One in every of London’s hottest and well-known customer points of interest is Madame Tussauds. This wax museum, named for its founder, has been welcoming guests since 1835.
Right now, there are greater than twenty Madame Tussauds wax museums discovered all around the globe, just a few of which we now have visited over time. Nevertheless, the museum in London was the primary to open and is unquestionably our favourite of all those we now have visited!
We’ve visited Madame Tussauds in London many occasions over time. My first go to was as a baby within the Nineteen Eighties, however I’ve since returned as an grownup a few occasions as effectively.
In at the moment’s information, we’re going to share with you every thing you want to know to plan your individual go to to London’s Madame Tussauds primarily based on our experiences.
From tips about learn how to get right here, what to anticipate, and learn how to skip the traces, this information will provide help to plan the right go to. Additionally, in case you are unsure if you wish to go to right here, this information ought to provide help to determine whether it is value visiting or not.
Let’s get began by answering some questions on Madame Tussauds.
Who was Madame Tussauds?
The Madame Tussauds wax museum is definitely named after an actual individual. Marie Tussaud was born in Strasbourg, France in 1761, with the maiden title Marie Grosholtz.
She began to learn to create wax sculptures at a really younger age beneath the route of the famend wax sculptor Philippe Curtius. With Philippe she moved to Paris, France, the place she was in the course of the French Revolution. Actually, a lot of her early works had been wax fashions of the victims of the French Revolution.
When Philippe died, his giant assortment of wax fashions was bequeathed to Marie. It was additionally round this time that she met and married Francois Tussaud, thus turning into Madame Tussauds.
For 30 years within the early nineteenth century, Marie took her assortment of wax collectible figurines on tour round Europe. She lastly settled in London in 1831, the place she died in 1850.
A Temporary Historical past of Wax Figures & Wax Museums
At this level you is likely to be questioning when and why wax museums turned fashionable, and if Madame Tussauds was the primary wax museum in London.
Nicely, life-size correct wax figures of individuals have been round for fairly an extended whereas. For instance, life-like wax figures had been created as a part of the funeral course of for European Royalty within the Center Ages. This was to current a determine of the deceased to the lots to pay their respects to.
It was within the seventeenth century that wax figures turned fashionable as a type of leisure. Variations of the French Royal Court docket and English Royal Court docket had been created and exhibited, and these turned fashionable as each travelling and everlasting displays.
In a time earlier than images, TV, magazines, or the Web, most individuals would not likely know what well-known individuals regarded appreciated exterior of printed sketches or cash. Wax figures had been essentially the most life-like representations that most individuals would ever see and had been extremely popular. Some additionally depicted grotesque or surprising scenes akin to murders and decapitations.
The primary recognized wax museum in London was opened in 1711 on Fleet Road by a girl named Mrs. Salmon. This was over 100 years earlier than Madame Tussauds opened her London museum!
What’s Madame Tussauds?
Madame Tussauds is a wax museum which is thought for its lifelike wax depictions of historic and celeb figures from around the globe.
The unique Madame Tussauds in London was based by Marie Tussaud who gave it her title. The unique assortment consisted of round 400 figures, together with the figures Marie had inherited from Philipe Curtius.
Right now there are a number of Madame Tussauds museums around the globe, however the authentic was based in London on Baker Road in 1835. In 1884 the museum was moved to its current location on Marylebone Highway.
Right now, Madame Tussauds incorporates all kinds of displays. These embody rotating themed displays, typically primarily based on current films or different cultural occasions.
There are additionally notable wax figures spanning historical past, from current celebrities to previous political figures, sporting heroes, and even fictional characters.
The London Madame Tussauds can also be residence to a number of the oldest wax fashions within the Madame Tussauds assortment, a few of which had been created by Marie herself. So for these of you curious about the historical past of the museum and the lifetime of Marie, that is positively the Madame Tussauds to go to.
Planning Your Go to to Madame Tussauds
Now that you already know a bit in regards to the historical past of Madame Tussauds, each the museum and the individual behind it, let’s take a look at planning your go to to this fashionable attraction.
The place is Madame Tussauds in London?
Madame Tussauds is discovered on Marylebone Highway within the Marylebone space of London. That is simply to the north west of central London points of interest, by Regent’s Park.
The complete tackle is:
Madame Tussauds
Marylebone Highway
London
NW1 5LR
From the surface you’ll discover that the constructing is in two components, a big white constructing after which a dome. This was beforehand the London Planetarium; nevertheless it closed as a planetarium in 2010 and is now the world of Madame Tussauds the place 4D movies are proven.
