The Ultimate Guide to Explore Madame Tussauds

Hailed as London’s favorite tourist attraction, Madame Tussauds in London is visited by more than 500 million people since it first opened its doors.  It features life-like replicas of some of the most recognizable faces, ranging from superstars, legends, historical icons, religious figures to even murderers. The museum was founded by the famed wax sculptor Marie Tussaud. The exhibits are frequently updated as celebs gain prominence. It is witnessed as a rite of passage for celebrities, who know they have ‘made it’ if they are featured as one of the waxworks of Madame Tussauds. The museum is filled with exciting, interactive zones that combine glitz, glamor and incredible history. The first exhibit was situated on Baker Street which was later moved to Marylebone Road- its present location. With the removal of ropes and poles that surrounded each statue, visitors can get up close and personal with their fav celebs. 

How to Get There?

When it’s about exploring Madame Tussauds, London’s extensive underground network is probably the best option. The closest option would be Baker Street which boasts of excellent access to the Circle, Jubilee, Bakerloo, and Metropolitan lines. If you have to reach from Regent’s Park or Great Portland Street Stations, walking west along London Marylebone for ten minutes would take you to National Rail Services from where you can reach your desired location easily. 

Visitor Information

Owing to the extraordinary queues and high demand, the tickets are best purchased online. Also, those who go by the online mode of getting tickets enjoy benefits such as quick entry, a free guide book and entry into the Marvel Super Heroes 4D film experience. Online tickets are also cheaper as compared to on the door option. Entry for kids under the age of four is free. If you wish the fastest possible entry, go for VIP tickets which are online exclusive. VIP tickets also give you the leverage to visit at any time on the day you plan to visit. 

The Exhibits

The waxwork museum inhabits a plethora of incredible statues that are sure to mesmerize. Among its residents include world leaders such as Barack Obama, Hollywood stars such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, cultural icons such as Charles Dickens, Pablo Picasso and Madame Tussaud herself.  From the sports world, one would like to shake hands with the statues of David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Usain Bolt, Sachin Tendulkar, etc. Looking down on everyone else are the wax statues of the royals- the Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Harry, Prince Charles, etc. 

Another section that’s worth exploring is the amazing Chamber of Horrors featuring a number of waxworks. The most prominent ones being the wax heads constructed by Madame Tussaud herself using death masks of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. Adolf Hitler, Guy Fawkes and Genghis Khan are amongst the celebrated historical characters that would treat your eyes. Kids are advised to stay away from the Chamber of Horrors. 

Besides mesmerizing wax statues, there are also taxi rides for visitors that takes one through “The Spirit London”, Marvel Super Heroes 4D mini-movie and even a bar for adults to enjoy.  For your meal cravings, there’s no match for The Ooty Station- a south Indian restaurant in London, situated close to Madame Tussauds. 

3 Beautiful Secret Cafes in London

To really enjoy the dining and exploration avenues at London, it’s best to venture out to its secret cafes. This is because they’re filled with vibrant energy, positivity and a charming allure about themselves. Some of the hidden cafes are also ancient landmarks that have been passed on from generation to generation. This adds deeper culture to the entire experience. 

The local Indian street food in Marylebone provides you options that are quite attractive as well. Indian travellers love checking out restaurants, such as Ooty and others, before exploring the secret cafes for a spot of tea or coffee. This makes the entire experience that much more engaging, as you venture about for that perfect cup of blended perfection. 

Host Café

You’d never believe that the magnanimous building is actually a café, since it’s based inside an actual functioning church. The church is the perfect backdrop to one of the best cafes this side of London. The cuisines served here are remarkable, as the coffees and teas here are superlative. You really can’t go wrong with some classic English toffees with your chocolate infused coffee. 

The church itself is an important landmark in the region, as it welcomes visitors from around the world. Whether you’re visiting only for the coffee or you’re coming here for the church experience, there is no sense of distinction for the church managers here. 

Candid Café

To get a sense of the bohemian culture in London, few places compare to Candid Café. This is because the entire restaurant is based on word of mouth for visitors and entrants. It has a chic-chill décor, and its coffees and teas are excellent. 

The cuisines served here are global specialities, as you can try the best of multi-culinary dishes. The café also has a charming backyard that allows visitors to sit and relax under the warm sun. It’s a great place to visit if you want that perfect picture in a secluded artistic café. 

Sew Over It

Sew Over It is a small boutique store, that delivers quality sewing equipment to local Londoners. There’s also a thriving café based inside the store, which adds to the overall charm of the place. You can visit the shop for about a nominal fee and enjoy unlimited teas served here. They have the best recipes for blended brews, which is why many Londoners love visiting this secret café. 

