Harry Potter, The Shard among London's 2015 tourist attractions

According to Mastercard’s 2014 Global Destination Cities Index, London is the most popular city in the world to visit, with 18.69 million people arriving annually to take in its theatre, architecture and family attractions. The trick, of course, is staying on top.

Representatives from Warner Bros Studio Tour London and View from the Shard met with PAX last week to discuss the Full Monty of exciting new entertainment that travellers will find in the UK’s capital this year.

The London theatre scene is one of the UK’s most beloved traditions, welcoming more than 16 million audience members annually. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, based on the best-selling Roald Dahl book, is a new musical to the London stage, directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendez and boasting the largest set in the West End this year. A dynamic and colourful retelling of a story that is nearly 50 years old and has already enjoyed one million views, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a story that is sure to appeal to kids and grandparents alike.

The View from the Shard, London’s highest viewing platform, is the only place where visitors can see the entirety of the city all at once in a 360-degree view. Equipped with 12 telescopes that were designed by NASA, The View offers visitors a chance to see pre-recorded day-to-night and historically accurate visuals of London, as well as access to 100 tour guides speaking 16 languages between them. Travellers with more exacting tastes can sip a glass of bubbly from The View’s champagne bar while enjoying the sounds of the city from 72 flights up, courtesy of the open ceiling. In 2015, The Shard is rolling out several new events and activities available to its visitors, including yoga classes and silent discos.

Finally, for Harry Potter lovers, The Making of Harry Potter is an attraction which offers visitors the opportunity to peer behind the scenes in the world of Hogwarts. With locations from the Great Hall to Diagon Alley, guests are able to visit and experience original sets, props and wardrobe pieces straight from the series' eight films. In March 2015, Warner Bros Studio Tour London will be bringing the original Hogwarts Express and Platform 9 ¾ to the exhibit- a 20,000 square-foot expansion that will allow visitors to sit in the train’s interior carriage and learn about the films’ special effects in an interactive environment. The new Platform 9 ¾ section, featuring the original Hogwarts Express, will open on Thursday, March 19.

For more information, see the websites below:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: www.charlieandthechocolatefactory.com

The View from the Shard: www.theviewfromtheshard.com

The Making of Harry Potter: www.wbstudiotour.co.uk