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Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds Review

One of London's busiest tourist attractions, this is nothing less-but also nothing more-than the world's most famous exhibition of lifelike waxwork models of celebrities. Madame T. learned her craft while making death masks of French Revolution victims, and in 1835 she set up her first show of the famous ones near this spot. Top billing still goes to the murderers in the Chamber of Horrors, who stare glassy-eyed at visitors—one from an electric chair, one sitting next to the tin bath where he dissolved several wives in quicklime. What, aside from ghoulish prurience, makes people stand in line to invest in one of London's most expensive museum tickets? It must be the thrill of all those photo opportunities with royalty, Hollywood stars, and world leaders-all in a single day. Beat the crowds by calling in advance for timed entry tickets, or booking online—where you can also buy non-timed, "priority access" tickets at a premium.

    Contact Information

  • Address: Marylebone Rd., Regent's Park, London, NW1 5LR | Map It
  • Phone: 0870/400--3000 for timed entry tickets
  • Cost: £15-£32 according to time; call or check Web site. Combination ticket with London Eye, London Dungeons, and London Aquarium from £60.50
  • Hours: Weekdays 9-5:30 (last admission); weekends 9:30-6 (last admission)
  • Website: www.madame-tussauds.com
  • Tube: Baker St.
  • Location: Regent's Park and Hampstead

Member Reviews

  • bachslunch, from US
    4/2/08

    Just horrible all around. Ridiculously expensive, inexplicably crowded with long lines. About half the wax figures actually look like the person they represent, while the rest aren't even close -- and several aren't even labeled as to who they are. They tend to bottle people up at certain points, not surprisingly near souvenir and food stations. Chamber of horrors is just Disneyland ride level stupid. If you must go, pre-purchase your ticket or risk standing forever in line. But please do yourself a favor and save your precious sightseeing money and time for something worthwhile.

    Ratings details: Experience: 1 | Ease: 1 | Value: 1 | Don't Miss: 1
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