Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds is not only a great day out for the whole family; it's a chance to meet your favourite celebrities, political heroes and childhood cartoon idols. Just round the corner from the Bakerloo Line's Baker Street (possibly the easiest station/Tube line combo to commit to memory), Madame Tussauds is as close to our underground transport system as it is to one of the city's gorgeous Royal Parks, Regent's Park.

Before we get to the exciting stuff, here's a bit of admin you should be aware of: it's wise to book online to make a 10% saving on the standard ticket price. Or, you can go one better and book way in advance, turning up at Tussauds after 5pm, and granting yourselves access for £15. This even gives you entrance to the Marvel Comics 4D cinema screening (and you won't have to deal with mile-long queues out the door). Other alternative paying methods are the Flexi Tickets which mean you can come anytime you want, on or off-peak; they're £33 for adults, 28.80 for children. Meanwhile, the All Inclusive tickets (at £45 for adults and £40.80 for children) allow you full-blown access to the 4D experience, a hulking great guide book, priority entrance access, and are valid for anytime of the year - treat someone to a fantastic birthday present.

Now that we've cleared that up, here's what you can expect once you enter London's famous waxwork model house. Apart from some of the more recent additions in the form of Hollywood's newly-found stuttering king, Colin Firth, and current Olympic icons, Usaine Bolt and Tom Daley, you can buddy up with the British Royals or belt out your favourite tune with teen sensation Justin Bieber.

For real adventure hounds, you have to try out the Marvel Super Hero 4D Experience where you'll meet all the popular Marvel comic book heroes. Get down (or is that up?) with Spiderman as you clamber in confusion around an upside-down office suite. Measure up against the largest Tussauds model of all time, The Incredible Hulk, and vanish into thin air with Marvel's most elusive hero, The Invisible Woman.

Even though our city is chock-full of celebrities and famous faces, the chances of you spotting one are, let's face it, slim. A trip to Madame Tussauds is the closest you could come in a day to rubbing shoulders with the world's latest and greatest (including the not-so-late-or-great Adolf Hitler, who also has a place in the museum).

Opening times: Monday - Friday: 09:30 - 17:30, weekend and school holidays 09:00 - 18:00

Prices: On the day: Adult: £30, Child: £25, Online: Adult: £27, Child: £23.10

Location: Just off Regent's Park, opposite the University of Westminster.

Nearest Tube: Baker Street (Bakerloo Line)