Nanna brought an extra special surprise for the boys on Christmas Day this year. A magical weekend getaway for the whole family between Christmas and New Year's! The destination? The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. With nine of us in tow (including Nanna, of course!), it was sure to be an adventure.
Our weekend adventure began on Friday morning, with a 3-4 hour drive south from Warrington. We arrived in the afternoon and checked into our home for the weekend, the Holiday Inn in Hemel Hempstead. First impressions were good the hotel lobby is large, modern and bright and lead onto the restaurant and bar/lounge areas, There was no queue and check in took just a couple of minutes.
After checking in and exploring the hotel and rooms, we ventured out to The Plough, a local traditional pub for a hearty family dinner. We arrived without a booking and were seated with a table for 9 within a few minutes, The staff were very friendly and attentive and the food was reasonably priced. I had the steak and mushroom pie with chunky chips which was delicious and the boys thoroughly enjoyed their burgers.,
Once back at the hotel, the boys, fueled by their pub meal, made a beeline for the hotel pool with dad and their uncles so Nanna and I enjoyed a relaxing drink in the hotel bar, the drinks choice wasn't great and it was a little expensive so once the boys were done swimming i headed over the M&S located at the petrol station over the road and grabbed a few fruit ciders and some snacks to take back to our room where we watched the darts whilst the boys got an early night ready for a big day exploring.
Saturday morning dawned, we all met in the hotel lobby and then headed to the restaurant for breakfast which was included within our stay. It was a buffet style breakfast with lots of choice, everything that you would expect for a traditional full english, plus plenty of other options including fruit, cereal, yoghurts and pastries. Tummies full and snacks packed, we set off for the highlight of our trip: The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter!

We arrived ahead of our scheduled time and made our way inside. From the moment we entered, we were completely immersed. The sheer scale of the sets, the intricate detail of the costumes, and the fascinating behind-the-scenes insights into the film-making process were truly breathtaking. We wandered through the magnificent Great Hall, marveling at its grandeur, and peeked into Dumbledore's office, imagining the wise headmaster at his desk. The Gryffindor common room, with its cozy armchairs and roaring fireplace, felt instantly familiar, seeing the original props and sets was a truly surreal experience. We spent hours exploring, soaking up the magic and learning about the incredible craftsmanship that brought the Harry Potter films to life. By the end of the day, our feet were aching, but our hearts were full of magic. Read more about our day here.
We returned to the hotel for a well-deserved dinner, shared our favourite moments from the day. The boys were still buzzing and tucked into the treat that they had picked up in the gift shop. Read more about our visit here.
The next morning, after breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we had another surprise in store for the boys. Instead of heading straight back home, we took a detour to Legoland Windsor! Their faces lit up with pure joy, it was the perfect way to end our magical weekend. From the thrilling rides to the impressive Lego creations, Legoland provided a different kind of magic, but just as captivating. It was a whirlwind of fun and laughter, and a fantastic way to create even more lasting memories. Read our blog post about visiting Legoland at Christmas here, where you'll also find some tips on getting a great deal,
Finally, tired but happy, we made the drive back home, our minds filled with images of Hogwarts and Lego castles. It was a weekend packed with adventure, magic, and family fun, a truly unforgettable experience. If you're a Harry Potter fan, the Studio Tour is an absolute must-do. And if you're looking for a way to extend the magic, a visit to Legoland Windsor is the perfect addition to a family weekend away.
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