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Visit Harry Potter Studio I A Comprehensive Guide For Your Tour

Planning to visit Harry Potter Studio? Here’s everything you need to know, including opening hours information, best times to go, transport details, on-site facilities, seasonal events, dining spots, accessibility information, and essential tips to make your visit smooth and memorable.

Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio | Visitor information at a glance

Visit Harry Potter Studio
  • What are the Harry Potter Studio opening hours?The studio tour is open from 9:30am to 8pm (weekdays) and 8:30am to 10pm (weekend).
  • Where is Harry Potter Studio located?Harry Potter Studio is at Leavesden, Watford, about 33km from central London | ​Find on Map
  • How many visitors does Harry Potter Studio see every year?The Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London welcomes over 2 million visitors annually.
  • Are parking facilities available at Warner Bros. Studios?Parking is free of charge. The car park is a short walk away from the studio’s entrance. Priority parking is located next to the studio’s entrance and is available to purchase online with your tour tickets for an additional £10.

Harry Potter studio tour opening hours

  • Monday to Friday: 9:30am to 8pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 8:30am to 10pm

Note: From mid-July to early September, the Studio is open daily from 8:30am to 10pm.

Tour duration: A typical visit to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour takes around 3 to 7 hours, depending on your pace and interest in the exhibits.

Best time to visit Harry Potter Studio

Weekday vs. weekend

Want a more peaceful experience? Weekdays are your best bet. Tuesdays through Thursdays are usually less busy. Weekends tend to fill up fast, and midday slots often sell out months ahead during peak periods.

Peak months vs. low month

Expect the biggest crowds in summer and during festive events like Halloween and Christmas. For a quieter visit, try early November or February. Whichever season you pick, tickets go fast, especially around special events.

Prime time for attending special events

For themed tours, visit during the Triwizard Tournament in summer, Dark Arts around Halloween, or Hogwarts in the Snow during the holidays. These events offer seasonal decor, interactive moments, and exclusive features not included in the standard Studio Tour.

Where is the Harry Potter studio located?

Address: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR.

The Harry Potter Studio Tour is located in Leavesden, around 32 kilometres northwest of central London. It’s easily reached by train to Watford Junction, followed by a dedicated shuttle bus to the Studio entrance.

​Find on Map

Closest landmark: ​Watford Junction

Getting to Harry Potter™ Studio

How to get to the Harry Potter studio?

Luxury bus for pick up and drop off to the Harry Potter Studio

By public transport

  • Round-trip coach transfers: 

Travel time: About 90 minutes each way

This is the simplest option with direct travel from central London to the Studio and back. Multiple pick-up points (Victoria Station, Baker's Street, King's Cross, or near the British Museum) make it hassle-free, especially if you want to avoid trains and station changes.

  • Round-trip train transfers:

Travel time: 45 to 60 minutes each way

This is the fastest option. Take a train from London Euston to Watford Junction, then hop on the Studio shuttle bus. Ideal if you're comfortable with public transport and want to get there quicker.

Minivan parked outside Harry Potter Studios Tokyo for transfer service.

By car

  • Arriving from the North: Take the M1 southbound and exit at Junction 6A to join the M25 toward Heathrow. Leave the M25 at Junction 20 and follow the A41 toward London. At the Hunton Bridge roundabout, stay left for the A405, then take the first exit to reach Warner Bros. Studios.
  • Arriving from London: Take the M1 northbound and exit at Junction 5. Follow the A41 toward North Watford for around 3 miles. At the Hunton Bridge roundabout, take the fourth exit. Keep left at the Y-junction and take the first exit to the studio entrance.

Parking facility: Free parking is available on-site, just a short walk from the entrance. Have your booking confirmation ready for the parking team. Priority Parking near the entrance can be pre-booked online for an extra £10.

