Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden

• Type: Film Studio, Production Facility, Public Attraction
• Location: Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England
• Owner/Residents: Warner Bros. (film)
• Key Features: Soundstages, backlot, workshops for props and creature effects, home of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden is a film and media complex that was the primary production home for all eight films in the Harry Potter series. Originally a Muggle aircraft factory and airfield known as Leavesden Aerodrome during World War II, the site was converted into a film studio in the 1990s. Its history with the Harry Potter saga began in 2000 when production for `Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone` (film) secured the location. For the next ten years, Leavesden became the permanent base for the film franchise, housing numerous large-scale, permanent sets that could be preserved and re-used throughout the series. This included iconic locations such as The Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the Ministry of Magic. The studio's extensive backlot was used for exterior sets like Number Four, Privet Drive and the Hogwarts bridge. After filming concluded on `Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows` (film), Warner Bros. acquired the studio and invested in a major redevelopment. A significant portion of the site, including two soundstages and the backlot, was transformed into the public attraction, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, preserving thousands of the authentic sets, props, and costumes from the films.

While Leavesden Studios has no role within the narrative of the Harry Potter novels, it was the central creative and physical hub for the production of the entire film series. It served as a “second home” for the cast and crew, allowing the young actors to grow up on its sets. The studio's ability to permanently house massive sets was crucial for maintaining visual continuity across the films. Sets like Dumbledore's office and the Gryffindor Common Room remained standing for years, becoming as real to the actors as they appeared on screen. The workshops at Leavesden were responsible for creating every wand, cauldron, and magical creature seen in the films, from Dobby the House-Elf to Buckbeak the Hippogriff. Its role was indispensable in bringing the Wizarding World to life for a global film audience.

Many of the iconic sets built at Leavesden are now preserved as part of the public studio tour. Notable areas include:

• The Great Hall
• The Forbidden Forest
• Diagon Alley
• Platform 9¾, featuring the original Hogwarts Express steam engine
• Gringotts Wizarding Bank
• Dumbledore's Office
• The Potions Classroom
• The Gryffindor Common Room
• Dolores Umbridge's Office
• Hagrid's Hut
• The Weasley Kitchen at The Burrow

• This entry describes the real-world location used for the production of the Harry Potter film series and is not a location that exists within the narrative of the original novels. (film)
• The decision to base the entire production at a single studio for over a decade was unusual in the film industry but proved essential for maintaining the continuity and epic scale of the series. (film)
• The Great Hall set was one of the first to be built and is vast enough to fit 22 double-decker buses inside. It features the real Yorkstone flooring laid at the start of production. (film)
• The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter opened to the public on 31 March 2012, preserving the legacy of the filmmaking artistry that went into the series. (film)