madame tussauds in london

The Celebrity Wax Museum Of The World

We are delighted to welcome you to Madame Tussauds in London, a world-famous and well-loved tourist attraction!

The attraction welcomes over two million visitors every year. You will not want to miss this opportunity to meet your favourite celebrities and historical figures up close and personal. Furthermore, you will experience unique experiences such as a 4D experience, a ride through the capital's history, and many others.

Do not forget to include Madame Tussauds on your to-do list if you are visiting London. Enjoy the magic while you sit back and relax!

table of contents - Madame tussauds in london

The Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in LondonMain Area At Madame Tussauds

Tickets to Madame Tussauds

Tickets to the Madame Tussauds can be purchased online or from the door. We highly recommend that you have your tickets at hand before you depart for London as plenty of people line up to wait to buy tickets.

To avoid long queues and to enjoy the most of your visit, book your Madame Tussauds London tickets from here.

If you book through the link above or the button below, you have plenty of advantages such as reserving your spot without paying until a few days before, free cancellation up until 24 hours before and safe and secure checkout.

Things to Keep in Mind Before You Go

  • Operating Hours: Madame Tussauds is open year-round, except for Christmas Day, usually between 9 am and 3 pm. The hours could differ from day to day due to seasonal changes and special events. Official opening hours can be found here.
  • Pre-book Tickets: To avoid the long queues, especially during peak season, secure your tickets online.
  • Accessibility: The premises are fully accessible to disabled guests. There is trained staff available to help and guide people with disabilities. See more info here.
  • Security Checks: Before entry, your belongings and yourself will need to pass through a security check to ensure no items are being carried that can endure harm. There are several prohibited items you are not allowed to take.
  • Duration of Visit: When we visited, we spent around 2 hours which is more than enough to tour the entire premises. There is no fixed time but, you need a minimum of 1 hour.
  • Time Slot Reservation: When booking your ticket there is a designated timeslot you need to book for. This means that your time of entry is the specific time you choose.
  • Dress Code: Madame Tussauds premises do not have a formal dress code, but we recommend you dress comfortably with appropriate running shoes as the entire visit will be done on foot.
  • Photography: We are happy to say that the use of photography and videography is allowed, so go wild and capture memorable moments.

Tip: Try not to book for the last available timeslot so that you have enough time to wander through the premises.

12 facts about the Madame Tussauds

  1. There are a lot of steps and highly skilled workers involved. To create Madame Tussauds famous figure, more than 500 measurements were taken. Over 150 shots will be taken while the personality remains perfectly straight on a turntable.
  2. Depending on the intricacy of the figure, a new wax figure requires extensive research and building that might take up from three to six months to complete.
  3. To maintain the sculptures in a lifelike appearance, regular hygiene care is provided to the sculptures, such as hair washing and cosmetic touch-ups.
  4. It was in Amsterdam in 1970 that Madame Tussauds opened its first overseas location. Due to high demand, 21 Madame Tussauds exist worldwide; six are in the USA.
  5. Since it is anticipated that they will melt by 2% over the course of the six-month process, all figures used in the preparation process are made 2% larger than the actual person. However, some famous people could ask to be given somewhat more than 2%.
  6. After the Great Fire of London in 1834, Madame Tussaud's London managed to escape destruction due to the swift actions of her sons.
  7. On March 18, 1925, a massive fire melted most of the figures and damaged the building, requiring three years of hard work to reopen.
  8. As a result of the Second World War bombardment of London, the famous sculptures at Madame Tussauds were protected by military-issue fireproof blankets for potential harm.
  9. At around 16 years old, Marie Tussaud created her first wax figure depicting French writer, historian, and philosopher François Voltaire. Her maternal uncle, Dr. Philippe Curtius, mentored her as a wax model. Her extraordinary wax sculpture career began with this figure, which led to the opening of Madame Tussaud's wax museums.
  10. She studied wax anatomical models under Dr. Philippe Curtius, a physician who specialized in creating them. Her work in Paris included waxwork for an exhibit, surviving the guillotine during the French Revolution, and eventually ended up making death masks for guillotined aristocrats.
  11. Visitors can examine wax replicas up close, take photos, and sometimes even touch them at Madame Tussauds. Visitors have the opportunity to shake hands with historical figures or take pictures with well-known celebrities at the wax museum.
  12. Baker Street was opened to the public in 1835 and has since become one of London's most popular tourist attractions. By 1883, Joseph Randall, Tussaud's grandson, ordered the building at its current Marylebone Road location in London, which opened on July 14, 1884.

madame tussauds locations around the world

There are 24 Madame Tussauds spread across four continents namely America, Europe, Asia and Australia. These all attract millions of visitors each year.

