Search Results for: harry potter

November 10, 2018 by: Sunny London

Harry Potter Hotel in London- Georgian House Bed and Breakfast

Have you heard about the Harry Potter hotel in London? It’s somewhere I have wanted to stay for a while. Recently, I had the chance to experience a number of activities at the Georgian House. It is a five star bed and breakfast in London located within a short walk from Victoria Station.

It is quite a big place really, as it technically features three properties right near each other. When we stayed, we had a warm greeting in Reception. The hotel employee was very friendly and swiftly took us to our room. In the video below I give you an insider’s look of how you find the secret area that has the Wizard Chambers at this London bed and breakfast. Not all rooms are themed this way.

Harry Potter Hotel in London: Wizard Chambers

The Wizard Chambers was exactly how I would imagine a wizard’s chambers to be. It even has an owl to deliver your messages!

Ok so that owl is really for decoration but The Georgian House Wizard Chambers comes with a temporary mobile phone for you to use during your visit. Since Mr Sunny and I live in London and both recently upgraded to an iPhone X, taking the hotel’s phone when we left wasn’t necessary. However, I can imagine this is really useful for foreign guests. I can’t think it would be offered by many other bed and breakfast accommodations in London either. But, please let me know in the comments below.

Not long after checking in, we went off to enjoy their Cheese Afternoon Tea. You can read a full food review of that themed tea on the blog also. Once we finished the tea, we ran off to a local pub for a bit and then returned for the Wizards’ Cocktail class. While I think this experience is best for anyone visiting with small children who love wizards, Harry Potter and science, we had fun during the short activity. In the YouTube video you can see some of what’s involved and watch the bubbling, cool cocktail that you make in the class.

Finally, we had Pimlico Pictures all to ourselves for our final evening thing to do. That’s actually a pretty funny thing to say because it is considered to be the world’s smallest cinema, and two was a tight fit. It is a small seat for two in what perhaps was a closet in previous years. There is a big tv and a cabinet with snacks. You can choose from a list of 30 movies they offer or sign in to your own Netflix account for a very private screening. We actually propped the door open a bit to have some circulation in the room while we watched the final Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows- Part 2. It just happened to be one of those October nights in London when summer decided to make another guest appearance in the Autumn weather forecast and the room does not have any air conditioning.

Harry Potter Hotel in London- Final Thoughts

We enjoyed our stay at Georgian House Hotel. The breakfast the next morning was packed with people! We had no idea there were that many people staying there the night that we visited. Adam Rowledge, the hotel’s General Manager, also won the Independent Hotelier of the Year award just before our visit.

Our experience at Georgian House was complimentary. You can read more reviews on TripAdvisor about this London bed and breakfast. However, if you want a magical room tour of a Wizard’s Chambers, it’s best to sit back and watch this…

The Sunny News YouTube channel shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes tips for how to tip when in London, food to eat in London, and advice for exchanging money. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning. And there is also an entire section devoted to Harry Potter Things to Do too.

October 6, 2018 by: Sunny London

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London Potions Class at Cutter and Squidge

The Potions Class at Cutter and Squidge is one of the hottest events in London at the moment. Popularly referred to as the ‘Harry Potter Afternoon Tea’, it has people waiting months to get a seat. As a former high school assistant principal, I could not resist writing a review in the form of a lesson observation after attending the magical course at Cutter and Squidge in Soho, London. At the end of this afternoon tea review you can find a few tips for ‘students’ who want to attend this coveted ‘class’ in London.

Dear Potions Master,

Thank you for inviting me as a complimentary guest to your Potions Class for the purpose of a review. Your lesson objective to entertain and educate students about potions at the Cutter and Squidge secret School of Wizarding Alchemy was clear and constant throughout the evening.

Potions Class Strengths:

Foremost, your classroom management ticked all the right boxes. Systems for organisation are clearly in place. The first evidence of this is the email pupils receive upon event ticket confirmation. In it- they are directed to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of class. All students followed this directive on the evening of my visit. Further, your assistants were visible outside the classroom at the designated time and made sure to have pupils enter via small groups down the stairs to your room.

They also clearly had the seating plan for the evening in advance. This ensured an organised and efficient process, which further allowed you to start and conclude your lesson as scheduled. Specifically, it is appreciated that these steps were necessary since the lesson took place in the bakery’s basement.

Without these steps in place, students could have been injured from pushing and shoving on the staircase due to their enthusiasm for the course. Upon entering the classroom students are given a place to hang their coat so they can quickly participate in the transformation to a wizard when they receive their cloak for the Potions Class. This also proves that you adhere to the Cutter and Squidge secret School of Wizarding Alchemy uniform policy.

Your class began on time, as promised. Places were set in advance accordance to the structure of the lesson plan. Students quickly found their wands near their seats and could easily access all tools necessary for the start of the class. For example, they had beakers with chemicals needed for their first activity, as well as plates and utensils for the food that followed.

You displayed your passion for teaching consistently through numerous appropriate jokes. Most notable are the ones about a particular franchise that can not be named. While students most likely choose the class because it is the closest thing to an actual Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London, you are careful not to make any direct references. Rather, the focus is on a wizard experience.

Throughout the lesson you keep students engaged when moving around to each of their desks, checking on their progress and making personal (and always professional) connections with them. Your evidence of this is in the surprise near the end of the lesson which includes each of these encounters. Students in the class are rewarded for their success in activities through the use of ‘dibbles.’ The items they can choose with them at the end of the lesson definitely encourage them to return to Cutter and Squidge for more inspiration and indulgence.

