Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Sherlock, Buffy the Vampire Slayer…have these fandoms taken over your life? Do you suffer from Tumblr addiction? I can say yes to both of those questions, and as a public service to my fellow geeks and fangirls (and boys, of course), I’m bringing you this guide to the fandom attractions in the bustling city that is London.
The Who Shop
The Who Shop is a store as well as a museum dedicated to – you guessed it – Doctor Who! It’s owned by a charming couple who love the show and serve every customer as if they were just new friends waiting to happen. The store has everything from magazines and posters to duvets and bathrobes. And for just 3 pounds you can enter through the TARDIS to the museum that boasts a number of props and costumes from the show. The admission fee also includes your personal tour guide, so be sure to ask any and all questions that might be nagging you when you step inside. The intern at the shop who shows you around (and makes sure you don’t try to smuggle a dalek home with you) is extremely knowledgeable about the show and is happy to even take your pictures in front of the props. Just beware of blinking in front of the weeping angels!
You can easily get to the shop with the underground: just take the Eastbound District line to Upton Park and it’s a short walk away. The website has detailed instructions on finding the place as well.
The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾
The Platform 9 ¾ has been a staple at King’s Cross station for a while now, but a newer addition is the Harry Potter shop next to it. The shop isn’t very big but it has some of the greatest Harry Potter merchandise you could imagine. Naturally you can buy your very own wand there as well as a Quidditch jersey or a house scarf. And don’t forget to get your picture taken at the platform while trying to push the cart through the solid wall. On a more personal note, I am slightly saddened how the Platform has been commercialized in the last years because during the first time I visited there (pre-shop years), you could just go and take your own picture without having to queue and have the shop print out an “official” photo. But it’s a fun experience nonetheless, so if you don’t mind the wait, I’d definitely recommend it!
There are several buses that go to King’s Cross and the underground lines Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Circle, Victoria, Piccadilly, and Northern will get you to the King’s Cross St. Pancras tube station from where you can walk inside to the railway station.
http://www.harrypotterplatform934.com/
The Warner Bros Studios
Another Harry Potter location…this is arguably the most expensive and most impressive attraction on this list! The studio tour will take you to a magical journey to the world of Harry Potter and the making of the films. The studios have massive set pieces like the Burrow, the Great Hall and Dolores Umbridge’s office. You can ride a broomstick, drink frothy Butterbeer, and spend all your galleons and sickles in the huge gift shop at the end of the tour.
From central London you’ll have to grab a train to Watford Junction and from there a studio bus will take you to the Warner Bros studios. The price for the tour is 33 pounds (for an adult).
http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/
Forbidden Planet
Forbidden Planet is a store that sells any and every kind of fandom stuff you can think of. It’s like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory for geeks. The store covers fandoms from Doctor Who and Lord of the Rings to Portal and Breaking Bad. You can find comics, books, and much more from this best known science fiction/fantasy/comic book/etc. retailer in the world. The Forbidden Planet megastore is located on Shaftesbury Avenue, a walking distance from e.g. Tottenham Court Road Station.
The Cinema Store
The Cinema Store is similar to Forbidden Planet, only in a lot smaller scale. Located next to Leicester Square, it boasts a great location and often competitive prices; Forbidden Planet and the Cinema Store have many books, for example, on sale in both stores and it is not uncommon to find the item cheaper in the smaller store.
http://www.thecinemastore.co.uk/
The Sherlock Holmes Museum
For the Sherlock fans, there’s a Sherlock Holmes museum located on – wait for it – 221b Baker Street! The house is a museum for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock, not the new BBC version with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman – so don’t get your hopes up, Cumberbitches! But if you are a fan of the stories, the building is a very interesting attraction and it’s maintained as a Victorian household so be prepared to step back in time!
You can get to the museum by taking the Bakerloo underground line to Baker Street station, and the admission fee is 10 pounds for an adult.