Wingardium leviosa

If you read the title of this blog and instantly understood the true meaning of my magical uttering then you too are a Harry Potter fan just like me.

I bloomed a little late when joining this particular gravy train, or Hogwarts train if you will. I was first introduced to Harry Potter when my brother began reading The Philosophers stone and I had zero interest in reading the book myself. He was one of the many that still pronounced the name Hermione as Her-me-own until the film was released and the entire world realized they were stupid.

The second attempt at some sort of introduction came in the form of my year 7 English teacher. He adored the books and insisted reading the first out loud to us, he didn’t even require that we bought the book ourselves, nor do I recall ever having to discuss the book in any form of educational way. As for him, reading the book to us was for pure unadulterated pleasure.

I recall listening to him speaking the words but never actually caring to hear the story he was telling. It was only years later that I finally understood the true nature of what it was to be a Harry Potter fan.

Having finished college, my friends and I decided to holiday in Newquay for part of the summer. The day we left consequently fell on the day Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows was released. Three members of our party were avid fans, buying the book a minute past midnight. Resulting in them spending the first few days of our holiday utterly engrossed in the book, so much so that it was difficult getting two words out of them. If a book could distract you from endless sun, surfing and drinking then I had to read it.

I’m not one to start something midway, so I started from the beginning. Buying all seven books from various Amazon sellers. It felt like Christmas, coming home daily to find a wonderful package on the doorstep.

I read the entirety of the books in no more than two weeks, at which time I was also working full-time for the summer. I even had time to read The Deathly Hallows twice within consecutive days.

The thing I most love about the books is that J. K. Rowling grows with her characters; she grows as a writer. The first book is a little un-riveting, a short and easy read with plenty of mistakes. I’d already seen the first five films so I rushed through the books. It was only when I read the fifth book that I truly began to listen. It was the biggest book and the one in which most people dreaded reading due to the sheer size of it, I know many who chose to finish reading the series when faced with The Order of The Phoenix.

However I battled on, relishing in every little detail, falling deeper in love with the fictional world we were all so engrossed in. When it came to reading the last book, I was goner. I stayed up all night to finish it, just so that I could start reading it all over again the next day. The detail was extraordinary, J. K. Rowling had left no loose ends, she had resolved everything impeccably leaving nothing to the imagination, she had already allowed us to imagine the greatest of things already.

I felt at a loss when I had read the last book, there were to be no more. Alike many I awaited the final films, so that I could live within the magic for just a little longer. The films came and went, and we were left with the memory of the phenomena that once was; until Warner Bros announced they were opening the Harry Potter studios in the summer of 2012. I was ecstatic.

I eagerly awaited the opening, keen to be one of the first to visit. I had always seen the films on their opening night; this would be no different, that was until I saw that it cost £28. The price seemed extortionate for a tour, don’t be mistaken and let it put you off though, for it is worth every penny and more.

As a birthday treat, my brother and his wife bought me tickets, and that is where I have spent my day, in the magical world of Harry Potter.

 When watching the films you rarely consider the sheer amount of detail that goes into it, from casting Fang to designing artwork for the common room notice board. The smallest detail has the utmost attention poured into it. I would advise that every person that has ever loved Harry Potter go and visit the studios immediately.

I won’t ruin it for you, but you really do get to experience almost every aspect of the film, from costumes to props and make-up to hair pieces, everything is there. I never dreamed that I may actually get to glide down Diagon Alley or sit within a flying car but at Harry Potter studio tour, it’s all possible.

You may experience nostalgia when walking round, the music echoing the sound stages is haunting and really does emote some strong emotions. I left feeling fulfilled and just a little bit upset that I had chosen to go horse riding instead of auditioning for Harry Potter...

Almost life size model

Some of the many prosthetics of display 

The Great Hall 

The entrance to Dumbledore's office

Hogwarts model, used for most filming 

Ministry of Magic sculpture

Hagrids motobike

Where it all began... 

Diagon Alley!

Hogwarts entrance