Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Making of Harry Potter: Warner Bros. Studio Tour
AnirvanaforPotterphiles,thisattractionletsfansyoungandoldseetheactualsetsandprops
thatwereusedinthefilms,watchvideointerviewswiththeactorsandfilmmakers,andview
exhibits about how the films' special effects were created. Visitors must book a time slot in
advance—it'sessentialtoreserveyourvisitonlineasfaraheadaspossible.Sinceit'slocated
in Leavesden, a 20-minute train ride from London, and takes about three hours to experi-
ence, a visit here will eat up the better part of a day.
Cost and Hours:
£28, kids ages 5 to 15-£21, family ticket for 2 adults and 2 kids-£83,
audio/videoguide-£5, tours depart daily 10:00-18:00, café, still photography allowed, tel.
0845-084-0900,
www.wbstudiotour.co.uk
.
Getting There:
Reaching the studio requires a
train and shuttle bus
connection. First,
take the train from London Euston to Watford Junction (about 5/hour, 15-20 minutes). From
there, you can take a Mullany's Coaches shuttle bus to the studio tour (2/hour, 15 minutes,
arriveatWatfordJunctionatleast45minutesbeforeyourtourentrancetime,£1.50one-way,
£2 round-trip). Golden Tours runs three more direct (and more expensive)
buses
per day
between their office near Victoria Station in central London and the studio (price includes
round-trip bus and entrance: adults-£55, kids-£50; leaves London at 8:00, 11:00, and 14:00,
tour begins 2 hours after bus departs, reserve ahead at
www.goldentours.com
)
.
For the best list of what's happening and a look at the latest London scene, pick up a current
copy of
Time Out
(£3 at newsstands,
www.timeout.com
)
. The TI's free monthly
London
Planner
covers sights, events, and plays at least as well as
Time Out
does.
London's theater rivals Broadway's in quality and usually beats it in price. Choose from
200 offerings—Shakespeare, musicals, comedies, thrillers, sex farces, cutting-edge fringe,
revivals starring movie celebs, and more. London does it all well. I prefer big, glitzy—even
bombastic—musicals over serious chamber dramas, simply because London can deliver
the lights, booming voices, dancers, and multimedia spectacle I rarely get back home. (If
you're a regular visitor to Broadway or Las Vegas—where you have access to similar spec-
tacles—you might prefer some of London's more low-key offerings.)
There are also plenty of enticing plays to choose from, ranging from revivals of classics
to cutting-edge works by the hottest young playwrights. Many star huge-name celebrities
(you'llseethelatestofferingsadvertisedallovertheTubeandelsewhere).Londonisamag-
net for movie stars who want to stretch their acting chops.
