London (2016): The Harry Potter Studio Tour London

"Miss Diana, can we go to Harry Potter Studio in London?"

This is what my two students requested when we went to London two years ago for International Girl Guides and Girl Scouts camp held in Leicestershire. Although I'm not big fan of this series of fantasy novels but I watched all the eight fantasy films instead. Plus, I thought it wasn't a bad idea after all to include this as one of my London itineraries since we had three days to explore and discover London before entering into the camp site. 

PURCHASE TICKETS IN ADVANCE 

From what I research, the tickets are not available for sale on the spot, hence you need to purchase in advance and pre-book the desired time and date you intend to visit. For more details about the latest admission fee, availability of date and time, you can check out Warner Bros. Studio Tour website here. I would advise to book at least 2 months in advance because it's so popular that it might sold out quickly. 

#1: Purchase your tickets in advance cause they are not available for sale on the spot

Once you receive your booking confirmation via email, don't forget to print it out and bring along for the trip in order to print out the actual tickets from the kiosk nearby the main entrance. 

HOW TO GET HERE FROM LONDON

The Harry Potter Studio Tour is situated quite distance away from London city. It takes at least 45 minutes to an hour from London itself to reach here via train. The Studio Tour's nearest railway station is Watford Junction which departing from London Euston. From Watford Junction, look for the Warner Bros. Studio Tour shuttle buses which located on the left side of the train station. 

#2: Shuttle bus from Watford Junction

Single trip for shuttle bus cost £2.00 while a return trip cost £2.50. Bear in mind that to ready your cash as credit and debit cards are not acceptable.  

Hence, it is advisable to plan your journey ahead due it's long journey to travel all the way from central London to Harry Potter Studio Tour. Even if you arrive the studio earlier, you are allowed to enter and you can utilise your time for more photo opportunity instead. But in the case you are late, there might be denied entry. 

#3: After the long journey, finally we arrived.


#4: Since we arrived earlier, we took the opportunity for photoshooting here and there


#5: Now get ready to explore the wonders of the wizarding world

The studio tour started by queuing on the line before we're escorted into a room. Even while on the queue, be sure to check your left because you will spot....

#6: The cupboard under the stairs - Harry Potter's first bedroom 

Right after we were escorted into a room, there is a short introduction video right in  front of Hogwart School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's door. At first, we thought it's just merely part of the design for the studio tour but not until the door opened itself...

#7: Hogwart School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's door

#8: The Great Hall of Hogwarts - This is where professors and students gather for dine and congregate. 

Frankly speaking, my jaw was literally dropping when stepping into The Great Hall. I don't think it's just happened to me, probably my two students too. We felt like we're like somehow inside the movie itself. Features with all the original sets, costumes and props from the movie, the studio is completely stunning and amazing. The guided tour ended at The Great Hall and from there, we're allow to roam around at our own pace. 

#9: Hufflepuff House 


#10: Ravenclaw House 


#11: Slytherin House


#12: Gryffindor House - Can you guess who are in this house? 


#13: Rubeus Hagrid costume


#14: Professor Dumbledor along with Professor McGonagall and Professonal Snape


#15: Yule Ball Ice Sculpture from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 


#16: The common room for Gryffindor

#17: The Hogwart's clock pendulum as featured in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 

#18: Statue staircase


#19: Professor Dumbledor's office


#20: Professor Snape's costume and the portions classroom


#21: Hagrid's hut 


#22: The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets


#23: The game of Quidditch costumes and props 


#24: Ministry of Magic Atrium

#25: Umbridge's office - Decorated completely in pink with ornate furnishing and cat plates on the wall 

#26: Shades of pink


#27: Platform 9 3/4 - One of the popular shooting spot


#28: Red Hogwarts Railways 

Right after we went through The Great Hall and The Big Room which houses variety of original sets, costumes and props, we came into The Backlot, home to several of outdoor exhibits such as the Knight Bus, Privet Drive Houses, Hogwarts Bridge and The Potter House from Godrick's Hollow. Here, visitors are allowed to enjoy their food and drinks at the cafeteria serving cakes, sandwiches and hot food. However, I found the choice of the food is relatively limited and when seeing the price, obviously be ready for the pricey price tag. Anyhow, don't forget to purchase a cup of Butterbeer, the drink that features in the Harry Potter books and films. 

#29: The Knight bus, the triple decker bus that carry Harry to the Leaky Cauldron


#30: Hogwart's Bridge as seen in Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban


#31: Room of flying letters

We then proceeded into the second indoor studio houses creature effects and art department.


#32: A life-size model of Dobby


#33: Diagon Alley set


#34: Giant replica of Hogwart's Castle to end the tour

Just like any rest of the rides and attractions of theme parks, you will come across a gift shop when exiting. Harry Potter Studio Tour is part of that too. The struggle is real and trust me, it's not easy to control the shopaholic addiction inside of us. We spent like almost an hour inside the gift shop hunting for these souvenirs to bring back home until one of my students eventually said, "Shut up and just take all my money!". What to expect inside this gift shop; hoodie and T-shirt with the respective houses, wizard wands, books, cups, soft toys, keychains, magnets and more. We were totally spoiled by the choices but at the same time, we were dilemma with the exchange currency. 

#35: Gift shop that will make you go gaga! 

#36: A t-shirt cost me almost £23 (approx. to RM128) whereas for keychains and magnets cost around £7-10 each.