Know before you go

Harry Potter Studio shop with wands and merchandise on display, London, UK.
  • Cloakroom: You can store coats, bags, and suitcases free of charge. Prams and buggies should be left here if possible, as space inside the tour is limited.
  • Toilets: Toilets with baby-changing units are available in all lobby blocks. Accessible toilets support one disabled visitor plus two carers.
  • Cash machine: A free-to-use ATM is located in the lobby—handy if you need cash for food, souvenirs, or extras during your visit.
  • Cafés: Choose from The Hub Café, Frog Café, or the Food Hall for fresh meals, snacks, and drinks, all available daily inside the lobby area.
  • Multi-faith room: This calm, climate-controlled space includes a dual-level basin, shoe storage, and adjustable lighting. Ask a team member for access when needed.
  • Studio shop: Pick up official Harry Potter merchandise before or after your tour. The shop is exclusive to ticket holders and offers many items also sold online.
Modern washroom facilities with sinks and mirrors in a tourist attraction.
  • Toilets: You’ll find toilets spaced along the tour route. All are accessible and include baby-changing facilities for families.
  • Parent & baby room: Located near the Backlot Café, this private space includes a nursing chair, changing tables, and hot water for warming bottles.
  • Backlot Café: Take a break mid-tour with hot meals, snacks, and the famous non-alcoholic Butterbeer. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
  • Themed shops: Inside the Studio, you’ll find the Forbidden Forest Shop and Railway Shop, offering themed merchandise linked to the sets and scenes you’re exploring.
harry potter studio rules
  • Security rules: For everyone’s safety, items like knives, scissors, alcohol, illegal drugs, pepper spray, or anything considered dangerous are strictly prohibited inside the studio.
  • One-way route: The tour follows a one-way path to help manage crowd flow. Once you begin, you’ll need to continue along the set route without backtracking.
  • Please don’t touch: Props and costumes are delicate and should only be touched if a sign says it’s okay. Photos are welcome, except in areas marked as restricted.
  • Assistance dogs only: Only trained assistance dogs are allowed inside. Other animals, regardless of size or type, cannot be brought into the studio.
  • No re-entry to lobby: Once you’ve started the tour, you won’t be able to return to the lobby, so make sure to use any facilities before entering.
  • No smoking or vaping: Smoking, vaping, and e-cigarettes are not allowed anywhere on the studio tour grounds, including outdoor areas.
Visit Harry Potter Studio
  • The Hub Café: Located beneath the Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon in the main entrance area, this café serves Starbucks hot and cold drinks, sandwiches to-go, and fresh bakery items throughout the day.
  • The Chocolate Frog Café: Inspired by the famous magical sweets, this whimsical spot offers specialty hot chocolate, ice cream, and a tempting range of pastries and sweet treats.
  • The Food Hall: Also found in the Studio Tour Hub, the Food Hall offers a full menu including breakfast, hot and cold meals, sandwiches, drinks, and bakery options. A great choice for a sit-down bite before or after your tour.
  • The Backlot Café: Midway through the tour, this café serves hot meals, sandwiches, and snacks with both indoor and outdoor seating. It's perfectly placed for a break with views of outdoor sets like the Knight Bus, Privet Drive, and Hogwarts Bridge.
Visit Harry Potter Studio
Cassiobury Park Watford, people walking along tree-lined path near historic bridge.
  • Whippendell Woods: Just a short walk from the Studio, Whippendell Woods is perfect for a peaceful break. Wander leafy trails, enjoy the fresh air, and soak up the calm woodland atmosphere away from the city buzz.
  • Cassiobury Park: A quick drive from the Studio, Cassiobury Park is a lovely open space with grassy fields, shady woodlands, and a canal. Great for laid-back strolls, picnics, or even a boat ride along the Grand Union Canal.
  • Watford Museum: Step into Watford’s past at this local gem. The museum features fun exhibits and fascinating displays that explore the town’s art, culture, and history—all just a short trip from the Studio.
Quidditch set at Harry Potter Studio, featuring broomsticks and golden snitch.
  • Getting there 20–30 minutes before your time slot is ideal. You can grab a coffee at the Hub Café, use the toilets, or browse the shop while you wait. Entry to the tour begins strictly at your booked time.
  • Once you enter the Studio Tour, you can’t return to the lobby. If you're hungry at the start, visit the Food Hall for hot meals, drinks, or snacks before heading inside.
  • The free Studio app offers an interactive map and general info. For extra behind-the-scenes content and exclusive interviews, consider renting the handheld digital guide available in the lobby.
  • There’s a small shop near the lobby, but the huge Studio Shop at the end of the tour has the best selection. It’s worth waiting until the end to do your shopping.
  • You’ll have about 10-20 minutes in the Great Hall, the only part of the tour with a timed guide. Take photos right away so you have time to enjoy the space too.
  • Want to fly a broom or ride the Hogwarts Express? These green screen experiences are great fun but not included in the ticket price. Decide ahead of time if you'd like to take part.
  • Toilets aren’t available inside some major sets like Gringotts and Diagon Alley, so use them when you spot one, especially helpful if you're visiting with children.