When students are creating Galaxy Juice, their first chemical mixture, you are keen to provide information about each ingredient and the order in which it needs to be poured to guarantee correct taste and appearance of the potion.

Classroom management is again supported with strategies of differentiated learning. Students are allowed to choose their choice of tea and diet preferences. Specifically, this is evidenced in the care you take to provide food options that are vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free and child friendly.

You had a strong engagement from students during the entire lesson. To prepare students for questions, you met with them quickly and privately to give them time to consider an answer before being called upon in front of the whole group. This builds their confidence, makes sure they are not embarrassed in front of the class, and keeps the entertaining momentum of your lesson strong.

harry-potter-afternoon-tea-london-potions-class-cutter-squidge-bakery-review

The Potions Master

Your assistants had knowledge of how to serve the afternoon tea portion of the lessons in a timely fashion to all students and took their various drink orders quickly. With regard to the content of the food for the afternoon tea, it receives outstanding marks in taste and visual appearance. Students had adequate time to enjoy all the tasty food and make conversation with their peers.

The atmosphere in the classroom also reflects the themed Harry Potter afternoon tea well. This is evidenced in the teacher’s desk and countless wizard tools and memorabilia placed on the walls and desks.

Potions Class: Area for Improvement

While the lesson is entertaining, moves at a good pace and features delicious food, there is one small area for improvement. You are commended on making sure students handle wands carefully and know where to put them at the end of the class. This direction ensures that the general public are not at risk from the occasional naughty student who would try to take them from the room and use them in an unsupervised environment. However…

You should research the possibility of having students wear safety goggles or glasses during their lesson. I do appreciate that you will need to explore if this addition to the lesson would cause any copyright infringement on the franchise that shall not be named. I look forward to learning what you discover in this suggested area. I have made a few suggestions below.

Potions Class: Final Assessment

Thank you for inviting me to have this experience. It will be one I highly recommend to colleagues and any individual who inquires about Harry Potter themed activities in London.

My advice to future students in the Potions Class, AKA ‘Harry Potter Afternoon Tea’ in London is below.

Kind regards,

Headmistress Sunny in London

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London: Lesson 1

Don’t be late! As detailed above, the class features an entertaining and delicious experience. You really would be naughty and deserve to stand with your nose in the corner if you arrive late and ruin it for others.

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London: Lesson 2

Play along. The Potions Class is a themed Harry Potter Afternoon Tea. If you don’t openly or secretly want to be a wizard, skip it. You will need to recite chants, wave your wand and have an open heart about participation to truly enjoy the experience. In fact, I will candidly say that Death Eaters are NOT invited!

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London: Lesson 3

Save room for dessert. The class features surprises in all shapes. Be sure to plan on a non-stop food feast. If you aren’t in to sweets, you should get on your broomstick and fly somewhere else, Sunny friends.

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea in London: Lesson 4

Book early. I am not kidding above when I say this Potions Class in London is a tough one to score a seat. Plan well in advance for your visit and go to their website as soon as you can to check availability.

For all the Harry Potter themed activities in London visit the Sunny in London Harry Potter Guide for Visiting London. And of course, leave your questions and ideas about all things Harry Potter in London below in the comments! But please know the Potions Class is full of surprises. I was careful not to ruin any in this review and am counting on the same from you too. However, if you follow my Instastories, you would have seen some fantastic views and videos of the experience!

Class dismissed 😉

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As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

Harry Potter Guide for Visiting London

Are you obsessed with Harry Potter and planning on visiting London? After living as an American in London for five years, one of the most popular trip planning questions I get from US readers is about the Harry Potter experience in London.

Through time, I have been able to enjoy nearly every Harry Potter activity the city has to offer. I even ventured to a great one in Oxford too! Below is the Hall at Christ Church in Oxford. It was the inspiration for the Great Hall featured in the Harry Potter films.

Due to the popularity of the Sunny in London Harry Potter reviews, advice articles and videos, it made sense to compile them all in one place to make it super easy for you muggles who wish they were magical. I will also include a money saving tip on the hottest Harry Potter activity in London at the moment.

Harry Potter Themed Afternoon Tea and Potions Class

For a wizard’s feast and lesson on how to make wizard potions, the Potions Class and Afternoon Tea at Cutter and Squidge bakery is something you don’t want to miss. As I indicate in the review, it sells out fast so you need to book well in advance. This afternoon tea review is also written in the form of a classroom observation, so I really hope you enjoy it!

Harry Potter Guide for Visiting London: Sunny News YouTube

Stay in the Wizard Chambers at Georgian House. They are Harry Potter themed rooms and are every muggle’s dream…

10 Harry Potter Things to Do in London

Is the Harry Potter London Tour Worth It?

Harry Potter London Tour on a Bus!

See Hogwarts in the Snow!

Visiting the Harry Potter Studio Tour London

Harry Potter Guide for Visiting London- Read on the Blog

10 Harry Potter Things to Do in London

How to Get to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London

Harry Potter London Bus Tour

Hogwarts in the Snow- 5 Reasons You MUST Go!

Curious what the Harry Potter Studio Tour involves?

The Dueling Challenge: Harry Potter, London vs. Orlando?

Harry Potter Guide for Visiting London- On the List

Even after a year of shows, the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play is one of the hottest tickets in London. It’s on my Harry Potter bucket list. When I see the show I will be sure to include a review here.