  • America: Hollywood, Las Vegas, Nashville, New York, Orlando and San Francisco.
  • Europe: Amsterdam, Berlin, Blackpool, Budapest, Istanbul, London, Prague and Vienna.
  • Asia: Bangkok, Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Wuhan.
  • Australia: Sydney.
  • Middle East: Dubai.
Bruce Willis wax figure at Madame Tussauds London.Bruce Willis Wax Figure

How to get to madame tussauds

Madame Tussauds in London is located on Marylebone Road in the City of Westminster Borough. When it comes to getting here, there are several options available to you. The following are a few of the most common ones:

  1. There are three Tube stations nearby: Baker Street (Bakerloo, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee and Metropolitan lines), Marylebone (Bakerloo line) and Regent's Park (Bakerloo line). You can walk to Madame Tussauds from either station.
  2. Bus: Several bus routes serve the area around Madame Tussauds. Several routes stop nearby, including 18, 27, 30, 205, and 453.
  3. Hop-On Hop-Off: A bus stop is just a couple of hundred metres from Madame Tussauds London, close to Baker Street underground station.
  4. Train: Marylebone station is the nearest train station to Madame Tussauds, which is a 10-minute walk away.
  5. Taxi: Located just outside Madame Tussauds, the taxi lane is where taxis wait for their next passengers. You can always hail a cab or book a taxi using one of the taxi apps if there are no taxis available.
  6. Walk: Getting to Madame Tussauds on foot from central London (Oxford Street) takes between 20 and 30 minutes.

a list of celebrities and famous people displayed at madame tussauds

There are several zones each with their wax figures. Zones include the Royal family, famous singers and actors, our favourite superheroes, Marvel and Star Wars.

These figures are just a small selection of the many lifelike wax figures on display at Madame Tussauds in London. Visitors can see their favourite celebrities, historical figures, and fictional characters up close and personal, taking photos and interacting with the figures in various ways.

Below are some of the most famous notable figures in the world.

the royal family

King Charles III and Queen Consort: Succeeded his mother and became King Charles III at the age of 74 and Camilla his wife as Queen Consort. Previously Prince Charles and Camilla Parker was known as Prince of Wales and Camilla as the Duchess of Cornwall.

Queen Elizabeth II: She was the Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms until her death on 8 September 2022 at the age of 96 after ascending to the throne in 1952, being the longest reign of any British Monarch.

Prince William and Duchess Kate (Catherine Middleton): William was named Prince of Wales by the King on September 9, 2022, making Catherine the new Princess of Wales. Previously they were known as Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Prominent members of the royal family, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stepped down from their top royal duties in 2020. Their campaigning and charitable endeavours are well-known.

Princess Diana: She was the Princess of Wales married to Prince Charles from 1981 to 1996. Her tragic passing on 31st August 1997.

The Royal Family wax figures a few years before Queen Elizabeth passed away.The Royal Family Wax Figures

world prime ministers

Winston Churchill: He served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945, and again from 1951 to 1955.

Barack Obama: An American politician who served as the 44th president from 2008 to 2016. Was the first person of African descent to hold the office.

Donald Trump: A politician, businessman, and television personality from the United States who led the country as its 45th president from 2017 to 2021.

Joe Biden: A politician from America who won the 2020 election to become the country's 46th president.

world Renounced scientists

Albert Einstein: Renowned physicist best known for his contributions to contemporary physics and the theory of relativity (E=mc2).

Stephen Hawking: Theoretical physicist and cosmologist best known for his writings on popular science and black hole research. Born January 8, 1942; died March 14, 2018.

well-known sport icons

David Beckham: The professional English footballer who served Manchester United and the England national team and several others. His career spanned from the 1990s to the early 2010s.