Get to Madame Tussauds?
Madame Tussauds is straightforward to get to, with a number of transport choices out there.
We almost all the time journey to Madame Tussauds on the London Underground, or Tube. The closest tube station is Baker Road, simply a few minutes’ stroll away.
Baker Road is served by 5 tube traces, the Bakerloo line, Circle line, Jubilee line, Hammersmith & Metropolis line and Metropolitan line. So it’s best to be capable to simply attain it by tube wherever you might be staying in London.
There are additionally public bus stops close to to Madame Tussauds providing connections throughout the town.
Experience-sharing apps and taxis are after all additionally out there in London.
Lastly, in case you are exploring London on a hop on hop off bus, such because the one included on the London Move, the vast majority of these providers have a route which features a cease at Madame Tussauds.
If you need extra details about public transport in London, see our information to getting round London.
When is Madame Tussauds Open?
Madame Tussauds is normally open year-round aside from Christmas Day.
Opening occasions fluctuate from 9am to 10am, and the closing time additionally varies between 3pm and 5pm.
These occasions rely on the day of the week and the time of the 12 months, with much less fashionable days usually having shorter opening hours.
Remember to examine the newest opening dates and occasions earlier than your go to. You may see the total calendar of opening occasions and hours on the official web site right here.
How Lengthy does it take to go to Madame Tussauds?
In our expertise, it’s best to anticipate to spend a minimal of 90 minutes visiting, however we’d suggest spending two to 3 hours visiting Madame Tussauds to get essentially the most out of your expertise.
The museum is specified by a structured style so that you naturally move from one exhibit to the subsequent. Nearly all of displays have plenty of picture alternatives, so you’ll seemingly discover the time flying by as you pose together with your favourite personalities.
As well as, when the museum is busier it may take somewhat longer as you wait to take your photographs. So we’d suggest giving your self loads of time so that you don’t really feel rushed or that you’re lacking out on something.
What Can You See at Madame Tussauds?
With over 150 wax figures on show, unfold out throughout 11 completely different themed zones, you possibly can positively see loads at Madame Tussauds!
The principle zones are as follows. Nevertheless, do bear in mind that the figures and zones do change sometimes.
- Music
- Royals
- Sport
- Style
- Movie
In addition to the above, there are themed zones which normally replicate current fashionable movies or different cultural occasions. For instance, when we now have visited we now have seen a Star Wars themed zone, and a Marvel themed zone.
In addition to the themed zones, there are a selection of different experiences inside Madame Tussauds. These are as follows.
- The Spirit of London trip has you boarding a “black cab” to take a tour by the historical past of London. That is mainly a trip on rails by a variety of displays, with audio out there in a variety of languages to clarify what you might be seeing. This trip is plenty of enjoyable and is all the time considered one of our highlights after we go to.
- The Chamber of Horrors. This fashion of surprising and gory waxwork was truly the unique imaginative and prescient of Madame Tussauds when she toured the UK in 1818, because it was interesting to audiences on the time. This exhibit is grownup in nature, and focuses on a number of the UK’s most infamous crimes, victims and perpetrators. This contains serial killers like Jack the Ripper.
- The 4D film expertise. After we visited, this was the Marvel Universe 4D expertise, which takes you on a enjoyable trip by the Marvel world with heroes akin to Captain Marvel, Thor and Spider-Man. The trip contains a 3D film in addition to a variety of particular results to create a extra immersive expertise. Notice that as of 2023 that is included with the usual ticket (it was once a paid addon).
The precise wax figures on show change pretty commonly. You may see a listing of the present wax figures and themed areas on the official web site right here.
Do you Want a Ticket for Madame Tussauds?
Sure, all guests to Madame Tussauds want a ticket. This contains kids beneath three who qualify at no cost entry.
The place to Purchase Madame Tussauds Tickets
You could have two choices for buying Madame Tussauds tickets. You should purchase them in individual on the day of your go to, or you should buy them on-line upfront from the official web site.
We strongly suggest reserving tickets upfront as it’ll each prevent cash and assure your entry. Tickets are timed, with the time indicating when you possibly can be a part of the queue to enter the attraction.
How A lot Does Madame Tussauds Price?
Pricing for Madame Tussauds varies relying on a variety of elements. Similar day tickets and tickets for fashionable days akin to holidays and weekends are normally dearer in comparison with tickets booked additional upfront and for much less fashionable days akin to weekends.
There are additionally completely different ticket choices out there at completely different costs. These are the usual ticket, fast-track ticket, and household ticket.
There are additionally ticket choices which embody further experiences, which additionally enhance the value.
