Hogwarts for Muggles: How YOU can fly on a broomstick on the set of Harry Potter

Magical mystery tour: Nicole Lampert flies above Hogwarts

The joy of Harry Potter has always been the idea of entering a world of magic, wizards and ghosts; being able to turn your horrible cousins into pigs; and battling dragons, goblins and giants. And now you really, truly - well, almost - can.

J. K. Rowling may have written her last Harry Potter book. The film franchise may also be over. But disconsolate muggles who miss the wizarding world can rejoice as The Making Of Harry Potter studios will open in just a couple of weeks.

And, using a bit of magic of my own, I managed to get a sneak preview. First, my attire. I did not need to go under the sorting hat to decide I would be a Gryffindor girl for my trip into Harry’s world, just like the lightning-scarred wizard and his friends Hermione and Ron. Who would want to be anything else?

With my cape, scarf, a lead-weighted copy of Hermione’s ornate wand and a special-edition Firebolt (the Rolls-Royce of the broomstick world) costing £249.99, I was ready for action. The Firebolt was extremely heavy - just like the ones they used in the movie. How on earth did diddy Harry actor Daniel Radcliffe make it look so easy?
The magic starts in the entrance hall; the flying Ford Anglia used by the Weasleys nestles nonchalantly in a corner, and you can also peer into Harry’s childhood bedroom under the stairs of the Dursley house.

It is 18 months since Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint (Harry, Hermione and Ron) left Leavesden, near Watford, Herts - their home from home for more than a decade. But they are back in a video to welcome you to the tour. 

Then the doors open into the Great Hall at Hogwarts, decked out for a fabulous dinner, where you can imagine Harry receiving an evil look from his enemy Draco Malfoy.

Scroll down for a video tour of Hogwarts

Grand opening: The attraction is due to open its doors on March 31 - just in time for the Easter Holidays

Great Hall: Inside Hogwarts Castle at the studios near Watford, north London. The film set opens to the public for the first time on March 31 - but tickets will cost £83 for a family of four

Details: Original costumes from the films line the walls of the refectory and (left) and (right) Nicole boards the Knight Bus

Dumbledore’s office: Built for Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets the room is home to the Sorting Hat, The Sword of Gryffindor and Dumbledore’s desk

Daniel once admitted he was close to tears when the hall was partially destroyed for the final scenes of the last movie. But now it has been lovingly rebuilt, brick by brick.
Before it was a film studio, Leavesden was an aircraft factory, so there’s plenty of space to prove that the real geniuses on the films worked behind the scenes.
There’s the Gryffindor dormitory, Dumbledore’s office and Hagrid’s hut, which is tiny - a simple trick to make actor Robbie Coltrane truly look like a giant.
At the Weasley house I got to try my hand at some real magic, pointing a wand to make an iron start moving, before invisible hands started knitting. Incredible!

Harry Potter High Street: Visitors can enjoy a spot of window shopping in the brilliant stores along magical Diagon Alley

Retail wizardry: Visitors can read a few spellbooks at Flourish & Blotts book shop or perhaps choose new wand at Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment