Hello Lovestruckers! Christmas is finally behind us which means you should be discarding that itchy acrylic jumper with reindeer motifs you’ve been wearing all week, stepping away 
from the Quality Street and dusting off your dating skills.
SO WHERE SHOULD I TAKE THEM?
To Hogwarts in the Snow at the Warner Bros. studios. There’s nothing like a walk down a fictional memory lane for softening the heart of your date. Just make sure they actually like Harry Potter before dragging them down Diagon Alley and ordering a round of butterbeers.
WAIT, WHAT?
The Warner Brothers Studio in London is where all 8 of the Harry Potter films were produced (NB: the seventh and final book was made into two films, but then you already knew that) and following the end of the series it’s been turned into a museum of sorts for interested muggles. The studio houses all sorts of sets from the the films, including the afore-mentioned Diagon Alley (Carnaby Street for wizards), the great hall where Harry et al were sorted into their houses all those years ago and the model of Hogwarts Castle. The 1:24 scale model is nearly 50 feet in diameter and has over 2,500 fibre optic lights which light up the castle and, during filming, made it appear as if students were rushing through the halls to their potions class. But Hogwarts in the Snow (now extended till 2 February) is 
even more fantastically magical as everything has been dressed up as it was for Christmas at Hogwarts. Highlights include the Christmas tree-clad Great Hall and Mrs Weasley’s infamous knitted Christmas jumpers (located in the prop room).
WHERE IS IT?
Not technically in London, at least it doesn’t feel much like London. The nearest station is Watford Junction which is a 20-minute train ride away from Euston or an hour’s train ride from Birmingham New Street. A shuttle bus service operates between the station and the studio (it’s not quite like being transported from Hogsmeade Station in thestral-drawn carriages, but at least it’s only £2 return…). If you’re worried about running out of pre-date chit-chat, maybe arrange to travel separately.
HOW MUCH?
Priceless… if only. Tickets are £29pp (rising to £30 in 2014). About the same price as the cinema then. Let him/her pay for the Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and you can probably call it even. (Pre-booking is essential.)
WHAT ELSE IS NEARBY?
Very little. But when a couple is bored/tired of Hogwarts in the Snow, they’re bored/tired of life.
MAXIMUM BLUFFING VALUE
To create the snowy exterior shots of Hogwarts castle the previously mentioned 1:24 scale model was dusted with dendritic salt. This white stuff clumps just like snow and squeaks underfoot so was the perfect snow-substitute, although the poor crew member who had to board a cherry picker and sieve the salt out by hand might not describe it as ‘perfect’.
DON’T SAY ‘Let’s get a family ticket; I’ll bring my kids along.’
DO SAY ‘All aboard the Hogwarts Express!’
