Harry Potter Studios & London trip

[GreenNinja]

I’m thinking of taking my Harry Potter obsessed DD11 and DD9 to the studio tour next year and thought that we’d visit London for a few days at the same time. Has anyone combined the two? If so, where did you stay and what are the must see sights in London for kids aged 11 and 9 please?

We stayed in a quadruple room at Tavistock Hotel. It’s walking distance from Euston, and trains from there to Watford take 20mins. From Watford you take a shuttle. We also did the Tower of London, London Eye and Thames cruise (with a combination ticket) and the science museum.

We stayed with relatives in Battersea and took train up to Watford for the day. Be sure to wear comfy shoes. The floors are concrete at HP studios and you'll be there several hours! Mine loved it.

We combined it with London eye, natural history museum, Sherlock Holmes museum and walk round Houses of Parliament/downing st/Whitehall area

Georgian House Hotel has Harry Potter rooms if you have the budget. I would include tower of london, the orbit and maybe covent garden? Theres a horrible histories boat trip. If you google secret London efficient tour it gives you a great walking tour that packs a lot into a shortish walk.

Thanks for these helpful replies, I’ll look into the hotels and sights mentioned. Harry Potter rooms sound fab! The walking tour sounds good as I know that many of the sights are packed together into a relatively small area.

How many nights did you all stay for?

We stayed in St Albans for three nights. Good train links to London and to Watford Junction (HP studios).

One tip - take plenty snacks to HP - there’s huge queues for food and we really could’ve done without adding hangry-ness to the over excitement!

You can get combination tickets for Mersin attractions such as London Eye, Sea life, Shrek, Madame Tussaud’s. It’s cheaper than buying tickets individually.

If you're going for a London break anyway, don't try to stay too close to Harry Potter. Despite the name, it's actually in Hertfordshire not London so you're best to prioritise a stay in London and get the train out to Herts for the studio tour (it's a fairly easy trip).

I'd try to factor in things like London Eye, the Tower, Madame Tussaud's and maybe a theatre trip.

Lots of people do it and there is a shuttle bus from Watford train station to the studios. Or it’s a taxi ride from St Albans (which is easy from st Pancras if you are staying that side of London). You have to book ahead for tickets.

Lots of good suggestions here. I don't know if it will still be on but the nhm has a magical beasts exhibition at the moment (paid entry)

Thanks so much for all the ideas.

The magical beasts exhibition would go down well with the DDs I’m sure.