In our expertise, the perfect worth tickets are these purchased upfront for much less fashionable days. Shopping for tickets in individual almost all the time prices extra, and on busy days you aren’t assured entry.
The costs beneath are appropriate as of March 2023, however do examine the official web site for the newest pricing info and ticket choices.
Commonplace Madame Tussauds Ticket Worth
The usual Madame Tussauds ticket grants you entry to Madame Tussauds on a day and time of your selecting.
Notice that you simply do nonetheless have to hitch line with all the opposite individuals at your timeslot and undergo safety, so you’ll have to queue for a time frame.
Commonplace entry for Madame Tussauds prices:
- £32 – £42 for an grownup
- £25.5 – £38 for a kid (3-15 years)
- Free for kids beneath three years
For the perfect costs you want to e-book on-line no less than three days upfront on a non-peak day.
Peak days fluctuate, so you have to to examine costs on the web site to see in case your chosen day is a peak day. We’d suggest reserving on-line on peak days as effectively to keep away from disappointment on the day.
Quick-Observe Madame Tussauds Ticket Worth
At busier occasions of the 12 months akin to throughout faculty holidays, it may take a short time to enter the attraction, with queue occasions between 20 and 40 minutes in our expertise.
Should you’d slightly not queue, you possibly can pay a premium for a fast-track ticket choice. Quick-track ticket holders get entry to a devoted line and entry door, so will be inside faster. Nevertheless, the fast-track ticket solely helps with entry, as soon as you might be contained in the attraction there isn’t a additional profit.
Quick-track entry for Madame Tussauds prices:
- £40 – £52 for an grownup
- £32 – £48 for a kid (3-15 years)
- Free for kids beneath three years
Typically, fast-track ticket costs value round £8 – £18 greater than customary entry ticket costs. Once more, reserving for off-peak days will get you the perfect worth.
It’s additionally value noting that you could improve a typical ticket to fast-track as a part of the reserving course of, which typically works out cheaper than simply reserving a fast-track ticket relying on availability.
Household Madame Tussauds Commonplace Ticket
In case you are visiting Madame Tussauds as a household, it can save you by buying a household ticket.
These can be found for teams consisting of 1 or two adults, and two to 3 kids, for a most of 5 friends whole.
A household ticket at the moment prices:
- £31 for every grownup
- £31 for every youngster (3-15 years)
- Free for kids beneath three years.
As you possibly can see, it can save you fairly a bit on customary entry costs with a household ticket. Notice that fast-track entry isn’t attainable with a household ticket.
Extra Madame Tussauds Experiences
There are further experiences you possibly can pay for to reinforce your go to. A few of these will be booked while you e-book your Madame Tussauds ticket, others are payable on website. These are as follows:
- Quick-track improve. If reserving a typical ticket, you should have the choice to improve to a fast-track ticket for £10 per individual. This have to be performed upfront.
- Wax Hand. Throughout your go to, it is possible for you to to cease off at a wax modelling location and have your hand crafted in wax as a memento. This course of takes round quarter-hour and prices £20 per individual. This may be booked upfront or in individual on the day.
- Picture stops. While images is allowed and inspired, you even have the chance to have your picture taken by skilled photographers at completely different stops. The most well-liked of those is with the Royal Household. You may take a look at these photographs and determine to purchase them from the present store on the finish of your go to. It’s free to have your picture taken so that you would possibly as effectively do it after which you possibly can determine on the finish if you wish to buy them. Pricing varies relying on the variety of photographs chosen.
Are you able to Cancel or Reschedule a Madame Tussauds Ticket?
If you are going to buy tickets from the official website, these are bought on a non-refundable and non-transferable foundation. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to change the date of your reserving at no cost, which you are able to do on the official web site right here or through the Reserving Portal which you’ll obtain a hyperlink to upon ticket buy.
If you are going to buy tickets through a third-party ticket website akin to GetYourGuide, these could have a special cancellation coverage. So if the choice to cancel your tickets is essential, this generally is a good choice.
The final time we checked, these Madame Tussauds tickets on GetYourGuide provided free cancellation as much as 24 hours upfront of your go to.
Are you able to Improve a Madame Tussauds Ticket?
You may improve a ticket after buy to incorporate a cinema ticket. Nevertheless, on the time of writing, we’re not conscious of a strategy to improve tickets from a typical ticket to a fast-track ticket. So it is necessary you e-book the proper of ticket upfront of your go to.
How Lengthy are the Queues at Madame Tussauds?
