Days Out

Madame Tussauds Blackpool Review

Reviewed by Kim Bickerdike

If you want to meet the Queen, Freddie Mercury and Ant and Dec all in one day, you don’t need a time machine, you don’t even need to go to London, just get to Madame Tussauds Blackpool which is packed out with all of your favourite celebrities who will never turn you down for a selfie. Incidentally if you do want a time machine then Jodie Whittaker the 13th Doctor Who, can help you out with that too.

I went to Madame Tussauds with two children aged 10 and 12. Before arriving the ten-year-old asked “So is it just looking at wax figures?”, “Is it not interactive?”, and to be honest I shared the same concern. Maybe ‘looking at wax figures’ was a fair description and it would be a bit one dimensional, maybe even dull. Whilst on a very basic level it is looking at wax works, Madame Tussauds Blackpool have made it much more fun and interactive than you might think! As well as posing with your favourite celebs, you can move around the sets of ‘Strictly’ and ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’ taking part in a Bush Tucker Trial (or at least looking like you are), walk down the Strictly steps, be a judge and walk the famous I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here bridge, as well as meeting Ant and Dec of course. The children found it fun, with the Marvel Super Hero section being a hit. Younger and older children also appeared to be enjoying it and I would say it was suitable for all ages. A less obvious hit with the kids was Sir David Attenborough, who had a steady supply of children posing for photos with him.

My favourite part of the attraction was the opportunity to lift a car Incredible Hulk Style whilst lighting and smoke turned you and everything else around you green! There was also an interactive mini climbing wall for kids and a chance to pit your wits against a laser alarmed tunnel.

The wax works were all very accessible allowing you to get up close and personal and take photos – I was told off by a friend who saw my photos on social for getting just a little too familiar with Her Majesty The Queen! Some of the footballers could do with an update, Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart might not have been part of the England team at the last World Cup, but Hart is still making them saves at Tussauds.

Madame Tussauds came to London in 1802 and in 1835 set up with her sons the Chamber of Horrors making the most of Madame Tussauds experience of the French Revolution, it appears this art form has always had an eye on the popular and theatrical. If like me you like a bit of history, there is an interesting display that details how this is an entertainment format that has stood the test of time – over 200 years,

Travel options to Blackpool are good, a short M55 motorway hop off the M6, with plenty of parking, we found some good value parking on Cragg Street, it is also a short walk from the train station. There are plenty of other attractions nearby, including the beach when the sun is out and traditional fish and chips, for that seaside day out. 

It took us about hour and three quarters, we went at 10:30am on Sunday and whilst fairly busy there was little queuing for picture poses.

Overall a fun trip out and much more interactive than we thought it would be! It would be a great way to entertain all of the family on a rainy day.

Rating: 3.5/5

Tickets cost from £15.50.

For more information or to book tickets, visit www.madametussauds.com.

Madame Tussauds, 89 Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 5AA

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