However, did you know that every Friday at 1pm you can visit the website for a chance to get super discounted tickets? I have tried 5-6 times and not been successful. They only advertise 40 tickets. There is a weekly countdown to 1pm and when the time runs out, you can click to be entered in a random selection of people who have five minutes to purchase two discounted tickets for two shows the following week. On 4th August they released 400 discounted tickets to celebrate 19 years since Harry’s ‘first day of school’ at Hogwarts.

Also, The Georgian Hotel has a Wizard Chambers room designed to look like a room for a wizard. You can’t help but think it is what spending a night as Harry Potter would feel like.

Harry Potter Guide for Visiting London- UK Experience

I have a Harry Potter board established on Pinterest which shares tons of other experiences you can enjoy around the UK. Please add any questions you have about the Harry Potter experience in London. Also, if you can add any information for readers based on your own Harry Potter experiences, please do so in in comments.

I’m always eager to try a new activity in London with a Harry Potter theme, so if you are hosting an event, please do let me know so I can include it here and on the Sunny News YouTube channel!

September 25, 2016 by: Sunny London

10 Harry Potter Things to Do in London

Are you planning a trip to London and need a list of Harry Potter Things to Do? As an American expat living in London, I frequently receive questions on social media and on the Sunny in London blog from Americans visiting London who love Harry Potter. They’re always wondering what they should do if they have a limited amount of time in town.

Aside from several specific reviews of Harry Potter activities, you’ll find differences between the Universal Studios Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction and the Warner Bros Studio Tour and suggestions for how to get to the studio in London in the blog too. The most recent blog article is a Potions Class that is the closest thing to a Harry Potter Afternoon Tea that you will find in London.

However, if you want a list of 10 Harry Potter Things To Do in London, then take less than four minutes to watch what’s available in this YouTube video. The end features a sneaky tip for how to never miss notification about the best Harry Potter news in London.

Be sure to leave questions you have about the activities and general London trip planning in the comments below.

I also put together some questions to ask yourself if you’re not sure about whether or not to go to the Warner Bros Studio Tour. I’ve had quite a few emails from people who are overwhelmed with all the choices they have for what to see the first time they visit London and specifically ask about the Harry Potter Studio Tour. If that’s you too, then this is for you…

The Sunny News YouTube channel, shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice, and a shopping guide. There is also a comparison on Things to Do in London for Christmas That You Can’t Do In NYC…

The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

August 8, 2016 by: Sunny London

Harry Potter London Bus Tour

If you go on the Harry Potter London Bus Tour you can be chauffeured around London to see some of the best locations featured in the films! I recently had the chance to do this with Brit Movie Tours.

Since ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ opened at Palace Theatre, which was just near where I first lived in London, every muggle is buzzing with a renewed interest in the magical stories.

Twice I’ve visited the Warner Bros Studio tour in London. I also have been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Because many blog readers contact me about the Harry Potter experience in London, it seemed like a good idea to give this 2-3 hour tour a go.

Harry Potter London Bus Tour: What You See

Foremost, you need to know that through the duration of the tour, you will only get off the bus 5-6 times. It’s a long time to sit just to see a handful of exterior ‘sets’ up close. That being said, there were several times on the tour that I learned locations I walk by frequently were important sets in the films! For example, Australian House was used to shoot scenes for the outside of Gringotts Bank.

There were also two markets on the bus stops that I had yet to visit. They’re definitely on my list of things to do in London now. Both markets were sets for the Leaky Cauldron.

Harry Potter London Bus Tour: What You’ll Learn

The tour guide shared tons of movie trivia with us as we moved through the streets of London. This was not only to provide us with interesting information but also to occupy our time as we sat in London congestion.

For example, as we crossed in to the City of London, he shard that roads leading in to London have a dragon statue. This marks the start of the City. Dragons always face outward to show they are protecting the city.

Movie Trivia on the Harry Potter London Bus Tour:

Did you know that no American actors or actresses were allowed to be cast in the film’s per JK Rowling’s direction? Verne Troyer (Mini-me in ‘Austin Powers’) is the only actor ever cast. It was due to height requirement, and his lines were dubbed over to avoid people hearing his American accent.

Routemaster bus no. 15 is what inspired the Night Bus featured in the movies.

There are several errors in the Charing Cross station scene. First, Mr. Weasley and Harry are shown going down an escalator to leave the Underground. Next, they struggle with Oyster cards. The films are set to take place in the mid to late 90’s, which was before the Oyster card was available until 2003. (If you’d like some travel advice, be sure to watch my YouTube video ‘20+ Tube Tips in Two Minutes‘)

When movie production companies want to film the London Underground, a member of TFL must be on the set at all times. In fact, it’s the TFL employees suggestion that they struggle to get through the turn stiles because the employee said it’s something very common that nearly happens to everyone.

The late Alan Rickman, who played Professor Snape, had to be told at the start of the films what would happen to his character. JK Rowling felt it was important he knew the path his character was on so he could adequately play the role. This occasionally caused arguments between him and the various directors because they couldn’t understand why the actor would modify or refuse some directions.

The London Eye in Harry Potter Films:

It seems I can never get enough pictures of the London Eye. But did you know it’s very difficult to film due to so many restriction? It’s barely featured in the London skyline shots in the Harry Potter films. Rules for filming the London Eye include: the film can’t promote terrorism and the attraction cannot be destroyed.

If you’ve seen ‘London Has Fallen’, you may have noticed it doesn’t show the London Eye falling. In fact, the new ‘Independence Day’ only implies it’s destroyed. The one exception that exists is ‘Fantastic Four.’ In it, the London Eye comes off its axis and falls in to the River Thames. They get around the restriction because (SPOILER ALERT!) the super team puts it back together in the end.

