My Harry Potter Experience

I was conceived in the same year that the first Harry Potter movie was released. I am now 15 and my mum, after all these years, still vividly remembers that day, when, in her first trimester of pregnancy with me, she braved the long queue to see in the cinema the Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone.

I am not exactly what you would call a loyal member of the Harry Potter fandom. I have read only a couple of books. But we do own the entire DVD series of the Harry Potter Movies, all 8 of them. I cannot remember how many times we have watched them, but I am certain that each time, we sit tight watching in awe, in love with the intrepid Harry, Hermoine and Ron, every single time they appear on screen, excited to see what they are going to do next.

And so… when the opportunity to go to London with my family came, visiting the original Harry Potter movie set was the at the top of the list of things to do. Oh, it wasn’t just by me. You bet I didn’t have to ask for it. Me and my mum and my little sister were all in the same wavelength. Even my dad who wasn’t a fan at all could not resist.

The Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio is located in Leavesden, more than 20 miles from London CBD. It had been home to the Harry Potter film series for more than 10 years since it began filming late September 2000

We arrived there via a Golden Tour Bus departing Victoria Station. The trip was about 1 hour.  Our ticket price included the Studio Tour and return transportation, a convenient choice for tourists who are not comfortable driving around London and beyond.

But for those who are happy to arrange their own transportation going to the Studio, you can buy studio pass online from the Warner Bros Studio Tour website. What we found though was that these tickets sell out fast, and I mean, fast. My mum’s original plan was to buy just the studio pass on its own, but took longer to decide on what  day we were going. That’s how we ended up taking the Golden Tour bus. But as I said, it wasn’t a bad option at all.

Note : Adult tickets to the Studion cost GBP 27. A Golden Bus Tour costs GBP 65 per person, but covers return transportation.

Harry Potter seems to be synonymous to long queues. It took us 30 minutes, after going through a rigorous security check at the gate, and then waiting for our turn to finally get into the Studio through the giant door that led to the Great Hall. I could not believe I was there at that instant. Looking at the pedestal where the Hogwarts teachers sat looking at the whole studentry. I looked up at the high ceiling and imagined how they have “suspended” a thousand candles for an enchanting Yule Ball night.

Next we went to the Forbidden Forest where we met Buckbeak and the scary giant spider Aragog.

Inside Hogwart’s Forbidden Forest

Then we walked along the streets of Diagon Alley where we went past Ollivander wand shop, Flourish and Bots and the Gringot Bank.

Entering Hogwart’s Great Hall

And the tour would not be complete without passing through Platform 9 3/4, and get on board the Hogwarts Express. We even had a brief but spooky encounter with the horrible-looking Death Eaters.

Catching the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 3/4

Towards the end of the tour, we took short break at The Lot cafe, where we did not pass up the chance to have the famous butterbeer and tried so hard to have the white moustache.

Butterbeer, anyone ?

I was in awe of the meticulous details that have been put by all the creative crew of the Harry Potter. But more than anything I marvel at the incredible ingenuity of JK Rowling, whose extra-ordinary creativity and imagination brought to life a character that is loved by billions of people, young and old.