The Forbidden Forest may have been off limits to Hogwarts students like Harry Potter, but as of next month it won’t be for you.
A new, permanent expansion dedicated to the enchanted woodlands will be unveiled at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Leavesden, on March 31.
Home to an abundance of creatures, the Forbidden Forest offers shelter and protection to Hippogriffs and Acromantula, among many others. It is also well known to beloved half-giant Hagrid in his role as Care of Magical Creatures professor.
One of Rubeus Hagrid’s original costumes will be on display, lantern in hand, to welcome visitors through the Hogwarts Gates deep into the forest.
Sarah Roots, senior vice president of Worldwide Tours commented: “We are so excited to launch the Forbidden Forest expansion of the Studio Tour, especially on the fifth anniversary of our grand opening. It’s great to be working with so many of the original filmmakers who know so much about the wizarding world.
“There will be an opportunity to take control of the weather and discover the techniques used to create a realistic forest within a film. We can’t wait to let visitors step into this mysterious set and discover all this amazing detail for themselves.”
In the depths of the forest you will encounter a full size model of Buckbeak, which is new to the tour and illustrates the detail and craftsmanship that went into creating the Hippogriff. Each feather had to be individually inserted and glued by the Creature Effects team who were busy adding feathers right up until the final moment Buckbeak was needed on set for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
A less exciting prospect for the arachnophobes among us is coming face-to-face with Aragog, the Acromantula. The enormous spider will appear before visitors along with spiderlings from his family.
Created by Nick Dudman, Creature and Make-Up Effects Designer, with help from Production Designer Stuart Craig, Aragog had a leg span of over 18 feet and was even able to crawl out of a hole and deliver dialogue in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Stuart Craig, production designer on all eight Harry Potter films, added: “Over the course of the eight films, the Forbidden Forest has played a key role and I think it’s an exciting addition to the Studio Tour.
“The Forbidden Forest is full of mysterious, fascinating and sometimes threatening forces. It represents the great unknown compared to the comfort and safety of Hogwarts and the Gryffindor Common Room which makes it so interesting and important to the development of the story.”
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR, from March 31. Details: 0345 084 0900
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