For almost four hours, my students and I were enirely immersed in this magical of witchcrafting and wizarding world of Harry Potter. Each and every details from all the 8 movies can be seen and experienced here. We really wish we could stay more longer but thinking of the long journey going back to central London, it's best for us to leave earlier. All-in-all, this studio tour is worth to visit and absolutely a memorable experience ever, especially for die-hard Potterhead fans. 

Date Visited: 28th July 2016

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Hello London After 8 Years

Never thought that after 8 years, I back to London again. 

Well, my main intention going back to London is to participate the International Girl Guides and Girl Scouts camp which held in Leicestershire but because of the two students which I guide and lead never been to London before, hence we decided to fly earlier and have some pre-camp tour activities.

Overall, we spent a short 3 days 2 nights in London before entering the camp and here are the few main attractions we managed to cover during our stay in London:  

1) Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the home for the queen and an office for the Head of State. Although the palace is in use for the many official events and receptions held by the Queen, the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to visitors every summer. We were there during the summer but the queue is overwhelming and by looking at the entrance fee, shall we give a pass. 

#1: Sun-drenched Buckingham Palace

#2: See the crowd also make me no mood to view the changing guard.

#3: Right in front of the Buckingham Palace gate

How To Get To Buckingham Palace
There are five main tube stations that surround Buckingham Palace but bear in mind, you still need to walk merely around 10 minutes from the tube stations to the palace:
1) Victoria Tube Station (under Victoria, Circle and District Lines)
2) St Jame's Park (under Circle and District Lines)
3) Westminister (under Circle, District and Jubilee Lines)
4) Hyde Park Corner (under Piccadilly Line)
5) Charing Cross (under Bakerloo and Northern Lines)

2) Borough Market

Located very close to London Bridge, Borough Market is most renowned wholesale and retail food market in London. It is London's one of the largest and oldest food markets. Here, you can find more than 100 stalls and stands selling wide range of products including fish, meats, vegetables, cheeses, breads, coffees, cakes and patisseries.

#4: Borough Market, not far from London Bridge

#5: Fresh seafood but I'm not interested 

#6: Can't resist the owl biscuits. So cute!

#7: More cakes

How To Get To Borough Market: 
London Bridge Station. Borough High Street Exit (West Side)

Opening Times
Monday - Tuesday: 10 am to 5 pm
Wednesday - Thursday: 10 am to 5 pm
Friday: 10 am to 6 pm
Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm
Sunday: Closed

3) Tower Bridge

Do I still need to introduce this? However, quite number of people has mistakenly referred this bridge as London Bridge but it was not. London Bridge does exist but it just a pretty normal bridge and it's situated very close to Tower Bridge. 

#8: Too bad it was cloudy and no clear blue sky 

#9: A pose with the iconic bridge is a must, although I took before 8 years ago

#10: Across Tower Bridge

How To Get To Tower Bridge
1) London Bridge Station (under Northern and Jubilee Lines) and short walk away toward Tower Bridge
2) Tower Hill Station (under District and Circle Lines)

4) Big Ben

#11: Big Ben, another famous iconic of London shouldn't be missed by anyone

#12: The red double decker

How To Get To Big Ben
The nearest tube/station/underground is Westminster. Once you come out from the main exit, Big Ben Towers are just right above you. So incredible!

5) Piccadilly Circus

The busy square in the heart of London but the main reason we were here mainly for the giant and bright iconic advertising hoarding. When my friends and I were in London 8 years ago, we couldn't make it here cause we're ran out of time but seeing this place couple of times in postcards and Internet, I know this is one place I shouldn't miss if I return to London for second time. 

#13: Giant and bright iconic advertising hoarding at Piccadilly Circus 

#14: The famous statue of Eros, this is well-known for its popular meeting point

6) Chinatown

From Piccadilly Circus, my students and I walked down to China Town cause my two students were craving for rice. Truly Asian these two gals! All along the way, there are many souvenirs shop selling all those typical knick-knack such as T-shirt, fridge magnets, keychains and more. Of course, you need to survey from one shop to another cause not all the price are the same. 

#15: Chinatown for the second time

7) Oxford Street

In between our trip, we did stopby at Oxford Street, a famous shopping street with more than 300 retailers from designer outlets to department stores. Initially I plan to shop at Primark here (all their clothes are super duper cheap) but I have no mood to shop at that particular moment as I was just went through a rough breakup. 

[Photo Credit]

8) Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

This studio tour was upon requested by my two students and since I did watch all the seven series of Harry Potter, I thought it was a great idea to put this as one of my London itineraries. Although it's quite far away from London city where we travelled by our own by taking subway, then switch to train and bus which took more than a hour, but no regret of coming here. Not just me, even many people are envy with my students who managed to visit Harry Potter studio. My blog on The Harry Potter Studio Tour London here. 

#16

#17

For more info about this studio tour, do check out their website here.

Where We Stayed?

Thanks to my blogger friend who is also a frequent traveller, Tommy Ooi for helping me to book Novotel Paddington cause it's quite hard for me to find a room for three at the very last minute. Although it was slightly pricey, but my students and I thought we might need a little bit of comfort sleep and rest before entering the camp for a week. A real camp where we sleep inside a tent with sleeping bag for exactly a week. 

#18: Novotel Paddington with breakfast along

You can check out my old post about London where my friends and I went 8 years ago. 

• London Walker [Part 1]
• London Walker [Part 2]

Last but not least, spot any differences of me 8 years ago and 8 years later? Still chubby chubby

This blogpost is specially dedicated to one of my Instagram followers as she requested for London itinerary. 

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