Queue occasions fluctuate relying on the time of day and whether or not or not it’s a faculty or public vacation. At quieter occasions the queue will usually be quarter-hour or much less, however throughout peak visiting occasions akin to faculty holidays it may be so long as an hour.
Can You Skip the Line at Madame Tussauds?
There are two ticket choices for Madame Tussauds, a standard-entry line and a fast-track ticket line. Quick-track ticket holders can skip the slower standard-entry line and make the most of a devoted entrance.
Nevertheless, each entrances have safety checks, and so there’ll usually be a brief wait even with a fast-track ticket. That mentioned, at busier occasions the fast-track tickets ought to get you inside Madame Tussauds loads faster than the usual tickets.
Madame Tussauds Low cost Tickets
There are just a few completely different choices for low cost tickets for Madame Tussauds. Those we’re at the moment conscious of are as follows.
Pupil Reductions. In case you are a registered UK scholar, it can save you as much as 56% on Madame Tussauds by profiting from their scholar low cost. You may learn extra about how to do that right here.
In case you are visiting London by practice, you possibly can make the most of 2 for 1 entry to many points of interest, together with Madame Tussauds. This must be booked upfront, and a few date exclusions apply. You may learn extra about this supply right here.
In case you are visiting Madame Tussauds as a gaggle of no less than 10 individuals, it can save you by buying a gaggle entry ticket on the official web site.
Deal web site Groupon typically has offers for Madame Tussauds, you possibly can examine these out right here.
In any other case, your only option is to buy on the official web site upfront of your go to, which can usually prevent some cash in comparison with shopping for tickets on the day.
Passes which embody Madame Tussauds
An alternative choice which may prevent cash in your Madame Tussauds tickets is to buy an attraction move which incorporates Madame Tussauds. So it’s a good suggestion to examine if you happen to plan to go to any of the opposite points of interest included on the assorted mixture tickets.
On the time of writing, fashionable metropolis attraction passes just like the London Move don’t embody Madame Tussauds.
Nevertheless, there are some multi-attraction tickets and passes which do embody Madame Tussauds. Should you had been already planning on visiting a number of points of interest when within the metropolis, then these passes and mixture tickets would possibly prevent cash.
For instance, you possibly can e-book the next mixture tickets:
There are additionally some passes which embody Madame Tussauds, that are as follows:
- Huge Metropolis Saver Move. This move is offered in a variety of variations, protecting as much as 5 premium points of interest in London. These points of interest embody Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, London Dungeon, Shrek’s Journey, and the London Eye.
- Merlin Annual Move – Should you plan to go to plenty of points of interest throughout the UK, then the Merlin Annual Move is likely to be an excellent choice. This contains entry to just about 30 points of interest, together with Madame Tussauds, London Eye, Alton Towers, Legoland, London Dungeon, and Warwick Fort. That is in all probability finest suited for individuals who dwell within the UK.
Is Madame Tussauds Value It?
This can after all rely on you and the forms of points of interest you like.
We actually have loved Madame Tussauds after we go to. It’s wonderful how lifelike the celeb figures are, and all of the displays are plenty of enjoyable and really effectively put collectively. It’s an interactive expertise which is unquestionably one thing that may attraction to the entire household.
A giant a part of the Madame Tussauds expertise at the moment for most individuals is taking photographs of the figures and taking selfies with the figures. If this isn’t one thing you get pleasure from, this may not be the perfect attraction for you.
The opposite factor to notice is that with the entire Madame Tussauds areas, there’s a give attention to native celebrities, politicians, royalty, athletes, and so forth. So that you’ll see a number of British athletes, movie stars, singers, and naturally the British Royal Household. However worldwide guests will be sure you acknowledge many of those individuals in addition to see loads of well-known individuals from different components of the world. There are many American figures particularly.
We additionally like that the London location is the unique Madame Tussauds, and that there’s an space the place you possibly can study extra about Marie Tussaud herself, and see a number of the wax figures that she labored on. Jess likes historical past and actually loved seeing the older figures and studying a bit in regards to the historical past and making of wax figures.
In fact, like each expertise and attraction, it’s in the end as much as you as as to whether or not you are feeling it’s value it.
Is the Quick Observe Madame Tussauds Possibility Value It?
That is after all as much as you. At busier occasions, you possibly can positively save a while by buying the fast-track ticket choice. Nevertheless, in case you are visiting at a quieter time, the time distinction is probably going not going to be very important.
It’s additionally value noting that aside from the doubtless decreased queue time, there isn’t a different benefit to the fast-track ticket.
Services at Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds presents bogs on each stage of the attraction, in addition to child altering services.
