Celebrate Harry Potter’s Birthday

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July 31st

July 31st marks the birthday of the fictional character Harry Potter. Along with events that take place in the movie on this date, it also happens to be the birthday of author J. K. Rowling.

Four ways to party in Potter style:

The Making of Harry Potter — Opened in 2012, Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden located 20 miles outside of London is a behind the scenes permanent exhibit complete with authentic costumes, sets and props.  A shuttle bus runs between Watford Junction station and the Studio Tour.
From £49.95
www.wbstudiotour.co.uk ✆ +44 2034 277777
Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LR


Platform 9-3/4 — Located at Kings Cross Station as featured in the movie, the site also features the first Harry Potter Shop in the world.  Take a photo with Hogwarts scarf or purchase a professional one they take.
Free
www.kingscross.co.uk/harry-potters-platform-9-34 ✆ +44 2078 331137
Kings Cross Station, London N1 9AP



Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — While North American productions have been reduced to a single play, London will maintain the original two-part format of the most awarded play in history.
 From £15 / part
www.uk.harrypottertheplay.com ✆ +44 3303 334410
Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 5AY
Tip : Friday Forty — Every Friday 40 tickets are released for every performance the following week for £40 (£20 per part).  The TodayTix lottery closes at 1 pm on Friday and winners are notified by 5 pm. www.todaytix.com

Inamo - Soho — To create a bit of your own magic, book a 5 pm afternoon tea at Inamo - Soho (a 7 min walk from the theatre) between the two parts.  Considered London's only interactive restaurant guests control their dining experience, the digital projections on your table surface can be changed with a swipe of a finger, including selecting a tablecloth, ordering, watching the chefs and playing retro games.
 From £22.95 / person
www.inamo-restaurant.com/promos/afternoontea ✆ +44 2078 517051
134-136 Wardour St, London W1F 8ZP

Garden, Glamour & Buckingham

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Day out for £35

Chelsea and Belgravia are among the most exclusive neighborhoods in London. Itinerary for an affordable day out, including afternoon tea close to Buckingham Palace:

11 am — Chelsea
Chelsea Physic Garden — Originally established in 1673 to grow plants as medicine, this garden is one of the oldest in Britain. Its rock garden is the oldest in Europe and also boasts one of the largest fruiting olive trees in Britain. It was open to the general public for the first time in 1983.
Tickets start at £12, students and under 15’s £10
www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk ✆ +44 2073 52564
66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS
Walk to Saatchi Gallery (13 minutes)

12:30 pm — Belgravia
Saatchi Gallery — This year marks Tiffany’s 150th anniversary in London. The new Tiffany & Co. exhibition ‘Vision & Virtuosity’ covers 185 years of craftsmanship, heritage and innovation and features 400 objects. The rooms include their famous window displays, an opportunity to try on a classic Tiffany ring, pose with a cab on NY’s 5th Avenue and sit in a signature Tiffany blue box.
Complimentary tickets can be reserved through the Tiffany & Co. App until August 19th
www.saatchigallery.com ✆ +44 2078 113070
Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, London SW34RY
Walk to The English Rose Café & Tea Shop (19 minutes)

3:30 pm — Buckingham
The English Rose Café & Tea Shop — This independent family run café on Lower Grosvenor Place and Trip Advisor Hall of Fame honoree serves Afternoon Tea for 2 £38 (£19 for each additional person). The tea consists of finger sandwiches, cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam, and a pot of tea.
Afternoon Tea for 2 £38
www.theenglishrosecafe.co.uk ✆ +44 2079 766280
4 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EJ

Who says a posh has to come at a high price?

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