January can be a gloomy month to get through, so it’s worth having some fun things to look forward to such as a family day out. It gets you out of the house and gives you some fun memories to counteract the winter blues.

Research carried out by AttractionTickets.com has identified the happiest destinations to beat the winter blues based on analysis of over 100 travel experiences. The team looked at review data for attractions from Disneyland Paris to Edinburgh Castle and beyond to find out which of them had the most positive words such as “happy” and “perfect” mentioned. Topping the list for the UK? 

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London ranked third place in the list of the experiences most likely to lift January spirits, narrowly beaten by the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris, and cementing it as the happiest attraction in the UK.

Based in Leavesden near Watford, this Harry Potter themed attraction is a must visit for fans of the Wizarding World, and takes you behind the scenes to show how the movies were made. 

Unlike many TV or movie themed attractions, you aren’t just walking around looking at items in glass cases. The tour is completely immersive, letting fans walk through the actual sets and enjoy many of the little details from J.K. Rowling’s magical books. You can take a stroll through the Great Hall and feel like you’re really in Hogwarts, or peer through the shopfronts at Diagon Alley.

The experience takes up two huge soundstages and a backlot at the studios, so you can easily spend hours walking around and taking photos. There are endless props from the movie on display, from potion bottles to the mystical creature models used in the films. You can also see the costumes up close, many of which have small, subtle details you may have missed when watching the series. 

Over the summer, there will be a celebration to mark 25 years since the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and the studio also has seasonal events for Halloween and Christmas, with themed decor and fun activities. 

Even the food and drink options are themed around the films. Book a Harry Potter-style afternoon tea or stop off at the Butterbeer Bar to try the wizarding drink served in a souvenir tankard. You can even book a ticket with a dinner package which includes a three-course meal with each creative dish inspired by the franchise. 

Warner Bros. Studio Tour has overwhelmingly positive reviews. One recent visitor said: “It is an absolutely magical place and an absolutely fantastic experience! We went with two children aged 9 and had an unforgettable 8 hours walk, joy, learning magic and receiving royal treatment from the team!”

Another claimed: “You don’t need to be a Harry Potter fan to appreciate this exceptional place.”, before adding: “The splendor of the sets, combined with the educational approach of the exhibition, offers an informative and magical journey through the world of cinema.”

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