London is the best place in the world for a Harry Potter trip with children. The films were made just outside the city, many famous scenes were shot on its streets, and in November 2026 the UK’s largest official Harry Potter shop opened on Oxford Street. With the new HBO series starting on Christmas Day 2026, interest in all things Hogwarts is about to peak again.
This guide covers everything we would plan for a family visit: the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, what is free in central London, a self-guided walk to filming locations, and a two-day itinerary. If you only do one thing, make it the studio tour. The easiest way to get there with kids is a studio tour ticket with return coach transfers from central London, so you do not need to deal with trains and shuttle buses.
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Harry Potter in London at a glance
| Experience | Cost | Best for | Book ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Bros. Studio Tour London | Adults £58.50, children £47 (2026) | Ages 6+ | Yes, timed tickets only |
| Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross | Free (shop and optional photo extra) | All ages | No |
| Harry Potter Shop, Oxford Street | Free entry | All ages | No |
| House of MinaLima, Soho | Free entry | Ages 8+ | No |
| Filming locations walk | Free | Ages 7+ | No |
| Harry Potter and the Cursed Child | Paid | Ages 8+ | Yes |
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter
The Studio Tour is at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, near Watford, about 20 miles north-west of central London. All eight Harry Potter films were made here, and the tour takes you through the real sets, props and costumes. It is not a theme park and there are no rides, but children who know the films are usually spellbound from the moment the Great Hall doors open.
What kids love most
- The Great Hall, where the tour begins, with the house tables and costumes.
- Diagon Alley, with the shop fronts of Ollivanders, Gringotts and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.
- Platform 9¾ and the Hogwarts Express, where you can walk through the real carriages.
- The Forbidden Forest, with Buckbeak and a giant Aragog. Very young children may find the spiders scary.
- Broomstick flying in front of a green screen. Photos and videos cost extra.
- Butterbeer at the Backlot Café, and the huge Hogwarts castle model near the end.
Studio Tour tickets and prices for 2026
Official 2026 prices are £58.50 for adults (16+) and £47 for children aged 5 to 15. A family ticket for two adults and two children, or one adult and three children, costs £188. Under 4s go free but still need a ticket. Prices for 2027 are £61 for adults and £48 for children. All tickets are for a timed entry slot, there are no sales at the door, and school holidays and weekends sell out weeks ahead.
Seasonal events in 2026 and 2027
The tour changes with the seasons. Dark Arts, the Halloween season, runs until 8 November 2026. Hogwarts in the Snow runs from 14 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, with the Great Hall laid for a Christmas feast, a festive Gryffindor common room and the Hogwarts model under filmmaking snow. It is the most popular time of year, so book early. For more festive ideas, see our London Christmas guide.
Getting to the studios with kids
By train: trains run from London Euston to Watford Junction, and a studio shuttle bus takes you from the station to the tour. This is the cheapest option if you book entry tickets directly, but it means two changes with children.
By coach from central London: a coach package with entry and return transfers picks you up in central London, at Victoria and other points, and brings you back after your visit. It costs more than an entry ticket on its own, but there are no changes and it is easy with a folded pushchair. Most packages give you about four hours at the studio, which is enough for most families. Big fans may want the longer stay option where it is offered.
Tips for visiting with children
- Pick a morning slot. Children have more energy and the sets are quieter.
- Allow three and a half to four hours, plus time for the shop at the end.
- Ask for the Studio Tour passport for kids, which they can stamp as they go.
- Bring snacks and a refillable water bottle. Food inside is good but not cheap.
- Pushchairs are allowed, and the tour is step-free.
Free Harry Potter things to do in London
Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross
King’s Cross station has a luggage trolley disappearing into the wall, next to the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾. Taking your own photo with the trolley is free. Staff can take a professional photo with a house scarf, which you pay for. The shop is open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 8pm on Sunday, and the photo spot closes an hour before the shop. Go early in the morning to avoid the longest queues.
