Discover Stratford's most unique attraction
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter may have opened recently in America, but Stratford-upon-Avon has its very own magical and unique attraction selling real wands, an apothecary and the world's oldest and largest collection of magical spells for sale.
The quirky, three storey building in Henley Street is steeped in history and home to not one, but two magical attractions. Bombay Manor, home to the eccentric and deeply troubled ‘Bombay’ family featuring spooky family fun by day and The Stratford Ripper Experience, Warwickshire’s premier scare attraction, featuring a range of terrifying ghost events for adults by night.
Wander into this historic building and step into the delightful Magical Gift Shop selling books, candles and popular old fashioned sweets. From Fizzing Whizzbangs to hand decorated Chocolate Frogs and Sherbert Fountains, there’s something for everyone. The world’s largest range of magic spells offers you the chance to realise your dreams from winning the lottery to attracting love and the Wand Shoppe sells traditional handmade magic wands as well as warrants and scrolls including ‘the witches curse’. You can even write letters using old fashioned paper and send them anywhere in the world from the Owl Post Office.
An old fashioned, fully functioning Victorian Apothecary features Stratford's largest selection of herbs, roots and incense with over 350 different herbs and oils encased in antique bottles and jars. Watch spells, incense and dream pillows being made using traditional recipes, some of which are over 2000 years old. Learn about the herbal lore used in Shakespeare’s plays or make and blend your own perfume, oils, bath salts or incense.
Upstairs, across two floors accessed by creaky, winding and darkly lit staircases is a warren of rooms, home to the Bombay family and filled with interesting exhibits. The rooms contain a fascinating glimpse into the private lives of one of the country's most eccentric family’s. The Bombay family was cursed many centuries ago and their presence is still felt in the building. Due to the nature of the attraction it is not suitable for those aged under six.
Take part in your own “sorting ceremony” in the Great Hall or decipher the potion puzzle in the windowless, eerie Chapter Room which also houses an antique giant Ouija board. Both feature holographic framed portraits of the family with stories of their lives and how each met their untimely deaths. On the third floor the Haunted Nursery is home to old fashioned children’s toys featuring puppets, teddy bears, a dolls house, rocking horse and human sized clown, many of which date back to the 19th century. It is known as the Haunted Nursery for a reason - some visitors swear they have seen the clown’s eyes move . . .
At the rear of the building is an old fashioned Victorian Tea Garden, the perfect place to relax and calm your nerves! The Taming of the Brew serves a wide range of unusual teas including eight different varieties of mint tea. Coffee, hot chocolate, organic fruit juices & delicious snacks such as hot buttered crumpets, cakes, biscuits and pastries are also served.
As dusk falls, Bombay Manor undergoes a sinister change and is no place for the faint hearted as it becomes the Stratford Ripper Experience featuring a range of terrifying ghost events for adults. With over 40 separate identified ghosts and spirits, it is no wonder that it is reputed to be one of the most haunted buildings in England. Very few have been brave enough to spend the entire night there and many have been too terrified to even venture upstairs. Ghost events include an overnight Seven Degrees of Evil Ghost Hunt, Terrifying Tales, In the Footsteps of the Ripper Ghost Walk and Victorian Séances.
Dave Matthews, CEO of Seek the Magic Org said "Our two attractions are a truly unique experience and offer something for everyone from spooky family fun by day to terrifying ghost events at night. Whether you leave the building ashen faced or with a wide grin on your face, you’ll certainly want to visit time and time again and there’s no need to travel all the way to America! Step inside and find out where magic really does begin.”
Bombay Manor also offers a range of popular children’s magic parties which take place for two hours from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Tickets cost £15 per child and include invitations, goody bags, a party supper, birthday cake, magical lessons and entertainment.
Bombay Manor is open every day from 10:00am – 5:00pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults, £4 for concessions & students, £2.75 for those aged 10 – 16, £2 for under 10’s and £12 for a family (2 adults & 2 concessions). Terrifying Tales cost £7.50 and take place daily at 6:30pm & 7:30pm. Please note the stories are not suitable for under 12's. The Stratford Ripper Ghost Walk costs £7.50 and takes place daily at 9pm. Victorian Séances cost £25 and take place every Friday night. The Seven Degrees of Evil Ghost Hunt cost £45 and take place each Saturday from 9:30pm – 4:30am. All events must be pre-booked and are subject to availability.
For more information visit the website at: wheremagicbegins.co.uk