Harry Potter London Bus Tour: On the Platform

The tour ends at the mock Platform 9 3/4 and has a photo opp for anyone who wishes to wait in the queue. Be warned, if it’s on a busy day, the line could be an hour or more.

As I mention in the video of the Harry Potter London Bus Tour, scenes were not actually filmed between platforms 9 and 10 at King’s Cross St Pancras International Station. They took place between platforms 4 and 5.

Now, watch the video which shows the stops you make on the tour, and the actual school that Danielle Radcliffe attended. If you can’t find it, leave a comment on the Sunny YouTube channel, and I’ll tell you the name of the school. One hint is: it’s located near the Millenium Bridge.

Don’t forget to read the other Harry Potter posts on the blog after you watch the video:

How to Get to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London
Hogwarts in the Snow– 5 Reasons You Must Go!
The Dueling Challenge: Harry Potter London vs Orlando
What You’ll See on the Harry Potter Tour

My experience was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This doesn’t affect my opinion expressed above. There are tons of walking tours I would like to try with Brit Movie Tours now, including: James Bond Tours, Romantic Comedy Tour London and the Krays Gangster London Tour. For Downton Abbey fans, they have a tour for you. And, Game of Thrones fanatics who are in Ireland, you might want to read this too. Let me know which ones you do! You can also check their TripAdvisor reviews to see what others have to say about the experience.

January 5, 2016 by: Sunny London

How to Get to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London

Is the Harry Potter Studio Tour London on your bucket list?

Before you get too excited, you need to realise it’s not an easy place to visit. Sadly, it’s like Stonehenge because it’s isolated from everything.

Many people know about the Warner Bros Studio Tour where you can see so many treasures from the Harry Potter films. However, they don’t know the quest for getting there is worthy of its own adventure novel… well at least a chapter in one!

I was lucky to go with my British husband the first time I visited Warner Bros, because he drives. However, when I went to see Hogwarts in the Snow, the special Christmas event at the attraction, he wasn’t available to chauffeur.

Warner Bros Studio is 20 miles northwest of Central London. As an American expat living here, I haven’t tried driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road yet. I imagine most travellers to London aren’t renting or hiring cars for their holidays either.

The Harry Potter Studio Tour review I wrote regularly triggers questions from readers about location. Nearly everyone asks about options for how to get to the Warner Bros studio.

You can visit the Studio’s webpage for directions. However, they aren’t as simple as they appear. As an American expat living in London, I’ve put together a list of what happens with each option.

Getting to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London- Hire a Car

This is clearly the most expensive. When I entered the Central London location (Great Russell Street WC1B ) on Uber to inquire about a cab price cab one way to the Warner Bros Studio, I received this result:

Ouch! Can someone get me a broomstick to try flying first? 😉

Google Maps estimated the drive to be 41 minutes, with no traffic. It also indicated there were toll roads.

Getting to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London- Take Trains

The website indicates that public transport links serve the attraction and a shuttle bus from Watford Junction is available. It costs £2 per return journey. These facts are simple, but there’s a huge hole that’s missing that you need to know. The time in between making connections can be significant!

When I had to get there myself, I relied on public transportation and had a disaster which nearly caused me to miss the Hogwarts in the Snow experience.

I used the London Underground app, which I use daily. It estimated the journey to be 81 minutes with three station changes. I live in Zone 4 and had to travel in to Central London and back out to get to Watford Junction.

What I didn’t consider, because I rarely use the Overground line (the orange one), is that these trains don’t run as rapidly as Underground trains. In fact, since an employee at a station gave me the wrong directions to a platform, I missed my train by one minute. The next one didn’t arrive for 20 more minutes.

When I did arrive at Watford Junction, luckily the shuttle to Warner Bros Studio had not left yet and was parked right outside the station. My friend had been waiting for nearly a half an hour in the rain in line to board the shuttle.

Again, the shuttles don’t travel between the station and the attraction that often.

We had tickets for the 9:00am tour but didn’t get to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London until 9:45am. If trains ran fluently, I would’ve arrived at Watford Junction at 8:15am. My journey that day cost me £4 each way (Zone 1-8). It was off-peak as it was a Saturday. On my return, I was able to get a train that went directly to Euston and this saved me 40 minutes. Here’s the 2016 Journey Fare Finder by Zone so you can calculate your trip.

Getting to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London- Ride in a Coach

When I researched this option, I discovered Golden Tours is a preferred partner of the Warner Bros Studio Tour London. This is their pickup schedule and locations, which are near Victoria Station and Baker Street Station in Central London. Including transportation and time at the studio, the experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Roundtrip tickets cost about $100 per person. This is at the exchange rate of £1=$1.49. If you’re in the UK, the price is about £68 for roundtrip transportation and admission to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London.

Getting to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London- Drive Yourself

There is no need whatsoever to rent (hire) a car if you’ll only be in Central London for your holiday. Therefore, it would be silly to do so just for one day for the purpose of visiting the Harry Potter Studio Tour London.

However, if you’re travelling from Warner Bros from outer London, or somewhere else in England, driving yourself would be the best of all options for a no hassle experience.

Getting to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London- Be Creative

Of course, there’s always a horse if you want to go old school.

Or maybe you might even try your luck jumping through Platform 9 3/4 if you’re feeling particularly inspired.