The charm of the place is the building that it’s based in. It’s got a quiet & sombre exterior, which is lit up by the myriad of colours present inside. Creative artists, writers, and poets can also seek inspiration from the collections here and enjoy the best coffee this side of the city. 

London's Cultural Representation Through Food

London is a melting pot of cultures. Over the years, people from all nationalities and faith have made London their home bringing with them their unique traditions, cultures and cuisines. Today, London is the best city in the world for foodies. Whether it is the Italian cuisine, Middle Eastern dishes, Chinese fare, traditional British dishes or best Indian food in London, you name it and London has it. Here are a few places in London which you should visit to savour the various international cuisines.

Borough Market

Borough Market is the oldest and the most popular retail food markets in London. Though a market did exist at the place in the 12th century, the present market was established in the mid19th century. The market is usually overcrowded as its gets a steady stream of visitors from around the world who come here to buy specialty foods. Worth exploring are the food stands which serve British dishes like pies and beef sandwiches. Stands selling Indian, Middle Eastern, German food etc. are also a big hit among the tourists. The main attraction of the market is its wide range of fresh produce which includes fresh vegetables, fresh fish and seafood.

Camden Market

Camden Market is a happening shopping destination where one buy can vintage products, handcrafted accessories, unique gifts, clothes, souvenirs and other such amazing products. Food, of course, is one of the specialty of Camden market. The market is teeming with food stalls that sell Indian, Chinese, Thai and other international dishes. While at the market, do try the excellent Ethiopian coffee. Every week an estimated 250,000 people visit the market to indulge in shopping and taste the scrumptious dishes.

Portobello Road Market

Notting Hill, which is located in West London, is one of the city’s most cosmopolitan neighbourhoods. The neighbourhood has become a prime tourist site for its many attractions like the Portobello Road Market, where London’s multiculturalism can truly be experienced. It is primarily an antiques market comprising an enormous collection of antiques and collectibles. But, many visitors frequent the market to savour the authentic international cuisines being sold at the various stalls that dot the market. Apart from the Indian and Chinese delicacies, here you can also taste lip-smacking authentic Cuban dishes. There are also a number of stands from where you can buy fresh vegetables and fruits and baked goods.

So if you are planning a trip to the hip and happening city of London, do visit some of the above-mentioned markets and taste the lip-smacking international cuisines to get a memorable experience of London’s cultural representation through food.

Harrods: What Makes It Special?

Harrods is known world over as a high end shopping and luxury store in London. The place is over 184 years old and spans over 5 acres of land. From its humble beginnings to becoming the powerful palace of shopping located on the Knightsbridge high street, Harrods has quite a spectacular history. 

What Macy’s is to New York, Harrods is to London. It is a host to around 300,000 customers on its busiest days, most of whom don’t speak English. The place employs more than 5000 staff members from over 50 countries to cater to its wide customer base and serve them in the best manner possible. You would require almost the whole day to cover the store going through all its sections. The ideal way to end the day would be to devour the blast of flavours at one of London’s top south Indian restaurants, Ooty. It is situated right around the corner from the store. 

Family Business

The place began as a small family business established by one man. The year 1824 marks the beginning of Harrods journey to become the brand it is today. Charles Henry Harrods at the age of 25, started the shop that was listed as a draper, haberdashery, and mercer. He also had a partner named Wicking that lasted only for a few months. 

Later on, in 1834 Harrods opened a greengrocers store that specialized in exotic exports such as tea. He shifted his business to an area closer to Hyde Park in 1849. This was soon followed by his son Charles Digby Harrods taking over the leadership. 

An Arduous Journey

Until the younger Harrods took over the business, the store was a one room store in Knightsbridge with just 3 employees. He built on his father’s model by increasing the products offers including perfumes, stationery, medicines, groceries and haberdashery. The store has also seen major setbacks on its way to the top. In December 1883, a fire broke out in the building, turning the whole place into ashes. Despite this grave event, the store ensured that it delivered all its clients orders in time for Christmas. This is how the store has managed to create such loyal customers. It has always placed the customers’ needs before everything. 

Christmas Delight

A trip to London around Christmas season is incomplete unless you visit Harrods. The city itself is a pretty sight to behold with the Christmas trees, snow, lights and the general joy in the air. The same spirits are reflected within Harrods. It covers the building with sparkling fairy lights and Christmas décor that gives it a dreamy atmosphere. 

These charms make for a must visit to Harrods when in London.

