Karen's Trip to the Harry Potter Studios, Watford
By Karen masterson
Last year I travelled with my family to Watford which is located close to London, to visit the Harry Potter Studios and spent 3 days enjoying this magical experience. We flew direct with Ryanair from Dublin to London Luton airport, which is close to Watford city, where the Warners Bros studios are located. We hired a car and drove from Luton airport to Watford city, which took about 30 minutes.
Location
Watford is a historical town in Herfordshire County, England. Most people visit Watford for its football team and for Harry Potter Studios which is close to the town. Spending a day at Harry Potter Studios is a truly magical experience! You get to immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter by visiting Hogwarts and getting the full wizard experience. There's even a behind-the-scenes tour of the Harry Potter films, which include original costumes, sets and props including the Great Hall, Hagrid’s hut and Dumbledore's office. We stayed at the 3 star Hampton by Hilton Luton Airport. The hotel has a fitness center, restaurant and the rooms are decorated in a modern style. It is in a great position as it is only a 20 minute walk from Luton town center.
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What I Loved
The studio tour is an absolute must for Harry Potter fans of any age. Not only can you explore the set and see real props and costumes from the movies, you can see the making of some of the iconic scenes, along with make up and special effects. The art department shows how all the sets were created and brought to life! I loved it!
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Activities & Places to See
- Tour Harry Potter Studios inside Watford Borough where you'll get to see iconic Harry Potter sets and scenes including Diagon Alley, Platform 9 ¾, Privet Drive, Gringott's Wizarding Bank and the night bus!
- Visit some of the tourist attractions dotted around Watford, including Watford Museum, Watford Palace Theatre and St. Mary's Church.
- Explore some of the beautiful parks in the area, including Cassiobury Park, Cheslyn House & Gardens and Bushey Rose Garden.
- Experience the traditional British countryside on display in Luton.
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Shopping
Harry Potter Studios has shops inside, so it is possible to buy a lot of Harry Potter gadgets and souvenirs. Watford High Street and Lower High Street are home to lots of high street brands including Zara and Penney's, and the shopping centre Intu Watford is well worth a visit too.
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Food & Bars
Within the Studios there are places to eat and drink. The Chocolate Frog Café serves a selection of sweets and treats, including their speciality hot chocolate, ice cream and a range of cakes. The Chocolate Frog Café opens at the same time as the Studio Tour and remains open throughout the day. The Hub Café serves Starbucks hot and cold drinks, grab and go sandwiches and bakery items throughout the day. The Food Hall serves breakfast, hot and cold dishes, and sandwiches as well as a selection of drinks and a full bakery. We also found a lovely café called the Studio Café in Watford located about 5 minutes from the Studios. They have a large menu and the food was really good!
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