Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio Tour, London

Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

This year has been an incredible treasure trove of opportunities for me as a Harry Potter fan. I’ve seen Cursed Child TWICE, met stars of the films, and been invited to become an ambassador for JK Rowling’s charity, Lumos. To top it all off, I was then invited to the launch of this year’s Hogwarts in the Snow at the Warner Brothers Studio Tour. I’ve visited the tour twice before but never over Christmas and I was unbelievably excited to see the sets looking festive.

With a goblet of mulled wine in my hand, I entered the Great Hall to find it prepped for an incredible (totally fake) feast. Luckily we had canapés to nibble on whilst enjoying watching the fake Christmas puddings burst into flames and the little witches flying around the tops of lavishly decorated trees. As a loud and proud Ravenclaw, I desperately wanted the crackers on the tables adorned with house emblems.

Christmas tree in Great Hall at Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

Christmas feast in Great Hall at Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

Flaming Christmas pudding

 

Ravenclaw Christmas cracker

 

Snowmen dancing on Christmas cake

We explored the beautiful sets with their intricate props and amazing attention to detail. Not everything is updated for Christmas so you can still see some favourites from all of the films, from the huge pendulum used for timing the OWLs, to bottles of Skele-gro, used for when Lockhart accidentally makes Harry’s bones disappear.

Pendulum in Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

Skelegro at Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

Glass jars in Potions classroom at Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

The Dark Forces text book at Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

But look closely and some of the sets have some added bits and bobs so you know Christmas is coming.

Gryffindor boys bedroom at Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

Sweets in Gryffindor common room at Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

Christmas card for Neville Longbottom

As the tour has expanded, it’s become more and more interactive. From walking on board the Hogwarts Express to having wand technique lessons, and then flying on a broomstick which is potentially the most hilarious thing I’ve ever done. It isn’t overly gimmicky though, it’s a genuine thrill for someone who loves the films as much as I do. And thankfully I had this bunch of awesome nerds to hang out with too.

Wanted wizards poster at Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

Entrance to the Great Hall at Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

Wand choreography at Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

The festive elements carry on over the biggest set pieces too, with the Knight Bus spurting out fake snow for all us fan girls to dance around in glee. I’m pretty sure JK herself fully endorses drinking red wine outside 4 Privet Drive and making a lot of excitable noises to disturb the neighbours!

Knight Bus in Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

Inside Hogwarts Express at Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

The finale of the tour though is the spectacular Hogwarts model, used for exterior shots of the castle in the films. It is incredible from it’s intricacy to its size, and as you walk around you notice different sections from the film including the herbology greenhouses and Hagrid’s hut. Dusted in snow and gently lit, it is beautiful and moving. The fact that we got to experience it after hours was wonderful and serene.

Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

 

Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London

As I regularly watch the Harry Potter films all year round, I don’t just associate it with Christmas. But as this time of year AND those films are two of my favourite things, the combination was perfectly magical.

This post is dedicated to the biggest Harry Potter fan I know, my little sister, who is 21 today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BECKY!

 

I was invited to Hogwarts in the Snow as a guest but all opinions are my own. 

 

Follow:

Looking for Something?