No. 4 Privet Drive

June 5th, 2012

The Boy Who Lived

Looks as if that rather average looking outfit shot at the top was taken in front of a similarly average house on an estate somewhere in England. Surrey, perhaps? If you’re as nerdy as me, you’ll already know that this was in fact the spot that a baby Harry Potter was placed all those years ago, or to ruin the magic a little, the film set used over the past decade as the Dursley’s house in the Harry Potter films.

At the weekend, I visited the Harry Potter studio tour in Leavesden, and it was everything that I’d hoped for and more. Like a lot of you, I’d grown up with Harry Potter, from having it read to me at school to sobbing my eyes out when finishing the last book, it holds a very special place in my heart. As do the films – when the first came out, I was 11 just like Harry, and crossing my fingers that my Hogwarts letter might arrive soon. Sadly that owl never showed up, but the studio tour was the next best thing, as I finally got to explore the great hall and more with a couple of my best Harry Potter-loving chums. I can safely say we were probably more excited than the children that surrounded us!

I don’t want to spoil it too much for anyone that plans on visiting in the future, so I won’t include too many pictures of the inside…but I will give you my verdict on Butterbeer: yuck! I got the famous Butterbeer moustache, but sadly fizzy drinks aren’t for me so my cup of butterscotch flavoured froth was passed to my more-than-willing friend Katie.

Welcome to Hogwarts

Like I said before, I don’t want to give too much away, but our day involved peering into the potions classroom, doing a spot of ironing at The Burrow, snooping around Dumbledore’s office, eyeing up all the major props and peering though the windows of shops in Diagon Alley. It couldn’t have been more perfect – if you haven’t been yet, I couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s almost worth going for the gift shop alone – Miguel wouldn’t let me buy a wand (apparently I have no use for one) but I came away with a chocolate frog, some Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and a familiar pair of specs. It’s ridiculous how overwhelming the urge to spend over £100 on a full Hogwarts uniform is…again, I wasn’t sure I’d get much use out of it!

Still, I wore the most magical outfit I could find in my wardrobe – an old Topshop dress covered in stars, glittering fingernails to match my new limited edition Cambridge Satchel, and black cats on my feet. Any eager Potter fans recognise the building I’m stood in front of the picture below?

The Every Flavour Beans aren’t going down too quickly (unsurprising with flavours like snot and vomit in the mix) – anybody fancy one?! x

“Alas, Earwax“

Posted in: Things to do in London, What I Wore | 195 comments

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