Due to renovations, there will be no dedicated accessibility carriage available for the green screen experience on Platform 9 ¾ between 28th October – 16th November. Our broomstick green screen experience will remain fully operational during this time, with the chance to fly a broomstick over London just like the cast did during filming. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Throughout the Studio Tour, our helpful and friendly staff will be on hand to assist you, ensuring that you have the best possible experience.
AUTISM AND VISITOR SUPPORT GUIDE
BOOKING TICKETS
CARERS
One free carer ticket can be provided for each paying disabled visitor. Please note, that as children aged 4 and under are entitled to free entry, a carer ticket will not be added for 4 and under tickets.
Carers must provide assistance to the visitor and proof of entitlement will be required on entry to the Studio Tour. We currently accept the following:
- Letter/notice of entitlement for Disability Living Allowance or PIP
- Letter from your doctor
- Blue parking badge or Freedom Pass
- DID card or Access card
- An international equivalent of the above
If you have any questions regarding proof of entitlement please contact our Visitor Services team before your visit.
ACCESS
ASSISTANCE DOGS
We welcome all trained guide dogs, assistance dogs, buddy dogs, hearing dogs and medical alert dogs into the Studio Tour. If you wish to bring a guide dog in training with you for your visit, please ensure you have formal identification for the dog with you such as the official ‘guide dog in training’ blue jacket.
We do not allow other dogs or pets to enter the attraction and they cannot be left in vehicles for safety reasons. The nature of the attraction means that visitors cannot return to the car park until the end of their visit. Please note, visitors who attend with other dogs or pets will not be permitted into the Studio Tour.
Smoke machines and occasional strobe lighting effects are used in our Forbidden Forest. If your assistance dog is sensitive to smoke machines and/or lighting effects and you would like to avoid this area, please ask one of our Interactors to show you an alternative route during your visit. If your dog requires a water bowl, please ask a member of staff who will be happy to provide one.
WHEELCHAIRS
While manual and electric wheelchairs are welcome inside the Studio Tour, we do require advance notice if you are visiting with three or more wheelchairs in your group. This is in order for us to manage seating restrictions in the cinema at the beginning of the Studio Tour. Due to the layout of the attraction, this also means that only a certain number of wheelchair users can enter the latter part of the tour at any given time. Our Visitor Services team are happy to discuss this and other accessibility concerns with you prior to booking, so please do make them aware of your specific needs.
The majority of the Studio Tour is suitable for wheelchairs but some areas can be difficult to navigate, this includes Diagon Alley’s cobbled street, the Great Hall’s slate floor, the Forbidden Forest’s spongy surface, and Privet Drive’s narrow doorway. The Hogwarts bridge can only be accessed via a short staircase and alternative access cannot be provided because the bridge, as an original set piece, has an uneven surface which is unsuitable for wheelchair users. The Knight Bus also has a short boarding platform which cannot be accessed by wheelchairs. The Hogwarts Express™ can be accessed via a short staircase and alternative access cannot be provided as it is an original set piece with a narrow corridor which is unsuitable for wheelchair users. However, a viewing carriage can be found at the end of the Hogwarts Express.
Our green screen area provides visitors with two fully accessible photo opportunities, including the chance to fly a broomstick as members of the cast would have done during filming. Visitors must be able to transfer themselves on to a broomstick and seatbelts can be provided if required.
MOBILITY VEHICLES
For health and safety reasons, we cannot allow mobility vehicles or electric scooters wider than 86cm to enter the attraction. We have a number of free manual wheelchairs available to borrow for those who need to arrive using a large mobility vehicle or electric scooter.
SEATING
There is seating throughout the Studio Tour. We have a number of free lightweight foldable stools available. Please speak to a member of staff on the day of your visit.
GUIDES & ASSISTANCE
DIGITAL GUIDES
Our handheld Digital Guides provide extra content for the Studio Tour rather than acting as an audio descriptive guide for those who are blind or visually impaired.
Personal induction loops can be provided and are available on arrival in our lobby. They require hearing aids to be moved to the ‘T’ position and can be reserved in advance from our Visitor Services team.
