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Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition
​
​London

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The Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition was located within Covent Garden in London, England. At the Photographic Exhibition, you could stroll through multiple themed rooms that are decorated with props, set piece recreations, and massive behind-the-scenes images.

In addition to gazing at the wide array of photos that span all 8 Harry Potter films, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Crimes of Grindelwald, and the Cursed Child stage play, visitors had the chance to read and listen to hundreds of magical facts and secrets from the film sets.

Learn more about the experience, plant-based dining options, animal-free merchandise, ​and other details of the exhibition below!

As of December 2022, The Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition has closed.
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The Experience
Dining Options
Merchandise
Tour Details
 
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The EXPERIENCE

As soon as you enter the premises, you’re greeted with the Weasleys’ flying Ford Anglia - before its trip in the Forbidden Forest, that is! A garland of Hogwarts letters leads you down the stairs (the exhibition is underground) to the start of the display.

We move through the exhibition in the same way that Harry discovered the wizarding world, starting with an oversized replica of Harry’s acceptance letter to Hogwarts and continuing on to a section devoted to Diagon Alley. Shop signs and original costumes are some of the special items that you might want to have a closer look at here.

​Hogwarts, Grimmauld Place, The Burrow, and The Ministry of Magic are some of the locations that we get to examine within the exhibit. There are even  sections dedicated to the 
Cursed Child stage play and the Fantastic Beasts film series.


In the text next to the exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, you can find the filming locations of many of your favorite scenes. Many of them are nearby in London!

The exhibition did not highlight animals used in making the films, nor did it provide insight into the creation of our beloved fantastic beasts. However, we do see a couple of photos of owls and everyone’s favorite slobbery boarhound dog, Fang. Next to these photos, the disclaimer of “no animals were harmed during filming” has been added.

Unfortunately, this statement is incorrect. PETA’s investigation on Birds & Animals Unlimited (BAU), the company that provided animals used to make the Harry Potter films, uncovered instances of neglect.

Photo Ops

Significant space is allocated to a photoshoot experience where, for a price, you have the chance to immerse yourself within green screen technology by hopping on a broom or creating your official Ministry of Magic identification card. 

There are plenty of other opportunities to have your photo taken for free throughout the exhibition as well. These include:

  • Posing underneath the flying Ford Anglia
  • Standing in front of an oversized Hogwarts acceptance letter
  • Entering the red Ministry of Magic telephone booth
  • Popping open a vegan bottled butterbeer at the Butterbeer Bar​

Interactive Experiences

The majority of the interactivity in the exhibition is reading the interesting facts next to the photos on display. Behind-the-scenes videos also play throughout, giving even more insight into how the films were created.

Throughout your visit, be sure to chat with the available guides who will make your experience even more entertaining and point out things you may not have noticed at first glance.
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'Almost' Tuna Melt
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Sweet Potato, Hummus, and Falafel Beetroot Wrap


​DINING OPTIONS

We were very excited to try London’s only bottled Butterbeer Bar! Accessible only with a ticket to the exhibition, the Butterbeer Bar offers a variety of vegan options. Note that the kitchens close earlier than the exhibition, so hot items may not be available if you visit at the end of the day.

Though not on the menu, vegan cakes may be offered on the day of your visit. The cold vegan wrap offerings also seem to rotate (we've seen an Onion Bhaji Wrap and a Sweet Potato, Hummus, and Falafel Beetroot Wrap).

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We love the attention that went into decorating this bar, which has a warm and cozy feel. We also appreciate having a tankard wash station in the bar to avoid needing to wash our souvenir mugs in the bathroom sink. 

Unfortunately, the blankets and cushions lining the booths are made of wool.

The selection of hot drinks, including coffees and hot chocolate, are available to order with your choice of soy, almond, or coconut milk at no extra cost. While the “Crazy Shakes” do not have a vegan option, a staff member told us that one is in the works, though the release date is unknown. We would also love to see a vegan dessert option among the attractive variety that they have on display.
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Our first order was, of course, the bottled butterbeer with its collectible tankard designed by MinaLima. Proof that our #AccioVeganButterbeer spell worked, our favorite wizarding drink is vegan friendly. As advised by a staff member, we poured the butterbeer from a height to create some foam on top. 


​Vegan Menu

  • Spinach and Chestnut Mushroom Breakfast (vegan on request)
  • Vegan ‘Almost' Tuna Melt with Laverbread Mayo and Vegan Cheddar £8.25
  • Vegan Pasty with Marmite Butter £6.25
  • Vegan Wrap £4.95
  • Vegan Superfood Salad £8​
  • Soup of the Day (vegan on request)
  • Apple £1    
  • Tyrrells chips (lightly salted, sea salt and cider vinegar, sweet chili and red pepper) £1.3

  • Assortment of coffees and hot chocolate £2.10 - £3.75
  • *Soy, almond, and coconut milk are available at no extra cost.
 
  • Bottled Butterbeer £5.95
  • Bottled Butterbeer with Souvenir Tankard £6.95​
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MERCHANDISE

At the end of the exhibition, you exit through a store filled with all things wizarding world, including apparel, wands, stationery, plush toys, bags, and makeup. We didn’t find anything made of leather, wool, down, or other animal-based materials, but as always, be sure to double-check the tags to be safe.

There is a small selection of vegan sweets offered, along with single and 4-packs of bottled butterbeer. In the past, Dark Chocolate Wands were available, but it looks as though they may have been discontinued.

Vegan Sweets

  • Bottled Butterbeer £5.95
  • Bottled Butterbeer 4-Pack  £13.95
  • Slytherin Dark Chocolate Bar £4.95
  • Peppermint Toads £5

 
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Tour Details

Price: Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition tickets cost £20 per adult and £14 per child.
They offered discounted rates for families, while children under 4 and carers were free.


Getting There: There was no parking lot exclusively for the exhibition. The nearest underground station was Covent Garden.

Open Hours: The Photo Exhibition closed on December 15th, 2022.​
​​
Duration: Visitors spent approximately 2 hours at the exhibition.

Accessibility

Languages: Written facts are in English.

Wheelchairs: The exhibition is accessible for wheelchair users by elevator. Accessible toilet facilities are also available.

Captioning: The exhibition features several videos which are 
not captioned or subtitled.


​

Learn more about the Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition at https://www.harrypotteronlocation.co.uk/exhibition/about.

Have an addition or correction? Please contact us.

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The Protego Foundation and its activities are not licensed by, sponsored by or associated with Warner Bros., J.K. Rowling, or their affiliates. 'Wizarding World,' 'Harry Potter,' ‘Fantastic Beasts' and all related names, characters and indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. - Harry Potter publishing rights © J.K. Rowling.
The Protego Foundation's work is made possible, in part, thanks to Tylor Starr.

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