Harry Potter Studio Tour: New Attractions Unveiled as Fans Await Opening

There is a new Harry Potter set in sight at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire, which has finally been unveiled, to the delight of fans of the book and film series.

The attraction - Diagon Alley - was formally opened by Boris Johnson, mayor of London, and will now constitute a part of the Harry Potter tour, which is scheduled to open in March 2012 and will have a further six attractions.

The tour will showcase sets, costumes and other props, used by the characters in the films. The sets include the Great Hall at Hogwarts, Dumbledore's office and the Gryffindor common room, along with the staircase; these will be complemented by Diagon Alley - the commercial street with Ollivander's wand shop and the Gringott's bank.

Fans can now actually drink butter beer, try their wands and broomsticks and explore the magic-filled nooks and crannies of Hogwarts ... all without leaving the country.

After visiting the attraction, Johnson told the Watford Observer the studio where much of the films were shot would be a shrine and place of pilgrimage to the Harry Potter fans.

The tour is also expected to provide an insight into the making of the films and effort that went into the creation of sets and properties for the blockbusters.