Madame Tussauds

This is where the World famous waxworks can be found.

Location: Marylebone Road, Marylebone, NW1 5LR

Description: Madame Tussauds is a major tourist attraction displaying waxworks of historical and royal figures, film stars, sports stars and infamous murderers.

Marie Tussaud was born Anna Maria Grosholtz in 1761 in Strasbourg, France, and she learnt her trade while being housekeeper to Dr. Philippe Curtius in Bern.

By 1835 Marie had settled down in Baker Street, London, and here opened a museum. She coined the term 'chamber of horrors' featuring figures of notorious criminals and murderers.

The gallery originally contained some 400 different figures, but terrible fire damage in 1925, coupled with German bombs in 1941, destroyed many.

In 1842, she made a self portrait which is now on display here in the entrance.

As a tourist destination, with nearby Sherlock Holmes museum, it has helped regenerate the Baker Street area immensely.

Tours: The Doctor Whoish tour of London

Themes: Museum Museum Theme