London is so magnificent, you can’t go just once.  So last weekend (Jan 31-Feb 2) a few of us ventured down to London once more with the plan of seeing the Harry Potter Studio Tour, going on the London Eye and seeing Shakespeare’s Globe in mind.  Thursday we headed off into London and hung out a bit, got settled into our hostel and wandered around, seeing the wonderful nightlife sights.  Friday was our day in Hogwarts.  Now, writing about that day alone would be like a five page essay.  It was so unbelievably amazing that anyone who is a Harry Potter fan should make their way to London and to the tour one day in their life.

The moment you enter in, you are walking into the Great Hall at Hogwarts.  The tables, chairs, outfits, as well as the head table are all there for you to see.  From there on, you walk through the two huge stage buildings that hold all of the sets, props and outfits from all of the different movies.  Dumbledore’s office, the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ron’s room, and even Hagrid’s Hut.  You can even learn all about how quidditch was filmed and the magic behind may of the props.  Surprisingly enough, some of the props really are magical, such as the sewing needles at the Wesley’s and their iron.  From the main stage, you walk outside where you can try some delicious butterbeer, something I would highly recommend, see the famous purple night bus from the third movie, see Privet Drive and the Hogwarts bridge that is featured in many of the movies but never actually mentioned in the books.

Forging on to the second stage is where the magic of the creatures is unveiled.  Masks of the goblins fill the shelves and, of course, Aragog from Chamber of Secrets is featured high above.  Seeing all of the different characters and how they come to life is such an amazing experience.  Diagon Alley is also in the second stage and walking down it really makes you feel as if you truly are in a magical world.  After going on the Harry Potter tour in London that shows you where different scenes had taken place and seeing Diagon Alley there, it was truly miraculous to see the real deal.  From Ollivander’s Wand shop to the Wesley’s Wizard Wheezes shop, they are all there.

My favorite room, by far, one that in itself makes going on the tour worth it, is the very last room.  In this room is where the real Hogwarts Castle is unveiled.  Hand created with every brick hand painted and even with lights wired through, is the actual castle used when filming the panning opening shots of the Hogwarts Castle.  It is real and it is there and it is an absolutely breathtaking event to see it.

The Harry Potter Studio Tour is definitely one of the highlights of London, but that was not the only place we visited on our journey.  Luckily, London is one of the easiest places you will be able to learn to get around in your life and there is always something to do!  My personal favorite place in London is Piccadilly Circus.  There is always something to do or see in Piccadilly Circus.  Need something to do on a Friday night?  We did, so where did we go, where else but Piccadilly Circus.  Here we were able to watch street performers of all kinds and pick up a comedy show for only £8.

Another place I would highly recommend going though on a Saturday morning would be Portobello Market.  Here are miles of stalls (as well as an all antique underground market with more than 40 stalls) where you can buy all different kinds of amazing antiques, fresh fruits and vegetables, clothes, fun little nick-nacks, signs, paintings, portraits and second use clothing, vintage style.  For us, the market was much too long to walk while we were there, but it was such an awesome place to experience.  There were so many people there from so many different places around the world as well.  I would love to go back one day and venture a bit farther through it now that I know what all there is.

From Portobello Market, we made our way to witness the amazing sights of The London Eye.  It may be a bit pricy at about £19 but it is worth every second of it.  You are able to go around for a half an hour and see everything from up in The Eye.  Big Ben and Parliament are so breathtaking from up high, when the entirety of it can be seen.  When we were there, we were lucky enough to have a sunny, mostly clear day.

After The Eye, we walked along the river, something else I highly promote doing due to all of the street performers.   Walking along you will come across tens of twenties of street performers from a guy playing a tuba that spit out fire, a man sitting on thin air, and Darth Vader talking to Captain Jack Sparrow.  Once you hit Millennium Bridge, The Globe is right there.  Going through The Globe you learn a lot about Shakespeare’s history and the history of The Globe itself and why it was constructed the way it was.  For those Shakespearian lovers, it would be worth your time to tour The Globe and the museum.

The Millennium Bridge, created for obvious reasons for its name, was first built very unstable and would sway with the wind.  Several people were actually killed when thrown into the water from the bridge, so the bridge was reconstructed and reopened and is now safe to walk across.  From the middle of the bridge, Tower Bridge can be seen, and straight ahead is St. Paul’s Cathedral.

My final suggestion, one that I am so happy I accidentally came across, was walking along the river at night.  From the opposite side of the river from The London Eye you can see it light up beautifully blue as well as see Big Ben and Parliament lit.  Pictures here are priceless.  Seeing London at night gives a totally different effect than during the day.  London is an amazing city with so many things to offer and so many sights to see.