Harry Potter Tour review: Gringotts Bank is a treasure but the DRAGON steals the show

It’s unlikely even Gringotts has a vault large enough to store all the gold coins banked by the Harry Potter franchise since the first book appeared in 1997. Ten movies later and the boy wizard has become a global phenomenon. Just as the wizarding world keeps evolving, so does the Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter. The terrifying Forbidden Forest opened in 2017 and now a major new Gringotts Wizarding Bank area launches on April 6 with the original film set and a gaggle of goblins, piles of gold, magic swords and an unbelievably impressive fire-breathing dragon.

The official launch was opened by Jason Isaacs, much more cuddly than his on-screen Potterverse incarnation Lucius Malfoy. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them stars Claudia Kim and Dan Fogler joined in the fun with Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts.

The scale of the Studio Tour has always been impressive but the new addition means you need a good four hours at least to take it all in and it would be a shame to miss all the delightful details in every section. Give yourself plenty of time, especially if you have children (and young at heart adults) who will want to ride the broomsticks and do the interactive video of the Hogwarts Express, on top of seeing the treasure trove of sets and props.

As for the new Gringotts Bank, it is a grand and glittering addition to the Tour.

The main hall is extraordinarily grand, with vaulted ceilings, marble columns and huge glittering chandeliers. Perfect recreations of the goblin tellers glower down at you and it feels like you have stepped straight into the films.

The real treats, though, are discovered when you venture further in. You can step into Bellatrix’s vault, surrounded by mounds of gold and treasure, and try and wrest the Gryffindor sword from the wall. Sadly, your heroics will fail, but it’s yet another perfect picture opportunity.

The next chamber is the jewel in the crown, heaped with the rubble of fallen columns. Rumbles and roars are the warning as the Ukranian Ironbelly emerges from the shadows and then lunges towards you, spewing fire.

It is genuinely one of the most impressive things I have ever seen, and numerous repeat viewings left me none the wiser to how they had done. Pure magic.

The new Gringotts addition is satisfyingly impressive and will give previous visitors an excuse to return.

Yes, the entry is not cheap, but for a fan or family outing it is a full day out packed with plenty of thrills and no filler (and a stop for lunch and Butterbear) and worth every penny. Be warned, though, you may need to raid your own piggy bank once the additional photo opps, videos and merchandise start to pile up. You may want to blindfold little ones when you exit through the gift shop.

The Harry Potter Studio Tour is a flawless example of how to mount a film-related attraction that will keep the goblin vaults overflowing, but it is also clear that no expense has been spared, no corners cut. It is done with dedication and real love for the material and this also shines through in the charming and enthusiastic staff. 

THE GRINGOTTS WIZARDING BANK OPENS APRIL 6

WARNER BROS STUDIO TOUR: THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER INFO AND TICKETS HERE