This post may contain affiliate links

Hogwarts in the Snow was one of goals, and I was lucky enough to visit just after Christmas. I introduced younger members of my family who had not yet managed to visit. It had returned due to popular demand. And it was nice to see it all decorated for Christmas. And there were two new areas that I had not yet get to see – The Dark Arts and Hogwarts Express !

Iconic sets are decorated as they were for festive scenes; the Great Hall will be lined with eight Christmas trees and the Gryffindor common room will be dotted with sweet wrappers, crackers and oranges.

And for the first time this year we saw the hand-carved Goblet of Fire lit with flames that change from blue to red.

In March 2015,  the original Hogwarts Express steam engine and a recreation of Platform 9 ¾ were introduced . The new section offers a glimpse into how some of the films’ most iconic scenes were created and we got to climb aboard the train’s carriage and to pose with a luggage trolley as it disappears through the platform wall. Just like at Kings Cross Station, mind you this one looked more polished !

Another new section that was introduced in October 2014, was the Dark Arts. This included the drawing room set complete with a 20-foot model of Voldemort’s snake Nagini and floating mannequin of Muggle Studies teacher Charity Burbage (who was captured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1).

And we saw artefacts from Borgin and Burkes, the sinister antique shop from Knockturn Alley, including the Vanishing Cabinet (which offers the Death Eaters a secret entrance to Hogwarts) and the Hand of Glory (a gnarled item that gives light only to the holder).

And then finally Hogwarts In The Snow

It was lovely to return and see two new things. But I would not recommend going during the school holidays. It is packed. I have a suspicion that they are building something else. So I will be returning !