Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse - Bringing Creature Effects To Life - New for 2022!

[Dumbledore]

Bringing Creature Effects To Life

 1st July – 12th September 2022

 

 

Brand-new for 2022, Mandrakes and Magical Creatures is arriving at the Studio Tour to shine a spotlight on how your favourite creature effects were brought to life on screen.

Are you visiting us this summer? You will be welcomed into the Great Hall to the Frog Choir scene as seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, featuring the costume of conductor of the choir, Professor Flitwick, as worn by Warwick Davis. 

Remember to be on the lookout for your favourite magical creatures as you explore the Studio Tour, as Cornish Pixies, Dumbledore’s beloved Fawkes and the animatronic Monster Book of Monsters can be spotted during your visit. In addition, you will learn how Thestrals and Mandrakes were brought to life using a mixture of scale models and CGI in the Creatures Workshop.

Tickets must be pre-booked and all extra features are included in the ticket price.

 

New For 2022 Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse

 

As part of this special feature, we will be opening the glass doors of Professor Sprout’s greenhouse for the very first time! Just like a Hogwarts student, you will be able to step into the greenhouse, home to many exotic and magical plants, and stop to pull out a potted Mandrake as part of an interactive display. Based on the scene in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you will recognise the Venomous Tentacula hanging from the ceiling as you walk through the greenhouse.

The greenhouse is a fan-favourite set from the Harry Potter film series, where students were taught their Herbology lessons with Professor Pomona Sprout. Built by the original Harry Potter filmmakers, the greenhouse is home to many exotic and magical plants. Just like a Hogwarts student, you will be able to step into the greenhouse and stop to pull out a potted Mandrake as part of an interactive display. 

Based on the scene in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you will recognise the Venomous Tentacula hanging from the ceiling as you walk through the greenhouse. During filming, various techniques were used to achieve the movement of the magical plants. The sinuous grasping movement of the Tentacula’s tendrils was computer-generated however, the movement of the Mandrakes was achieved using animatronic controllers hidden beneath the table. 

The greenhouse is a permanent addition to the Studio Tour and will open as part of a brand-new feature, Mandrakes and Magical Creatures, which will open on 1st July 2022.

 

 

In addition to this brand new set, we will be expanding the exterior sets in our backlot with new additions including the fountain from the Hogwarts courtyard and a 1:3 scale-version of the Weasleys’ Burrow. 

The scale-model of the Weasleys’ burrow is an exciting addition to our backlot area as filmmaking fans will learn the camera trickery behind the external scenes of the family home, seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. During production, the Weasleys’ burrow took filmmakers 14 weeks to build but only six minutes to burn down in the iconic scene where the Death Eaters set the home ablaze. 

Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse, the courtyard fountain and the exterior of the Weasleys’ Burrow will be permanent additions to the Studio Tour.