Enter The Great Hall
Serving as the backdrop to some of the film series’ most iconic scenes, the spectacular Great Hall set remains at the Studio Tour here in Leavesden as an unforgettable location from the wizarding world.
The Great Hall was originally built for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 2000 and was cleverly designed with real York stone flooring, ensuring it stood the test of time during almost a decade of ongoing filming. Featured in the following six films, the set hosts several memorable moments, including the Sorting Ceremony, Yule Ball, Triwizard Champion selection and, of course, the final Battle of Hogwarts.
Located next to the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts, the Great Hall was the ideal dining place for not only students but also several of the school’s mystifying guests, and the Studio Tour is home to the authentic costumes of these fan-favourite characters. During our Dark Arts feature at Halloween, you’ll even be able to see costumes belonging to the castle’s more haunting guests: the Bloody Baron, the Fat Friar, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington and Helena Ravenclaw.
Bringing the Great Hall to Life
Despite the castle’s ghostly residents, Production Designer Stuart Craig wanted to ensure that the Great Hall was lively and vibrant on screen. Taking inspiration from the Muggle world, the set was designed to resemble the sixteenth-century hall in the famous Oxford College, Christ Church. Even the dimensions were replicated, with the impressive Great Hall standing at almost 120 feet by 40 feet and seating 400 children!
Using filmmaking trickery to add a few magical touches, such as an enchanted ceiling and an array of floating candles, the set took the form of the spellbinding Great Hall fans have grown to love.
Spellbinding Effects
The Great Hall’s enchanted ceiling was created using visual effects and changes depending on the weather and time of day in each scene. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, for example, the enchanted ceiling projects a magnificent display of the solar system, appearing above sleeping Hogwarts students who seek safety after the break-in of Sirius Black on Hallowe’en night.
The famous floating candles were also created using computer generated imagery (CGI), but only after the set designers initially attempted to use individual candle-shaped tubes containing spirit oil suspended by wires. It wasn’t until the flames burnt through the wires and caused them to fall during production that they decided to use visual effects.
When visiting the Studio Tour, you can walk into the Great Hall to find it decorated with hundreds of floating candles, or 100 floating pumpkins hanging from the ceiling during our Dark Arts feature. During Hogwarts in the Snow, you’ll find Christmas trees and a magical festive feast. Check out our What’s On page to find out more about our special features.