There’s a memento retailer on the exit, and foods and drinks stands serving confectionary, snacks and drinks are additionally out there all through the attraction.
Safety and Restrictions at Madame Tussauds
Earlier than you enter Madame Tussauds you’ll undergo a safety screening course of.
Plenty of objects are usually not allowed inside Madame Tussauds, together with baggage, giant luggage, tripods, child buggies, sharp objects akin to penknives and scissors, weapons, animals (besides skilled help canines), and alcohol. You may see a full checklist right here.
Notice that child strollers/prams/buggies will be saved at no cost at a particular storage facility on the museum. It’s also possible to depart baggage and coats however there’s a small price to take action.
Accessibility at Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds is designed to be totally accessible, with lifts out there and help canines permitted.
Because of the age of the constructing and the variety of lifts out there, solely three wheelchair customers will be accommodated within the constructing at anyone time. It’s due to this fact crucial that wheelchair customers e-book a wheelchair ticket when reserving.
The Spirit of London trip can also be not appropriate for friends in a wheelchair or mobility scooter.
Carers with documentation are eligible for a free ticket when accompanying a disabled visitor. They do have to pre-book this ticket, which will be performed on-line right here.
There’s a full information to accessibility at Madame Tussauds which you’ll entry from their accessibility web page right here.
Baggage Storage at Madame Tussauds
Buggies and bigger luggage are usually not permitted inside Madame Tussauds. Nevertheless, there may be an on-site cloakroom and buggy storage facility. Buggies will be left right here at no cost, while luggage and coats will be checked right here for a small price.
What Time of Day is Finest for Visiting Madame Tussauds to Keep away from Crowds?
It’s typically beneficial that you simply both go to at round opening time or round 2pm if you wish to keep away from the largest crowds.
It’s because though entry is timed and managed to make sure an excellent by move, because the morning goes on the attraction does get a bit busier. So if you’d like a much less crowded expertise, then visiting both when it opens or simply after lunch tends to lead to a much less crowded go to.
Is Madame Tussauds Air Conditioned?
Sure, Madame Tussauds is totally air-conditioned. That is each for the advantage of the friends but in addition the wax figures, as these have to be stored in a climate-controlled surroundings.
It’s value mentioning that while the inside of Madame Tussauds is local weather managed, the queuing space is exterior the constructing and never protected against the weather. So you’ll want to costume for the climate as you might be in line for a time frame earlier than you enter the attraction. Dressing in layers is all the time a good suggestion.
Should you’d like ideas for what to convey on your journey to London, see our London packing checklist for plenty of concepts.
Can I take Meals and Drink into Madame Tussauds?
Sure, you might be allowed to take foods and drinks into Madame Tussauds, aside from alcoholic drinks.
It’s value noting that the attraction reserves the suitable to limit entry of any merchandise they really feel would possibly adversely have an effect on the operations of the attraction. In these conditions, you’ll be requested to devour or discard these things earlier than entry.
Is Pictures Allowed at Madame Tussauds?
Pictures could be very a lot allowed and certainly inspired at Madame Tussauds. So be at liberty to take as many photographs as you want with the wax figures!
You’ll be able to rise up near the overwhelming majority of the wax figures and even contact them (evenly after all) to take photographs. However just a few of the older figures and extra essential figures are roped off or behind glass, however you possibly can nonetheless take photographs of them.
The principle exceptions to this rule are within the cinema and on the Spirit of London trip, each are areas the place images isn’t permitted.
As well as, tripods are usually not permitted at Madame Tussauds. In case you are travelling with a tripod, this will likely be held by safety all through your go to.
Sights Close to Madame Tussauds
While you might be within the Marylebone space, you might be questioning what different points of interest are close by that you could additionally go to. Listed below are some choices you would possibly take into account while within the space:
- Sherlock Holmes Museum. This museum devoted to the fictional detective is discovered on Baker Road, and it’s a few minutes’ stroll from Madame Tussauds.
- Regent’s Park. Simply to the north of Madame Tussauds is Regent’s Park, considered one of London’s beautiful inexperienced areas. The view of London from Primrose Hill in Regent’s Park is considered one of our favorites.
- ZSL London Zoo. Discovered inside Regent’s Park is that this well-known zoo, also referred to as considered one of London’s Harry Potter filming areas. It’s residence to animals from around the globe.
- The Wallace Assortment. Just some minutes’ stroll from Madame Tussauds, this artwork assortment focuses on tremendous and ornamental arts from the fifteenth to nineteenth century, set in stunning Hertford Home.