But, I would strongly suggest you look in to one of the above suggested options first, because this is as far as I got…

Getting to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London: Final Thoughts

No matter how you arrive, this attraction in London is absolutely worth the effort if you’re a fan of the Harry Potter books or Harry Potter movies. If you can’t make it to the Studio, there’s also the Brit Movie Tours Harry Potter Bus Tour. Below are videos of 10 Harry Potter Things to Do in London and highlights of what you’ll see at the studio tour. Also, I have published a video on 5 questions to ask yourself to determine if the Harry Potter Studio Tour is Worth it for You.

If you’ve been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando’s Islands of Adventure, the Dueling Challenge: London vs Orlando is a blog review on how the two attractions compare. And, to see what the studio looks like for the holiday season, you can read my review of 5 Reasons You Must See Hogwarts in the Snow.

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November 1, 2013 by: Sunny London

The Dueling Challenge: Harry Potter, London vs Orlando?

With such close proximity to the Harry Potter Studio Tour at Warner Bros, I never understood why Londoners were so eager to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the Universal Orlando Resort…until I went.

As a devout Harry Potter fan, I can’t declare one a clear winner, but I can give you a solid comparison of the experiences. (For an in-depth London look, see my previous post)

Harry Potter, London vs Orlando: LOCATION AND PRICE

– The Warner Bros facility stands alone, far outside Central London. An Adult Ticket General is £29, (~$46) for a tour that could take around 3 hours.

– The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is one of six areas of the Islands of Adventure (IOA) theme park in Orlando. The other five are: Jurassic Park, Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, The Lost Continent and Seuss Landing.

An Adult ticket price is $92 (~£58), and it includes all day admission to everything. (Note: Universal Studios is a separate theme park)

Harry Potter, London vs Orlando: IF YOU ARE DRIVING A CAR

– London, parking is free. Yes. it’s free.

– IOA, parking is a flat rate of $16 (~£10)

(The process is exceptionally organised at both)

Harry Potter, London vs Orlando: EXPERIENCE

– In London, the experience is entirely visual and educational. You can stand in the Great Hall and see costumes, props and set interiors. The information exhibited about the film making process is rich, plentiful and intriguing.

– If you are seeking to feel like Harry Potter, Orlando probably is your best bet.

It’s understandable why Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the most popular ride and racks up the longest wait-time each day.

The ride is located within the Hogwarts castle. It’s so intense, you are required to put all loose belongings, including your Harry Potter spectacles, in a locker prior to boarding. (Notice the WARNING sign in the picture below?)

With a small group of people, you ride through corridors of Hogwarts and “above” the castle grounds as if you were experiencing Harry’s adventures on a broomstick. The virtual experience requires a strong stomach. You get tossed around quite a bit. I loved it.

I was disappointed with the Flight of the Hippograff, which is appropriately billed as a family roller-coaster. BORRRRRING!

Also, there’s the Dragon Challenge roller coaster. For those who had been to IOA prior to the Harry Potter addition, this coaster was called the Dueling Dragons.

I wouldn’t suggest going on that ride on a full stomach.

In London, you can ride a broomstick in front of green screen technology and take home the DVD of your journey. I suppose for a more physical ride experience, you could always try your luck at platform 9 ¾ later in the day…

Harry Potter, London vs Orlando: DIAGON ALLEY

– At Warner Bros, Diagon Alley is a small stretch in a sound stage and basically just features dressed facades.

– At IOA there’s an entire Hogsmeade area.

You can step inside Olivanders and buy a wand, purchase sweets at Honeydukes, and pick up novelty joke items at Zonkos.

Harry Potter, London vs Orlando: FOOD

– At Warner Bros, there’s a small café in the entrance.

– In Orlando, you could go to the Hog’s Head Pub and Three Broomsticks. I ate there. It was edible, not impressive.

I’d suggest going to Seuss Landing for Moose Juice with green eggs and ham.

Harry Potter, London vs Orlando: BEER

– I thought for sure Brits would have alcohol in their Butterbeer, but neither location has it. In fact, I learned that both London and IOA use the same recipe.

Harry Potter, London vs Orlando: WEATHER

– If it’s raining in London, you could get wet at the half way point of the tour when you go outside to view props and sets.

– However, at IOA you will get SOAKED. (Not joking. Bring a change of clothes for this theme park. Most rides take place in water.)

And it’s a bit odd seeing snow on rooftops when everyone is walking around in t-shirts.

If I absolutely haaaaaad to declare a winner, one small detail might tip the scale. While I was washing my hands in the restroom (AKA “toilet”) at IOA, I was distracted by the most annoying female voice. As I was really bothered by it, I looked around to assess from whom the noise was coming but couldn’t pick one clear location. Suddenly, I realized. I was in the presence of Moaning Myrtle!

So there you have it! For a more detailed look at what’s available in Orlando, you might want to visit the virtual tour of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’ll give you a nice idea of the layout. Aside from the Harry Potter area, there’s easily a full day of fun at the IOA theme park.

Finally, if you’ll have wifi access, the free Universal Studio app is very useful for up to date ride wait times. Oh yeah, if you’re British, do yourself a favor and wear waterproof sunscreen. You’ll thank me later.

As a Florida native and someone who worked at Universal Studios years ago, I’d be happy to answer any of your questions about either experience. I’ve also made a video to help people who aren’t sure if they should put the attraction on their list of things to do in London if they’re visiting for the first time. These are some questions to ask that will help your decision making…

If you’ve been to one or both, please leave your suggestions for others below. All ABOARD!!!

Want a Food Freebie in London?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

October 28, 2013 by: Sunny London

Curious what the London Harry Potter Studio Tour involves?

