I'm interested in taking 3 granddaughters (24,22,14) this June to the new Harry Potter Studio Tour just northwest of London. Does anyone recommend it and/or taking the Gray Line Bus Tour that will transport? 55 British pounds per person includes entry but seems rather expensive.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32750 posts
You can also get there by train from Euston Station, or Harrow and Wealdstone on the Bakerloo Underground Line, to Watford Junction and (I think) free connecting bus from there. Dunno what the normal admission cost is, it just opened. Looks good to me in the coverage so far, and reviews on TV are good. EDIT: Have a look at http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/en/tickets/individuals where you can see individual adult tix are £28. They must be ordered in advance, none at the gate. On http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/en/your-visit/getting-here I see that the shuttle bus is £2 round trip. An off peak day return train ticket is £9.50 pp. So the cheapest you could do it from London on your own is about 28+2+9.50= £39.50
Posted by
Sykesville, MD, USA
49 posts
We are also considering this activity. The question I have, when considering the premium price of the Gray Line Bus tour, is the time savings of "door to door" bus service over the train and bus combo. Can anyone suggest how long the train/bus combo journey might take? The Gray Line website infers that the bus trip will take 2 hours in the morning and 1.5 hours on the return for the 10:00 tour.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32750 posts
Marty The train from Euston to Watford Junction takes a maximum of 18 to 20 minutes, the xx:46 departure gets there at x1:01 so only takes 15 minutes. There is a frequent service, with London Midland trains to Northampton, trains to Milton Keynes, trains to Tring and trains to Crewe/Birmingham all calling there. London Overground also go there, but are slower. Southern Trains from East Croydon and Clapham Junction and Kensington Onympia (an easy route for folk who stay at Earls Court and South Kensington) but are not as fast. The connecting bus, see above post, goes twice an hour and takes 15 minutes.
Posted by
Huntsville
117 posts
Susan, We will be visiting in June. I did want to mention that when I made our reservations a few weeks ago the dates were filling up fast. You may want to consider making your plans quickly. Hope you have a great time! Kristen
Posted by
Sykesville, MD, USA
49 posts
Nigel, Thank you for your input.
Marty
Posted by
Salinas
124 posts
The Sunday New York Times travel sections (April 1) had a nice article about the Harry Potter studio, which I imagine you can access on line. It did not discuss the Grey Line Bus tour but had lots of information on what you will see at the studio. Looks like fun-
Posted by
OP
Redding, CA, USA
17 posts
Thanks, all, for your responses. You've helped me realize that though it might be a longer trip by the Gray Line Bus, the convenience makes any cost increase worth it. We are all aboard the Hogwart's Express!
Posted by
Tucson
61 posts
Also don't forget to take them by Kings Cross. There is an actual platform 9 3/4's there - and a cart half-way in the wall (or at least on our last trip there). it was very understated, but the National Rail folks were watching who stopped and understood. My wife and I got our photos taken, and shared a secret smile with a friendly National Rail employee. However its not the one in the movies - thats there, but is a different one in the main rail lines area. But still worth going there if you are doing some HP tourism. Accio Souvinorum! Glenn in Tucson