Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Tips for Harry Potter studio tour please

75 replies

chocolateisavegetable · 14/03/2023 21:47

It will just be DH and I, no kids (he’s enough of a child). What’s the best time to go, which of the cafes there is best, and any other tips you have please!

OP posts:
pasinphoebe · 14/03/2023 21:50

Take your time. don’t be afraid to hold back/linger in the first space you get to … Just because there’s another group coming in doesn’t mean you need to rush. i think if you booked a later slot you still get til 10pm? as adults only and big fans we happily spent 5 hours taking photos. it tends to quieten down the later you go.
(sorry never used cafes)

SirSamVimesCityWatch · 14/03/2023 21:52

If you're a fan, and want to take your time, book the first slot of the day. I've done it twice (not recently, gringotts and the greenhouses weren't there) and have done first slot and left at about 4pm. First time I did it I got the audio tour but I couldn't listen to all of the commentary as I would have been going even slower!

It is brilliant. If you've never been, the full model of Hogwarts is actually breathtaking. It's so much bigger than you think!

bellinisurge · 14/03/2023 21:52

It's absolutely brilliant. Totally worth it. Also recommend taking your time.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Films
Cally70 · 14/03/2023 21:53

Don't buy the butterbeer, it's revolting and extortionate

JulietBrown · 14/03/2023 21:53

There food at the Harry Potter experience is expensive and fairly basic (burgers, nuggets).

In the nearby village Croxley Green there is a Harvester. It’s about 10 minutes drive. Similar food, better quality and cheaper, it gets busy so do book in advance using the Harvester website.

Alternatively if you drive into Watford and go to the Atria shopping centre, there are lots of food options like TGI Fridays, Chiquito for after.

Book the earliest slot you can get. Spend all day if you can. Budget for an extra £200
for broomstick flying experiences and video souvenirs. Even a chocolate frog is almost £8. Muggle money doesn’t go far there.

You will have the best day. Avoid school
holidays. Halloween season is particularly amazing, with extra decorations and surprises.

cocksstrideintheevening · 14/03/2023 21:53

Don't get butrrbeer and don't get food in the cafes

Hullothereitsme · 14/03/2023 21:54

TAKE FOOD!!

Nailsandthesea · 14/03/2023 21:58

Cally70 · 14/03/2023 21:53

Don't buy the butterbeer, it's revolting and extortionate

This

everything else is brilliant -take your time

reluctantbrit · 14/03/2023 22:02

We went twice, early morning slot, left around 3pm.

Budget money for photos, green screen flying and the shop.

Food - the first time we went it was nice, pricey but decent. Last year, expensive rubbish, queues really long. Forget butterbear, that stuff is revolting, I saw so many cups abandoned, still full.

It's a great one and I say it as someone who is not that into HP. DD did the audio guide the first time, I think it's worth it, you can always stop if it gets too much.

TeaMeBasil · 14/03/2023 22:02

We ate in the cafe halfway round & it was fine, decent enough grub. No to the butter beer tho 😂

I don't think we would've wanted to leave and come back for lunch, too much faff. We ate and then cracked on looking at the night bus and the herbology greenhouse which we could see from the cafe 😁

We booked for 11, went round and spent the whole day, no rush, just took our time. Was great 😊 we didn't do the extras, just took our own pics and the kids weren't bothered by that at all, they didn't even really notice the green screens.

TeaMeBasil · 14/03/2023 22:04

Oh and the gringotts bit was great, even better than expected - and agree about the Hogwarts model....I took a ton of photos but really I just wanted to take it home like a giant doll house 😂

Whatthetrolley · 14/03/2023 22:08

Take snacks! The first bit up til the middle cafe has a lot to see and do. We started at 11 and got there at 2.30, we were so hungry! As others say the butter beer is nasty but if you want to buy the special edition butter beer cup you can buy them empty, but only at the middle cafe. Have a fab time and do everything!

fruitpastille · 14/03/2023 22:09

Are you allowed to take your own food/ drink in? Limits on backpacks?

Whatthetrolley · 14/03/2023 22:09

Oh and if you hold back in Gringotts bank you can get some really good photos with very few/no people in them before the next group join you.

kerosene20 · 14/03/2023 22:10

Hot chocolates, ice creams and cakes from the cafe at the beginning/end yummy!! Themed around chocolate frogs. Great tips above!

Tips for Harry Potter studio tour please
Whatthetrolley · 14/03/2023 22:12

I didn't mean Gringotts, I meant the Great Hall 🤦‍♀️ I'll shut up now!!!

Pattygonia · 14/03/2023 22:13

This may not still be the case as we went years ago. We went on a random inset day a few weeks after dd’s birthday - she had the tix as her present. At the start there’s a way (I forget details)the staff have of allowing ticket holders in in timed groups. While the member of staff is making conversation with the group, they used to casually ask why people had come today . I’d been primed about this and got DD to say it was her birthday treat (which was true, it just wasn’t that specific day) … and (don’t want to spoil surprise but also don’t want to raise hopes in case they don’t do this anymore) it led to a nice surprise!

ThereIsATInWater · 14/03/2023 22:14

You really do not need to drive to Croxley ( it's not a village and it's not nearby) for food 🙄

There is a Harvester nearer at Garston, if that's your thing.
Or plenty of other chain options in Watford town centre.
Or 2 minutes down the road is Studio Kitchen/cafe ( cannot remember which)
Or even in the nearest village Abbots Langley, which has a really nice new restaurant, Le Banq.

Regarding the tour, take your time, once in you can only go forwards so do everything in each section before moving on .

Pattygonia · 14/03/2023 22:14

Also - and possibly more usefully - completely agree that butter beer is vile!
had a fab day though!

Xant · 14/03/2023 22:18

It’s really good!

My only regret was not spending more at the gift shop, I tried to be sensible and now I’m still longing for Hogwarts bone china bowls that can’t be bought elsewhere

Original poster
chocolateisavegetable · 14/03/2023 22:19

Great tips so far! Thank you

OP posts:
britneybitch23 · 14/03/2023 22:21

Go Deluxe.

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 14/03/2023 22:22

Following coz I just bought tix for my mum to take my kids in May. I'll make sure I send her all your tips!

SirSamVimesCityWatch · 14/03/2023 22:46

Agree about the money for the shop. No need for crucio to cause pain, just look at the price tags...

On shopping - apologies of this is our of date but there was a small shop on platform 9 and 3/4 that has mostly Hogwarts Express themed things, which aren't then in the big shop at the end. I am still cursing myself for not buying the Hogwarts Express Christmas tree ornament from there on my first trip! So if you see anything you want in that shop, get it, as you may not be able to find it in the big shop at the end.

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 14/03/2023 22:51

Go as early as possible. After the first bit you can take your time.

The food, was crap. We loved the butterbeer though.

If your take your own food don't leave it in the car! It's ball ache to get out halfway round.
The shop is expensive.

Its our favourite day out ever.

Swipe left for the next trending thread