The Accio spell was cast and the wizardly summoning charm drew me to London for a magical muggle weekend. My first stop, after arriving at platform 93/4, was the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, for the most awarded play in history – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The show, which opened in 2016, takes Potter fans to 19 years after Harry, Hermione and Ron saved the Wizarding World.

Now it’s the next generation’s turn with the enchanting play following the unlikely friendship between Albus Severus Potter (Harry’s son) and Scorpius Malfoy (Draco’s son) and their race through time to stop mysterious forces threatening the future of the wizarding world.

The play, which is performed in two parts, transported me back to Hogwarts, and even with a total running time of five hours and 15 minutes, at the end I wished I had my very own Ministry of Magic time-turner to start it all over again. It’s no surprise that the eighth story in the Harry Potter series has sold more than six million tickets worldwide. Ticket prices for the play start from £15.

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The special effects throughout the play were so incredible that at times it was as though I was witnessing actual magic. I grew up eating, sleeping and breathing Harry Potter so I was actually a little hesitant to watch The Cursed Child, for fear the casting or storyline would not live up to my high expectations.

But those fears vanished with, in the words of Hermione Granger, a “swish and flick” of a wand the moment the show began. I was pleased there were plenty of familiar characters – Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid and even Myrtle, to name but a few – which made me feel like a child all over again.

The addition of new characters, new plots and a whole new generation of Hogwarts was superbly done. As per the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, which prohibits the revelation of all things magic to muggles, I don’t want to give away too many of the play’s secrets. But the dementors, the quick and seamless changing of scenery, and the moment Voldemort appears were just a few of my highlights.

After the curtain comes down, those who book through Holiday Extras for The Harry Potter London Breaks package can go back to their included accommodation for the evening.

I stayed at the four-star Marriott Hotel Regents Park in a comfortable and modern room, which had two double beds, and breakfast included in the package. The journey took 30 minutes by taxi – almost as quick as using floo powder! The hotel was in a perfect location for the next day’s activities and with the help of a Portkey I was at the Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter in no time.

The fan attraction opened in 2012 and has been a roaring success with Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws and Slytherins visiting from all over the world. The attraction offers fans the chance to get up close to authentic sets to discover the magic behind the spellbinding special effects and explore behind-the-scenes secrets of the Potter film series. Inside you get to experience the original Great Hall, which was adorned in Halloween decorations when I visited. The hall’s decorations change as per the season, with Hogwarts in the Snow running until January 14.

There are a number of sets to explore, including Diagon Alley, Forbidden Forest, Gringotts Wizarding Bank (with a fiery surprise inside), Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse and the breathtaking model of Hogwarts Castle, which really needs to be seen to be believed.

Exploring the wizarding world is thirsty and hungry work so I was pleased to see a range of eateries onsite, including Chocolate Frog Cafe, Food Hall, Backlot Cafe and Hub Cafe.

However, there was only ever going to be one drink on the menu for me – a frothy glass of Butterbeer, which made me feel like I was in the Leaky Cauldron at Hogsmeade. There was also Butterbeer ice cream, which it would have been rude not to try.

There were many other drink options for muggles, and a wide variety of food on the breakfast and lunch menus. Back on the tour, one thing I wanted to try was the Green Screen Experience which allows diehard fans the chance to ride a broomstick over London just like the cast did in filming – and you can even buy the video to keep.

Other extras you can book for the tour include a digital guide, with fascinating facts about the sets, props and costumes as you see them, plus photo opportunities.

And no tour would be complete without a trip to the gift shop. This one had everything from robes to the wands of dozens of characters, a full range of sweets from Weasley Wizard Wheezes and so much Harry Potter collectible merchandise that I would have needed to perform an Engorgio Charm on my house to fit it all in – which, believe me, is something I was willing to try.

Book the holiday

• Holiday Extras offers a Harry Potter themed package to London from £328pp, including an overnight hotel stay with breakfast, entry to Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and Cursed Child theatre ticket holidayextras.com
• More info at visitlondon.com hvisitherts.co.uk

• Harry Potter
• Staycation

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