Sherlock Holmes Museum

• Explore the house-turned-museum of Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective who took the world by storm in the novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
• Uncover secrets and peer into a world of mystery and crime through the huge selection of memorabilia taken directly from the novels.
• The closer you look the more there is to see; a quiz or activity sheet would complement your trip if visiting with kids.
   

Ignite the imagination of your family and explore the world of Sherlock Holmes at one of London’s most intriguing museums.
 

If you're a fan of the famous novels published back in October 1892, the hit TV series starring Benedict Cumberbatch, or the many movie adaptations of these iconic stories, you'll love this museum. And if you’re not already a Sherlock enthusiast, this may just spark an interest in the mystery around the world-famous, fictional detective! The museum puts the focus specifically on the Sherlock Holmes books and the interior is saturated with the details of the four novels and 46 short stories that continue to shape detective novels today.
 

Built in 1815, 221b Baker Street actually sits between 237 and 241 on the famous road. The Georgian Townhouse was originally used as a boarding house, a place where people could rent rooms. There were communal eating spaces and areas for washing. The building was repurposed as a museum in 1990 to reflect the era from 1881 and 1904 and is now known worldwide as Sherlock Holmes' House.
 

This house allows you to explore the spaces where Sherlock Holmes and Watson formed one of literature's most iconic duos. At the entrance, Dr Watson may be waiting around for Sherlock to get ready; a great opportunity for a photo! As you walk in through the shop, Mrs Hudson will be waiting to see you and take you around the house. You can walk down the hallway and up the stairs into the study to explore where the famous detective solved crimes around London. You can also explore the bedroom, bathroom and small loft, all filled with artefacts and memorabilia. The third floor features amazing wax figures of the characters from various scenes in the books to delight captivate your children.
 

Each artefact within the museum has incredible detail and references taken directly from the books. You can examine Dr Watson’s diary and see Sherlock Holmes’ incredible chemistry set. The staff have excellent knowledge of the world of Sherlock Holmes, and will be happy to answer any questions you have as you probe the mystery of this fantastic house.
 

If you want a memento from your trip, the museum has a well-stocked shop on the ground floor with a range of souvenirs for you to take home. The shop itself is decorated as if it’s 1914 and the staff dress accordingly.

This quirky museum is a must-visit if you're in London - it’s elementary!
 

What to know before you go

• The Sherlock Holmes Museum is run by the Sherlock Holmes International Society. They are open every day from 9.30am until 6pm.
• Sherlock Holmes Museum tickets are not available online and you can only purchase on the day. Get there as early as you can to avoid the queue. If you can’t arrive early, this may call for queue activities for younger children such as colouring, fidget toys or anything you usually have on hand.
• You cannot store luggage on the premises and big bags may be cumbersome within the house.
• It takes roughly two hours to tour the house and the shop.
• The museum offers activity sheets you can fill in as you explore the house. They also have information available on the website and a walkthrough video you can use to write your own quiz questions.
• If you work up an appetite after wandering around the museum, Hudson’s Old English Restaurant is a great café on site, and just down the road is Royal China Club, a Chinese restaurant with great classic dishes if you are looking for a more substantial meal.
• The museum's corridors are too narrow to be accessible to wheelchairs, however the shop on the ground floor is wheelchair friendly.
• There are no baby-changing facilities on the premises but there are in Baker Street station just a few minutes' walk away, as well as accessible toilets.

Getting there

• The museum's famous address is 221b Baker Street, Marylebone, London, NW1 6XE.
• The nearest stations are Baker Street (Bakerloo, Circle, Jubilee, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines) and Marylebone (Bakerloo line and National Rail services) and Regents Park, which are a two and four-minute walk away, respectively.
• Buses 2, C2,13, 18, 27, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 189, 274 and 453 stop at the Regents Park bus stop, roughly a two-minute walk from the museum.
• The Regents Park car park has pay-and-display meters and is open from 9am to 6.30pm every day. Parking is £1.40 per hour on Sundays and £2.40 on weekdays with a maximum stay of four hours.