The true mecca for Harry Potter fans is undoubtedly Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, located in Leavesden, on the outskirts of London. It's the place where all eight films in the series were made over a decade, and today features original costumes, props and breathtaking sets. The studio opened its doors to the public in March 2012, following an impressive £100 million investment to preserve and highlight iconic elements from the films.

During a visit to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London you can walk through the Hogwarts Great Hall, where feasts and important school events were held. This monumental space, with its original stone floor and massive tables, is exactly as we saw it on screen. Interestingly, the ceiling of the Great Hall was digitally added in post-production, providing a fascinating insight into the filmmaking process.

One of the most impressive elements of the exhibition is the giant model of Hogwarts Castle, which occupies a separate room. This detailed model, 15 meters in diameter, was used for all the aerial shots in the films. The artists have covered it with more than 300 fiber lights that simulate torches and lanterns, and the cycle of day and night repeats every few minutes, creating a magical atmosphere.

In 2023, the studio tour welcomed a record number of visitors, generating revenue of about £172.44 million, up 16% from the previous year. The venue receives around 6,000 visitors every day, bringing the annual total to an impressive 2 million. The popularity of the site is not waning, in fact, it is growing every year.

A particularly magical site as part of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour is Diagon Alley (Diagon Street) - the heart of wizarding commerce in the Harry Potter universe. This remarkable alley has been recreated with extraordinary attention to detail. Walking along the cobblestone road, one can admire the facades of stores such as Ollivanders (makers of wands since 382 BC), Esa and Flores (a bookstore), and Weasley's Magical Jokes. Each store has been designed with the smallest details in mind, from the displays to the merchandise visible in the windows.

Interestingly, the set designers drew inspiration from real London streets, such as Cecil Court and Leadenhall Market, which are worth a visit in themselves for fans of the series. The studio's Diagon Alley has a slightly curved shape, which was a deliberate move by the set designers - so you can't see the end of it, which creates the illusion of infinity and adds to the mystery.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour regularly introduces new attractions and themed exhibitions. One of the latest additions is a full-size replica of Gringott's Bank, complete with vaults, goblins and more than 200,000 coins. During special seasonal events, such as 'Hogwarts in the Snow' and 'Dark Arts,' you can experience the magical world in a new way, with decorations tailored to the season or theme.

While the Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers a comprehensive experience of the Harry Potter world, there are places in the heart of London that every fan of the series should visit. One of the most iconic is Platform 9¾ (Platform 9¾) at King's Cross station. It was from here that Hogwarts students embarked on the Hogwarts Express train journey to the school of magic and wizardry.

Platform 9¾ is not just literary fiction - a special place has been created at King's Cross station where fans can have their picture taken with the luggage cart, which 'disappears' into the wall between platforms 9 and 10. This symbolic spot has become one of London's most popular tourist attractions, attracting thousands of fans a day. Interestingly, in reality, the filming scenes of platform 9¾ were shot between platforms 4 and 5, but for practical reasons the installation was placed in the main hall of the station.

The history of the site is fascinating - initially it was a modest wall-mounted cart, but as the popularity of the series grew, King's Cross station decided to create a professional installation. Today, it's a full-fledged tourist attraction with staff dressed in Hogwarts robes who help visitors line up for photos and offer scarves of the four houses to borrow for photography.

Right next to the platform is The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ - a paradise for collectors and fans of the series. The store offers official products from the world of Harry Potter, from wands and robes to candy from the wizarding world like Bertie Bott's Beans of All Flavors and Chocolate Frogs. The store's interior is designed to resemble the Hogwarts Express train and station platforms, creating a magical atmosphere while shopping.

It's worth noting that unlike the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, which requires advance booking and is quite expensive, a visit to Platform 9¾ is completely free. The only 'cost' may be the time spent in the photo line, which can be really long during the peak tourist season. The best time to visit is early morning or late evening, when you can avoid the biggest crowds.

Another magical place in central London is the Harry Potter Statue in Leicester Square. This relatively new attraction (unveiled in 2020) depicts a young Harry Potter flying on a broomstick during a Quidditch match, in a scene from the first 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' movie. The statue is part of 'Scenes in the Square,' a collection of sculptures depicting iconic movie characters.

The Harry Potter statue is made of bronze and depicts the moment that defined the character in the first film - his first Quidditch match, when he showed off his natural talent for flying on a broomstick. The sculpture is full of dynamism and captures the spirit of adventure that characterizes the series. Interestingly, Leicester Square has a special significance for the Harry Potter world, as it was the location of the premieres of all eight films in the series.

Leicester Square is also the heart of London's entertainment scene, with numerous cinemas, theaters and restaurants, making it the perfect place to start a magical tour of London. The Harry Potter statue is available for viewing 24 hours a day and, like Platform 9¾, is a free attraction, making it a great alternative for those looking for budget options for exploring magical London.

For those who want to not only see but also experience magic, London offers unique places where you can feel like a real wizard. One such place is The Cauldron London, an interactive themed bar that combines technology, science and fantasy to create a truly magical experience.

Located in the trendy Stoke Newington neighborhood, The Cauldron London is not officially affiliated with the Harry Potter franchise, but has been inspired by various fantasy works, including J.K. Rowling's series. The venue offers unique potion brewing workshops where guests use interactive wands that respond to movement to prepare magical concoctions that change color, bubble, smoke or even glow in the dark.

The interior of The Cauldron is designed to resemble a mysterious alchemist's workshop - the walls are covered with books and magical artifacts, and lighting is provided by candles and torches. During the workshop, participants are provided with wizards' robes and wands, further enhancing the immersive experience. Interestingly, all 'magical' effects during the workshop are based on real principles of chemistry and physics, which adds an educational dimension to the entertainment.

The Cauldron offers a variety of workshop packages, ranging from basic workshops lasting about 1.5 hours to extended experiences with additional potions and snacks. The place is particularly popular with adult Harry Potter fans, as most of the 'potions' are actually creative alcoholic cocktails (although non-alcoholic options are also available).

For those who want to take a piece of the magical world with them, House of Spells on Charing Cross Road is a must-stop. This gift store, located near Leicester Square, offers an impressive collection of products related to Harry Potter and other magical universes.

House of Spells stands out from other gift stores thanks to its unique design. The store's interior was designed to resemble a dungeon full of magical artifacts - herbs and cauldrons hang from the ceiling, and the walls are decorated with portraits and magical items. The store offers a wide range of products, from officially licensed wands and robes to jewelry, home accessories and books.

The location of House of Spells is interesting - Charing Cross Road is known for its numerous bookstores and antique shops, making it an ideal location for a store inspired by fantasy literature. In the Harry Potter books, the Cauldron Hole - the pub that is the gateway to the Diagon Alley - was supposed to be located right on Charing Cross Road, which adds an extra magical significance to the place.

When comparing all seven of London's magical venues, it's worth noting their diversity in terms of experience and cost. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers the most comprehensive and authentic experience, but is also the most expensive and requires advance booking. Platform 9¾ and the Harry Potter Statue are free attractions in the center of the city, ideal for those on a limited budget or time. The Cauldron London provides an interactive, immersive experience in the mid-price range, while stores like House of Spells and The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ allow you to pick up magical souvenirs in a variety of price ranges.

Whatever your budget and however much time you can spare, London offers a magical experience for any Harry Potter fan. From the monumental movie sets to the hidden gems in the city center, the British capital truly deserves to be called a magical metropolis that has inspired and continues to inspire the imagination of millions of fans around the world.