I must have been completely unbearable to be around when the day finally dawned. Fortunately for me one of my sixth form students shares my passion and she was joining us on the trip as a helper so I had someone to vent some of my excited energy with. The journey there on the coach inevitably felt like it lasted a lifetime but we finally arrived and I was enthralled from my first sight of the outside of the studios. As a clever marketing ploy or a complete coincidence the two studios where the magic happened are named J and K. (Sorry for the extremely obvious and very poor quality pun, I couldn't resist.)
The education co-ordinator did a brilliant job and was very professional and efficient. She came on the coach and gave a small speech to the students preparing them for what was going to happen and giving them their 'passports'. This was a small booklet that contained a snitch treasure hunt among other things. We had arrived early for our allotted tour time so she pulled a few strings for us and got us on a earlier tour. No a mean feat when you are talking about ninety students and five staff.
I will endeavour not to give too much away so as not to spoil it for anyone planning to go, and I will leave my photos to the end, but I would like to share a few highlights.
The walk in to the Great Hall is absolutely breathtaking. It sent shivers down my spine to be walking on the same stone floor and beside the very tables and benches from those iconic scenes in the film. The huge fireplaces were incredible and placed around the outside of the hall were placed mannequins wearing specific costumes grouped together according to houses, Griffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. The feature of the hall that dominates the scene is the raised platform where the staff table and the lectern from which Dumbledore delivers his start and end of year speeches stand. On this platform are ranged a variety of size appropriate mannequins wearing the distinctive staff costumes.
From the Great Hall you proceed in to the first huge sound stage. This is where the sets for the Griffindor common room, the Weasley's kitchen, Hagrid's hut and Snape's dungeon classroom are amongst others. There are also displays of props from the films such as the golden snitch from the Deathly Hallows, the time turner, Riddle's diary and the Horcruxs as well as a variety of instantly recognisable costumes. Perhaps most excitingly there is the set for Dumbledore's study that you can actually walk in to and get a 360 degree view of. I could have spent a whole day in this part, there was so much there that you don't know where to look and it's impossible to take it all in. I particularly loved seeing the Weasley's kitchen. One of my favourite moments of all eight films is Harry's first visit to The Burrow and seeing the self washing pan, the self knitting needles and the amazing clock that shows the location of all the members of the family. I was not disappointed as this was exactly the scene depicted, complete with the 'magically' moving props.
From this sound stage you walk out on to the back lot, the outdoor space where there are full size facades of number four Privet Drive and their neighbours, the Potter's cottage at Godric's Hollow and also the Knight bus, the Ford Anglia and Hagrid's motorbike. There is also a little cafe and a stand where you can buy a glass of authentic butter beer. I had to try it but it is quite expensive for what you get and it is incredibly sweet and sticky.
After this experience you head in to the second sound stage where the monster workshop is housed. Here you can see how the Thestrals are created, the troll from The Chamber of Secrets and of course the wonderful Dobby. After the monster workshop comes the awe inspiring Diagon Alley which you get to actually walk up and peer in to the various shops. As you can guess as an English teacher one of my favourites was Flourish and Blotts. After this is where there are the final touches that make the tour an even more amazing experience but I shall not divulge any secrets.
After you have finished your tour and head to the exit you are inevitably directed through the gift shop. Here you can buy anything from robes and wands to chocolate frogs and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. As you might expect, the shop is expensive but they have a captive audience as these items are unavailable anywhere else except the Harry Potter World in Florida. Here I will make perhaps a very embarrassing confession for a 30 year old teacher, wife and mother. I am now the proud owner of a replica of Hermione Granger's wand. I did also buy a Hedwig hand puppet for my daughter which she loves and my husband did not object to the solid chocolate frog he was presented with.
My friend at work is attempting to organise another trip to the studios for the next activities week this academic year and I have of course already volunteered my services. Although, I would like to go to the studios again without ninety students in tow so that I could take my time and really absorb every detail. Some of the students have a tendency to rush their way through if they are not particularly interested in it and they have only come on the trip as their friends are going and it is better then being left in school. I have promised I will take my husband but unfortunately I've not yet got around to organising it. I would imagine that it gets extremely busy during the school holidays so I am giving a lot of thought as to which school holiday we go in.
Here is a selection of some of my favourite photos:
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