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Get Out of Londontown: The Harry Potter Studio Tour

Heading to London this summer? Yeah, so is everyone else. This week, Jaunted's London embed, Lilit Marcus, will share some definite destinations for getting out of town and out of the crowds.

Although you can’t get there from Platform Nine and Three Quarters, the newly opened Harry Potter Studio Tour in Leavesden is an entertaining and easy daytrip from London. Despite the London address, it’s actually located in Hertfordshire, near St Albans.

The WB studio complex is home to many of the original HP sets, props, costumes and more, which makes it a worthy pilgrimage spot for a Potter nerd. If you don’t drive, the best way to get there is by taking a train from Euston Station to Watford—there are plenty, and it’s only about 20 minutes’ ride—and then taking the HP bus to the studio for an additional £2. (The bus is black and painted with Harry Potter characters, so it’s pretty hard to miss.)

Be sure that you book your tickets in advance (£28 per adult and available here) as no tickets are sold on site, and, if you try to go into the parking lot security guards will ask to see your printed-out confirmation notice. Additionally, you’ll need to arrive about 45-60 minutes before the time your tour is scheduled to start, just to make sure that you have enough time to wait in line and/or browse the gift shop.

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