Baker Street

Sherlock Holmes made Baker Street famous. In Arthur Conan Doyle’s books the world’s favourite detective lives at the 221B Baker Street. Holmes fandom has reached new heights in recent years with the films starring Robert Downey Jr and the TV series with Benedict Cumberbatch, and you can follow the crowds to the Sherlock Holmes Museum — a true shrine to the great sleuth.

Other than Sherlock Holmes, a few famous blue plaques distinguish the area. One commemorates William Pitt the Younger, who lived at 120 Baker Street at the start of the 18th century. He became the youngest Prime Minister in history at the age of just 24, leading the country against France and Napoleon. He will probably hold that accolade for as long as Great Britain exists. Nearby, a plaque can also be found for H.G. Wells, author of The Time Machine.

The first wax museum of Madame Tussauds was opened here in 1835. Marie Tussaud learnt her trade from a physician in Switzerland who was skilled in wax modelling. Her first model was of Voltaire, in 1777. When the physician died she inherited his vast collection of models and began touring with them. She eventually wound up in England, and got stuck there as a result of the Napoleonic Wars. So she made the best of the situation and set up what would become Madame Tussauds. Go and take a look: it’s a close as you’ll ever get to David Beckham, Daniel Craig, or the Queen (probably).