Magic at Morven Park: Harry Potter Comes to Hunt Country

Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photos by Callie Broaddus

There is something spellbinding happening at Morven Park in Leesburg that promises to be a treat for wizards and Muggles (non-magic folk) alike. In collaboration with Warner Brothers Studios, Thinkwell, Unify, and Fever, 15 of Morven Park’s 1,000 acres have been transformed into “Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience.” The exhibit combines movie magic with the site’s natural beauty resulting in a memorably immersive experience which will run through January 29. But more than the animatronics, impressive light shows, theatrical illusions, and perfectly-timed soundtrack, perhaps what is most magical is the seemingly endless international and local enthusiasm behind the project from the experience’s organizers and its eager participants. 

“I’m just thrilled to have this experience here,” shares Stacey Metcalfe, Morven Park’s executive director and CEO, with a wide smile. “Part of our strategic mission is to have people celebrate the outdoors. What a magical way to bring people from all over so they can be in the outdoors and be in our forest.” Her enthusiasm about bringing the Harry Potter-themed trail walk to Morven Park is echoed by Heather McGill, the producer and creative director at Unify, a UK-based partner in the experience. “After a hugely successful UK run, we, along with our Warner Bros., Thinkwell, and Fever partners, looked at many locations and cities, but in the end, we chose the venue at Morven Park because of its beautiful forest and existing trails and pathways. We are delighted that this location in particular offers our guests a real mix of woodland and twists and turns which is perfect to enjoy the magic of this experience,” McGill shares.

Magic, being the key word, is in no short supply on the woodland tour. The winding path is a mesmerizing maze of beloved Harry Potter characters, creatures, and encounters all set to the familiar soundtrack and surprising special effects. Wizarding World wanderers will recognize the massive figure and comforting voice of the Hogwarts gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid, and the soothing hoot of Harry’s snowy white owl, Hedwig, who is perched in a tree. And guests can spend a little time with Buckbeak the Hippogriff and Grawp, Hagrid’s giant half-brother, who, if viewed closely, will come to life. Nifflers, Cornish Pixies, and Centaurs also make appearances during the roughly hour-long walk, as do creatures intended to send chills up participants’ spines, all while keeping the evening kid-friendly. 

Morven Park’s natural elements are seamlessly woven into the experience and its pit stops too. Metcalfe shares that the production team used preivously-fallen trees to create the “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” Ford Anglia crash scene and to capture Grawp’s proclivity for ripping up trees by their roots. “They treated our forest, our property, everything like it was their own home…It wasn’t very impactful on our forest because they were very respectful,” Metcalfe says. “I couldn’t have asked for better partners. They invested in the trail, the lighting, the music, all of it.”

More than trail improvements, the experience benefits the Leesburg community and, more broadly, Loudoun County, both of which welcomed the experience with open arms. “When you think about it, the economic impact is amazing. Most of these people are coming in from out of town…and they are staying overnight. They eat, they drink, and they go shopping here or in the county,” Metcalfe says. As a result, Metcalfe adds, “I’ve been really blessed that the town of Leesburg, Loudoun County, everybody, has rallied around the economic development. Everybody has been really welcoming.” 

One chilly night in November, the experience attracted visitors from Richmond, Pittsburg, and even as far as Hawaii. And fans of the Forbidden Forest come in all ages and from all Hogwarts Houses, with kids young enough to be in strollers dressed in Hufflepuff robes to match their Potter-loving parents. 

The event has been so popular that there is already demand to bring it back next year. Metcalfe, who often walks the trail, says, “I’ve been talking to people at the end of the night, and they are like, ‘Oh, I can’t wait until next year. I’m coming back.’” And she agrees. “My dream is that we continue to have this experience. So, stay tuned.”

While December is mostly sold out, as of now, there are still tickets available for January 2023. However, they are going quickly. Perhaps Metcalfe explains the event’s popularity best saying, “I cannot say any more how totally thrilled I am that ‘Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience’ is here at Morven Park. I am thrilled for our park, for Leesburg, and for the county. The experience is absolutely one of those things that when people leave here, they are going to remember.” ML

For more information, and to purchase tickets to Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, visit: morvenpark.org.

Published in the December 2022 issue of Middleburg Life.