Dickens House Museum

Save
  • Address
    48 Doughty St, Bloomsbury, WC1N 2LF
  • Show map Close map
  • Phone
    7405 2127
  • Website
  • Transport
    underground rail: Russell Sq
  • Mon-Sat 10:00 - 17:00 , Sun 11:00 - 17:00

Let us know if these details are incorrect

Lonely Planet review

The great Victorian novelist lived a nomadic life in the big city, moving around London so prolifically that he left behind him an unrivalled trail of blue plaques. This handsome four-storey house is his sole surviving residence before he upped and moved to Kent. The house was saved from demolition and the fascinating museum opened in 1925, showcasing the family drawing room and 10 rooms chock-a-block with memorabilia.

Dickens didn't stay here very long - he lasted mere two-and-a-half years (1837-39) - but this is where his work really flourished: he dashed off The Pickwick Papers, and Oliver Twist despite worry over debts, deaths and his ever-growing family.

In the dressing room you can see texts Dickens had prepared for his reading tours, which include funny notes-to-self like 'slapping the desk'. The said slapped desk is on display, a velvet-topped bureau purpose-made for his public readings.