Wizards and Wembley

For the first time on any of our overseas trips, we followed different interests today, so there will be a separate piece from Ian later in this post. (Frankly, I don't know how a tour of a soccer stadium can compare with a day in a fantasy world with wizards!)

I managed to find my way to Euston Station and onto the Midlands train all by myself this morning. From Watford Junction, I took the shuttle bus to Warner Bros London for the studio tour of 'The Making of Harry Potter' and what a magical experience it was!

After the introductory video, the castle doors opened on the Great Hall at Hogwarts. All the sets that we were shown were the original sets used in the filming of the Harry Potter movies and so were all the props and costumes. The attention to detail and the authenticity of what was created were amazing. Sets included the Gryffindor boys' dormitory and the commonroom, Dumbledore's office, the potions classroom with its self-stirring cauldrons, Hadrid's hut, The Burrow where the Weasley family lived (complete with their magical curiosities) and the Ministry of Magic.

The Great Hall at Hogwarts

Gryffindor commonroom

The Burrow

There were also displays and audiovisual items about costumes, set decoration, prop making, visual and special effects, the prosthetics used for Dobby and other creatures, and how 'Quidditch' developed throughout the eight films. (Apologies to those reading this piece who don't know what I'm referring to!)

Dumbledore's office

Goblin masks

On the backlot, there were exterior sets for Privet Drive (where Harry lived with the Dursleys), the purple Knight bus, the house where Harry's parents died and the Hogwarts Bridge.

The house where Harry's parents died

 The tour ended with the set for Diagon Alley (with its shops for wands and other magical wares) and the intricately detailed minature (1:24) model of Hogwarts castle which was filmed with digital effects to create the magical exterior of the exterior of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Diagon Alley

Model of Hogwarts castle

While I was enjoying the Harry Potter experience, Ian was at Wembley and his contribution follows:

'I set off on my own for Wembley with a carefully constructed travel plan - which was thrown into total confusion by closure of the Jubilee Line just as I arrived at Bond Street Underground station. Quick thinking, rejigging of plans and three changes of trains saw me arrive at the stadium with ten minutes to spare.

The stadium tour was great. It's a lot like ANZ Stadium in Sydney (and not a big as the 'G, of course!).

Bobby Moore

A quick tour of Sir John Soanes' very eclectic museum followed, before I met up with Robyn at Leadenhall Market.'

As Ian said, we met up again at Leadenhall Market which somewhat disappointed our expectations. It is a cross between Victoria Market (but much smaller) and Royal Arcade (but not as splendid); nevertheless of course we took some photos!