- The Wonderpass. This pedestrian underpass simply close to Madame Tussauds underwent a major facelift, and is now very colourful. It’s additionally crammed with info and details about the native space, to offer you extra concepts for what to see within the native space!
- Purchasing on Oxford Road – That is considered one of London’s busiest procuring streets and a spot to take a look at in case you are desirous about some retail remedy.
- The Cartoon Museum – this informative museum will train you all in regards to the historical past of British cartoons, comics, and caricatures.
As you possibly can see, there are many points of interest close to Madame Tussauds so you might simply make a day of visiting this a part of London.
Options to Madame Tussauds
Truthfully, there aren’t any comparable points of interest that we’re conscious of in London which are like Madame Tussauds. If you wish to go to a wax mannequin museum in London, then Madame Tussauds is unquestionably the best choice!
The place to Keep Close to Madame Tussauds
The Marylebone area of London the place Madame Tussauds is discovered could make for an excellent base for exploring each native points of interest and the remainder of London. There good transport connections to the remainder of the town, and mainline rail stations like Paddington and Euston are additionally shut by.
In case you are considering of staying on this space, listed here are some lodging choices to think about. These are ordered roughly by worth, from decrease to greater, however charges can fluctuate so do all the time examine and evaluate on your dates.
- YHA London Central – quarter-hour’ stroll from Madame Tussauds, this hostel presents shared and personal lodging in addition to kitchen services. An important choice for these on a price range or preferring a hostel surroundings
- Marylebone Inn – a few minutes’ stroll from Madame Tussauds, this conventional London city home presents snug rooms with en-suite services and a small kitchenette.
- Resort La Place – simply 5 minutes’ stroll from Madame Tussauds, this family-run resort presents air-conditioned en-suite rooms with breakfast.
- Holmes Resort London – additionally 5 minutes’ stroll from Madame Tussauds, this can be a beautiful boutique resort present in an 18th century townhouse. Rooms are en-suite and air-conditioned, and there’s an on-site restaurant.
- The Prince Akatoki London – quarter-hour stroll from Madame Tussauds, this 5* resort presents high-end lodging with a minimal aesthetic. Rooms are air-conditioned and en-suite and there may be on-site eating and a health centre.
- The Landmark London – 8 minutes’ stroll from Madame Tussauds, this luxurious 5* resort presents spacious air-conditioned rooms, a spa, and on-site eating places.
For extra inspiration, we now have an entire information to the place to remain in London, which covers lodging choices throughout the entire of London in addition to on the main airports.
Madame Tussauds Pictures Ideas
One in every of our favourite issues about Madame Tussauds is the distinctive alternatives it presents for taking photographs. In any case, the place else are you going to have the ability to get a photograph of you together with your favourite celebrities!
Madame Tussauds is about up that can assist you get the photographs you need. Many of the wax fashions are displayed in a manner that makes posing with them simple.
That mentioned, there are nonetheless just a few challenges to pay attention to in the case of taking photographs. As knowledgeable photographer, I’ll now share some tips about taking photographs at Madame Tussauds that can assist you get the perfect photographs while you go to.
- Time your photographs. Madame Tussauds is a well-liked location, which signifies that it may be somewhat bit crowded. In case you are not in a rush, then exercising somewhat persistence can reap rewards. Ideally you need to decrease distractions like different individuals in your photographs, so you possibly can focus in your topic and the wax mannequin slightly than another person’s arm or head!
- Alter for the sunshine. Madame Tussauds is pretty effectively lit, however it’s nonetheless an indoor attraction. When you have a smartphone, it ought to alter itself mechanically, however take into account setting it to an evening mode, indoor mode or portrait mode if it has one. When you have a digicam with handbook controls, I like to recommend setting a wide-open aperture, a shutter pace of no less than 1/sixtieth of a second, after which an ISO to go well with.
- Do not forget that tripods are usually not permitted so that you’ll need to depart them at your resort (otherwise you’ll have to pay to examine them on the cloakroom).
- In case you are visiting by yourself or desire a picture of you and your companions/household, it’s good to make pals with one other customer or group of tourists. A great way to do that is to supply to take a photograph of one other individual or group, and they’ll normally return the favor. That’s how we received just a few photographs of us collectively throughout our go to as we had provided to take a photograph of a household they usually returned the favor.
- Handle your flash. Many cameras will mechanically allow the flash unit in the event that they really feel it’s essential. Nevertheless, a flash can typically lead to unnatural trying photos. So it is very important perceive how to have the ability to disable your flash if required.
