If Harry Potter is part of your family’s London plans, it helps to separate two different outings: the Warner Bros. Studio Tour at Leavesden, outside central London, and the filming locations you can explore in the city. Below we explain the booking and journey first, then suggest places to see on a London walk.
Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios in London
At the end of March 2012, Warner Bros. opened the doors to their Harry Potter tour in London. ‘The Making of Harry Potter’.
It’s here where they filmed the Harry Potter movies and luckily for us, Warner Bros. decided to conserve the original sets and open them to the public as a tour. The Harry Potter Studios has now become one of the most visited attractions in London with popular dates selling out, particularly during school holidays.
On the Harry Potter Studio Tour, you’ll see the original sets from the films, including Dumbledore’s office, the Great Hall and Hagrid’s cabin. It also features the original Hogwarts Express, a scale model of Hogwarts, an exhibition of incredible costumes, and you can even buy a butter beer in the café.
As it’s located outside of central London, getting to Harry Potter Studios can be a little confusing, so often it’s more convenient to buy the ticket option, which includes transfers, especially if travelling with children. However, we will explain both ways to get there.
Buy tickets for Harry Potter Studios Tour
If the date you want is already sold out, you can also try buying tickets here: Warner Bros Studios Tour
Buying Tickets and How to get to the Harry Potter Studios in London
Tickets for the Studio Tour must be booked in advance, and popular dates can sell out weeks or months ahead, particularly during school holidays. Do not travel to Leavesden hoping to buy admission at the door.
Official Studio Tour ticket prices for 2026 and 2027
Last checked 29 September 2026. Standard admission bought directly from Warner Bros. costs £58.50 for adults aged 16+ and £47 for children aged 5–15 in 2026. A family ticket is £188; children under 4 and an essential companion enter free. For 2027, the published prices are £61 for adults, £48 for children and £192 for a family ticket.
The official ticket-and-transfer package starts from £94, although prices from other tour operators vary. Opening times also change throughout the year, so compare availability and the full package before paying. See the current Warner Bros. prices and availability.
The studios are in Leavesden, about 30 km from central London. You can travel independently by train and shuttle bus or book a package with return transport from central London.
Harry Potter Studio tour tickets with transfers from London included
The easiest way to get to the Harry Potter Studios is to buy the ticket which includes coach transfers from central London. This way, you can get a coach from the centre of the city which takes you to the studios and back again.
⇒ Tickets to Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios with transfers
Another nice option that we think is worthwhile, is to combine your trip with a visit to the city of Oxford. This organised tour provides direct transport to and from the centre of London.
⇒ Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios and Oxford
Getting to the Studio Tour by public transport
Take a direct train from London Euston to Watford Junction; the fastest services take about 20 minutes, while stopping services take longer. Oyster cards are valid between Euston and Watford Junction.
From Watford Junction, use the dedicated Studio Tour shuttle bus to Leavesden. The journey takes around 15 minutes and is included with your admission ticket. Buses normally run at least every 30 minutes from 9.20 am, with earlier services from 8.15 am when the first tour begins at 9 am. Check the official getting-here page and allow time for the train, shuttle and your booked entry slot.
If travelling with children, compare this route with a coach package from central London before booking; the easier option will depend on your starting point and the total cost for your group.
How long should you allow for the Studio Tour?
The official average visit is approximately three and a half hours, and there is no fixed limit once you are inside. A realistic plan is to allow four to six hours at the studios if you want to look closely at the sets, stop for food and visit the shops. Including travel from central London, set aside at least six hours and preferably most of the day.
Seasonal features in 2026–2027
The sets change during the year. Dark Arts runs from 16 September to 8 November 2026, with floating pumpkins in the Great Hall and darker details around the tour. Hogwarts in the Snow follows from 14 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, when the Great Hall and other sets are dressed for Christmas. Check the feature running on your chosen date before booking.
10 must-see places for Harry Potter fans in London
As mentioned above, some of the scenes from the Harry Potter films were filmed at real places in London. You can easily visit these places, so why not create your own Harry Potter Tour of London? Alternatively, you can book a Harry Potter walking tour of London here.
We have put together a list of 10 places where they filmed scenes from Harry Potter in London:
Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall market is a beautiful, Victorian market used to film some Harry Potter scenes in London, including Diagon Alley. This place already has a special atmosphere, but we’re sure you’ll feel your bit of Harry Potter magic as you pass through. Although it’s not far from the centre of London, it’s not a popular destination with tourists, but if you’re a fan of Harry Potter, pop by and take a look for yourself.
Cecil Court
Although Leadenhall market was where they filmed scenes for Diagon Alley, it could be said that Cecil Court is a real-life Diagon Alley. Cecil Court is situated close to Charing Cross Station and is a small alley lined with quaint shops selling antiques and books. Another small corner of London that you can add to your own Harry Potter Tour of London.
Platform 9 ¾
No Harry Potter fan would turn down the opportunity to have their photo taken at the most famous train platform in the world, and when you visit London, you can make this a reality. Kings Cross Station is home to the famous Platform 9 ¾, the departure point of the Hogwarts Express. It’s a delightful scene with a plaque on the wall saying Platform 9 ¾ and the luggage trolley disappearing through the wall – a Harry Potter photo opportunity at its best! The facade of St Pancras Station next door was also used as the exterior of the train station in the Harry Potter movies.
⇒ Find out more about Platform 9 ¾ in London here
Lambeth Bridge
Lambeth Bridge crosses the River Thames and is featured in the famous Harry Potter scene where the Knight Bus had to squeeze between 2 red London buses. Okay, we can’t provide the magic of the Knight Bus, but seeing this familiar bridge in real life is fun.
Borough Market
Located next to London Bridge, Borough Market is one of the must-see places in London. The entrance to the dripping cauldron of Harry Potter was filmed here, in one of the shops in Borough Market, which was a florist until recently. See if you can recognise it as you explore this famous market.
Millennium Bridge
London’s Millennium Bridge is the bridge that was destroyed in the 6th saga of the Harry Potter films. In real life this bridge is the most famous pedestrian bridge crossing the River Thames, designed by architect Norman Foster. Luckily for us, this fantastic bridge is still standing, and you can enjoy beautiful views as you walk across it from the Tate Modern to St Paul’s Cathedral on the opposite side. In the film, the London City Hall building workers next to Tower Bridge witness the dementor’s attack on Millennium Bridge.
Reptile House at London Zoo
It’s in the reptile house of London Zoo where Harry discovers he can talk to snakes in the first film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. If you want to see if you can also speak to snakes, put London Zoo in Regent’s Park on your personal Harry Potter Tour of London.
Piccadilly Circus
Ron and Hermione are transported to Piccadilly Circus in the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Piccadilly Circus is also one of the most famous places in London, so you’re bound to find yourself there, just like Ron and Hermione.
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel
Situated next to Kings Cross Station is the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel with its stunning neo-gothic architecture. It is from this hotel that Harry and Ron take the Weasley family’s flying Ford Anglia after missing the Hogwarts Express in the second film – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Other Harry Potter film locations in London
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, some characters fly on broomsticks over iconic London landmarks like Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square. In the same film, Ron Weasley has problems with his ticket at Westminster tube station. You’re bound to see most of these famous places on your trip to London.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.