Let's travel back in time - specifically to July 2023. I wanted to document another vacation, and this one was especially meaningful to us: our honeymoon.
As devoted Potterheads, we knew the perfect destination for our honeymoon had to be Great Britain. We planned a three-week trip to give ourselves plenty of time to visit everything we wanted (though we could have easily stayed longer). What did we want to see? Every Harry Potter filming location we could find, starting, of course, with the Warner Bros. Studio in London.
The whole journey was incredibly exciting. It started off on a high note: my first time in an airport lounge. I felt so special being there, with a comfortable seat to relax in before the flight and complimentary food and drinks. They even offered alcohol - though I don’t drink, my husband quickly grabbed a glass of whiskey to sample the quality.
London Highlights
We had just one full day in London and stayed in a tiny room (really tiny - I can’t imagine a smaller one), but it was close to the tube station and not far from the city center. We’d visited London a few years ago for nine days, so a single day this time was enough. We had scheduled a visit to the Sky Garden, London’s highest public garden, located 160 meters up in the 20 Fenchurch Street skyscraper. The Sky Garden offers 360° views of the entire city - a truly beautiful sight. We also finally saw the newly restored Parliament and Big Ben.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
The next day was the highlight of the whole vacation (at least for me): the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London, where Harry Potter was filmed. The studio is packed with original sets, costumes, and more. I was so looking forward to the experience, and my husband made it even more special by booking us Deluxe Tour tickets. Not only did we get in earlier than the standard ticket holders (using a special entrance), but there were many other perks. It was a wonderful surprise
We started with breakfast - I remember having pancakes with blueberries, maple syrup, and whipped cream. Delicious. Of course, there was tea (a must in Britain), served with sugar cubes in a mini cauldron. I was already blown away.
Along with another family from America, we had our own guide. Standard tickets don’t include this - you just wander and read the information boards. But with a guide, you get so much more.
Spoiler alert for anyone who hasn’t been and wants to be surprised! (I recommend skipping this part; it was absolutely worth experiencing firsthand.)
The tour starts the same for everyone, with a video featuring some of the Harry Potter actors. We had the opportunity to sit in the front row. The video ends with the actors standing in front of the Great Hall doors, inviting guests inside. Then, people celebrating something special (like a birthday or honeymoon) are invited to the front. That’s when the magic happens - the screen lifts, the curtains open, and you see the actual doors to the Great Hall, just like in the film. We got to push them open and step inside! It was the most amazing surprise and the best “wow” moment I’ve ever experienced. We were also allowed to take a photo at the door afterward. I truly felt like a Hogwarts student.
The studios are huge. The first two and a half hours were with our guide, who led us through the entire studio, sharing stories not written on the displays and answering our questions. I was a bit worried I wouldn’t understand everything (British English can be intimidating), but I had almost no trouble. She even entered some exhibits and brought out artifacts - like a potions textbook from the classroom and wizard money from Gringotts. After the guided tour, we could go back to the beginning and explore at our own pace. There was so much to see and read about in detail.
In the café, we tried butterbeer (it came in a special souvenir cup). I didn’t love the taste - it was just... odd. I’ve always wondered what the food and drinks at Hogwarts would taste like (pumpkin juice, for example, which I haven’t tried, though I do love pumpkin soup).
We took tons of pictures: at the train station with the Hogwarts Express, with the trolley disappearing into the wall, on the train, on Hagrid’s motorbike, in the Great Hall, next to our house artifacts (Hufflepuffs here!), and even one where I look like I’m in a chocolate frog card. Many of the mechanical features still work - I managed to wait for Buckbeak to bow to me, so I have a photo of us bowing to each other. And, of course, we saw the legendary Ford Anglia, the Knight Bus, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts. I hope one day we’ll visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida, where there’s an even bigger Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, Ministry of Magic, and more.
End of spoiler.
In conclusion, I would absolutelly recommend investing in Deluxe tour in the Studios. Worth every galleon.
Road Trip Begins: Oxford and Lacock
After London, we rented a car to travel around the island with ease. We spent the next three nights in Oxford.
Lacock
On the way, we stopped in the small village of Lacock, home to several filming locations. It’s truly a beautiful place - I completely fell in love with Britain, despite the occasional rain.
Lacock Abbey
Lacock Abbey features beautiful cloisters and classrooms where you can feel the magic in the air. The cloisters were used as Hogwarts corridors in the first two movies (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), and even appeared in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
 |
| The cloisters - Source |
The Chapter House held the Mirror of Erised in the first movie and was used for another scene in the second film (students revising).
 |
| The Chapter House - Source |
The Warming Room was once Quirrell’s classroom. If you remember the big cauldron in the middle - that’s not a movie prop, but an authentic cauldron that has been in the Abbey for hundreds of years. I was surprised it wasn’t used as the Potions classroom, given the obvious cauldron!
 |
| The Warming Room - Source |
Apparently, they used the Sacristy for that (Potions classroom). All the rooms and gardens are amazing, though we didn’t see much of the gardens due to heavy rain.
 |
| The Sacristy - Source |
We also visited two other locations outside the Abbey. One of the houses in the village is actually Lily and James Potter’s house - the one where Harry lived for his first year. Unfortunately, part of it was under renovation when we visited, but we still saw most of it. It looks like a perfectly normal house - no sign or marker - so only those in the know will spot it.