- Contemplate the composition. When taking your photographs, take into consideration what’s within the body and the place it’s positioned. Is there something distracting or pointless that you simply don’t want, like one other individual or background wax determine? Do you’ve every thing in shot that you simply need to have in shot? Maybe a special angle will work higher? Simply take a while to consider the composition of your photographs earlier than you press the shutter button. See our tips about composition in images for some extra concepts.
- There’s usually an opportunity for one or two skilled picture alternatives the place a photographer will take your picture of you and your group after which you’ve an opportunity to buy it later if you happen to prefer it. That is usually performed with the Royal Household in addition to at different areas.
- Have some enjoyable! The purpose of visiting Madame Tussauds is to get pleasure from your self, and hopefully seize some photos of you and anybody you might be visiting with having an excellent time! So, make some enjoyable poses, smile, and luxuriate in your self! This can come by in your photographs and offer you higher outcomes.
Hopefully our images ideas provide help to get some higher photographs while you go to Madame Tussauds. Should you’d wish to study extra about images, we now have an entire number of images ideas right here so that you can learn by.
Our Expertise Visiting Madame Tussauds
We’ve truly visited Madame Tussauds a variety of occasions. Laurence first visited as a baby along with his household within the Nineteen Eighties, when it was fairly a special expertise earlier than social media and selfies had been a factor! Again then, the wax figures had been to be cautiously noticed from behind velvet ropes!
Since then, occasions have modified, and Jessica and I’ve visited twice in newer years. We’ll share our expertise from our most up-to-date go to in 2022, which was just like our go to in 2017 (though a number of the displays modified between visits).
We booked for the 9:30 AM timeslot, which was the primary one on the day we visited. We arrived somewhat at round 9:20 AM. There was already a queue fashioned, which we joined. The doorways opened at 9:30 AM, and the queue moved rapidly. We handed by safety and had been inside by 9:36 AM.
The primary part we visited was the celeb after-party, which featured many celebrities from the world of movie and TV. They had been all dressed to the nines and this was a well-liked location to get photographs.
Fortunately as we had been there early within the day it was not too busy however there have been nonetheless some brief waits to face subsequent to the most well-liked celebrities.
We then navigated by the Alien: Escape expertise, a horror themed exhibition primarily based on the world of the Alien franchise. This was plenty of enjoyable and somewhat bit creepy!
As you possibly can inform within the picture beneath, we had been right here in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic interval and we each wore face masks throughout our go to however did take away them for most of the photographs.
From there we entered the world of flicks, that includes stars of the silver display screen from E.T. to James Bond. We additionally noticed the large eighteen-foot animatronic statue of Kong’s head from Kong: Cranium Island.
We handed by one of many wax hand creation workshops. Somebody was about to get a wax mannequin handmade, which regarded like plenty of enjoyable, particularly for youths. That is one thing we’d attempt on a future go to.
Right here we descended to a brand new stage the place there have been sporting stars, Olympic athletes and style fashions.
We then met Royals from the British Royal Household spanning the generations. Right here there was a photograph alternative with the current Royal Household.
Our go to was earlier than the dying of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, so the structure can have modified since we had been final there.
The Royals had been close to a variety of outstanding politicians from each the UK and abroad, after which we entered into the world of Music with plentiful alternatives for photographs of a variety of fashionable musicians, each present and previous.
We then descended to a different stage. We significantly appreciated that the staircases had a number of posters and details about Marie Tussauds and the historical past of Madame Tussauds, a type of mini museum because it had been.
The brand new stage opened with a small show on Marie Tussauds, with a wax mannequin of the girl herself in addition to a number of the oldest wax fashions within the assortment. The oldest waxwork within the assortment is the respiratory Sleeping Magnificence made by Philippe Curtius, which dates to 1763. A tool in her chest makes it seem that she is asleep and respiratory.
There was additionally info on the method of constructing a wax mannequin. The video proven after we had been there final was of the making of a wax mould of Beyoncé, displaying all of the steps it take to create a contemporary wax determine and her expertise of the method.
Now it was time to board the Spirit of London trip. It is a trip on rails the place you board a “black cab” carriage, and are transported round a variety of scenes depicting key occasions and characters from London’s colourful previous.
This contains every kind of occasions from the Middles Ages till now and figures embody these of individuals akin to William Shakespeare, Queen Victoria, and Winston Churchill.
This a part of Madame Tussauds is all the time a favorite with us. There’s additionally a possibility to have your picture taken on the finish of the trip so preserve a watch out for that.
After the trip we entered Marvel’s Corridor of Heroes, residence to most of the superhero characters from the Marvel universe.
