Inside world’s biggest Harry Potter store that JUST opened in UK
THE largest Harry Potter shop in the world has now opened: the Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street.
I visited the massive new Harry Potter shop to peep the exclusive merch, try the Hogwarts Bear Ceremony and taste test the snacks in the Leaky Cauldron cafe.
The new London mega store – which is the same size as the New York store which is also the world’s largest – spans two storeys, and is themed to look like Diagon Alley from the famous films.
The new store even been visited by Harry Potter stars Tom Felton and Warwick Davis.
But inside, you can expect everything from insanely detailed snacks to exclusive new experiences.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street.
Read more on Harry Potter
Downstairs: Gringotts, Ollivanders and exclusive items
Entering the shop I was immediately transported to the Wizarding World, with heaps of Harry Potter merch, the soundtrack from the movies…and a terrifying creature looming over me.
Upon entering to your right you’ll find the Gringotts area, which is watched over by a very realistic dragon statue that fans will recognise to be a Ukranian Ironbelly.
Not only is this the perfect spot for a selfie, but it’s where you’ll find most of the exclusive items in the shop that are only sold at the Oxford Street location.
In the shelves labelled ‘Vault 412 – 414’ you’ll find hoodies, T-shirts, mugs, socks and water bottles labelled with Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street.
In this room you’ll also find fun extras, like a cushion of Harry’s Hogwarts acceptance letter and cosy Harry Potter pyjamas.
Downstairs there are plenty more gifts which you can also find in other stores from Dobby baubles and eye masks to giant, fluffy Hedwigs and customised house robes.
There’s even a Honeydukes sweet shop selling classic Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, plus a collectable mug which you won’t find at other locations.
Stroll from Honeydukes past a giant, spooky recreation of the Knight Bus into Ollivanders, where you can buy your very own wand.
While the shelves are stacked with all kinds of wands just like in the movies, the special item here is the Diagon Alley themed wand.
The intricate design sees mini colourful shopfronts stacked along its spine, and you can only buy it here.
Upstairs: Leaky Cauldron cafe
Head up the escalators (which genuinely feel like part of the immersion, with neon lights and themed music) to find more Oxford Street exclusives.
To your right you’ll find the Leaky Cauldron, a spacious cafe with plenty of themed seating and snacks that transport you to the wizarding pub from the films.
Pastries and cakes are laid on Daily Prophet newspaper prints, and Sirius Black wanted posters line the walls.
The seating here offers great views over Oxford Street, which make you feel like a wizard watching the muggle world go by.
As for food and drink, there are plenty of options sure to leave any Harry Potter fan utterly spellbound.
There’s not one but FIVE types of Butterbeer on offer: classic, frozen, the Butterbeer latte and iced Butterbeer latte with fudge pieces, plus Butterbeer ice cream.
If you’ve never tried the fizzy drink, it’s a non-alcoholic, sweet beverage that tastes like butterscotch, topped with swirly cream. My favourite was the frozen, with a refreshing slushie texture.
Here you can also dine on Howler and Acceptance Letter pizza pockets, folded to look like envelopes, soups, pasties and a stamped Leaky Cauldron toastie.
The cakes are the most exciting part. Pick between a blackberry and chocolate cauldron cake, Gringotts gold bars, and Weasley wizard top hat chocolate cakes.
The highlight is the Golden Snitch (£12.95) which is actually a strawberries and cream flavoured cheesecake.
I was really impressed by the prices here, considering you’re smack-bang on Oxford Street.
A Howler Pizza Pocket will only set you back £7.95 and is very filling. A Gringotts Gold Bar cake costs the same, and a fresh Butterbeer – with a souvenir tankard you get to keep – costs £9.50.
The Hogwarts Bear Ceremony
By far my favourite part about the new shop is the Hogwarts Bear Experience.
Stroll from the Leaky Cauldron past more merch items (which upstairs includes exclusive MinaLima prints) to find shelves lined with special teddy bears.
This is where you can take part in the Hogwarts Bear Ceremony, an experience you can only do at the Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street (you can pre-book a slot for free online).
You start by choosing your bear from the shelf and naming them, before picking three personality traits you’d like your bear to have.
While there were options such as Quidditch captain and creature caretaker, I went for spell master, daydreamer and mischief maker.
Next, pop your teddy into a magical sorting cabinet and close the door – when you next open it, your teddy will be wearing the robes of their Hogwarts house.
The experience includes the bear, plus a named Hogwarts acceptance certificate and a pretty box to take them home in.
But you can also buy additional accessories, like a mini Sorting Hat, round glasses, or a house mascot to sit on the bear’s shoulder.
The experience costs £75 which is fairly steep, but I think if you’re visiting for a birthday or special occasion, it’s an experience you’re never going to forget.
All in all, the massive new Harry Potter shop feels like more of an experience itself than just a merch store.
Considering you can eat and drink in the Leaky Cauldron, take part in an exclusive bear-making experience and come home with merch you can’t find anywhere else, it’s absolutely worth a visit on your next trip to London for any Potterheads.
The Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street is open from 10am – 9pm Monday through to Saturday, and 12pm – 6pm on Sundays.