Accessibility at the studio

  • Carer tickets: One complimentary carer ticket is available per paying disabled visitor. Simply show proof of entitlement at the ticket window on arrival to collect it.
  • Assistance dogs: Trained assistance dogs, including guide, hearing, and medical alert dogs, are welcome throughout the Studio. Water bowls can be provided on request.
  • Wheelchair access: Most areas of the Studio are accessible by wheelchair. Some sets, like Diagon Alley and the Knight Bus, have uneven or tight spaces. Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge from the Information Desk.
  • Audio assistance: Induction loops are available at key locations such as ticket windows and the cinema. Personal loops can also be collected along with your Digital Guide in the lobby.
  • BSL tours: British Sign Language tours with a qualified interpreter can be arranged free of charge. It’s best to request these in advance of your visit.
  • Image books: Braille and large-print image books with descriptive content are available from the Information Desk for those who need them.
  • Sensory rooms: Two quiet Sensory Rooms are located near the Food Hall and Backlot Café. If you’d like access during your visit, just speak to a staff member.
  • Accessible toilets: Accessible toilets are available throughout the Studio and include stoma-friendly features and medical supply shelves. A Changing Place facility with hoist access is also located in the lobby.
  • Accessible parking: Free accessible parking bays are located close to the entrance. A valid Blue Badge must be displayed in your vehicle during your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions about your visit to Harry Potter studio tour

How much time should I leave between the studio tour and other London plans?

Give yourself at least 6–7 hours round trip, including transport time. You’ll want time to relax, explore at your own pace, and shop without rushing to your next booking.

Is there a best order to do things inside the Studio?

The route is fixed, but pace yourself. Take photos early in key areas like the Great Hall, save your shopping for the end, and plan a food break at the Backlot Café.

Can I visit without a tour guide or join one once I’m there?

The standard studio tour is self-guided. Guided tours aren’t available for purchase on-site, so if you want one, it must be pre-booked as part of a ticket bundle.

Is the Studio Tour suitable for toddlers or very young children?

Yes, but with a few considerations. Some sets are dark or loud and might be overwhelming. There’s a parent and baby room mid-tour, but prams must be left in the cloakroom.

Are there lockers for valuables or small bags?

There are cloakroom services for coats and bags, but no individual lockers. If you’re carrying valuables, it’s best to keep them with you during the tour.

Is it worth renting the handheld digital guide if I'm a big fan?

Yes, especially if you’re a returning visitor or Potterhead. It includes exclusive cast interviews and behind-the-scenes content not shown on signs or the Studio app.

What time do the green screen experiences typically get crowded?

Green screen areas like broom-flying and train rides are busiest late morning to early afternoon. If you're interested, try to go early in your visit to avoid queues.

Are pets allowed to wait outside the Studio?

No pet care facilities are available, and pets cannot be left outside or in vehicles. Only trained assistance dogs are allowed on-site, for safety and welfare reasons.

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