London Harry Potter Tour: A Deluxe Private Review

So, you like your Harry Potter, do you? And you are also planning a trip to London? If that is the case, then it’s almost certain that a Harry Potter tour has crossed your mind. Very many different versions are on offer, but what about one that gives you that real VIP treatment? One choice is the ‘London Harry Potter Sights and Film Tour Deluxe Private’. But the question is, does it really live up to its ‘Deluxe’ title? Read on, so you can see what makes it tick, and more importantly, whether it might just be right for you.

First Stop: Getting Started With Your Wizarding Day Out

Alright, so this deluxe tour, too, it usually kicks off with a friendly meet-and-greet. Usually your guide meets you right at your hotel. So, what’s really helpful is that from the get-go, this is a private experience. It is just you and your party. That means a degree more flexibility, and a much more personal experience compared to large group tours where you might, in a way, struggle to hear or get a good view.

Actually, it’s important to emphasize that this tour isn’t just about hitting the movie hotspots. No, no. In fact, it includes quite a lot about London itself. Your guide will almost certainly share neat background tidbits, little interesting historical stories, and quirky facts about the city as you move between sites. That, in some respects, does make it an awesome combo of movie magic and real-city history.

Diagon Alley and Leaky Cauldron Locations: More Than Just a Wall

Now, where this tour really shines is, arguably, the focus on Diagon Alley. And the Leaky Cauldron, naturally. Because instead of just quickly snapping a photo, you actually get quite a bit of history and stories related to these places. For instance, you might stroll along Cecil Court, a lane that, seemingly, has been the inspiration for Diagon Alley, then learn some neat facts about its bookshops and how they’ve influenced storytelling through the ages.

Very many folks seem to be especially drawn to Leaky Cauldron film locations. Apparently, the tour often takes you to places like Borough Market, used in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’. So, this tour might include some really interesting background, and perhaps the occasional sample of some very British snack along the way!

Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross: The Photo Opportunity Everyone Loves

Right, a Harry Potter tour wouldn’t be complete, so to speak, without a trip to King’s Cross Station. Obviously the home of Platform 9¾! Now, seemingly, the good thing is that on a private tour, it’s usually easier to manage your time so that you can get that very necessary photo without having to contend with really long lines, so that too is pretty cool.

Anyway, but actually, this isn’t just about a photo-op either. Oh no! Usually, the tour guides use this spot, too, it’s almost certain, to share a bit about the background of the station itself, perhaps even a couple little known filming secrets. They’ll usually chat a bit about the stories behind the set designs and some exciting stories from the set.

Ministry of Magic and Other Key Locations: Hidden Gems Uncovered

In fact, it’s the less flashy stops that actually make the ‘Deluxe Private’ tour stand out, or so it appears to me. Think Great Scotland Yard. Or perhaps the Westminster area. Many tours will take you by these places, but seemingly with this tour, you stop and spend more time digging a bit deeper into their significance as spots linked to the Ministry of Magic and other memorable scenes.

Because you are going at your own pace, if you’re someone that tends to be super-interested in particular stuff or in certain areas of London history that come up, the guide has got both the time and freedom, so to speak, to adapt and head just a bit further off the well-worn track with you.

The Extras: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Option

So, some of these tours will apparently give you the option to add on a trip to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Now, while that’s actually an added expense, very many Harry Potter die-hards seem to consider it to be well worth doing. If you do decide to make the journey, so that too should include private transportation to and from the studios, which are, of course, outside central London.

Very, very often, these studio tours offer the actual sets, props, and costumes used in making the movies. Plus all manner of special behind-the-scenes peeks. So, is that, for you, perhaps, the peak experience of your time in London? If that is the case, then you should almost certainly consider the add-on. Remember too that it can sell out very quickly so it’s almost, it’s really essential to book in advance.

Is the ‘Deluxe Private’ Harry Potter Tour Actually Worth It?

The real question, obviously, is whether spending extra on the ‘Deluxe Private’ option is a solid use of your cash. Right, if you love that personal touch, can pay a little extra, and need lots of flexibility, then you’ll almost certainly think it is. Because the freedom to change the itinerary, ask a ton of questions, and generally move at your own tempo makes this type of tour a great choice.

If, however, you are okay with groups, or you want to stick more carefully to a lower price tag, then this level of personalized service might not be really necessary. In fact, whatever your priorities, carefully weighing up what’s important to you before booking is almost certainly a very smart step.

You need to bear in mind that most reviews of the ‘Deluxe Private’ Harry Potter tours appear to put emphasis on that level of customer care. In that case, if it’s important to you, and I am referring to the kind of exclusive, tailor-made day that could possibly be a highlight of your visit to London, then it sounds like this sort of trip will be worth every Galleon. The only thing left to do is make up your own mind and take your broomstick to England.

So that’s about everything on these great London tours.