 |
| Lily & James Potter's House - Source |
The last magical house we visited was Horace Slughorn’s hideout. Well, not exactly his - it’s where he was hiding at the start of the sixth film (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) while the owners were on vacation.
 |
| Horace Slughorn's Hideout - Source |
The Oxford Schools
There are several filming locations in Oxford. Unfortunately, since the semester was still in session and students were studying, we couldn’t visit Duke Humfrey’s Library in the Bodleian Library. I’m determined to go back someday, if only because I love libraries and the sight of old books feels magical. I can’t believe students actually get to study there every day. In the movies, it serves as the main Hogwarts Library - for example, in The Philosopher’s Stone, it’s the restricted section where Harry searches for information on Nicolas Flamel.
 |
| Duke Humfrey’s Library in the Bodleian Library - Source |
Attached to the Bodleian Library is the Divinity School - the oldest surviving university building still in use (for lectures, exams, etc.). It’s famous for its intricate ceiling and tall windows that fill the space with natural light. The space was used as the Hospital Wing: where Harry wakes up after his first fight with Voldemort, where Ron is injured and Harry and Hermione use the time-turner to help Sirius, and in the fourth film, when Professor McGonagall teaches students to dance for the Yule Ball.
 |
| Divinity School - Source |
Next was New College. Despite its name, it’s one of the oldest colleges in Oxford, founded in 1379. Its cloisters and courtyard were used in Goblet of Fire (there are a lot of cloisters in Britain, and many were used as Hogwarts corridors). An ancient oak tree (almost 200 years old) grows in the courtyard, under which Professor Moody turns Draco Malfoy into a ferret.
 |
| New College cloisters - Source |
 |
| New College courtyard - Source |
Last but not least: Christ Church (yes, it’s a university, though it’s called “Church”). Inside Bodley Tower is the grand stone staircase - a memorable filming location for iconic scenes like Harry’s first day at Hogwarts (with McGonagall at the top explaining the four houses) and when he reunites with Hermione and Ron at the end of the first movie after being released from the Hospital Wing.
 |
| Christ Church - the grand stone staircase - Source |
Walking up the grand stone staircase brings you to the Dining Hall. The Hall itself wasn’t used in filming, but it inspired the Great Hall set at the studios - it looks almost identical, just a bit smaller. I was surprised by how small the Dining Hall actually is, but the atmosphere is the same. The Hall is still in use, so you have to visit in the morning or late afternoon, as it’s closed for lunch. Sadly, the food is served buffet style, not magically appearing on the tables!
 |
| Christ Church - Dining Hall - Source |
Almost forgot to mention one last magical spot in Christ Church: the cloisters, which were also used as Hogwarts' hallways in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. In these corridors, Harry is named Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and Hermione points out a display case containing his father’s Quidditch trophy.
Finding Quiet Magic: Tips for Sensitive Travelers at Busy Attractions
Traveling as an introvert or a sensitive soul can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when visiting popular, bustling places like the Warner Bros. Studio or Oxford’s historic sites. I learned a few gentle strategies along the way that helped me soak in the magic without feeling drained:
- Plan for Off-Peak Times: Booking the Deluxe Tour at the Warner Bros. Studio not only gave us early access but also meant fewer crowds. If you can, try visiting popular spots early in the morning or on weekdays.
- Create Mini Retreats: Even in busy places, look for quiet corners or less-trafficked rooms where you can pause, breathe, and recharge. At Christ Church, for example, the gardens were a beautiful retreat - lush, green, and surprisingly empty.
- Use Headphones and Music: Sometimes, a familiar playlist or calming sounds can help create a personal bubble, making loud or busy environments more manageable.
- Communicate and Use the Buddy System: Traveling with someone who truly understands you is invaluable. I found it helpful to openly share when I needed a break or some quiet time, and my husband was wonderfully supportive - sometimes even noticing when I was hungry, overstimulated, or in need of a pause before I realized it myself. If you’re traveling with a partner or friend, let them know your signals and needs; communicating openly and looking out for each other makes the journey smoother and much more enjoyable.
- Practice Breathing Exercises: When I started to feel anxious or overstimulated, I turned to simple breathing techniques. Deep breathing - filling my belly with air, then slowly exhaling - helped me feel grounded and calm. Sometimes I’d use “box breathing” (inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, hold for four) or simply focus on the sensation of air moving in and out, repeating a calming phrase in my mind.
- Listen to Your Body: The most important lesson I’ve learned is to pay attention to my own needs. If I felt tired, I rested. If I was hungry, I ate. If I needed quiet, I sought it out. Honoring these signals allowed me to enjoy each moment more fully, rather than pushing through discomfort.
- Focus on Small Details: Instead of trying to see everything at once, I chose to savor small moments - like the texture of the ancient stone walls or the scent of the gardens after rain. These sensory experiences grounded me and made the trip deeply meaningful.
- Plan for Rest After Big Visits: I’ve learned that it’s important to schedule downtime after visiting busy attractions. After a stimulating day, we’d find a quiet café or simply return to our room to rest, reflect, and recharge. This helped me process all the excitement and ensured I didn’t feel overwhelmed.
If you’re a sensitive traveler, remember that it’s okay to pace yourself and prioritize your well-being. Magic isn’t just in the big moments - it’s in the quiet ones too.
Stay tuned for the next part - this trip was so big I had to split it into more than one post.
Comments
Post a Comment