VERDICT: WE GAVE 4 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!
This guide forms part of our complete UK Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the United Kingdom.
This article is part of our 3 Days in London: Ultimate Guide. We explored St Paul’s Cathedral, Churchill War Rooms, British Museum, Tower Bridge and Tower of London, experienced Frameless Immersive Art, visited Abbey Road Studios and stayed at the Park Plaza Hotel. Follow our personal experiences and practical visitor tips. Highly Recommended – 5 Ticket Rated. Read the complete three-day London guide here:
If you only have a short amount of time, make sure you check out our guide to 24 Hours in London.
From Mick Jagger and the Royal Family to Marvel, Star Wars and the Chamber of Horrors
During our visit to London, we decided it was finally time to experience Madame Tussauds, one of the city’s most famous visitor attractions.
We took the London Underground to Baker Street Station, the closest Tube station to Madame Tussauds. From there, it was only around a five-minute walk along Marylebone Road to the attraction. The surrounding streets were extremely busy, and when we arrived, the lineups outside were very long.
Fortunately, we had purchased Fast Track tickets in advance through Viator, which proved to be a very good decision. Instead of spending a significant amount of our day waiting outside, we were able to use the appropriate priority entrance and get our visit underway much faster.
Meeting the Stars
Once inside, it didn’t take long before we were surrounded by famous faces.
One of the first sections we explored featured music stars, including the unmistakable Mick Jagger. Of course, that’s the fun of Madame Tussauds, you can get remarkably close to the figures, pose for photographs and sometimes find yourself doing a double take because of how realistic they appear.
As we continued, the variety became even more impressive.
We encountered Drake, came face-to-face with the enormous Hulk and entered the world of Star Wars. We also had the opportunity to see members of the British Royal Family, something that seemed particularly appropriate considering we were in London. However, I will say the likeness factor, for the Royals, was not quite as good as we had hoped!
Nearly 200 Years of Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds has a surprisingly long history.
The London attraction was established by Marie Tussaud in 1835, although her work creating wax figures began long before then. Today, Madame Tussauds London combines that tradition of extraordinary wax craftsmanship with modern technology, elaborate sets and interactive experiences.
The attraction brings together figures from music, film, television, sport, politics, history and royalty, allowing visitors to get considerably closer to famous people than they probably ever will in real life!
For us, it was the variety that kept the experience interesting. One moment we were looking at musicians and movie stars; shortly afterwards, we were travelling through British history.
Riding Through London’s History
One experience we particularly enjoyed was the attraction’s famous Spirit of London ride.
We climbed aboard a small vehicle styled like one of London’s traditional black taxis and were transported through different periods of the city’s history.
Along the way, scenes recreated historic London, taking us past major events and personalities from Britain’s past. The journey includes everything from the Great Fire of London to more recent periods of British history, creating a fun break from walking between the wax exhibits.
Historical figures and scenes including; wartime Britain and Winston Churchill help connect London’s past with the modern city outside.
It certainly wasn’t something we had expected when we first entered Madame Tussauds.
Entering the Marvel Universe
Next came a dramatic change of scenery as we entered the world of Marvel superheroes.
Characters including Captain America joined the collection of larger-than-life figures, while the Hulk was difficult to miss!
The immersive settings make this section particularly entertaining because it goes beyond simply displaying wax figures. The backgrounds and themed environments are designed to make visitors feel as though they’ve stepped into the worlds of the characters themselves.
For families and anyone who enjoys superhero movies, this will likely be one of the highlights.
Elton John and London’s Music Connection
Another display that caught our attention celebrated the unmistakable style of Elton John.
Seeing examples inspired by his famously extravagant costumes reminded us just how closely London is connected to generations of internationally successful musicians.
That musical connection runs throughout Madame Tussauds, from legendary British performers such as Mick Jagger to contemporary international stars.
And naturally, there were plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs along the way.
The Chamber of Horrors
Finally, we entered an area with a very different atmosphere, the infamous Chamber of Horrors.
Madame Tussauds has a long association with darker subjects, dating back to Marie Tussaud’s early exhibitions. Today’s experience explores some of London’s more disturbing criminal history.
I have to admit, I found this section a little scary.
The darker surroundings and subject matter are deliberately atmospheric, and it certainly felt very different from taking photographs with celebrities and superheroes a few minutes earlier.
It was memorable, although perhaps not the section where I wanted to linger for too long!
Our Madame Tussauds London Experience
Madame Tussauds turned out to be much more varied than we expected.
