After a successful first year culminating with the win of Most Improved Society of the Year at the SU Awards, it was time for the Quidditch Society to take their end of year trip. On 13 June, the society set off to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London to experience the magic of Harry Potter for themselves, with 12 students in attendance. Beth Webb reports on their successful day out.

After months of waiting, organising, and more than a bit of fundraising the time had finally arrived – the Huddersfield Quidditch Society was going to Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London.

We had been looking forward to this trip ever since we held our Potter Pub quiz to help raise money towards tickets and travel. So, when the day finally came, we were so excited that we almost couldn’t contain ourselves.

I arrived bright and early at the University reception to prepare for the day, only to be greeted by 11 very excited people – both Quidditch members and non-members – ready to experience the magic of Harry Potter. It was like we were all kids again.

When our transport arrived we clambered eagerly onto the minibus, ready to start our journey. The time flew by and soon we were face-to-face with the studios, a place that was once home to the team of actors, writers, and hard workers that brought Harry Potter to the silver screen.

Once we had collected our tickets and were ushered inside, we were given ‘passports’ to collect clues and stamps from around the tour. The moment we entered, nostalgia hit us like a hammer. We really were all like kids again.

I told the ticket lady that we played Quidditch at University and she was very impressed, wishing us all the best for the trip and our society in the future.

I don’t want to spoil it for those that haven’t been, so I’ll be brief. We got to experience the actual sets that were used in the making of Harry Potter, and got a close-up look of all the special effects used too.

Everywhere you looked there was something new and exciting - some of us undertook a wand training session, while others watched people undergo broom training. We also got to see the actual Hogwarts Express that was used throughout all of the films, and experienced how they used green screen to make the magic come to life.

We took tonnes of photos, had a great laugh and probably spent a little too much in the gift shop while we were there. But who cares? A trip like this doesn’t happen every day!

Overall we had a magical time, and can’t wait to maybe visit again next year. We’ll be organising even more events and a trip or two in the future for our Quidditch society, and hope to bring the fun of Quidditch to even more people in the years to come.