Usain Bolt: In various Olympics and World Championships, the Jamaican sprinter dominated the track as the fastest man in recorded history.

Muhammad Ali: American heavyweight champion and cultural icon who was well-known for both his activism and skill in the ring. Career from 1960s to 1980s.

Lewis Hamilton: The British racer broke records and became a multiple Formula One World Champion.

famous music artists

The Beatles: Legendary British rock band that revolutionized music, active in the 1960s and early 1970s, influencing pop culture and music worldwide.

One Direction: British-Irish boy band formed on "The X Factor," known for their massive popularity among teenage audiences globally.

Spice Girls: In the 1990s, this British pop girl group became very popular for their catchy songs and "Girl Power" philosophy.

Adele: She is known for her poignant melodies and deep voice, and has had enormous success in the music business.

Ed Sheeran: A popular English singer-songwriter known for his captivating melodies and sensitive lyrics.

Elton John: Musician and singer known for his broad musical tastes, vibrant style, and enduring contributions.

Michael Jackson: A legendary American singer, songwriter, and dancer, this legendary American is known as the "King of Pop." Died at the age of 50.

Lady Gaga: A singer, actress, and songwriter renowned for pushing boundaries with her avant-garde aesthetics. Late 2000s until the present.

Rihanna: Her chart-topping tunes and adaptable style have made her a successful singer, actor, and fashion icon from Barbados.

Freddie Mercury: Known for his amazing range of vocals, dramatic stage presence, and skill as a songwriter, he was the lead singer of the band Queen.

Taylor Swift: American singer-songwriter known for her enormous fan following, storytelling-through-music style, and country-to-pop shift.

Bob Marley wax figure at Madame Tussauds London.Bob Marley Wax Figure

film actors & Superheroes

Marvel Superheroes: Characters renowned for their extraordinary powers from Marvel Comics, brave actions, and adventures include Spider-Man, Captain America and Iron Man.

Sherlock Holmes: The fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is well known for his sharp mind and cunning investigation skills. "A Study in Scarlet" is an 1887 detective novel which was the first to feature the character in print.

James Bond: The films have gained recognition for their exciting spy stories. Ian Fleming created James Bond, a fictitious British agent known for his espionage abilities. The actors who played James Bond in the several films of the series to the latest one.

  • Sean Connery: First portrayed James Bond in "Dr. No" (1962).
  • George Lazenby: "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969).
  • Roger Moore: Played 7 films with the last one "A View to a Kill" (1985).
  • Timothy Dalton: Portrayed James Bond in "Licence to Kill" (1989).
  • Pierce Brosnan: Played 4 films with the first "GoldenEye" (1995).
  • Daniel Craig: Portrayed in 5 films with the last one "No Time to Die" (2021).

Star Wars: The Interstellar narrative is characterized by an expansive planetary mythology, legendary battles, heroes, villains, and the Force. Following are the most recognizable characters from the "Star Wars" series. There are numerous motion pictures and other media in the series, and each is crucial to the plot.

  • Darth Vader: Formerly known as Anakin Skywalker, is a black-clad Sith Lord with great Force proficiency who wields a red lightsaber.
  • Chewbacca: Known for his bravery, strength, and distinctive growl, Chewbacca is Han Solo's loyal co-pilot.
  • R2-D2: C-3PO's indispensable droid on missions with R2-D2: Sassy, tool-wielding, and astromech droid.
Will.i.am wax figure at Madame Tussauds London.Will.i.am Wax Figure

combo attractions | Experience More, Save More

If you wish to experience more than one fun activity in London consider purchasing a combo ticket, meaning that you can visit multiple attractions at a good price all under one ticket. Below are the two most popular

Near the London Eye, there are several other things to do such as Shrek's Adventure and Sea Life. Below are four combo ticket options that can help you save money and combine multiple attractions in one ticket.

London Eye and Madame Tussauds

Save a buck with this combo ticket to the famous London Eye and Madame Tussauds. Embrace the elegance of the celebrity museum and immerse yourself in the city's panoramas.

Book Your Combo Ticket Here

5 Top Attractions Pass with Madame Tussauds

Take advantage of a bundled ticket to see some of London's top attractions, including Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE Aquarium, the London Dungeon, Shrek's Adventure, and the iconic London Eye.

