Brave The Forbidden Forest
Feared by witches and wizards alike, the Forbidden Forest is located on the edges of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the Muggle world, however, the infamous forest can be found at the Studio Tour where fans can explore the bewitching set seen on-screen.
Initially, for Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, scenes featuring the Forbidden Forest were shot at Black Park in Buckinghamshire. After filming in an environment which couldn’t be controlled proved difficult, a set was later constructed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and used during filming for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Constructing the Set
Shooting at the studios allowed the filmmakers to continuously adapt the appearance of the Forbidden Forest on-screen, which was particularly useful when considering the weather in each scene. During our Hogwarts in the Snow feature, fans will find themselves stepping into a winter woodland as the set is covered in a blanket of filmmaking snow for Christmas.
Despite filming moving to the studios, set designers still wanted the Forbidden Forest to grow out of something real. Scenic artists created backdrops that were up to 600 feet in length and the forest was filled with 19 trees, each with a diameter of over 12 feet.
Mystifying Creatures
Aside from towering trees, the Forbidden Forest set also hosts several magical creatures, some of which can be spotted at the Studio Tour. Centaurs, Hippogriffs and Acromantulas have all been known to roam the set in Leavesden, and those who are brave enough to enter the Forbidden Forest can capture their own photos with some of the forest’s notable inhabitants during their visit.
Whilst the Forbidden Forest is out-of-bounds to Hogwarts students throughout the film series, those visiting the Studio Tour are able explore the mystical set for themselves. Be warned though, the Forbidden Forest is a dangerous place for all, including the most courageous of wanderers.
