The Sherlock Holmes Museum

The Sherlock Holmes Museum

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is a quirky recreation of the world of London’s most iconic fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. Here, you can immerse yourself in the Victorian world of Holmes and some of his most famous cases.

The best part? This museum is actually located in the real setting that inspired the stories. If you are a fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories, then you should definitely stop by this museum. Even if you are unfamiliar with them, this is still a great place to visit to get a real feel for the inspiration behind the texts.

Where is the Sherlock Holmes Museum?

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is located at one of the World’s most famous addresses, 221b Baker St, London, NW1 6XE. It couldn’t be made easier to get to this museum, as it is accessible by tube, train, bus, or car.

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is just a minute’s walk away from Baker Street Station and the London Underground, and Marylebone station is a five minute walk away. There is also limited parking available at 170 Marylebone Road, as well as Britannia Parking at the Landmark Hotel London.

What are the opening hours for the Sherlock Holmes Museum?

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is open every day from 10am until 5pm.

How much do tickets to the Sherlock Holmes Museum cost?

The prices for tickets to the Sherlock Holmes Museum are:

  • Adults – £15
  • Concessions – £13.00
  • Children (under 16) – £10
  • Children (under 6) – Free

How long does it take to go around the Sherlock Holmes Museum?

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An average visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum takes between 35 and 45 minutes. You will be given a short introduction to the tour at the start, but after this point, the tour is self-guided. This means that you are able to stay in the museum for as long as you like, and you can take your time in each room. There is also a free written guide available in various languages from the shop next door, when you purchase your ticket.

Is the Sherlock Holmes Museum accessible?

Unfortunately, the Sherlock Holmes Museum is not accessible. Due to the age and listed nature of the building, it has not been possible to create disabled access to the upper floors. This is a tall and narrow building with multiple floors.

Can you buy food at the Sherlock Holmes Museum?

No, there is nowhere to purchase food at the Sherlock Holmes Museum, but there are a variety of cafes and restaurants nearby if you fancy a bite to eat. You should also note that you cannot eat or drink inside the museum.

Can you take photos at the Sherlock Holmes Museum?

Yes, you are more than welcome to take personal photos at the Sherlock Holmes Museum, but you should know that filming is not permitted without prior consent.

Was Sherlock Holmes a real person?

No, Sherlock Holmes was not a real person. He is a fictional character that was created by a Scottish writer named Arthur Conan Doyle. Interestingly, the Sherlock Holmes characters’ methods and mannerisms were based on Dr. Joseph Bell, who was Doyle’s professor at university.

What is the Sherlock Holmes Museum?

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is a four-storey Georgian townhouse at 221B Baker Street in London. The house dates back to 1815, and it originally served as a lodging house. Today, this is a listed building, which protects its architectural and cultural heritage. 

According to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes made this his home from 1881 to 1904. The rooms inside the building have been set up to reflect this, providing a great insight into the fictional life of the world’s most memorable detective. 

The Sherlock Holmes Museum first opened its doors in 1990, and today, it provides visitors with a memorable and authentic experience of the detective lifestyle in Victorian London. You can step back in time to discover some of Holmes and Watson’s most famous cases.

What can you see in the Sherlock Holmes Museum?

When you first arrive at the Sherlock Holmes Museum, you can expect to be greeted at the entrance by the famous British ‘Bobby’. You will enter straight through the front door, and make your way up the first narrow staircase to the first floor, where the experience will begin.

Sherlock’s Study and Bedroom

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On the first floor, you will be shown into a room by one of the housemaids or butlers, where you will find Sherlock’s study. Here, the audio introduction will begin. The study is displayed just as it would have been in the stories, exactly as described. This makes it easy to imagine Sherlock Holmes and Watson in the study, meeting a client, or going over a case.

You will be able to spot many iconic belongings from this pair in the study, as well as authentic decor from the Victorian era. Some of the personal items in this room include Sherlock’s violin and chemistry set, as well as Watson’s medical supplies.

Once the audio finishes, you will be directed into the room next door, which is Sherlock’s bedroom. In this room, you can take a closer look at some of his personal belongings. 

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Doctor Watson and Mrs Hudson’s Bedrooms

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Next, you will be able to climb the stairs to the second floor. The first room that you’ll enter is Doctor Watson’s bedroom, where you can ponder the curiosities from his time serving with the British Army. There’s even a vast collection of rare medical texts, as well as furniture and decor from another time.

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In the room next door, you can find the belongings of Mrs Hudson, Sherlock’s landlady. You can discover rare Victorian books on subjects like etiquette and cooking, and explore the various mementos from Sherlock’s most famous cases. See if you can spot the possessions that belonged to Sherlock throughout different points in his life and career.

Waxworks From Famous Cases

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If you go up the stairs again to the third floor, you will be able to see scenes like no other through the waxworks of some of the most memorable characters from the Sherlock Holmes stories. Here, you will find the Napoleon of Crime himself, Professor Moriarty.

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The wax figures on this floor reenact famous moments from some of the darkest cases, throwing you straight into the story. To bring the whole experience together, you can take a look at Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson themselves!

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Sherlock Holmes Gift Shop 

If you want to take some memorabilia home with you, then you have to visit the Sherlock Holmes gift shop before you leave. This shop can be found next door to the museum, and it is home to a wide range of Sherlock Holmes themed items. You can find everything here, from stunning hardback books to deerstalker hats and so much more. If you have a busy day ahead of you and don’t want to carry anything around, then you can also check out the full range from the store online.

Is the Sherlock Holmes Museum worth it?

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Yes, the Sherlock Holmes Museum is absolutely worth visiting. It’s not a particularly long experience, but it is definitely an interesting one that you won’t forget. If you happen to be in the area, perhaps visiting Madame Tussauds, then you should definitely clear some time on your schedule to visit this museum.

Places to stay near the Sherlock Holmes Museum

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Planning to stay in the area for a few days to check out more of what London has to offer? Check out some hotels that are near the Sherlock Holmes Museum below.

Z Hotel Holborn

This hotel is situated in the heart of London, and it isn’t too far away from the Sherlock Holmes Museum. You can enjoy a relaxing stay with convenient rooms that have been designed to make your stay as simple as possible.

Days Inn by Wyndham London Hyde Park

Days Inn is another centrally located hotel that is only a short journey away from the Sherlock Holmes Museum. It’s also really close to great shopping spots and restaurants, and it’s just four minutes away from Paddington station. Best of all, you get to start each day with a free continental style breakfast.

London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale

The Marriott Hotel in London is a great place to stay if you are looking for convenience with a splash of luxury. Whether you’re going on a romantic getaway with your partner or a family-friendly trip, you will be met with gorgeous rooms and suites. You can enjoy luxury bedding and original artwork in a central location.

Our visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum

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We actually ended up going to the Sherlock Holmes Museum on a whim after finishing Madame Tussauds London earlier than we expected to. After looking up things to do nearby, we found the Sherlock Holmes Museum, which was less than a 10 minute walk away.

Although the museum only takes around 45 minutes to complete, it was a great experience that I would recommend going to if you are in the area. It provides a really great visual of the world of Sherlock Holmes during the Victorian era, and it’s really cool to see the rooms set up. My favourite part was getting to find out about the different cases they worked on, and the wax figures were a nice touch too.

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