Book Your Attractions Ticket

Other Attractions To Consider Visiting

map of the Madame Tussauds

hotels near Madame Tussauds in London

There is no doubt that Madame Tussauds is an iconic attraction in Marylebone. If you are looking for convenient accommodation options nearby, there is a wide range of hotels located near Madame Tussauds that offer convenient accommodations. A list of five hotels near Madame Tussauds is provided below.

See our guide about the best neighbourhoods to stay in London.

The history of Madame Tussauds Wax Figures.History Of Madame Tussauds Wax Figures

In conclusion to our guide to Madame Tussauds in London, we hope that this detailed information has prepared you for an unforgettable experience with lifelike figures and captivating exhibits. We aim to make your visit as seamless as possible as well as enjoyable, from understanding ticketing options to essential facts, transportation guidance, and answers to common questions.

questions Often asked About Madame Tussauds in London

How many Madame Tussauds locations are there?

There are 24 branches in 14 countries. The United States of America has the most locations with 6, China comes second with 5 locations.

Are the Madame Tussauds wax figures identical in every Madame Tussauds museum?

Each wax museum around the world has different wax figures. Each museum displays historical figures, regional icons, and well-known local and international celebrities. Branches may have copies of well-known figures, but museums usually have their collection.

What Madame Tussauds of New York has to offer to visitors?

To cater to a broad audience, Madame Tussauds New York City combines lifelike wax figures with immersive displays and attractions.

There are interactive exhibits, Marvel Super Heroes 4D Experiences, as well as VIP experience packages that include behind-the-scenes insight, early access, and guided tours.

The "best" Madame Tussauds site depends on personal preferences as well as the experience offered at each location.

How long does it take to go around Madame Tussauds in London?

A visit to Madame Tussauds is expected to take between sixty and ninety minutes, but you are welcome to take as much time as you need to view the attraction from beginning to end if you want to snap pictures with various characters.

What is the best time to go to Madame Tussauds?

During the week, Madame Tussauds London is less crowded than on weekends and public holidays, especially outside school holidays. Think about going early in the morning or late in the afternoon to make things more fun.

How long do wax figures last at Madame Tussauds?

At Madame Tussauds, well-maintained wax figures can last for decades, and with the right upkeep, some historical personalities have lasted more than a century.

What age group is Madame Tussauds for?

Madame Tussauds London appeals to a broad age range, welcoming visitors of various ages, from children to adults and even older individuals, as it offers entertainment and interest for a wide spectrum of people interested in celebrities, history, and interactive experiences.

Before purchasing tickets, it is advisable to check out these details and restrictions.

How do you get to the Madame Tussauds in London?

Depending on your day's itinerary and how you want to integrate your activities with the surrounding locations, you may reach Madame Tussauds in London via a variety of means, including the underground, buses, Hop-On Hop-Off, trains, taxis, and walking. Check the information we provide to help you in planning an easy way to reach the attraction.

What is the oldest wax figure at Madame Tussauds?

In 1777 when she was 16 years of age Anna Maria Grosholtz known as Marie did her first sculpture of Voltaire, in 1777. His work was well-known at the time as a writer, philosopher, satirist, and historian of the French Enlightenment.

Where is the Madame Tussauds museum in London and in which zone?

Madame Tussauds London is located on Marylebone Road in the heart of London. Postcode NW1 5LR is in zone one. Between Baker Street, around 0.2 miles (320 meters) away and Regent's Park underground Stations around 0.5 miles (800 meters) away.

When and where did Madame Tussaud grow up, and how did she learn how to model wax figures?

She was born in Strasbourg, France in 1761, while her mother was working as a domestic in Switzerland for Dr. Curtius. He was a well-known doctor with wax modelling expertise. When Tussaud was younger, Curtius taught her the craft of wax modelling. He then took his 6-year-old trainee with him to Paris.

Who was Madame Tussauds?

French artist Madame Tussaud (née Marie Grosholtz) was born in 1761. When she was a child, she trained in wax modelling in Switzerland with Dr. Curtius. She developed her talent and became proficient at making lifelike wax figures after relocating to Paris. She fashioned death masks from executed aristocrats during the French Revolution. She opened the wax museum that is now well-known as Madame Tussauds in London in 1835.

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