Madame Tussauds London - Review for families
What is it?
It’s a museum of life-size waxwork figures of all your favourite celebrities, superheroes and even world leaders. Yes, even One Direction are there. Find it in Marylebone, two minutes from Baker Street tube station.
Best for:
Toddlers & Preschool / 5 – 8 / 9 - 12
OK for:
Babies / 12+. Older children might find themselves a bit bored here.
Cost:
£££. Under 4’s go free, adults can pay as much as £30 each and children £25.80 on the day. Huge savings can be made online, including family tickets. More expensive VIP, queue-cutting tickets can purchased.
What’s on offer
Floors of famous faces are on offer, from Bollywood stars to sporting heroes, world leaders and iconic actors. The waxworks are subjective, as all art is, but they are designed to represent a celebrity during a particular period of their life. It can be quite fun to discuss who looks like who – and who looks a bit strange!
In addition to the figures, the museum prides itself on having a few interactive extras. The Marvel 4D cinema experience invites children to see Iron Man and co as wax figures, but also to watch an animated film, which features in-theatre effects like wind, water sprays and even tremors to make you feel like you’re in the movie.
SCREAM! is a maximum security prison suddenly taken over by it’s crazy inmates (actors, of course), a dark and spooky experience for all ages. The Spirit of London taxi ride is what it sounds like, a black-cab rollercoaster journey through the historical events that shaped London into what it is today.
The experience really is interactive, with guests being allowed to touch figures. Ever fancied getting up close and personal with Harry Styles? Fancy giving Beckham a kiss on the cheek? Go wild. Oh, the kids can pose for a pic with Harry and co, too.
In terms of facilities – there are baby-changing facilities, however there is nowhere to heat baby food and you’re not allowed to take buggies into the attraction. You can leave your buggies at the pushchair drop off point and borrow a baby carrier, but you’ll have to pay a £10 refundable deposit. They ask you to bring your own baby carrier if you have one. Child buggies can be left at the entrance and collected upon entrance.
Highlights
The Royals, including Kate, Wills and Queen Elizabeth II, are quite interesting to see up close. Of course, if your child has a favourite celebrity, such as Justin Bieber or Twilight’s Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, then some quality time and a photograph should make it worth their visit. Not everyone thinks the wax works are perfect, though.
The taxi ride and 4D Marvel Superheroes cinema experience are definitely highlights, adding something else to what would otherwise be a very plain and speciality attraction. Most TripAdvisor users sang their praises.
Some young children will absolutely love the mild horror thriller SCREAM! Of course, this depends if your child gets a kick out of being scared.
What to watch out for
- Peak periods can be particularly nightmarish – congestion, screaming teenagers, queues for photos by the figures, ridiculous queues for tickets and so on. When it’s too crowded, it’s hard to see all the waxworks. If you can, avoid visiting in the summer holidays, during half-term or other busy times.
- Adults are classed as 16+ in terms of tickets.
- You can leave bags or drop luggage here.
- You can’t eat or drink inside the attraction, but there is a Cafe Nero by the exit.
- SCREAM is not suitable for expectant mums or recommended for children under 12.
- The Spirit of London ride requires children under 1.2m to be accompanied by an adult.
- Families and children who aren’t interested in celebrities and public figures should probably reconsider their visit.
- This might be more interesting for young girls rather than young boys, who as I noted above, can take pictures with the waxwork of their celebrity crush.
MFM tips:
- Cameras ARE allowed and essential for making sure your little one gets snapped with their favourite celeb. You can buy photographs there, if you forget, as photographers are on hand.
- Some families will find that this place is not worth the hefty price tag, so get yourself some vouchers or a combination ticket.
What the owners say
“Filled with 14 exciting, interactive zones and the Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie experience, Madame Tussauds London combines glitz and glamour with incredible history with over 300 wax figures.”
Authors
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