Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

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What will students see and do?

Wands at the ready! Give students the chance to experience the magical world of filmmaking on a school trip to the set of Harry Potter at Warner Bros.’ London studio.

An educational visit to the Warner Bros UK Studio Tour will allow children to explore iconic film sets from one of the most successful series of all time.

You don’t have to be on a filmmaking degree to enjoy the magic of mechanical props or clever camera work. Pupils will be able to see first-hand some of the quintessential props from the series, such as Harry Potter’s Sorting Hat or magical creatures like Buckbeak and Aragog.

Not only will students have the rare opportunity to see props and costumes from Harry Potter and tour the stunning sets, but each school visit also includes a 45-minute lesson led by the site’s qualified teachers and an exciting green-screen broomstick experience.

Children will also learn how artistry and technology both feed into filmmaking with a series of exciting workshops that use hands-on learning activities to bring lessons to life. Visit the website for a full list of the workshops available.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

Looking for school trip ideas that will allow students to explore their creativity and boost their skills across English, art and STEM subjects? At Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, children can take part in a number of workshops aimed at Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.

In the Studio Tour’s Art & Design workshop, students will explore the many design processes associated with filmmaking, including costume design courses and prop making. Pupils will delve deeper into the technical processes of bringing a film to life in the brand-new STEM workshop.

Elsewhere, children will improve their English language skills with interactive courses that target writing for film and television. Students will learn to follow a screenplay format, and by the end of the day they’ll be able to answer the question “what is a storyboard?”

Qualified by Learning Outside the Classroom, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers a fantastic way to engage students in outdoor learning and play. Staff members will be available throughout the tour to answer any questions.

Subjects covered

Art and Design

D&T

English

STEM

Teaching resources provided

Free pre- and post-tour teaching resources are available to download from the website to support your lesson plan.

Activity worksheets cover topics including film set design and prop design, as well as showing students how to write a screenplay and how to plan a scene with a storyboard template.

Browse more ideas for teaching with Harry Potter.

Minimum and maximum group size

Educational trips can host a minimum of 20 students and a maximum of 90 students.

Details of risk assessment

Details of the studio’s school trip risk assessment can be found online. Free planning visits are available for teachers.

PLANNING

Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment

icon for A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment

Facilities On-Site

School groups can access a picnic area prior to entering the Studio Tour or upon leaving. An outside seated area is located in the backlot where groups can eat packed lunches with other visitors.

A lunchroom is also available on a first-come-first-served basis. Lunch boxes can be pre-ordered for students on the morning of your tour.

Other restaurants and cafés on site include the Chocolate Frog Café, which serves sweet treats, the Hub Café, which serves Starbucks drinks and snacks, the Food Hall and the Backlot Café, which both serve hot and cold dishes. The iconic Butterbeer drink can be purchased at the Backlot Café.

Gifts and souvenirs can be purchased at the Studio’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter shops, including the Studio Shop, the Forbidden Forest Shop and the Railway Shop. To maximise your time and avoid queues, pre-paid bags can be made up for every child.

Opening Times

School trip lessons last 45 minutes and start at 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

It is recommended that you allow 3.5-4.5 hours for your visit.

Pricing

Primary school trips cost £17.75 per person, with one free teacher place for every five students.

Secondary school trips cost £20.50 per person, with one free teacher place for every 10 students.

All prices include the cost of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London tickets.

Please note that tickets for school groups must be booked at least six weeks in advance.

Travel arrangements

Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter Studios in London is located about three miles from Junction 6 on the M1 and around three miles from Junction 19 or 20 on the M25, and it is clearly signposted from both junctions.

A free car park is located on-site a short walk from the entrance. On arrival, show your confirmation email to a member of the Car Park team. A staff member will escort you from your coach to the Studio Tour. Students will all go through security on arriving – please ensure they are not carrying any sharp objects, such as scissors, compasses or cutlery.

Up to two coach drivers will be able to receive a complimentary ticket to the Studio Tour. These can be picked up at a Ticket Collection window.

Those travelling longer distances can find a number of hotels near the Harry Potter studios in the Watford area.