The Harry Potter Shop on Oxford Street
The UK’s largest official Harry Potter shop opened on 4 November 2026 at The Ribbon, 134 to 140 Oxford Street, near Tottenham Court Road station. It spreads across two floors themed on Diagon Alley, with a full-size Knight Bus and a Leaky Cauldron café serving Butterbeer. Some products, including a Diagon Alley wand, are only sold here. Entry is free, which makes it a good option on days you cannot get to the studios.
House of MinaLima, Soho
MinaLima are the graphic designers behind the props in the films, from Harry’s Hogwarts letter to the Daily Prophet and the Marauder’s Map. Their gallery and shop at 157 Wardour Street in Soho is free to visit and open daily from 12pm to 7pm. It suits older children who love the details in the films.
Harry Potter filming locations in London: a self-guided walk
You can see several filming locations in half a day using the Tube and your feet. This route works well with kids aged seven and up. If you would rather have a guide bring the stories to life, this Harry Potter walking tour where kids go free covers many of the same spots in about three hours.
- Westminster Underground station. Harry and Mr Weasley ride the Tube here on the way to the Ministry of Magic in Order of the Phoenix.
- Millennium Bridge. Death Eaters destroy the bridge at the start of Half-Blood Prince. Take the Tube to Blackfriars or Mansion House and walk across towards Tate Modern.
- Borough Market. A short walk along the river. Stoney Street played the outside of the Leaky Cauldron in Prisoner of Azkaban, and the market is a good lunch stop.
- Leadenhall Market. Cross London Bridge to reach the Victorian market used as Diagon Alley in Philosopher’s Stone. An optician’s doorway in Bull’s Head Passage was the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.
Two more locations are worth adding if you have time. Claremont Square, near Angel station, was the outside of 12 Grimmauld Place, and the Reptile House at London Zoo is where Harry first speaks to a snake in Philosopher’s Stone.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The stage play runs at the Palace Theatre, and it is now a single performance of 2 hours 55 minutes including the interval. It is recommended for ages 8 and up, children under 5 are not allowed in, and under 15s must be with an adult. Booking is open until September 2027. The stage effects are impressive, but the story is set after the books, so it works best for children who have read or watched the whole series. You can book Cursed Child tickets here.
The new Harry Potter TV series
HBO’s Harry Potter series starts on Christmas Day 2026, with the first season adapting Philosopher’s Stone. It is being filmed at the same Leavesden studios as the films. Expect studio tour tickets and London’s Harry Potter spots to be busier than usual over the winter, so book early if you are visiting in December or January.
A two-day Harry Potter itinerary for families
Day 1: The Studio Tour. Take an organised coach from central London or the train from Euston in the morning, spend about four hours at the studios, and be back in London by late afternoon. If the kids still have energy, finish with a Butterbeer at the new Oxford Street shop.
Day 2: Free London. Start at Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross as it opens, then take the Tube to Westminster and follow the filming locations walk to Borough Market for lunch and on to Leadenhall Market. End the day at House of MinaLima in Soho. For more ideas to fill extra days, see our guide to the best things to do in London with kids.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you need at the Harry Potter Studio Tour?
Most families spend three and a half to four hours inside, plus travel. Coach packages usually allow around four hours at the studio. If your children are huge fans, travel by train or choose a longer stay option so you are not rushed.
What is the best age for the Harry Potter Studio Tour?
It suits children from about six who have seen the films. Younger children can enjoy the Hogwarts Express and Diagon Alley, but the tour involves a lot of walking and reading.
Is Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross free?
Yes. You can take your own photo with the trolley for free. The professional photo and the shop are optional extras.
Which Harry Potter attractions in London are free?
Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross, the Harry Potter Shop on Oxford Street, House of MinaLima and all the outdoor filming locations are free. The Studio Tour and the Cursed Child are paid.
Is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child suitable for children?
It is recommended for ages 8 and up, and children under 5 are not admitted. It is a long show at almost three hours, so it suits older children who know the story well.
More London guides
Planning a wider trip? Read our guide to things to do in London with kids, our London Christmas guide for lights, markets and ice rinks, and our best day trips from London by car.
