Tickets for the Warner Brothers' Harry Potter tour will set you back �83 for a family ticket. But there are other, less obvious ways to follow the Potter trail
Little wizards and witches may be gripping their wands in readiness for the opening of the Warner Brothers' Harry Potter tour in Hertfordshire in March; tickets have already gone on sale and demand is said to be so high the opening hours for weekends, bank holidays and school holidays have already had to be extended.
But the magic doesn't come cheap ? and after shelling out a whopping �83 for a family ticket, some parents may feel they are putting the mug into muggle. But there are less corporate ways to follow the Potter trail.
? If you fancy a stroll down Diagon Alley you could do worse than join one of the London walking or bus tours of the films' locations that have sprung up in recent years; Richard Jones, a travel writer and parent of Potter-mad children, has helpfully put together a free Harry Potter Film locations tour and London Treasure Hunt, and added some general historic sites in for good measure.
? Those with a few galleons to spend, can meet some of the stars of the films ? Harry's loyal owl Hedwig, and Errol, the Weasley family's ancient pet, have retired from showbusiness and taken up residence in Scotland's Owl and Pussycat centre. As well as touring local events, they can be visited at the social enterprise by anyone booking an owl walk ? but any sanctuary with a snowy owl should be equally enchanting.
? Or for those looking for a longer adventure, how about a trip on the Hogwart's Express? The 84-mile ride along the West Highland Railway line, is said to be one the world's greatest railway journeys and the Jacobite, the steam train that runs along it, was used in the films to transport the characters to their School of Witchcraft and Wizardy.
? But wherever you live, a quick trip to a garden centre would give any ardent Quidditch fans the chance to pick out their very own broomstick (ask for a besom broom) which, with a bit of customisation, could be as good as a Nimbus 2000, while a stroll through a park or the woods will furnish Potter fans with enough twigs for a whole shop of wands. And if they still moan about wanting to go to the studio, you could always try Harry's uncle's trick ?lock them in the cupboard under the stairs and tell them they are getting the full Privet Drive experience.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/shortcuts/2011/dec/20/alternative-harry-potter-experience
No comments:
Post a Comment