reveal how magical effects were created frame by frame without relying solely on CGI.

Hogwarts castle model decorated for Christmas at Harry Potter Studio, London.

Art Department and Set Design

See white card models used to plan major sets, from Hogwarts Castle to Hogsmeade. Original sketches, colour palettes and full blueprints give insight into how spaces were imagined and built. The centrepiece is a 1:24 scale Hogwarts model with real lighting cycles.

Costumes and props to watch out for

Harry Potter Studio costumes display with iconic character outfits in London.
  • See the main trio's costumes across different years, showing changes in style and wear as their characters evolved through the films.
  • Costumes include hand-detailed robes, Quidditch uniforms and Yule Ball outfits with period-accurate stitching and fabric treatments.
  • Learn how costume ageing techniques helped garments feel lived-in, including added dirt, rips and fading in key scenes.
Potion jars at Harry Potter Studio Tour, showcasing magical artifacts.
  • View hero props like the Marauder’s Map, Time Turner and Sword of Gryffindor used in key plot sequences.
  • Thousands of potion jars line the walls, each hand-labeled with contents from dried herbs to tiny bones.
  • Spot the wands used by major characters, crafted from various woods and stored in the original Ollivanders wand boxes.

Interactive experiences and photo spots

Wand training

Use motion-sensing screens to follow wand choreography just like the actors did during combat scenes. Instructors guide you through defensive and offensive spells, turning a short session into an exciting part of the Harry Potter Studio Tour highlights.

Flying broomstick green screen

Experience a ride across London or Hogwarts with a green screen broomstick session. You’ll sit on a broom and react to studio wind effects while cameras capture your flying scene, which you can later purchase as a photo or video.

Platform 9¾ Luggage Trolley

One of the most popular photo spots, this setup lets you pose with half a trolley disappearing into the wall. Staff help capture your shot and explain how the illusion was created using forced perspective and hidden structural supports.

Frequently Asked Questions about Harry Potter Studio Tour highlights

Is there a specific order to view the highlights or can I explore freely?

The tour follows a general flow, but after the Great Hall you can explore at your own pace and spend more time at your favorite areas.

Are there any studio highlights exclusive to certain times of the year?

Yes, features like Hogwarts in the Snow or Dark Arts overlays are seasonal and include extra props, effects and costumed setups not present year-round.

How accessible are the major highlights for wheelchair users?

Most major highlights, including Platform 9¾ and Diagon Alley, are accessible. Staff assistance and accessible maps are also available on request.

Can children take part in wand choreography experiences?

Yes, wand training is open to children, and instructors tailor guidance based on age and mobility, making it enjoyable for younger fans.

Is photography allowed at all major highlights?

Photography is allowed throughout most of the tour, except in areas with video content or temporary exhibits where restrictions are clearly marked.

Are the costumes originals or replicas?

Most costumes on display are originals worn during filming. Where replicas are used, signage clearly explains their purpose and fabrication.

Do the interactive areas have long wait times?

They can during peak hours. Try early morning or late afternoon slots for shorter lines, especially at green screen and wand areas.

What is the rarest artefact or set piece on display?

The Philosopher’s Stone encased in glass and the original Goblet of Fire are considered rarest due to their singular use and fragile material.

Can I touch any of the highlights or props?

No, props and sets are protected behind barriers. However, designated interactive areas allow handling of specific items like wand replicas.

Are the original blueprints or sketches part of the public tour?

Yes, the Art Department section features sketches, blueprints and concept artwork with notes from designers and set builders.

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