Make a day out of 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' in London

London is teeming with spell-binding Harry Potter sights and adventures to get you in a wizarding mood before seeing the West End show.

If you’re planning a trip to the incredible Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the West End, why not make your day that bit more magical by planning some other activities? London has plenty of wizard Harry Potter-themed fun on offer.

A trip to the Warner Brothers Studios where they filmed all of the Harry Potter movies is a must for any budding Gryffindor (or other house of the sorting hat’s choice!), as is potion-making at The Cauldron and a visit to the official shop at King’s Cross Station.

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Warner Brothers Studio Tour

If you’ve ever dreamt of walking into the Great Hall at Hogwarts, shopping in Diagon Alley, or taking a trip on Hagrid’s motorbike, then you need to make a bee-line for Warner Brothers Studios. There you’ll get to see behind the scenes of the smash-hit Harry Potter film franchise, from the astonishing sets to costumes, props, and more.

Begin your adventure just like Harry, Ron, and Hermione did by heading to Platform 9¾, where you’ll find the iconic Hogwarts Express steam engine. You can pose with your own luggage trolley and vanish right into the wall.

Plus there’s everything from Dumbledore’s office to Gringotts Wizarding Bank, a Nimbus 2000, Voldemort’s snake Nagini, the Ministry of Magic – and you can even buy a cup of butterbeer.

Address: Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, Hertfordshire

Price: ££

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London Zoo

It was at the Reptile House at the zoo that Harry Potter began to realise he might have magical powers. In the first book, Harry talks to a caged boa constrictor and, after his horrible cousin Dudley elbows him to the ground, he accidentally makes the glass front of the tank disappear – allowing the snake to escape.

If you go to London Zoo, you can head to the Reptile House where they filmed this scene in the film with Daniel Radcliffe playing Harry – although you’ll find the enclosure is actually home to a black mamba. Still, it’s a sssss-super trip.

Address: Regent’s Park, London NW1

Price: £

The Wizard Walk of London

This is a fantastic way to explore this great city – but with a Harry Potter twist! Join an expert guide to potter around London while exploring various sites that were either filming locations or which inspired JK Rowling in her magical creation.

For example, visit the building that became wizarding pub The Leaky Cauldron in the first film, as well as Clink Prison Museum, the model for the terrifying Azkaban. St Paul’s Cathedral made an appearance in the third movie, while the Millennium Bridge came to a sticky end in the sixth film, and Borough Market had a cameo when Harry was catching the Knight Bus.

Address: Meeting point outside Pizza Express, 20-22 Leadenhall Market, London EC3

Price: £

The Cauldron

Ever thought that if you got into potions class at Hogwarts, you would definitely rock it? Here’s your chance to find out at specialist Dalston bar The Cauldron. Sign up for The Cauldron London Potion Making Experience and you’ll receive a wizard’s robe, a wand, and a spell-binding masterclass.

Using your magical powers, plus some top tips in mixology by the expert Potion Masters, you’ll enter an enchanted forest and learn to concoct otherworldly elixirs in your cauldron – otherwise known as delicious molecular cocktails. Cheers!

Address: 5D Stoke Newington Road, London N16

Price: ££

House of MinaLima

This charming gallery in Soho is dedicated to the visual art of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies. Run by the designers who actually worked on both, Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, it’s a real passion project – and a thrilling glimpse at how the world of the films was dreamed up.

The gallery’s free exhibition has four levels showcasing prints and graphics that were created for the movies, as well as beautiful books and art prints that you can purchase. You’ll also see familiar props on display, such as the Hogwarts letters with their red seal and pages from The Daily Prophet.

Address: 157 Wardour Street, London W1

Price: £

The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾

Stock up on all the essential Harry Potter merchandise, treats, and presents for fellow superfans at the official store, which is located – of course – at King’s Cross Station. Start by getting your photograph taken as you whisk your trolley through the magical wall, then head inside for a wizard shopping experience.

Here you’ll find everything from bespoke Harry Potter bags to T-shirts, caps, homeware, jewellery, and more. You can even select a hand-crafted wand, order a personalised Hogwarts robe, or raid the sweet trolley. Chocolate frog, anyone?

Address: King’s Cross Station, London N1

Price: ££

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Now you’re ready for the ultimate Harry Potter experience: the phenomenal play in the West End, which continues Rowling’s wizarding saga following the book series. Harry is now grown up and it’s his son Albus who is heading off to Hogwarts, where he befriends Scorpius Malfoy and inevitably gets into trouble as he battles dark forces.

As brilliant as the books and movies are, there’s nothing quite like the jaw-dropping wonder of seeing magic happening right in front of you, whether it’s someone transforming after drinking Polyjuice Potion or the Time-Turner at work. You get the chance to revisit all your favourite characters, and meet new friends.

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Photo credit: Manuel Harlan