Summary
Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson are iconic detective characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. According to the stories, they resided at 221b Baker Street in London between 1881 and 1904. The building at 221b Baker Street has been transformed into a museum dedicated to the life and times of Sherlock Holmes. The museum interior remains faithful to descriptions found in the published stories. This historic site is “listed,” indicating that it must be preserved due to its architectural and historical significance. Notably, the first-floor study overlooking Baker Street has been meticulously restored to its Victorian-era origins.
What To Expect
Upon arriving at Baker Street station, turn right, cross the road, and take another right, and within just a 5-minute walk, you will reach the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Don’t forget to check out the Sherlock Holmes statue outside the station. Interestingly, we passed by this museum several times, intrigued by what lay inside, as the exterior resembles a Victorian home, complete with black iron railings, black and white mosaic floor tiles, and a charming bay window adorned with net curtains. When we finally entered, we were pleasantly surprised to find it bustling with visitors from around the globe.
The entire ground floor functions as a captivating shop, allowing visitors to explore without purchasing a ticket for the upstairs museum. Costumed assistants contribute to the Victorian ambiance as they guide visitors through the shop, which offers a remarkable array of merchandise — including deerstalker hats, pipes, magnifying glasses, jewelry, novelty teapots, along with a selection of Sherlock Holmes books and films. Although there is no café or tea shop within the museum, customer restrooms are available in the basement.
The Museum
To begin your exploration of the museum, purchase your ticket from the counter located at the rear of the ground floor. You can then ascend to discover three floors filled with intriguing exhibits. The rooms within the museum are decorated as if the legendary characters still inhabit the space, showcasing items that will surely delight fans.
On the first floor, visitors can step into the renowned study that overlooks Baker Street. There, you can take a seat in Sherlock Holmes’s iconic armchair by the fireplace and utilize props for memorable photo opportunities. Additionally, Sherlock’s bedroom is located on this floor. Proceeding to the second floor, you will find Doctor Watson’s bedroom alongside landlady Mrs. Hudson’s room. In these rooms, several personal items belonging to the detectives are displayed, and notably, you may find Doctor Watson diligently writing in his diary.
The third floor offers wax models representing some of the main characters from the Sherlock Holmes stories, including the infamous Professor Moriarty. There are stairs leading to the attic where past tenants would have stored their luggage—suitcases can still be found there today. Furthermore, there is a delightful, flowery restroom that adds to the charm of the museum.
It is worth noting that Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson are fictional creations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. While the building was recognized as a lodging house from 1860 to 1934, which aligns with the timelines in the stories, the identities of its actual residents during that period remain unknown.
The Bottom Line
A visit to this museum may leave you believing that Holmes and Watson genuinely inhabited the premises, as the curators have expertly arranged the rooms and curated exhibits that could seamlessly fit into their stories. After experiencing the Sherlock Holmes Museum, you might consider taking the Bakerloo Line tube from Baker Street to Charing Cross. This would allow you to visit the Sherlock Holmes Pub, which features a small museum room upstairs and serves up delightful meals.
- Address: 221b Baker Street, London NW1 6XE
- Nearest Tube Station: Baker Street
- Official Website: www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk
- Tickets: Adult: £15, Child (Under 16): £10