Our handheld audio-visual guides bring the Studio Tour to life with fascinating filmmaking facts, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and cast and crew interviews. Narrated in English, they are also available in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, Brazilian Portuguese and Russian.
SUBTITLES
Subtitles are present on media throughout the attraction, except for the holding room and cinema. For these areas, we can provide a portable iPad with a subtitled version of the cinema film for those who are hard of hearing. These are subject to availability and must be booked in advance by contacting our Visitor Services team. This device must be returned to a member of staff when you enter the guided part of your tour in the Great Hall.
AUDIO ASSISTANCE
Induction loops are fitted throughout the tour and are compatible with most hearing aids provided with the “T-coil” (T switch) function. Personal induction loops can also be provided for our Digital Guides. These are available when you collect your Digital Guide from the lobby area of the Studio Tour.
Ear defenders are available to borrow for visitors who are sensitive to loud noises for the duration of your visit. These are subject to availability, so please speak to a member of staff when you arrive.
If you have any questions regarding induction loops or the use of hearing aids within the Studio Tour please contact a member of our team here or by phone on +44 (0)800 640 4550.
SENSORY ROOM
A Sensory Room is available within the Studio Tour. The room provides a calming environment for those with autism and other additional needs, it contains a Sensory Shell Chair, interactive light box, mirror ball and tactile mirrors. The room is located adjacent to the Backlot Café. If you would like to access the Sensory Room prior to reaching this point, please speak to a member of staff who can assist you.
SENSORY SUPPORT BAGS
Sensory Support Bags are available to collect from the Information Desk on arrival to the Studio Tour. These contain assistance aids for visitors with additional needs, including: fidget toys, ear defenders and a Sunflower Lanyard.
Once collected, the Sensory Support Bag can be used for the duration of your visit. We request that the items are returned to the Information Desk at the end of your experience. All Sensory Support Bags and contents are cleaned between use.
Please note, Sensory Support Bags are subject to availability and some contact details may be taken from you at the time of collection. If you have any further requirements for your visit, our staff at the Information Desk will be happy to assist you.
VISITORS WITH HIDDEN DISABILITIES
Visitors with additional needs can collect a Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyard during their visit. These act as a discreet sign to staff that an individual may need additional assistance or support during their visit. Our staff have been trained to recognise if an individual is wearing a Sunflower lanyard to ask whether there is anything that they might need assistance with. The lanyards are available to collect free of charge from either the Ticket Window or Information Desk during your visit. Please speak to a member of staff who would be happy to assist you.
ON ARRIVAL
PARKING
Parking is provided free of charge in our car park directly outside the Studio Tour. A number of blue disability badge parking bays are available close to the main entrance for the convenience of our eligible visitors.
Please ensure that you bring your disabled parking badge on the day of your visit and display it in your window. For more information or for specific enquiries, speak to a member of our Car Parking team on arrival.
TICKET COLLECTION
In order to collect your free carer ticket on arrival, you will need to present proof of eligibility in either a letter or notice form regarding entitlement for Personal Independence Payment. We will also accept a letter from your doctor, blue parking badges or Freedom Passes.
TOILETS
Throughout the Studio Tour, we have accessible toilets that are stoma friendly. Each accessible toilet has a shelf to provide a space to lay out medical supplies.
In addition to the accessible toilets located throughout the Studio Tour, visitors can also use our Changing Place facility located in the lobby, which is accessed using a RADAR key. This fully accessible space provides a hoist, height adjustable changing bench, toilet and washbasin. The room is large enough to accommodate a wheelchair user and two carers. Please note, we kindly request that visitors bring their own slings to use with the hoist, as these are not provided.
If you require the use of this space during your visit and do not have a RADAR key, please speak to an available member of staff who will be able to assist you with accessing the area. Staff are available at the Information Desk on arrival in the lobby and throughout the Tour.
For more information regarding this or any of our other accessible facilities, please contact our Visitor Services team on +44 (0)800 640 4550.