Madame Tussauds London

Interesting facts

1. 1

   Marie Tussaud learned the art of wax modeling from Dr. Philippe Curtius, a physician who used wax to model anatomy.

2. 2

   The original 18th-century casts of French Revolution figures, including Maximilien Robespierre, are among the oldest artifacts in the collection.

3. 3

   Each wax figure is created using a standard set of 250 measurements and 180 photographs taken during a dedicated sitting with the subject.

4. 4

   Human hair is inserted into the wax scalps strand-by-strand, a process that can take up to five weeks per head.

5. 5

   The museum produces its figures in a specialist studio located in West London rather than on-site.

6. 6

   The attraction contains a 'Spirit of London' ride, which utilizes a taxicab-style transport system to depict the city's history.

Overview

Madame Tussauds London is the flagship wax museum of the global franchise, situated on Marylebone Road. The collection features life-size wax figures of historical figures, world leaders, athletes, and contemporary celebrities. The museum utilizes sophisticated sculpting techniques that require approximately six months to create a single figure. Key sections include a royal family display, a sports zone, and a Marvel-themed immersive experience. The venue houses over 150 figures at any given time, with frequent rotations to reflect pop culture trends. Visitors walk through themed interactive galleries designed for photography. It remains one of London's most established paid tourist attractions.

Insider tips

• Book your timed entry slot online in advance to bypass long ticket office queues.

• Charge your phone fully, as the interactive nature of the exhibits encourages near-constant photography.

• If traveling with children, check for height requirements on the Marvel or Star Wars interactive segments beforehand.