Harry Potter Studios and GOT Exhibhition (2014)

Two of 2014's highlights were my visits to the Harry Potter Studios outside London and a special Game of Thrones Exhibition in Belfast. I highly recommend them both as they feature set pieces, props, creatures, costumes, concept art and designs, although the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour is based near Watford outside London, The GOT exhibition I believe is something that pops up annually in various locations, the time I went, it was situated in the Waterfront building, Belfast, so keep an eye out for it.

The Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio tour was a real surprise and treat for myself especially as I'm not even a big Harry Potter fan but I was truly captivated by the sheer scale of the sets from  Hogwart's Main Hall and Chambers to the cobbled way up Diagon Alley. The Creatures, masks, costumes and prosthectics were really something to behold, the animatronics were both amazing and creepy as some features came to life.There was so much for Harry Potter fans to take in surrounding the family details, its world and culture, the forces of good and evil, I was fascinated but struggled at times to keep up, but I managed to take a break and refresh myself with some butter beer! The concept art was amazing along with the detailed set designs and models, and by the end of the tour was probably the best bit.... a breathtaking vision of Hogwarts in big-ature form.

Though smaller in scale and features the HBO Game of Throne Exhibition held its own as an impressive spectacle and display of Westeros' finest and feared. Most of it featured well known character costumes from the show, beautifully designed and detailed, along with the more rugged and grim wears of fugitive wanders or dwellers beyond the wall. The props were a delight, from weapons, jewellery and set pieces, all build up the stories, lore and history of it's world along with the memorable and shocking scenes from the TV series. The creature features were also present with hanging model dragons, a very cool dragon head and painfully bloody Dire Wolf's head, all too chilling with dreaded thoughts of the Red Wedding. Despite this, I was cheered up immensely with my chance to sit on the Iron Throne and Experience the Joyride of Looking beyond the wall from dizzying heights using the occulus rift set up.