What initially sounds like a museum filled with wax figures is actually an interactive journey through celebrity, British history, music, film, royalty and popular culture. The combination of extraordinarily detailed figures, themed environments and experiences such as the Spirit of London ride kept us entertained throughout our visit.
For first-time visitors to London, it’s also a fun change of pace from cathedrals, palaces and traditional museums. It’s family-friendly, highly interactive and offers almost endless opportunities for photographs.
One thing we were particularly thankful for was purchasing our Fast Track tickets through Viator before arriving. When we saw the length of the regular line outside, we knew immediately that having priority access had saved us valuable sightseeing time.
From Mick Jagger and Drake to the Royal Family, Star Wars, Marvel superheroes and the slightly unnerving Chamber of Horrors, we covered a surprising amount during our visit.
Madame Tussauds is certainly one of London’s more unusual attractions—and one that delivered plenty of fun along the way.
A Tour-Guide’s Walkthrough for First-Time Visitors
🕰️ How Long Does a Visit Take?
- Average visit: 1.5–2 hours
- With photos & experiences: up to 2.5 hours
- Busy periods: allow extra time for queues and photos
This is a self-paced attraction, so you can move quickly or linger where you like.
🎟️ Admission Prices (Approximate)
- Adults: £38–£42
- Children (3–15): £34–£38
- Under 3: Free
💡 Tour-guide tip:
Book online: Advance tickets are cheaper and timed, which helps reduce queueing. Combination tickets (e.g. London Eye or SEA LIFE) often offer better value. Remember to buy tickets in advance!
🧭 What You’ll See — A Guided Walk Through the Experience
👑 The Royal Family
◆ One of the most popular zones, especially for international visitors.
Highlights include:
- The British monarch and senior royals in ceremonial dress
- Iconic backdrops resembling Buckingham Palace
- Photo-ready poses that feel surprisingly lifelike
This area is frequently updated to reflect current royal roles and appearances.
🎬 Film, TV & Pop Culture
You’ll walk through immersive sets featuring:
- Hollywood A-listers
- Major film franchises
- Red-carpet-style scenes
Visitors can sit beside, pose with, and “interact” with figures — this is where cameras rarely stop clicking.
🎤 Music Legends & Modern Icons
This section bridges generations:
- Classic musicians and rock legends
- Modern pop stars
- Studio-style and concert-inspired settings
Lighting, sound, and staging are designed to make photos feel dynamic rather than static.
⚽ Sports Stars
Expect lifelike figures of:
- Footballers
- Olympic athletes
- Global sports icons
Many poses are action-based, making this a favourite for families and younger visitors.
🏛️ World Leaders & Historical Figures
A quieter but fascinating zone featuring:
- Political leaders
- Cultural icons
- Influential thinkers
This area reflects Madame Tussauds’ original educational roots.
🚕 Spirit of London Ride
One of the most underrated parts of the visit.
This slow-moving ride takes you through:
- London’s history from Tudor times
- The Great Fire of London
- Industrial and modern London
It’s a relaxing break from walking and adds historical depth.
🎥 Marvel & Immersive Experiences
Depending on the year, this includes:
- Superhero environments
- Themed action sets
- Motion and sound effects
These areas change regularly and are designed for high energy and spectacle.
🤯 Unusual & Unexpected Wax Figures
Madame Tussauds is known for some surprising inclusions over the years, including:
- Controversial political figures
- Criminals and historical villains
- Shockingly realistic historical death masks (in earlier eras)
- Hyper-realistic figures that can be mistaken for real visitors
Marie Tussaud herself famously worked during the French Revolution, creating wax death masks of executed figures, a darker origin that still influences the museum’s historical depth today.
📸 Photography & Practical Tips
- Photos are encouraged everywhere
- Best lighting is usually mid-route once crowds thin slightly
- Move past the first pose if crowded, another angle is usually nearby
- Early morning or late evening slots are quieter
There are few ropes or glass barriers, proximity is part of the appeal.
🚇 Getting There
Nearest Underground stations:
- Baker Street (Jubilee, Bakerloo, Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith & City)
- From the station, it’s a 2-minute walk
🎯 Is Madame Tussauds Worth It?
From a tour-guide perspective:
✔ Excellent for first-time visitors
✔ Very family-friendly
✔ Weather-proof attraction
✔ High entertainment value
✔ Strong photo opportunities
It’s not a deep historical museum, but it does exactly what it promises: fun, accessible fame brought to life.
Final Tip
If you’re planning multiple attractions, visit Madame Tussauds earlier in your trip. It’s energetic, interactive, and sets a playful tone before tackling heavier historical sites like the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey.
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