December 21st - Visit Hogwarts in the Snow

Today we went for a festive(ish) walk in the mud at Wimpole before vising the Warner Brothers Studio.

Having visited a few years ago it was good to take the girls back, especially as the younger two are more into Harry Potter.  We had tried and failed to watch the films before we went...still there is always January!  From the moment you enter the entrance hall the magic begins.  The girls loved the biggest Christmas tree and spotting photo of cast members on the wall.  The great hall set has been decorated for Christmas, complete with Christmas trees with flying witch toppers, Christmas food, flaming puddings and effects to make it look like it was snowing through the windows!

Then you are through into the Props room which is massive and has many many things to see.  I loved the sets such as the Gryffindor common room and the potions room.

New to this visit was the Hogwarts Express!  It was just like being at King's Cross!  Each compartment in the carriage is from a different film.

We also tried and didn't like Butter Beer!  We enjoyed the few larger sets just outside. We saw  the huge knight bus, the Dursley's residence - Number 4, Privet Drive, the Hogwarts bridge and the wreck of a house where the Potters were murdered by Voldemort in Godric's Hollow.  

The special effect's room was fascinating to see. The  Monster Book of Monsters made P jump every time it moved!  

Then the tour is nearly over, but not before a meander along Diagon Alley, a chance to see how sets are designed from initial ideas to detailed drawings to scale paper models before seeing the breath taking scale model of Hogwarts.

YtttTh   Over all we had a fab three and bit hours - well worth a trip!  And so lovely to see it all Christmassy!