Butterbeer, Diagon Alley, Dumbledore’s office… Attending the London Harry Potter Studio Tour at Warner Bros is an experience for every aspiring muggle!

Any true Harry Potter fan waiting for the underground has stared at a Charing Cross Station platform and thought… Where is it?… Could I do it?

Platform 9 ¾.

We believe in the magical world of Harry Potter. Whether it’s through reading the novels and/or seeing the films, we love the story of the most famous orphan with supernatural powers and know he exists somewhere.

Since we aren’t actually going to try to run through a wall at Charing Cross (I hope), we have two realistic options for a glimpse in to his world: the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London or the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studio’s Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando.

This year I visited both.

Foremost, the London tour tickets must be booked and purchased in advance. The studio’s webpage is fairly simple. From the available options, you select the day and time you want to attend. If you are planning on touring in the summer months, I suggest you book weeks in advance. (For non-Londoners, the studio is no where near Central London, so check out a map and consider transportation before you plan your day.)

The tour claims to be three hours in duration, but that’s not necessarily the case.

First, you MUST arrive early, because the staff will begin the tour’s queue 10-15 minutes prior to its start time. As you wait, you will see the infamous “cupboard under the stairs.”

Much like attractions at Universal Studios, once the doors open, you are herded with the tour group in to a large room while you hear an energetic employee deliver a speech. Next, you move with the crowd in to a cinema and see a short film.

After the movie, you pass through the giant doors in to the Great Hall and feel the immense excitement of what it could be like to attend Hogwarts. This is the last time you are with a structured group.

Next, you move at your own pace through the Big Room to view the costumes, sets and props, which are displayed like museum exhibits and have signs detailing their relevance to the film.

When you are ready, you can enjoy some fresh air in the Backlot while you sip butterbeer and view a replica of Harry’s house. (Note: no matter what you hear, there’s no alcohol in the beer!)

For the second part of the tour, you see the fascinating Creature Shop which displays animatronics used in the films.

As you venture in to Diagon Alley, you’ll be impressed with the color and creative displays but shocked because it’s been dramatically reconstructed several times for the many films. Therefore it’s a bit small, especially in comparison to what Universal Studios features.

The Art Department is intriguing, but the most breathtaking experience is seeing the Model Room as you end your tour.

Well, that’s actually not the last stop. To keep up with the marketing “spirit” of modern day theme parks, you are dumped in to the gift shop as your last location.

Throughout my journey, I tried to absorb every detail and finished in a little over two hours. Even though I have worked in the film industry and know many of the “behind the scenes” secrets and tricks, I developed an even stronger appreciation for the masterful JK Rowling and the film’s production crew/cast. It’s an experience any fan would value at least once, but you’ll have to read my post on Harry Potter’s Wizarding World in Orlando to see how the two experiences compare!

I’d love to hear about your comments about the London Harry Potter Studio Tour or try to answer questions you might have if you are planning to go. Please leave them below. For questions to ask yourself to determine if the Warner Bros Studio Tour is worth it, watch this…

And, if you’re looking for more Harry Potter Things to Do in London, this video below is for you.

July 3, 2019 by: Sunny London

The Best Day Trips from London

Whether you are visiting London or living in London, planning day trips from London can be fun. Over the past six years of living as an American in London, I have had the opportunity to take many short holidays and day trips from London on my own and with Mr Sunny. Whether they are via trains, by car or group tours on coaches, each has provided a unique experience that you just can’t compare to what the US offers for travel.

We’ll start with the two most popular day trip inquiries that readers and Sunny News YouTube viewers have when holiday planning.

Best Day Trips from London- Stonehenge

‘Sunny, I am visiting London and want to see Stonehenge; how can I do this?’

I wish the answer was easy. In summary, I think it’s best to take a coach tour if you aren’t renting a car and comfortable driving here on your own.

Best Day Trips from London- Bath

Since just visiting Stonehenge will take more than half a day, you probably want to combine it with Bath. Many tour companies offer the Stonehenge/Bath combination day. I have been on two of these all day tours. However, since Bath is just 1 1/2 hours from London by train, you could coordinate the day yourself with a train ticket from London’s Paddington Station.

The most popular thing to do in Bath is to see the Roman Baths. It is the preserved remains of one of the greatest religious spas of the ancient world. At the site, you will be able to see the city’s unique thermal springs. The Baths still flow with natural hot water.

Next, you can tour the Bath Abbey. If you have more time to make your way around the city, you can take a Jane Austen Walking Tour. Or, you can stroll over to The Royal Crescent to see a semi-circular terrace of 30 identical Georgian townhouses. Bath is also known for numerous fudge shops.

If you want to absorb Bath for longer than one day, you can stay at the MacDonald Hotels Bath location. Mr Sunny and I stayed there for two nights on our first visit. It was a very short, pleasant walk in to Bath each day, and the grounds of the hotel are quiet and gorgeous.

Best Day Trips from London- Warner Bros Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter

Yes, I am calling this a day trip. If you looked at a map of where the studio’s location is in relation to Central London, you will understand why.

It takes a while to get to this attraction that has earned iconic status on the ‘London’ bucket list for many travellers.

Directions for Getting to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London

You can read my Guide to Harry Potter in London for more details, but consider this one a day trip just to be safe when you are planning for a trip to London.

Best Day Trips from London- Windsor

This is my favourite day trip of all the options for London. One day really isn’t enough. After several visits, we feel the Macdonald Windsor Hotel has the best castle view and location for an overnight stay in this royal area of London.

