Harry Potter Studio Tour Visit
If you're studying in the UK and you're a Harry Potter fan, you have to visit the studios where they filmed the movies. I went last Monday with a friend I hadn't seen in a long time and we grew up bonding over Slytherin and Draco Malfoy. So this reunion at the studios was the most perfect plan for both of us. This was my first time visiting which is a bit crazy considering I have been here for 3 years already.
So what is it exactly do they have at the studios? They have all the authentic sets that they created to film the movies: so think Dumbledore's office, the Potions classroom, the Gryffindor common room and dorm room, Umbridge's office. Within the sets, all the original props and costumes are there too and you cannot imagine the amount of things they created from scratch for all the films. For example, the Great Hall is an actual real life hall and it is so beautiful. You got to see outdoor sets too such as the Night Bus, Privet Drive, Hagrid's motorcycle, and the carriages within the train. One of the many best parts was the giant model of Hogwarts which was so detailed and grand, which was used to film the landscape shots of Hogwarts.
If you're a hard core Harry Potter fan like me and my friend were, you could spend hours and hours going around just examining the sets and picking out which sets or props were used in which films. And also taking lots of pictures because the lighting was so on point that your pictures turned out looking very professional. There was even butter beer and butter beer ice cream, which was very sweet. If you want to fully maximise your geek, there are many professional photo opportunities for you.
How to get there?
It's just located North of London so a little bit out of central London. Here's the travel itinerary to get there from Norwich:
Step 1
Take the train or bus from Norwich to London.
Step 2
Depending on whether you take the train or bus, from either Liverpool Street Station (train) or Victoria Station (bus), you need to make your way using the tube or buses to get to Euston Station.
Step 3
From Euston, you can use your Oyster card to get the Overground train (so it's not a tube) to get to Watford Junction. Check the schedules online or at the train station to see when they leave, it's only a 15-20 minute journey and the trains are quite frequent.
Step 4
Last step, at Watford Junction, there is a shuttle bus from the station that takes you directly to the studio. It is a 15 minute journey and it costs £2.50 for a return ticket.
TA DA! You're here! Now make sure you get there earlier in the day if you know you're a big fan because you can spend a really long time there :)
Tip: If this is all too much planning for you, the Student Support Services organises social trips for international students to visit the studios and many other places. There's a trip to go there on the 22nd April. Here's the link to the social programme and how to sign up: https://portal.uea.ac.uk/student-support-service/international-students/trips
Malaysian Student Ambassador
My friend and I taking a selfie at the entrance
So what is it exactly do they have at the studios? They have all the authentic sets that they created to film the movies: so think Dumbledore's office, the Potions classroom, the Gryffindor common room and dorm room, Umbridge's office. Within the sets, all the original props and costumes are there too and you cannot imagine the amount of things they created from scratch for all the films. For example, the Great Hall is an actual real life hall and it is so beautiful. You got to see outdoor sets too such as the Night Bus, Privet Drive, Hagrid's motorcycle, and the carriages within the train. One of the many best parts was the giant model of Hogwarts which was so detailed and grand, which was used to film the landscape shots of Hogwarts.
The Staircases
Borgin & Burkes
If you're a hard core Harry Potter fan like me and my friend were, you could spend hours and hours going around just examining the sets and picking out which sets or props were used in which films. And also taking lots of pictures because the lighting was so on point that your pictures turned out looking very professional. There was even butter beer and butter beer ice cream, which was very sweet. If you want to fully maximise your geek, there are many professional photo opportunities for you.
The Potions Classroom
Dolores Umbridge's Office
How to get there?
It's just located North of London so a little bit out of central London. Here's the travel itinerary to get there from Norwich:
Step 1
Take the train or bus from Norwich to London.
Step 2
Depending on whether you take the train or bus, from either Liverpool Street Station (train) or Victoria Station (bus), you need to make your way using the tube or buses to get to Euston Station.
Step 3
From Euston, you can use your Oyster card to get the Overground train (so it's not a tube) to get to Watford Junction. Check the schedules online or at the train station to see when they leave, it's only a 15-20 minute journey and the trains are quite frequent.
Step 4
Last step, at Watford Junction, there is a shuttle bus from the station that takes you directly to the studio. It is a 15 minute journey and it costs £2.50 for a return ticket.
TA DA! You're here! Now make sure you get there earlier in the day if you know you're a big fan because you can spend a really long time there :)
Tip: If this is all too much planning for you, the Student Support Services organises social trips for international students to visit the studios and many other places. There's a trip to go there on the 22nd April. Here's the link to the social programme and how to sign up: https://portal.uea.ac.uk/student-support-service/international-students/trips
Location of the Studio
Nicole FongMalaysian Student Ambassador
So excited to continue to follow you on your new path, always loved reading your blog posts and following your adventures
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