Madame Tussauds museum London review

What's the next best thing to meeting global icons in reality? Posing with their real-life mannequins at Madam Tussauds museum in London! The museum itself is located on the main road and at first glance you won’t even realize that the entrance of the museum is located there. 

The queues outside the museum are really long and you could be waiting for a good amount of time to get in. It is best to book the museum entry tickets in advance online or if part of a tour group let the tour operator do it for you. You can also buy a special Priority Access ticket to avoid the queues, which are especially long during peak tourist seasons.

Visiting Madame Tussauds museum London

Make sure that you have kept aside enough time to tour the entire museum at one visit, at least 4 hours maximum. This is because there are plenty of wax icons to meet & capture on camera, not to mention a mini train ride and short films. Youngsters should not miss the Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie. There is also a section called ‘SCREAM’ & a Chamber of Horrors (the museum says this section is not advisable for those with heart conditions & for pregnant women)

At the entrance the museum’s staff goes out of their way to ensure that senior citizens and physically challenged visitors are not kept waiting. They are allowed to jump the queue and are escorted inside. Once inside, you will be astonished at the number of visitors despite the tickets being expensive. If you happen to be visiting when, literally, everybody else has decided to visit at that time too, you should be ready to have elbows digging into you & getting pushed around. The thing is that since people are allowed to touch the mannequins and stand alongside to take photos, it does take time to get your chance to be up close & personal with your own favourites. Also, don't act formal and line up to take your photo with a celebrity mannequin. Just go ahead and take it even if others are in the frame. You could just waste your time hanging around one exhibit instead of seeing all.

The mannequins are neatly organized in various sections. I would recommend first going to the Royal Family section so that even if you have less time to spend at the museum at least you will have experienced the best part of the entire museum tour: the Spirit of London ride. What you do is hop into the train which moves along a track very close to the wax mannequins of the various members of the royal family. It takes about 5 minutes & is very quick. The mannequins in this section are the most realistic ones of all and you truly feel as though you are in the midst of royalty. There are even life-like mannequins of Buckingham palace guards! Note that while branches of Madam Tussauds museum have opened elsewhere on the global map, the train ride is exclusive to London only.

The Royals

Once you have finished touring the royal section, the next best section is the entertainment one. Here, too, it is uncanny to feel as though you are right next to actual people. My aunt for a minute thought she was standing next to a real person – it turned out to be Steven Spielberg! That’s how life-like it was. Equally fascinating are Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, both in famous poses.

Visitors from India invariable make a beeline for the Bollywood section, wanting to stand next to superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan.

Next go to the sports section. Here are the world’s greatest sporting legends, past & present. It feels great to stand next to Sachin Tendulkar or between Shane Warne and Brian Lara. Sachin Tendulkar has been given the classic celebratory pose when he cracks a century – looking heavenwards, with arms outstretched, bat in left hand and helmet in the other. Behind him on the wall is an autographed bat. Shane Warne looks all set to throw his unique spin.

In the music section are Michael Jackson and the Beatles.

Finally there is a section of people demarcated as world leaders with US President Obama within a replica of the White House office. Then there is Gandhiji, Nelson Mandela & the Dalai Lama standing against a backdrop of white doves representing peace.

So is it worth it? I would say it is worth at least one visit just for the Royalty exhibits.

Tourist Tips for Madame Tussauds museum London

• The museum may have different opening times on different days so best to check in advance before visiting. You should also confirm closing times so as not to waste money on a ticket & then realizing that you are too late for a particular attraction since some attractions are shut down early (Ph: +44 (0) 871 894 3000).
• You should buy a 2-for-1 voucher – it is less expensive as you get 1 free ticket on one adult ticket. However, you cannot buy these in advance or online but only on the day of your visit.There is a separate entrance for visitors with this voucher.
• A family ticket can be purchased for 2 adults & 2 children or 1 adult & 3 children.
• Check for economy tickets which are offered sometimes for the late evening, near closing time (5p.m. generally, 5.30 on weekends & public holidays). It is known as a Late Saver ticket & costs £15.
• For some exhibits, there are pay pictures.
• It is advisable to eat beforehand before visiting. You are not allowed to munch on snacks or drink inside. Though there is a café (located near the exit doors) inside, it is pricey.
• If you have brought along very young kids in a child buggy or push cart, you are not allowed to take these inside. You have leave the buggy in a designated place & collect it later (no charges). A baby carrier for babies between 0 to 6 months if available can be provided on a refundable deposit of £10.
• There is no luggage token system where you can leave your bags. Just make sure that your bag is no larger than these measurements: 55x40x20.
• Don't forget your camera! You need not then spend on pay pictures. 
• Souvenirs like key chains & travel mugs are also sold inside.
• Since the number of visitors allowed inside at a time is limited, if you are using a wheelchair you need to book it in prior to your visit with the Customer Service Department (Ph: 0871 894 3000).

Address of Madame Tussauds Museum London

Madame Tussauds,
Marylebone Road,
London NW1 5LR

Ph: +44 (0) 871 894 3000

Email: guest.experience@madame-tussauds.com

Website: www.madametussauds.com/London/

School Trip ticket booking enquiries Ph: +44 (0) 871 222 0177 / Fax: +44 (0) 870 400 3006

Corporate events enquiries Ph: +44 (0)20 7487 0224
Email: events@merlinvenues.com