However, for just a one day trip you should arrive early and visit Windsor Castle. You can’t miss it when you exit Windsor and Eton Central Station. Some of the things you can do in Windsor are take a walking tour, see Changing of the Guard, tour Eton College, have afternoon tea overlooking the castle and River Thames, and visit Windsor & Eton Brewery. With more time, you might want to go to LEGOLAND or Bray for a foodie feast.

The journey to Windsor from either Paddington Station or Waterloo Station in London takes under an hour.

Tips for Visiting Windsor Castle, London Day Trips

Best Day Trips from London- Cambridge

The rivalry between Cambridge and Oxford is centuries old, and both are easy day trips from London. In Cambridge you can tour the university and go punting. A punt is a flat-bottomed boat with a square-cut bow, designed for use in small rivers. Perhaps it’s best to think of it as like an Italian gondola.

Best Day Trips from London- Oxford

As England’s oldest university, Oxford offers a very inspirational day trip from London. You can tour the university and aside from its prestigious academic reputation, Oxford University also has received recognition in the film industry too. If you visit Christchurch, you can see The Hall, which inspired the Great Hall in the Harry Potter films.

And, just like any good university town, there are tons of pubs where famous people have had a few pints. For example, it is alleged that the famous Turf Tavern in Oxford is where former President Bill Clinton ‘did not inhale’ one evening at the pub.

best-day-trips-from-london-the-great-hall-oxford — The Hall in Oxford’s Christ Church College inspired The Great Hall replica in the Harry Potter films

Best Day Trips from London- Stratford-upon-Avon

If you’re a fan of Shakespeare, then a trip to his birthplace could be at the top of your list. Obviously, you can catch one of the Bard’s famous plays at one of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s three theatres. Also in this medieval market town you can see the timber-framed house where he was born, as well as Anne Hathaway’s (Mrs Shakespeare’s) cottage.

Since Stratford-upon-Avon is at the very northern part of the Cotswolds, you would be best to take a coach tour or rent a car for this day trip from London.

Best Day Trips from London- Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is quite difficult to travel through by car if you aren’t a regular driver in the UK. This is why I highly recommend an organised trip for visitors. You can find tons of day trips that feature endless combinations. But, know that the very popular ones sell out quickly, so you will need to book in advance. Some fun tours that Hellotickets offers are:

Stonehenge Shuttle Bus and Independent Day Trip
Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover and Greenwich + private viewing of Leeds Castle
Day Trip from London- Lunch in the Cotswolds
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Oxford Tour
Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath Tour
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Lacock and Bath Tour + Pub Lunch
Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Tour
England in One Day: Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford & the Cotswolds
Downton Abbey: Visit to Highclere Castle

When you go to the Cotswolds, expect very, very small villages and beautiful scenery. They are quite the contrast from London’s congestion and pollution!

Best Day Trips from London- Brighton

For a look at England’s seaside, Brighton is around a one hour train ride from Victoria Station. It has the highest gay population in the UK and celebrates Pride around the first weekend of August each year.

Best Day Trips from London- York

If you are heading toward Edinburgh, York is a fantastic stop for the day. It’s under two hours from London via St Pancras International Station. While in York you can visit York’s Chocolate Story and take an interactive tour. For history fans, you might wish to visit the JORVIK Viking Centre. However the most popular attraction is the York Minster. It has impressive handcrafted stone and an unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass.

Best Day Trips from London- Lavender Fields

For those have a car or will rent a car, visiting a Lavender Field is becoming quite trendy. Depending on the weather, the best time to visit is between mid-June and mid-August. If you would like to see what the experience involves, an example of one that is in the Cotswolds is Cotswold Lavender. While you are there you can enjoy a Lavender Cream Tea and have a slice of Lavender and Lemon Cake.

Best Day Trips from London- Paris or Lille

Then of course, there is France. Yes, you can go to France for just a day from London. If you want to do this yourself, the fastest way is via Eurostar from St Pancras International Station. However, for something a bit posh you can do the Luxury Escorted Paris Day Trip with Champagne Lunch on the Eiffel Tower.

To have a super fast French getaway, you might want to investigate a day trip to Lille. This trip takes only 1 1/2 hours each way, however you will need to move your watch ahead an hour when you arrive.

The Best Day Trips from London- Final Thoughts

Sunny friends, you can see there are tons of options when choosing day trips from London. Please know that if you are going to arrange trips yourself and not use a coach tour, you should purchase your tickets as far in advance as possible. Generally you can get them up to 12 weeks ahead of your travel date.

Don’t miss the London freebie!

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. It features top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means finding a fab foodie place- fast!

Send me the Free Pocket Restaurant Guide

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads (Best Time to Visit and Things to Do, London Airports, British Food) that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

For related London trip planning videos and blog posts:

Eating Traditional British Food– What You Must Know
Best London Restaurant Guide for Foodies
Easy Toad in the Hole Recipe
What You MUST Book in Advance for London
Mr Sunny’s Lamb Saag Aloo Recipe
What to Book Ahead in London (YouTube video)
Tips for Food to Eat When Visiting London (YouTube video)
The Best Hidden Pubs in London (YouTube video)

July 2, 2019 by: Sunny London

What You MUST Book in Advance for a London Trip

What’s the next step after booking flights and a hotel for a London trip? Sunny friends, there are several activities you should book in advance of your trip to London. Do you know what they are and how to do it?

If not, you must keep reading.

As TripAdvisor‘s #1 World’s Best Destination for 2019, London features tons of amazing things to do for a short or long trip. However, this means that the most popular activities require that you must book in advance if you want to do them.

