...Well, not literally speaking but close enough due to the fantastic transportation links between London and Watford.
If you hadn't already heard from the grapevine of other social media sites, I visited a magical little world over the past weekend and it was especially wonderful. To be able to personally see the studio where the magic began and the young actors and actresses grew up made me feel nostalgic for my childhood. I too grew up with Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger and I therefore felt somewhat connected to the stories that this tour presented.
I started the tour by wandering through Harry, Ron and Neville's dorm room... with tiny beds that were never upgraded while the actors grew up throughout the movies and the trunks that had their characters' initials engraved upon them. I then spent some time in the Gryffindor common room sitting by the fireplace that Sirius Black once spoke through. It's interesting how much information can flow back through your mind just by seeing the sets in real life.
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| Gryffindor Common Room |
After taking a walk through a quiet little Hogwarts memory lane, I stumbled across the special effects area in the studios. I found myself being especially interested in the magical effects that were created in the Burrow... the scarf knitting itself, the dishes washing themselves, the carrots chopping themselves and the list goes on. These secret film techniques were intriguing yet at the same time disappointing as I knew in my heart that I would never watch the films the same way again.
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| The Burrow (the Weasley's House) |
After the reality of The Burrow set in, I strolled over towards the darker side of the studios where I was struck by the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. Although I was extremely interested in the shrine to a Basilisk, my vision caught onto something bright and... pink. I was horrified to see that Dolores Umbridge's (a character that frustrated, angered and terrified me all in one go) office was there! A fun fact about her office though - all of the cats in the plates/frames/everywhere were real.
After indulging in all of the dark magic, I then went onwards towards the Knight Bus and the talking heads! Outside, there were all sorts of interesting sets including the one and only Number 4 Privet Drive. It was so popular that I couldn't seem to get a picture with no one in the way... so this is my best attempt.
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| Privet Drive! |
Soon after visiting the Knight Bus, Hogwarts Bridge, Bathilda Bagshot's house and the famous Flying Ford Anglia I walked into the most excellent creature studio room. It was simply uncanny how real every creature seemed to me; I could almost feel them come alive in my own mind. I came across goblin heads, Fawkes the phoenix, screaming mandrakes and then... I stopped at one particular creature that broke my heart. This picture says it all...
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| Dobby during his final scene |
After having a small moment standing in from of Dobby's case, I walked on through the tour to a set that I have been longing to see for quite some time - Diagon Alley - and gee did it hold all of the expectations I had been dreaming of for so long.
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| Diagon Alley |
I walked along the wonky path passing Ollivanders Wand Shop, Flourish and Blotts, Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary and of course Weasleys' Wizard Wheezers. The whole set was frighteningly surreal. I honestly just wanted to fly off on a broomstick into a magical Harry Potter world right there and then!
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| Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes |
Overall the experience of the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio tour was one extremely nostalgic, magical and exciting ride! I urge everyone to go if they ever get the chance (only if you are a believer in all things Harry Potter of course). If not for all of the wonderful sets but also for the incredible Hogwarts model at the end of the tour...
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| Hogwarts |
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