From Harry’s Sorting Ceremony to the Yule Ball and Battle of Hogwarts, the Great Hall plays a pivotal role in the life of all Hogwarts students. The inspiration for the design came from a 16th century hall in Oxford, England at one of the University’s most famous colleges, Christ Church. Visitors to the Studio Tour are invited to step through the grand doors into the iconic set and discover the details up close. Lining the hall, you will find grotesques in the shape of a snake, badger, lion and raven to represent the four Hogwarts houses as well as the House Points Counter that tracks the progress of each house using coloured glass beads.
Hidden from Muggles at King’s Cross Station in London, Platform 9 ¾ was one of Harry’s first experiences of the Wizarding World. During production, many of the scenes were shot on location at the busy train station in the centre of London. However, a section of the platform was created on-set for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 and any scenes inside the train were shot on a special interior carriage set complete with green screen windows. Fans are invited to step on Platform 9 ¾ and board the Hogwarts Express.
Diagon Alley, the bustling shopping street, is an essential stop for young witches and wizards preparing to return to Hogwarts. From collecting their Galleons at Gringotts Wizarding Bank to choosing their beloved animal companion at Magical Menagerie, the street houses everything a Hogwarts student needs.
During filming, the set constantly changed and adapted with walls shifting, shop fronts moving and new shops being added. The set was also repurposed with a layer of filmmaking snow to become Hogsmeade in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Stepping on to Diagon Alley, you will discover up close the details of each shop window including Ollivanders wand shop and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.
Strictly off-limits for Hogwarts students, you are invited to break the rules and explore the depths of the Forbidden Forest. Home to magical creatures and dark secrets, the set was designed to appear like a normal forest from the outside, becoming more intimidating and magical the further you travel. The forest seen on screens continued to grow with each movie with scenic artists creating backdrops that were up to 600ft long for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
Venturing through the forest, you will recognise key moments from the movies including Hagrid’s first Care of Magical Creatures class with Buckbeak. You will have the chance to test your magic by casting a Patronus and battling with Dementors before coming face-to-face with Aragog in his lair.
