The Sherlock Holmes Museum

The Literary Home of a Fictional Detective

According to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories, Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. Watson occupied this exact address from 1881 to 1904. The building itself is a genuine Georgian townhouse that originally bore the number 239 before undergoing a legal transformation to claim the iconic address 221B. Today, it stands as one of the most recognizable addresses in world literature, drawing pilgrims from across the globe who wish to walk the same corridors as the world's greatest consulting detective. The museum's creation in 1989 marked a turning point in literary tourism, establishing a physical space where the boundary between fiction and reality deliberately blurs. Every element has been painstakingly designed to align with Conan Doyle's descriptions, creating an environment that feels less like a conventional museum and more like a preserved snapshot of Victorian life frozen in time.

A Four-Floor Journey Through Victorian Mystery

Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a uniformed Victorian policeman before ascending the famous seventeen steps to Holmes' apartment. The first floor contains the most iconic spaces: Sherlock's bedroom with his distinctive deerstalker hat resting on the bed, and the celebrated study where he and Watson conducted their investigations. This room overlooks Baker Street itself, maintaining the exact vantage point described in the original stories. The study displays Holmes' violin, magnifying glass, chemistry set, and the wall bearing the bullet holes spelling out the initials VR—a detail from one of the detective's most famous cases. The second floor houses Dr. Watson's quarters and the rooms of Mrs. Hudson, the landlady, furnished with period-appropriate items as though their occupants might return at any moment. Handwritten letters between Holmes and Watson, along with case notes relating to adventures like the Baskerville mystery, add layers of authenticity to the experience. The third floor features wax figures depicting characters from Holmes' most celebrated cases, alongside a recreation of Conan Doyle's own writing room complete with recordings of the author discussing his literary creations.

Meticulous Attention to Literary Detail

What distinguishes this museum from typical attractions is its unwavering commitment to textual fidelity. Every furnishing, decoration, and artifact has been selected to reflect specific references within Conan Doyle's novels and short stories. Visitors frequently find themselves playing detective, spotting allusions to tales such as "A Scandal in Bohemia" or recognizing objects mentioned in the original narratives. The narrow rooms, creaky floorboards, and steep Victorian stairs contribute to an atmosphere of genuine period immersion rather than theatrical recreation. The museum's small scale—deliberately limiting entry to just fifteen visitors at a time—ensures that the intimate, atmospheric quality remains intact. This constraint, while occasionally creating queues, preserves the experience from becoming overwhelming or losing its carefully constructed ambiance.

Practical Considerations for Your Visit

The museum operates daily from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with last admission at 5:30 PM. An average visit typically spans 30 to 45 minutes, though devoted enthusiasts often spend considerably longer examining the intricate details. After a brief introductory narrative provided by staff, exploration becomes self-guided, allowing visitors to linger in rooms of particular interest. The building's listed status and Victorian construction mean that wheelchair access is not available, though guide dogs are welcome. Children under sixteen must be accompanied by an adult at all times. The museum requests that no food or drink be consumed within the building, though the surrounding Marylebone area offers extensive dining options. Photography is permitted throughout, and staff members remain available to answer questions or assist with access to the gift shop, which stocks an extensive collection of Sherlock-themed merchandise ranging from deerstalker hats to beautifully bound editions of the original novels.