Third’s a charm!

In 2013 me and my partner in crime, Aleks, visited the Harry Potter studio tour in Leavsden for the very first time, then again in 2016. So what’s better then making the third visit in 2021, it being the first movie’s 20 year celebration. And when they say that the third time’s is a charm, they are not lying!

*There’s something about Harry Potter and Christmas, right? I’m probably not the only one who love watching the movies that season?*

One of the biggest upgrades at the studio is the entry hallway, with the store and dinner facilities. This time we were greeted by this live size dragon, that is one of the most intimidating models I’ve seen. I don’t remember the dragons in the HP universe to be this… scary..?

While I would hang with my fellow Slytherins in our dungeon, I must say that the Gryffindor common room is so lush, and it’s looking extra cozy for Christmas. Imaging playing board games in front of the fireplace?

*Don’t forget to make time for a Butterbeer pit stop!*

The studio occasionally upgrades with new features and sets, which has made every visit exciting. This time the newly added “crown jewels” was the bank of Gringotts. And oh my, was that awesome! Unlike some of the sets that you see from the outside, this one you are standing in the middle of and it’s a whole room. I mean, who doesn’t remember the funny scene in the bank, were Hermione pretends that she’s Bellatrix? Splendid acting from Helena B. Carter!

Some other newly added features are Bellatrix’s vault, with the duplicated treasures (that are actually made in some rubber material), Slytherin’s common room and the forbidden forest with it’s itsy bitsy spiders and Centaurs. It’s highly recommended to watch the little screens and plaques to get some interesting facts about the production and how the sets were made!