Yesterday was one of the most wonderful days in my life so far! It was the 1st September, the day when wizarding world children in the UK set off from Platform 9&3/4 on the Hogwarts Express for the new school year.
For the Wychwoods (and the Wigworthys - my sister's kin), it was our last chance for a summer holiday family day out together. So we took the opportunity that a train trip to Kings Cross provides, by adding an extra leg to Watford Junction to see how our Muggle friends made the famous films about the life of our hero, Harry Potter.
I was amazed at how these Muggles have managed without magic to make something so magical! The day they offered us was wonderful from the very start. On presenting our tickets, our little ones were each given a Passport full of activities to keep them occupied throughout their visit, including stamping the pages with embossing presses at various points through the tour, and hunting down lots of golden snitches which appeared to be in flight around the studios.
Even before the tour began, we were treated with exhibits from the movies. Here's the Ford Anglia that Harry and Ron flew to Hogwarts in...
And here's the Cupboard Under The Stairs - on display whilst queing for entry...
Once through the queue and the cinema presentation, you get to go through the Great Hall Doors...
Which are abutted by the Statues of Hogwarts, suitably shown in nightlight given the timing that the students arrive after their boat trip on the lake...
The Great Hall was fabulous, it was so magical to walk in and see it presented ready for the students, with the tables laid and the Great Fireplace adorned with all the crests...
At the end of the hall my little wizard loved posing in front of Dumbledore, McGonagle and Snape - of course it was only their costumes on mannequins, but it was still a great sight!
And I got some pics of other costumes - here are the first ones ever worn by Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, the Grey Lady dress, and Madeye/Trelawney/Flitwick...
After the Great Hall we were given all the time we wanted to browse around other sets and props. It started with the Great Hall ceiling...
And then some sets from the Yule Ball, with the beautiful ice decoration and drinks, and various dress robes warn by the champions and their escorts...
There was a section on wigs and costumes too. I loved seeing Snape's wig, and the beautiful outfits and accessories worn by Luna...
There were the gates to Hogwarts, another photo opportunity for my little wizard...
And then to the places that Harry and Ron saw on their first night at Hogwarts - the Pendulum (which was swinging), the Gryffindor Common Room and the Boy's Dormitory...
I kept coming across places that filled my eyes with tears because I hadn't expected them to be on display, with so much detail, or so accessible. These included the Potions Classroom, The Burrow, and Hagrid's Hut, with many features that were in motion such as potion stirrers, knives, and of course the knitting needles (squee!!!)...
I had expected to see Dumbledore's Office, as this features in so much of the blurb I have seen online about the tour, but it was still spectacular, right down to the Griffin entrance, the headmaster's portraits along with Gryffindor's sword, the Memories Cabinet (I'm gutted that I didn't take a pic of that), and the desk and telescope...
There were so many props on display as stand alone items due to their size, or with a collection. You're bound to recognise all these...
The Ministry of Magic had quite a large area devoted to it, with the Might is Magic statue, the fireplace entrances, the gloriously tiled areas, and Umbridge's Office...
There was a gorgeous props cabinet, stacked to the gunnels stuff such as Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Daily Prophets, Quibblers, school books, Dumbledore's Will, and the tear-jerking letter from Lily to Sirius...
Outside they had some major set pieces too, including the Knight Bus, the Ford Anglia, Hagrid's Motorbike, Hogwarts Bridge, Privet Drive, Godric's Hollow, and Wizard Chess. My little ones loved many of these, and had to have their pics taken, and I got mine taken on the bridge...
We stopped for a drink of Butterbeer which was being served here - the children loved it, whereas we adults found it a little sickly! On from here we went into the creatures shop which was full of amazing gadgetry and lifelike models used in the films...
And this was followed by a trip along Diagon Alley!!! Being an employee of Gringotts, one would think that I get to see this pretty much everyday, but the truth is that I never set foot outside the place, as I disapparate in and out for work!!! So here are my pics of the wonderful shops in the alley...
My absolute favourite part of the tour was seeing the huge model of Hogwarts Castle. When I walked into this room my breath was taken away, and I had to wipe my eyes for fear of embarassing my family with tears on my cheeks!!! I got lots and lots of pics in here, where the lights kept changing to show the castle through daylight and night-time...
And finally, there was a trip through Ollivanders before exiting to the Studios own shop, where I spent a small fortune purchasing a wand for my little wizard, a mirror of Erised picture frame for my little witch, and a time turner keyring for me! Here's Ollivanders - it is actually a room with a wand for every single member of cast and crew who were involved in the making of the films...
So that's it. Well not really - I took stacks more pictures and will be sharing a link on Ravelry for my friends! I heartily recommend that you visit the place yourselves, you are sure to enjoy it!