London Trip Book in Advance: Theatre Tickets

Rivalling New York City, London has an impressive Theatre district. Rather than going to all the theatre’s websites individually, I have found Hellotickets to be the most useful website to purchase tickets in advance.

Current shows for which you can buy tickets on their website include:

The Phantom of the Opera
Motown the Musical
TINA- The Tina Turner Musical
School of Rock- The Musical
Disney’s Aladdin
Mamma Mia!
The Woman in Black
Matilda the Musical
The Lion King
The Book of Mormon
Wicked
Les Miserables
Thriller Live
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Cirque du Soleil: Luzia
The Prince of Egypt

On their website you can also buy tickets for Fast-Track London Eye Tickets, Hop-on Hop Off Original London Sightseeing Tour, Heathrow Express, Stansted Express, Gatwick Express.

London Trip Book in Advance: Day Trips

Another aspect of the HelloTickets website that I like is the numerous day trips available. The list includes:

London Escorted Paris Day Trip with Champagne Lunch on the Eiffel Tower
Stonehenge Shuttle Bus and Independent Day Trip
Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover and Greenwich + private viewing of Leeds Castle
Day Trip from London- Lunch in the Cotswolds
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Oxford Tour
London in One Day Tour
London Day Trip- St Paul’s Cathedral, Changing of the Guard, Tower of London, Thames Cruise with Harrods Cream Tea
Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath Tour
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Lacock and Bath Tour + Pub Lunch
Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Tour
WWII Tour: Churchill War Rooms & Westminster
England in One Day: Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford & the Cotswolds
Downton Abbey: Visit to Highclere Castle
London Rock Tours- Half Day Tours

london-trip-what-to-book-in-advance-bath-day-trip

London Trip Book in Advance: Attractions

Chances are that you will want to visit London’s attractions at some point when you are here. There are several passes and tickets I recommend, having used them myself or for family and friends.

The London Pass is the most popular combination ticket available. The most popular attractions on the list of 80+ things to do in London included on the London Pass are:

The View from the Shard
Tower of London
Westminster Abbey
Windsor Castle (Free return train journey from London Paddington via Slough)
Kensington Palace and The Orangery (Kensington Palace is not open from 6-17 January 2020)
Hampton Court Palace
ZSL London Zoo
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tour & Exhibition
Churchill War Rooms
London Bridge Experience and London Tombs
Thames River Cruise
St Paul’s Cathedral

I have indicated in italics the attractions above in which you can skip the line if you have a London Pass. In my 5 Day Itinerary for a Super Tourist, which is part of the Guides to London series I have published, you can learn which attractions are in close proximity of one another. The London Pass is best if you plan to visit many attractions in one day that are in close proximity of each other.

One Day on the London Pass itinerary example from my Guide:

The Tower of London (£28)
Tower Bridge Exhibition (£10)
The Monument to the Great Fire of London (£5)
St Paul’s Cathedral (£20)

If you paid for each individual attraction, the total for one adult would b £75. However, a London Pass is £63.

So, I suggest you buy a London Pass in advance of your trip and include an Oyster Card with it if you are keen to see many attractions. Note that if you purchase more than one day, they have to be used consecutively and it starts as soon as you go to your first attraction.

Next is the London Eye combination ticket. Again, I reference how to use this in my 5 Day Itinerary, but it can give you access to:

The London Eye
Shrek’s Adventure
The London Dungeon
SEA Life London
Madame Tussaud’s

The first four attractions are all literally next to each other in Southbank, this ticket is worth having in advance because lines there are extremely long. I went to all four in one day and wrote a review of the experience.

How to See 4 South Bank London Attractions in One Day

London Trip Book in Advance: Harry Potter

If you have plans to do anything Harry Potter related while you are in London, then realise that you are not a minority. Those books are big business here. I think I have been to every Harry Potter attraction in London and Oxford, including spending the night in a Harry Potter themed hotel!

With the opening of Gringott’s Wizarding Bank at the Warner Bros Studio Harry Potter Studio Tour, an already popular London attraction became even more difficult to visit. If you’re planning on going there, it’s quite a distance from Central London, so I always suggest booking something through a tour company in advance.

For more on all things Harry Potter related, visit my Guide to Harry Potter.

London Trip Book in Advance- More Ideas

I can’t possibly cover every activity for every type of person. However, if you have less than 5 minutes, you can learn about several more in this YouTube video on the Sunny News weekly edition.

London Trip Book in Advance- Final Thoughts

If you’re planning on having a fantastic food experience while you are in London, then subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. It features top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means finding a fab foodie place- fast!

Please leave any questions you have for your trip below. Also, if there are specific guides you would like me to publish for you, put those ideas in the comments too.

For related London Trip Planning blog posts and videos:

Eating Traditional British Food– What You Must Know
Best London Restaurant Guide for Foodies
What to Do in London That’s FREE and Cool! (YouTube Video)
How to Spot American Tourists in London (YouTube video)
Secret Things to Do in Covent Garden (YouTube video)
Things to Do in Hyde Park
Tips for Food to Eat When Visiting London (YouTube video)
The Best Hidden Pubs in London (YouTube video)

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Best Day Trips from London- Stonehenge

Best Day Trips from London- Bath

Best Day Trips from London- Warner Bros Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter

Best Day Trips from London- Windsor

Best Day Trips from London- Cambridge

Best Day Trips from London- Oxford

Best Day Trips from London- Stratford-upon-Avon

Best Day Trips from London- Cotswolds

Best Day Trips from London- Brighton

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