My daughter had received an interesting present for her 9th birthday from her Uncle. A visit to Warner Brothers Studios in Watford London to visit the studios where Harry Potter was filmed. I had got my daughter into Harry Potter at a fairly young age and we read all the books and the watched the film after each one. I had read the books in guise during my time in Germany. The Amazon Kindle had just arrived so I could have been reading Lady Chatterly lovers for all anyone knew . But no I was reading Harry Potter because I’m a big rebel.
Anyway off we went to London Luton. A quick hop skip and jump from Cork. We then got an Uber from Luton to Watford which took around 30 minutes with Abdul in his Mercedes. Mercedes have always been my favourite car to drive. but I never had one yet. Old man’s car. This era is fast approaching and I will embrace it whole heartedly by buying an C or E class. Enough about my love for old man Mercedes . We arrive in Watford
Watford is a suburb of London and I have been here before on business a lot. It’s not the most picturesque place to say the least. We were at odds what to do the day before Potter so we booked an escape room in the City. Something to do with pyramids and Egyptians. Having done one escape room already I was full of confidence. Top that with 3 Amstel in the Red Lion pub and I was raring to go .
One of my party pointed out that every pub in England is named The Kings Head , The Bell & Salmon , the Salmon & Peado . But in Ireland all the pubs are called after the pub owner . O Neills , Murphy’s , Ryan’s etc.
So into the escape room and it was impossible. We had to ring the bell multiple times for clues. Little one was crying and we ran over the hour and the Mummy who had been going to kill us if we didn’t escape made mince meat out of us. It was lesson learnt. We spent the meal discussing where we went wrong. Anyway Potter was the day after. All is not lost. The next day we had to get up at 7am. The first tour was at 8am. We got a bus outside hotel at Watford Junction and there was a 5 minute drive to the studios . I didn’t read up on what was in the Harry Potter studio experience because I wanted it to be a surprise but by god it was a great surprise. We walked into the lobby and the first thing I saw was a giant dragon. Looking all mean and surly like I did having been awoken at 7am
We then got taken into a cinema room where we got told the craic. The usual shite. But a door was revealed behind the cinema which led us into the great hall.
The great hall was impressive and obviously it was the one they used in the film. On from the great hall was the various sets used in the films from the Griffindor common room, Harry’s Dorm , Ron’s House, the Hogwarts stairs , Dumbledoors Office and various sets.
From there we went flew on Broomsticks and had videos and photos taken in an interactive bit. Cost a few bob but sure we only will do it once. On we went to the Platform 9 3/4s and the Hogwarts Express . The steam train used in the film
After the Hogwarts Express there is another interactive bit with you on the train and dementors chasing you which is scary. Those things scare the be Jesus out of me.
We then stopped for a Butter beer which is horrible stuff . A butterscotch /iron bru mix with cream on top. I’d say it’s easier to drink rocket fuel . They allow you to keep the tankards so the butter beer is quickly disposed.
From there we go outside to Privot Drive where Harry grew up. It’s like a real house by the way. The night bus , Hogwarts twisty bridge and the various vehicles used in the films are here as well.
From then we go to bank of the wizarding land which is Grignotts where the goblins are the bankers. I found this set the most impressive by a mile and how the set designers used simple MDF to create a marble substitute.
From Grignotts we made our way to Diagon Alley for another scenic feast of colour. It was funny with Diagon alley. Because the whole set gets wrecked when the bad guys took over so there is a dark theme to it. It was also Deatheaters month because of Halloween so this is another factor. The studio closes down for a week in November to prepare for the Hogwarts in the snow. After Diagon Alley we go onto the set design bits and also artists concepts before we move onto Hogwarts itself . A 30 foot replica of the famous castle.
The tour ends in the Harry Potter gift shop of course. The gifts are well made and are an absolute gold mine for Warner Brothers. If Disney could get their hands on this franchise they would have their parks and films successful for the next 100 years I reckon.
This was much better than I had ever imagined. And the great thing about it is I could go back again tomorrow and not be bored . There was so much to see with costumes , props , set designs , art. It was well worth the trip and I am
writing this post on the trip home. Great little trip. Would recommend it to anyone who has kids that have read the books.