There have been extra enjoyable picture alternatives right here. That is additionally the place the cinema is, which was displaying the Marvel 4D film after we visited. As of 2023 that is included on all tickets (it was once a paid add-on).
From the Marvel space we handed by the Star Wars exhibit, which depicted key scenes from most of the Star Wars films and had some extra enjoyable picture alternatives.
We significantly appreciated the chance to fly the Millenium Falcon into hyperspace with Chewie by our facet!
Lastly, we had been into the present store the place we picked up a few items for pals earlier than rising into the daylight.
We left simply after 11am, having spent about 90 minutes inside. We positively may have spent longer, however we had fairly a busy schedule and had visited earlier than, so we actually hit a few of our highlights slightly than stopping completely all over the place.
However I feel most individuals ought to allocate no less than 2 hours, maybe 3 hours, to make sure they’ve sufficient time right here.
Madame Tussauds Ideas for Visiting
We wished to share some ideas that can assist you plan your go to to Madame Tussauds.
- Guide upfront. You may skip the ticket queue, get the perfect costs and assure your entry by reserving on-line upfront on the official website right here.
- Plan to return early or after lunch. Madame Tussauds is a well-liked attraction, and tends to get busier because the day progresses, with a lull round 2pm after lunch. So plan to both arrive very first thing, or simply after lunch if you happen to would favor a much less busy expertise.
- Allocate no less than 2 hours right here, maybe 3 hours (particularly if you wish to watch the movie), to make sure you have loads of time to get pleasure from your time right here and see every thing with out feeling rushed.
- Go to with pals or household if you happen to can. Madame Tussauds is unquestionably finest skilled as a gaggle. You’ll need to get a number of photographs, and it’s positively simpler to try this in case you are not by yourself. Plus it’s a enjoyable shared expertise!
Additional Studying
That’s it for our information to visiting Madame Tussauds in London. We hope you discovered it helpful in serving to you intend your journey to this fashionable attraction.
We’ve additionally received a variety of different sources that can assist you plan your journey to London and the UK on the whole which we expect you’ll discover helpful.
- We’ve detailed itineraries for 1 day in London, 2 days in London, 3 days in London and 6 days in London
- We’ve an in depth information to visiting the Tower of London in addition to visiting the London Eye, two extra iconic London attraction
- You’ll want someplace to remain within the metropolis if you happen to’re right here for greater than a day. See our information to the place to remain in London for some recommendations throughout all budgets.
- Should you plan on doing a lot sightseeing within the metropolis, you’ll seemingly lower your expenses with a London Move. See our full London Move assessment right here to see if this would possibly prevent cash on sightseeing.
- We’ve a information to getting round London, and a information to utilizing the Oyster card in London.
- Should you’re flying into considered one of London’s six airports, see our information to attending to London from the airport.
- We’ve an in depth information to what to pack for London, that can assist you put together on your journey to London.
- We put collectively some tips about discovering the finest Pictures Places in London
- For the Harry Potter followers amongst you, check out our information to discovering Harry Potter in London
- 8 Issues to Do in Kensington, London, in case you wished to focus extra on a selected area of the town
- Should you get pleasure from army museums, check out our information to London’s finest army museums and memorial. Additionally see our Winston Churchill in London information.
- Recommendations on spending Two Weeks within the UK, do you have to need to have London as the beginning of a much bigger journey
- For price range planning, see our information to how a lot it prices to journey within the UK
- Our expertise taking a full day strolling tour of London, in case you want the concept of a totally guided day
- Ideas on visiting Stonehenge from London as a day journey
- Different good day journeys from London embody Oxford and Cambridge. See our information to Oxford in a day in addition to issues to do in Cambridge for concepts.
- Heading additional north? We’ve a great deal of content material on Scotland, together with a 2 Day Edinburgh itinerary, guides to the North Coast 500 and a 2 Day Glasgow itinerary
- How about heading to Paris from London? We’ve an in depth information to the finest strategy to get from London to Paris that can assist you plan
- The Eyewitness Journey Information to London, which has all types of data inside, together with extra itineraries and concepts on your journey
- Rick Steve’s London information, the #1 bestseller on Amazon for UK journey guides, and all the time a superb supply of related info
And that’s it! We hope you discovered our information to visiting Madame Tussauds useful, and as all the time, if in case you have any questions, simply pop them within the feedback and we’ll reply them as quickly as we will!
So you already know: We had been offered a pair of complimentary customary tickets for Madame Tussauds to expertise a go to as media. We paid for all of our different bills, together with our transport and lodging in London.
