My children love the Harry Potter movies and we had the opportunity to revisit the Harry Potter Studio Tour on the outskirts of London, 5 years after we last visited. Since experiencing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando this summer we were all so excited for our visit to the “The Making of Harry Potter” tour which offers a totally different experience featuring props, costumes and complete movie sets from the Harry Potter movies.
What made our visit even more exciting was the fact that the Harry Potter studio tour had been given a spooky Halloween makeover for their Dark Arts feature which runs in 2021 from 24th September – 7th November.
Rather watch than read?
If you are visiting the studios during their Dark Arts feature here are 10 things that we loved, which made our 5 hour visit even more special and perfect for Halloween.
The Halloween themed Great Hall
As the giant doors open to the Great Hall you will see that it has been filled with 100 of the enchanted floating hand carved pumpkins seen on the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone movie.
Adding to the Halloween theme, there is a Halloween feast on the tables of red apples, pumpkins and cauldrons of lollipops.
Try your wand combat skills against a Death Eater
The girls had great fun practicing their magic using their wands against a Death Eater in the interactive wand combat tutorial.
Feel Troll Snot, Fluffy Drool & Unicorn Blood
Ever wanted to see and feel Troll Snot, Fluffy Drool or Unicorn Blood? Well you can during the dark arts event, the snot in particular was so realistic and slimey!
Wand Demonstrations
You can take part in wand demonstrations during the Dark Arts event, one of which was on Diagon Alley. If you are lucky to be chosen you can use your magic to move the Leaky Cauldron sign hanging above the street.
Broomstick Training
This was perfect timing for Halloween, as the children (and adults!) can practice their broomstick skills. As well as riding on the broomstick through London you can also practice your magic by standing next to your broomstick and have it rise into your hand from the floor like in Harry’s first lesson with Madam Hooch.
Look out for Death Eaters on Diagon Alley
As we walked through the set of Diagon Alley it was so realistic, it actually felt we were in the movie especially as the lights have been dimmed for Halloween. What made a darker Diagon Alley even more special during our visit was the addition of Death Eaters (which looked so scary!), who were walking around the streets holding their Death Eater wands.
Giant spiders in the Forbidden Forest
Walking through the Forbidden Forest is scary at the best of times but with all of the Halloween theming at the studios it just feels that little bit more terrifying especially when you come across the giant cobwebs and spiders including Aragog the Acromantula.
Live Duels
In the studios back lot throughout the day are exciting live duels where you can take on the Death Eaters who storm the Hogwarts Bridge.
Visit the Death Eater HQ
At Malfoy Manor you can see the 20 foot model of Voldemort’s snake Nagini which is slithering on the table and Charity Burbage is suspended above it like in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Halloween Treats
What’s great about the Harry Potter Studio Tour during Halloween is the variety of Harry Potter themed treats available that are perfect for Halloween including Bertie Botts All Flavour Beans which really does have earwax and vomit flavours. One of our favourites were the giant chocolate frogs, which included a cool holographic wizard card.
For more information on the Dark Arts Feature and booking information please visit the The Making of Harry Potter website