Boost Your Energy: Include These In Your Diet

If you’ve been feeling sluggish for the longest time, then it may be time to revive your diet. What you eat impacts how you feel throughout the day. You could be having out-of-season vegetables or eating slow-carbs at night.  

You may also be working longer hours or may be dealing with multiple things at one time. By introducing the right quantities of different types of food, you can maximize your productivity and feel lighter as you go along your day. You can also experiment with these super foods and choose healthier options that incorporate natural additions. 

Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are some of the best sources of Omega-3 that you can find in your supermarket. They’re easy to prepare and can be sprinkled across any dish at any time. You can also make a flaxseed-based bread, which can be consumed daily to meet your Omega-3 requirements. They’re considered a super-food across all cultures and are being slowly introduced into Indian diets on the recommendation of nutrition experts. 

Mustard

Mustard is one of the few super foods in circulation that can clear up any nasal congestion, as well as help with acid reflux. Mustard also helps in maintaining blood pressure, because of its trace minerals such as selenium and magnesium. 

Mustard oil is widely regarded as anti-inflammatory which allows for better movement and greater energy throughout the day. It’s one of the main ingredients in the best dosa in London, the mustard tempered dosa by Ooty, bringing a splash of energy to every patron that orders it. 

Avocados

Avocados are a great source of healthy fats and are regarded as the best super food to introduce into your morning routine. You can add them to salads, make poached avocados or have them in a smoothie-format. 

Avocadoes are filled with calcium as well, which improve your bone health while making you more agile. Added to that, Avocadoes are a great source of vitamins C, E, K, and B-6. When it comes to versatility and range of preparations, Avocados are the most impactful and should be included in your diet. 

Leafy green vegetables

Vegetables are some of the most important types of foods that you should be consuming on a daily basis. Leafy greens are a special category of daily vegetables that include lettuce, cabbage, spinach, kale, arugula, bok choy and collard greens. 

They can be consumed in the form of a salad, or as steamed vegetables with a serving of rice and meat. Dark leafy green vegetables are a great source of Vitamin K, calcium and Vitamin D, which give you more energy throughout the day. Beet greens can also be added to enhance your Vitamin A intake as well. 

Health Benefits of South Indian Cuisine

If you happen to be a dedicated foodie, the palatable whiff of South Indian cuisine can push you to devour on some extra bites. After all, its too hard to resist the tangy and tantalizing taste of south Indian delicacies. 

And perhaps, the ones living in London might be in more luck to devour on these dishes as many Indian Chefs claim that the number of good Indian restaurants in London is higher than that of Delhi or Mumbai.    

So, is it just the exotic spices and toothsome taste of south Indian cuisine that makes it so unique? Not really! 

Besides triggering the taste buds, south Indian delights come packed with numerous health benefits. Perhaps, that’s the reason why most people can easily binge-eat on it without the worry of piling extra inches on their waist.

Here we present some legit health benefits of South Indian cuisine that you would be surprised to know.    

Packed with Proteins 

Sambhar, a tangy-spicy south Indian curry is an indispensable part of south Indian Cuisine. This toothsome curry is made from various Indian herbs and pulses (typically called Dal in India) and is a great source of vegetarian protein. In fact, since it is made with an assortment of vegetables and spices, it provides a large amount nourishment. In addition to proteins, Sambhar is also high on fibres and anti-oxidants. Some elements of a traditional Sambhar recipe are tomatoes, okra, pumpkin, brinjal, and drumsticks that provide the essential fibre element.     

The Delicious Dosas (Rice Pancakes) 

These thin crepe-like pancakes are both tasty and digestible. Looking for a healthy and wholesome breakfast? Dosas can be your perfect companion. A traditional south Indian dosa is rich with proteins and carbohydrates but low on fats. Since, a dosa is made from lentil or rice batter, it is extremely easy to digest.    

The easy-to-cook Uttapams 

Not only does it taste delicious, uttapam is also extremely easy to cook. Considered an Indinized concoction of Italian Pizza, uttapam might be a little high on fat content but is easy to digest as it is consists of cocunut oil. This scrumptious dish is made of rice batter and raw veggies such as tomatoes, onions, capsicum, carrots etc. which makes the content high on fibre. 

The Idlis 

These small pancakes made from fermented rice are high on both carbohydrate and proteins. Since, this dish is prepared by the process of fermentation, they are high on Vitamin B and proteins. Idlis are usually served with dal or sambhar which creates a great combination of amino acids extremely good for nourishment.  

These nourishing qualities paired with the mouth-watering amalgamation of spices ensures that anyone who tries South Indian cuisine becomes a fan and is left savouring a burst of flavours.