Harry Potter London Guide for Families: Studio Tour, Platform 9¾, and Filming Locations (2026)

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

The Studio Tour at Leavesden is the main event — and it's worth the hype. You'll walk through actual sets from all eight films, including the Great Hall, Dumbledore's Office, the Forbidden Forest, and Diagon Alley. It isn't a theme park with rides. It's the real production studio, packed with original props, costumes, and special effects demonstrations.

Plan for 4-5 hours minimum. Families who rush through in 2 hours always wish they'd stayed longer. The tour is self-guided, so kids can linger at the interactive stations (broomstick green screen, wand combat training, potion mixing) as long as they want.

Tickets and Booking

Adult tickets start from £56, with children aged 5-15 at a reduced rate. Kids under 5 get in free but still need a ticket reserved. You can't buy tickets at the door — everything's timed-entry only through the official website.

How far ahead should you book? During school holidays, tickets sell out 2-3 months in advance. Summer half-term? Try 4-6 months. Weekday mornings in term time are the easiest slots to grab and the quietest times to visit.

Getting There

The studio is in Leavesden, Hertfordshire — about 20 miles northwest of central London. Three options:

• Train + shuttle: London Euston to Watford Junction (20 mins), then the dedicated Warner Bros. shuttle bus. About 1 hour each way.
• Coach packages: Return coach from Victoria runs around £99 per person including admission. Convenient but pricier.
• Driving: Free parking on-site. About 45-60 minutes from central London.

2026 Special Events

This year marks 25 years since Philosopher's Stone. "Magical Mischief" runs through 27 April 2026 with O.W.L. exams in the Great Hall. From 7 May through 7 September, a special exhibition showcases original artefacts including the Golden Snitch and the Philosopher's Stone.

Platform 9¾ at King's Cross

Every Potter fan needs a photo pushing the luggage trolley through the wall at Platform 9¾. It's free, it's fun, and it takes about 30 minutes — though the queue can stretch to an hour during peak summer weekends.

You'll find the trolley on the western concourse of King's Cross Station. A photographer is on hand daily from 9am to 9pm, and they'll let you borrow a Hogwarts house scarf for the shot. You're welcome to snap your own pictures on your phone too.

The Harry Potter Shop

Right next to Platform 9¾ sits the Harry Potter Shop, designed to look like Ollivanders. It's open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 8pm, Sundays 9am to 8pm. Wands, house robes, sweets, and Hogwarts stationery — basically everything a young wizard could want.

Fair warning: this place attracts over 2 million visitors a year. For a calmer browse, aim for weekday mornings before 10am or evenings after 6pm.

Free Filming Locations in London

Some of London's best Harry Potter spots don't cost a penny. Hit all four in a single afternoon with a bit of Tube strategy.

Leadenhall Market (Diagon Alley)

This Victorian covered market doubled as the entrance to Diagon Alley. The Leaky Cauldron's doorway? It's actually an optician in Bull's Head Passage. Kids love spotting the exact archway from the films.

Getting there: Bank or Monument Tube station, 5-minute walk.

Millennium Bridge

Death Eaters destroyed this footbridge in the opening of Half-Blood Prince. It's still standing (obviously) and offers great views of St Paul's Cathedral and the Thames. Solid family photo spot.

London Zoo Reptile House

Where Harry first discovered he could talk to snakes. The Reptile House at ZSL London Zoo still looks much the same as in the film. This one requires zoo admission — around £27 for adults and £17 for children aged 3-15.

Lambeth Bridge

The Knight Bus squeezes between double-decker buses here in Prisoner of Azkaban. It's near the Houses of Parliament — a quick 10-minute photo stop.

Day Trips Beyond London

Got an extra day? Oxford is the best add-on — Christ Church College's dining hall inspired the Great Hall, and the Bodleian Library's Divinity School doubled as the Hogwarts infirmary. It's about an hour from London Paddington by train, with college admission fees around £5-£10 per person. Alnwick Castle (Hogwarts' exterior in the first two films) is in Northumberland — a 4-hour train ride, so only worth it if you're already heading north.

Budget Planning for a Family of Four

How much will a Harry Potter London trip actually cost? Here's a realistic breakdown based on current 2026 prices.

• Studio Tour tickets (2 adults + 2 kids): ~£200
• Return transport to Leavesden: £40-£60 (train + shuttle bus for 4)
• Food at Studio Tour: £40-£60 (butterbeer and lunch at the Backlot Café)
• Platform 9¾ and filming locations: Free (just Tube fares)
• Merchandise: £50-£100 (wands run ~£35 each, robes ~£80)
• London Zoo (optional, for Reptile House): ~£88 for a family of 4

Total budget range: £350 (Studio Tour + free locations only) to £500+ (with zoo, merchandise, and a walking tour).

Age-Specific Tips

Under 7

Young kids won't grasp most of what's happening at the Studio Tour, but they'll enjoy running around the Great Hall, sitting in Hagrid's motorcycle sidecar, and trying butterbeer (it's non-alcoholic — think cream soda with butterscotch foam). Keep your visit to 2-3 hours. Platform 9¾ is the real winner for this age group: quick, exciting, and free.

Ages 7-11

The sweet spot. These kids are deep in the Hogwarts-letter-waiting phase, and the Studio Tour hits them right in the imagination. They'll spend ages at the interactive stations and point out every prop they recognise from the films. Budget the full 4-5 hours.

Ages 12-17

Older kids appreciate the behind-the-scenes production detail — how they built the Hogwarts model, the animatronics work, the green screen technology. They're also more likely to enjoy the walking tour of filming locations without complaining about tired feet.

Sample Itinerary Highlights

Day 1 — Studio Tour: Catch an early train to Watford Junction (aim for a 10am entry slot). Spend 4-5 hours at the studio, grab lunch at the Backlot Café, and don't miss the outdoor section with Privet Drive and the Hogwarts Bridge.

Day 2 — London locations: Start at King's Cross for Platform 9¾ (arrive by 9am to beat the queue). Tube to Bank station for Leadenhall Market, walk to Millennium Bridge for photos, then head west along the South Bank to Lambeth Bridge. Four filming locations in one comfortable afternoon.