It has been 20 years since J.K. Rowling published the first novel in the Harry Potter series, and the story of the boy wizard has gone on to become one of the most successful series in literary and film history.
Fans of the movies can now go behind the scenes where all eight movies were made and discover the magic for themselves in the Warner Brothers Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter.
Based in Leavesden, Hertfordshire (just outside London), the studio is hosting a special festive event – Hogwarts in the Snow – from 18 November to 4 February.
Box office hit
The studio tour has proved hugely successful since it opened to the public in 2012, drawing up to 6,000 visitors a day and becoming the world's highest-rated tourist attraction on TripAdvisor.
Immersing visitors in the art of filmmaking, the tour lets Potter fans get up close and personal with familiar locations and props used in the movies. Stroll down Diagon Alley, visit the Hogwarts Great Hall and Dumbledore's office, and marvel at the stunning 1:24 model of Hogwarts Castle that was used for most of the exterior shots in the movies.
A magical Christmas
The seasonally enhanced studio tour shows how special-effects wizards make snow that never melts, create flames without fire, and transform sets for Christmas scenes.
The Great Hall will be lined with extravagantly decorated Christmas trees, topped with witches on broomsticks, and the majestic Hogwarts castle model will be frosted with a blanket of realistic-looking snow. Fireplaces throughout the tour will be lit with fake flames – created using water vapour and lighting trickery – and the Gryffindor common room and Weasley kitchen will be dressed for the occasion, too.
Tickets
Adult tickets are priced at £48.95, while children under 16 pay £40.95 and family tickets are £126. Discounts are available on certain days and for groups of more than 10.
For more information, visit: www.wbstudiotour.co.uk
