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| Sipping the famous 'butterbeer' |
Muggles are granted access into the iconic halls of Hogwarts
and a peek inside some of the famous Harry Potter film sets. The making of
Harry Potter is unveiled and I found out that it really is just as wonderful up
close as it is on screen. Although the Harry Potter franchise ended in 2012, Warner
Brothers has kept the legendary ‘boy who lives’ alive. The Harry Potter studio
tour offers fans from all over the world a behind the scenes look at how the
films were made. If your big Harry fans like me then trust me you will not be
disappointed by this tour, everything is the real deal.
After a quick, teasing film in which the three young stars
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson hint that the secrets of the
films will be laid bare. The opening segment of the tour really begins when a
full sized screen sweeps up to reveal the actual Great Hall seen in all eight
films, it was an incredible start and kicked off the tour in style. The great hall
is one of the most impressive with such stunning detail and beautiful features.
Here holds iconic props from the films such as eleven year old Harrys first
ever set of robes. It is however a shame looking up at the “enchanted ceiling”
and finding a black metal gantry.
Wandering through the beginning of the tour is great fun, we
was told it would take anything from three hours, depending on how much you
truly wanted to explore. One of the things I loved is with almost everything
that was on display came with a little paragraph explaining and giving you a
little extra insight. 
There was too much to be able to share all in the first
section as you got to explore and see so many different things. Amazing sets
were featured here including: Dumbledore’s office, the boy’s dormitory, the
ministry of magic, potions classroom, Hagrid’s hut and the Weasley’s kitchen to
name a few. So many amazing props including: costumes from the Yule ball, all
of Voldemort’s Horcruxes, the philosopher’s stone, the goblet of fire, the
moving staircase, Gringott’s vault door, and so many more iconic film props.
All of these sets and props have made a home here and brought back many
memories of the book and film franchise.
Being a recently graduated journalist one of
the things that instantly caught my eye was the display cabinet that had some
many detailed things displayed including the Maudauder’s Map, Harry’s first
letter from Hogwarts, a letter from Lily to Sirius. But the real eye catches
were the displayed issues of the quibbler magazines and Daily Prophet
Newspapers. It was incredible to see all the detail that goes into each one
that only one page might have been seen in the film. If there was a dream job
designing these would certainly be up there.
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| Dream job yes? |
One of the biggest highlights for me was entering the
external area where such wonders as No 4 Privet Drive, the knight bus, Hogwarts
Bridge and the Potters Godricks Hollow house awaits. This was a perfect
opportunity for photo spots and a chance to sit and have a snack break if
fancied. Here I also got the chance to finally try the super sweet
non-alcoholic butter beer that most young wizards enjoyed throughout the films.
Sadly it was far too sweet to enjoy, with a sickening mix of ice cream and
cream soda.
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| Seeing if Harry's home! |
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| Anyone for chess? |
Entering the second building of the tour was where all the
special effects characters really took a chance shine. We were greeted by masks
of the goblins, werewolfs, and other fantastic creations including Hagrid’s
ginormous head, 12 foot Aragog, a lifesize Buckbeak, Kreacher and the wonderful
house elf Dobby were all of display to see here.
As we made our way out of there it was onto yet another one of
the iconic film sets: Diagon Alley. This street was filled with almost every
shop you have seen in the films, Along with the famous bank Gringotts the
street included: Ollivanders Wand Shop, Eeylops Owl Emporium, Flourish and
Blotts, Madam Malkin’s Robes and the newest and most dazzling Weasleys’ Wizard
Wheezes that had some stunning creations and designs alone.
Next we got a chance to see some of the fantastic artwork up
close with art displayed on the wall of all the different things spoke about
throughout the seven books and miniature creations of the buildings, and sets. Once through the artwork you are led to an incredible scale
model of Hogwarts which took 86 people and six months to build. This was
another photo opportunity and the view of everyone’s favourite castle was breath-taking.
The tour came to an end in Ollivander’s wand shop where
thousands of wands were displayed and I believe that the names printed on them
are those who took part in the making and filming of Harry Potter. You come out
in the harry potter gift shop and here you can look around and buy some iconic
souvenirs from the day, you can buy almost anything Hogwarts related from robes
and firebolt broomsticks to Chocolate frogs and sweets. You can also buy wands
that are each individuals characters. Although the gift shop, is quite pricey
they are memories to take away. Jumpers featuring the different houses on were
£70, whereas the mugs were more reasonable at £9.99.
After I bought the ticket for my best friend for her 21st
birthday last year we eventually got round to going in February and it was so
worth the wait. Making a weekend of it we stayed in central Watford on the Saturday night
in a lovely little hotel.
Although the industrial estate I Leavesden, just outside of
Watford is something even he-who-must-not-be-named couldn’t have conjured up
such a bland spot, however look past the grey building and you will find that
something magical is going on inside. The London location is ideal and the
price ticket at just £30 makes this a perfect day out for all the family and I
cannot wait to go again.
Everything that you saw and got to be apart of within the
tour showed you just how much time, effort, designing and pure dedication from
so many different people went into making J K Rowling’s books come to life. I
could not credit once you see all the individual sets and the work put in,
reflects how many people worked on the film and it became apparent at just how
much ingenuity and effort when into the films. I think it is amazing and an
experience I will never forget.
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| Enjoying my fruit tea in my HP mug |
The harry potter tour is something that you can keep going
back to enjoy and I think each time you go new and quirky hidden features will
unravel that you may have missed before. I do hope Harry Potter lives on within
this studio and can be enjoyed by future generations to come, who will be able
to explore the magical world of Harry Potter as we have growing up.
Ryanne
♥
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