Harry Potter Studio Tour and Oxford Day Trip from London
- Duration11 hours
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This full-day trip from London combines two favourites in one easy day by air-conditioned coach. Leaving Gloucester Road in the morning with an English-speaking tour manager, you travel first to Oxford for a guided walk of about an hour past the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian Theatre and the old college buildings, followed by about an hour of free time. In the afternoon you continue to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London, where your entry ticket gives you about four hours among the real sets, costumes and props: the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, the Hogwarts Express and the giant Hogwarts castle model. It is a shared group trip that suits families and fans; it ends in central London in the evening.
Highlights
- Entry ticket to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London included
- About four hours inside the studios among the original sets
- Board the Hogwarts Express and see Platform 9¾
- Walk into the Great Hall and down Diagon Alley
- Guided walk in Oxford past the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera
- Free time in Oxford for lunch or a college visit
- Return transport by air-conditioned coach with a tour manager
- Morning departure from Gloucester Road in central London
Full Description
Oxford, the city of dreaming spires
Oxford is the oldest university city in the English-speaking world, with teaching recorded here from the late eleventh century and more than thirty colleges spread across its honey-coloured centre. The first stop of this Oxford day trip from London is a guided walk of about an hour through its cobbled lanes, quadrangles and cloister-lined streets, with stories of student life, traditions and famous buildings.
Your guide leads you past the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera and the Sheldonian Theatre and explains how the colleges work. Then you have about an hour of free time to have lunch, browse the bookshops or visit a college. Entry to the colleges is not included and can be bought on the day, but colleges may close at short notice.
The Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera and Sheldonian Theatre
The Bodleian Library, opened in 1602, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and holds millions of books. Its medieval Divinity School, with a carved stone fan-vaulted ceiling, appeared as the Hogwarts infirmary in the films. Next to it, the round, domed Radcliffe Camera of the 1740s is the most photographed building in Oxford and a reading room of the library.
Across the street stands the Sheldonian Theatre of the 1660s, where university degree ceremonies are still held, surrounded by stone heads on pillars. On the guided walk you see all three from Radcliffe Square and Broad Street, the best places for photos. Many visitors ask if Oxford is worth visiting on a day trip: this short visit gives you the essential sights before the studios.
Harry Potter Studio Tour London
The Harry Potter Studio Tour London is set in the studios at Leavesden, north-west of London, where all eight films were made over ten years. It opened to visitors in 2012 and shows the real sets, costumes, props and creatures, with behind-the-scenes displays on how the special effects and animatronics worked. Your entry ticket is included and you have about four hours to explore at your own pace.
The visit begins in the Great Hall with its long tables and house banners, then leads through the Gryffindor common room, Dumbledore's office, the Weasley kitchen and the Ministry of Magic. Later come the Forbidden Forest, 4 Privet Drive, Gringotts bank and the cobbled shops of Diagon Alley. Ticket ages are strict at the studios, so choose the correct age for every child when booking.
Hogwarts Express, Platform 9¾ and the Hogwarts castle model
One of the best moments of the Studio Tour is boarding the original Hogwarts Express locomotive and carriages at a recreated Platform 9¾, where you can step inside the train compartments used in filming and take a photo with a luggage trolley disappearing into the brick wall. Nearby, the backlot holds the Knight Bus and the house at Privet Drive.
The visit ends with the huge, detailed model of Hogwarts castle used for exterior shots, lit to change from day to night. The studios also run seasonal events: Dark Arts until 8 November 2026, with Death Eaters and Dementors among the sets, and Hogwarts in the Snow from 14 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, when the Great Hall is dressed for the Yule Ball.
Itinerary
- Departure from Gloucester Road, LondonMeet the tour manager outside Gloucester Road Tube station at 07:40 and board the air-conditioned coach; about 2 hours to Oxford.
- Guided walk in OxfordAbout 1 hour on foot past the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian Theatre and college buildings.
- Free time in OxfordAbout 1 hour for lunch, shopping or a college visit at your own cost.
- Transfer to the studiosDrive to Leavesden, north-west of London.
- Harry Potter Studio Tour LondonAbout 4 hours to explore the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, the Hogwarts Express, Platform 9¾ and the castle model.
- Return to central LondonAbout 1 hour back by coach, ending at a central London point near a train station in the evening. Total about 11 hours.
What's included
- Return transport by air-conditioned coach from central London
- English-speaking tour manager
- Guided walking tour of Oxford (about 1 hour)
- Free time in Oxford (about 1 hour)
- Entry ticket to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London (about 4 hours inside)
Not included
- Entry to the Oxford university colleges
- Food and drinks
- Tips
- Hotel pickup
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes about 11 hours
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- People with mobility impairments
- Wheelchair users
Meeting point
Meet outside Gloucester Road Tube station, Gloucester Road, South Kensington, London SW7 4SF, at the station exit, before the 07:40 departure. Please arrive 15 minutes early, as the coach cannot wait. There is no hotel pickup. The trip ends in the evening at a central London location with easy access to a train station.
Important information
- The trip always visits Oxford first and the studios in the afternoon
- Bookings can be changed or refunded only up to 14 days before travel because of studio ticket rules
- Select the correct age for each child: the studios check ages at entry and refuse tickets in the wrong age band
- Tell us in advance if you travel with an infant
- The Oxford walk is outdoors for about an hour: bring a waterproof jacket or umbrella
- Entry to Oxford colleges, food and drinks are not included
- Wear comfortable shoes; there is a lot of standing and walking at the studios
- Not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared coach trip with other travellers, a tour manager and a guide for the Oxford walk.
How long does the day take?
About 11 hours, from the 07:40 departure in London to the evening return.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Everyone meets outside Gloucester Road Tube station in South Kensington, which is easy to reach on the Piccadilly, District and Circle lines.
What is included?
Return coach transport, a tour manager, a guided walk in Oxford, free time in Oxford and your entry ticket to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person, with a different price for ages 5 to 15. The booking panel on this page shows the current prices for your date.
How long do we spend at the Harry Potter Studio Tour?
About four hours, which is enough to see every section at a comfortable pace, including the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express.
Do we go inside the Oxford colleges?
College entry is not included. You walk past the main buildings with a guide, and during free time you can buy a ticket for a college if it is open.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, it is a favourite with families. Children must have the correct age ticket, as the studios check ages at the door. It is a long day for very young children.
Can I eat at the studios?
Yes, there are cafés and a food court inside the Studio Tour. Food is not included, so bring snacks or buy lunch in Oxford.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, a rain jacket or umbrella for Oxford, a phone or camera and a fully charged battery for the studios.
What happens in bad weather?
The trip runs in all normal weather; the Oxford walk is outdoors, while the studio visit is almost entirely indoors.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date in the booking panel and send your request with the ages of all travellers. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes.
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