How often do you get to go on the sets of one of the biggest film franchises of the modern day, see behind the scenes and the craft that goes into creating such a master piece?! Exactly. That's why Harry Potter World is a well deserved and magical No.5.
Located just out of London in Leavesden, the setting is where most of the filming actually took place. Based in a huge warehouse very little is given away from the outside but once you enter the doors, the magical world of HP comes to life.
The tour itself takes you through the Great hall, The Ministry of Magic and Dumbledores office to name a few. The attention to detail is incredible but also, and surprisingly, the methods of construction. For instance the green tiles of the MOM that have that beautiful bevelled green tile with the depth of colour is actually MDF sprayed to look like tiles!
Many of the secrets are given away on the tour and hundreds of props are
on display showing the workings and development of each. As you enter
the world of Honeydukes sweet shop it's a graphic designers dream! Each
and every piece of packaging has been designed and made in true
wizzardry styling, slightly reminscent of the post war era of the 1940's
- full of colour, excitement and expressive forms. It's enough to stop
any child in the their tracks (any design interested adult too!).
As you progress through the tour you enter the drafting workshop. And I thought drafting was a lost art. Oh no, in full swing, in the world of set design it seems! OMG, the drawings of the sets and characters are mind-blowing! So much care and attention has been taken with each drawing they look like masterpieces (so amazing, one of them now hangs on the wall in the office!).
And for the finale of the tour, and quite possibly the biggest surprise of the film, Hogwarts.............the model! Yes, that's right, the entire castle is a huge model that is green screened and then super imposed using visual effects.
After the tour there is the expected retail offer where visitors can buy everything from wands to broomsticks, mugs to uniforms and everything you could possibly imagine. The shop is nicely designed too with surprise and wonder around each corner. Its fair to say that practically every child left with a bag so well done HPW!
As excitement goes, and regardless of whether you're a fan or not, this is an amazing day out and a mind blowing experience.
So in the words of the esteemed Dumbledore, "join us here and your education in the magical arts will begin....with the TYC blog......!".
(Sorry, couldn't resist :)
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