Harry Potter Studio Tour To Open The Doors Of 4 Privet Drive For The First Time

2016 marks 15 years of ‘Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone’, the film that kickstarted a worldwide phenomenon.

The first ‘Harry Potter’ film was released in 2001 and to celebrate, the excellent Harry Potter Studio Tour in Watford is hosting a year long programme of special events giving fans the chance to get up close and personal with the props and sets of the first movie.

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All the events are open to the public at no extra cost on top of the entry fee.

Kicking off proceedings in February is ‘Welcome To Hogwarts’, a new exhibition which includes the first ever display of the Sorting Hat and stool, which will be accompanied by floating candles in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. This exhibition will run from Thursday 11 February to Monday 22 February.

Next up from Friday 25 March to Sunday 17 April is ‘Half-Giant Hagrid’, a showcase of props and costumes dedicated to the Hogwarts groundskeeper played in the film by Robert Coltrane. During this time visitors will also be able to see artists from Nick Dudman’s creative effects team working on the Gringott’s Goblin prosthetics.

From Friday 27 May to Monday 6 June, the Studio Tour will open up the doors of the Dursley’s home 4 Privet Drive for the first time. For a limited time only, fans will be able to get acquainted with the chintz-laden home of Harry’s adopted family in this brand new exhibition.

‘Finding the Philosopher’s Stone’ will run from Friday 22 July to Monday 5 September and will showcase props and filmmaking techniques that were used to create the obstacles that stood between Harry, Ron, and Hermione and the Stone. Items on display include the giant chess pieces, the three-headed dog, and the Devil’s Snare.

Rounding out the year is the ‘Fifteenth Anniversary Celebrations’ that will run from Saturday 15 October to Friday 4 November. The Great Hall will be dressed up for Halloween and the whole tour will be jam-packed with props and sets from the first film.

Tickets for the Harry Potter Studio Tour can be booked online at www.wbstudiotour.co.uk.

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Image credits: Warner Bros./Warner Bros. Studio Tour