“WELCOME to Hogwarts,” our grinning tour guide says.
She pushes open the huge, wooden doors to reveal what wizard fans worldwide would recognise as the Great Hall, decorated to look just like it did on Harry Potter’s first visit. And it’s truly magical.
The magnificent films set is laid out with the same long tables covered in plates and cutlery, as if awaiting the arrival of Hogwarts’ students.
This isn’t my first visit to the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Leavesden, Herts. (Try ninth . . . I’m a huge Potter fan.)
But it is the first time I’ve seen the Great Hall like this, with 400 candles floating magically above our heads, casting a speckled glow over the towering walls.
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This extra sprinkle of magic has been added for the Discovering Hogwarts feature, which launched this week.
The latest addition to the behind-the-scenes experience hopes to give diehard Potter-heads a closer look at the first few films in particular.
All of the usual tour elements are still in place – real costumes, a venture through Aragog’s lair, green screens that let you ride a broom, prosthetic goblin faces and a whole lot more.
But during the summer months, there will be craft workshops to make your own origami “sorting ceremony chatterbox”, and special pop-up stands will be dotted around the sets, with experts on hand to explain how the magic works – and even showcase some of the tricks.
For example, did you know the late Robbie Coltrane, who played friendly giant Hagrid, had a body double?
We learn that many Hagrid scenes were shot with Martin Bayfield – the 6ft 10in former England rugby player – who wore an animatronic head.
And remember the famous Wingardium Leviosa scene where Hermione makes a white feather levitate?
Well, we discover how the background magicians made it glide gracefully through the air.
I won’t give away all the secrets, though. And these pop-up stands are only a teeny splash in a whole cauldron of fun on offer.
You can flit between nitty-gritty details and interactive fun that even Muggles would enjoy.
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Pose for snaps with Hagrid’s bike and side-cart, or take home a souvenir video of you fighting off a dementor from your train carriage on the Hogwarts Express.
Celebrate your victory with a butter beer – maybe only one, though, as this butterscotch, syrupy juice topped with a liquid marshmallow certainly packs a sugar hit.
Do leave time to get through it all, as the tour takes on average three-and-a-half hours, according to Warner Bros (or at least four in my experience).
And don’t splash all your cash on photo memorabilia and food from the cafe – the huge gift shop at the end will have little eyes bulging and the wands, cloaks and cuddly toys are not cheap.
My advice is to go for treats such as Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and chocolate frogs.
They’re still pricey, but are fun and tasty and the frogs come with collectible cards.
Plus, it’ll keep kids quiet on the journey home. That’s a win.
- Discovering Hogwarts runs until September 4. Tickets cost from £51.50pp. See wbstudiotour.co.uk.
