Thousands of young readers have dreamt of joining the wizarding world since J.K. Rowling's spell-binding Harry Potter series was released almost 25 years ago.

For Kent parents - totting up the annual cost of a muggle's school uniform might be more than enough - but thanks to some clever calculations Gringotts Bank would be impressed with, we can now reveal exactly how much it would cost to send your child to Hogwarts in real life.

Harry Potter Book Night takes place this evening - having been transported from its annual February date because of coronavirus.

While the pandemic has put pay to most larger gatherings or late-night openings at bookshops, Potter fans are expected to still celebrate around the world with readings, fancy dress and - with the first film's upcoming 20th anniversary too - perhaps a screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, first released in November 2001.

The theme of this year's event is Diagon Alley and in response to Covid restrictions, Harry Potter fans can claim downloadable event kits from organiser Bloomsbury's website.

Anyone taking part in asked to share photos online using the hastags #HarryPotterBookNight or #HPBN21.

How costly is Hogwarts?

Ahead of this evening, distance learning college Oxbridge has also been scouring the seven Harry Potter stories for uniform lists and purchases made in the cobblestoned shopping area of Diagon Alley, to establish just how much it would cost today for schooling like that given to Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Taking inflation into account, the total cost of sending a child to Hogwarts in 2021 would be an estimated £7,336.92 - or 1,467 Galleons, 6 Sickles, and 22 Knuts in Wizarding currency.

And if you thought your child's school uniform and stationary list in Kent was excessive - children attending the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would need to purchase 48 individual items of uniform, equipment and books plus travel and spending money on top.

For those who can picture the moment Harry is presented with his first wand - costing him 7 Galleons or around £35 at the time - they remain surprisingly affordable coming out at around £80.15 in today's money. Perhaps a small price to pay for a tool that forces your enemies to eat slugs?

Brooms however, are comparatively pricey, costing around £1,145 (229 Galleons) for a mid-range model today, plus an estimated £938.90 for text books.

And for those parents already contemplating the cost of Kent Travel Pass in September when their youngsters begin secondary school - take a moment to think of Hogwarts families where a whopping £3,637.20 would be needed for seven years of travel from Platform 9 and 3/4.

New Harry Potter attraction

If this evening's opportunity to celebrate all things Harry is not enough - an extra dose of magic will be conjured up next month with the opening of a Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition in London.

Behind-the-scenes photographs from key moments in the film series and London's only bottled Butterbeer bar will be part of the experience being organised by Warner Bros. On Location London.

Tickets are now available to book for the event, coming to Convent Garden from July 12, which is being billed as a must-visit for any fan - who will also be able to pull on a robe and pick up a broomstick for an unforgettable green-screen experience to see how Harry and his friends were made to fly.

To learn more about the new attraction or to pre-book tickets click here.

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