Visitors to WD25, that's Warner Bros Studios - The Making of Harry Potter tour in Leavesden, will be arriving in droves this summer to celebrate the epic quest that Harry, Ron and Hermione embarked upon to find and protect the Philosopher's Stone.

This year marks the 15th anniversary since the very first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, hit the big screens and Warner Bros has been putting on special features throughout the year to mark the smash hit series' inception.

Filmmakers used a range of special and visual effects techniques to create the various obstacles the trio faced on their journey - from moving giant chess pieces to animating Fluffy - the three-headed dog and his over-active saliva. And for the next seven weeks visitors to the studios will be able to see, touch and learn about how they got to grips with each obstacle in Harry, Ron and Hermione's quest.

There will be a moving display of the Devil's Snare and visitors can see and touch the giant tentacles that were specially made for the films.

Head propmaker Pierre Bohanna went through several processes to create the final version of the Philosopher's Stone that appeared in the film. When asked, JK Rowling said that the stone should look like an "uncut ruby". A number of the early versions of the philosopher's stone will be on display and there will also be the opportunity to see first-hand how the stone was created as expert prop makers demonstrate the various stages in the process.

There is also the chance to learn how Ron Weasley's favourite game - Wizard's Chess - which was brought to life on a large scale by special effects supervisor John Richardson and his team. Visitors can see the giant chess pieces move across a chequered board, as if by magic, on the tour's backlot.

And that's not all - fans can navigate thier way around vats of slimy Troll snot, buckets of Fluffy's dribbling drool and pools of silvery unicorn blood and there will be a demonstration showing exactly how the gunk and goo was created.

Finally, Neville Longbottom, who tried to prevent the trio from embarking on their adventure before being placed in a Full Body-Bind Curse by a young Hermione, will have his pyjamas displayed in the Gryffindor common room.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Leavesden, July 22 to September 5. Details: wbstudiotour.co.uk