Sherlock Holmes Museum in London

In the very center of London, there is a museum dedicated to the legendary and world famous consultant detective Sherlock Holmes. Despite the fact that the outstanding detective is a fictional character of the writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, he is still considered the "storm" of the underworld throughout Great Britain, the personification of justice and honor.

The literary hero, whose fame was brought by logical thinking and amazing observation, delights many people. Holmes fans have the opportunity to visit the famous apartments on Baker Street, where the ambiance of the dwelling of the detective and his devoted friend Dr. Watson is perfectly recreated.

History

The bustling Baker Street has become truly famous for the stories and novels of A.K. Doyle. The first works about the genius detective were published at the end of the 19th century. In reality, such an address in London, where Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson allegedly rented an apartment, did not exist. The street ended at house no. 85.

No. 221-B appeared only in 1934, when Baker Street was significantly lengthened. This literary address was assigned to a four-story house that remained the only surviving Victorian building on the street. The building was originally owned by the Abbey National Bank, whose employees received bags of mail addressed to Mr. Holmes. For a long time, a financial organization had a separate position for a person whose duties were to answer letters from citizens awaiting the help of a detective.

In 1990, the decision was made to open the Sherlock Holmes Museum at # 239 because of a protracted battle over the ownership of the iconic address between the city council and Abbey National. After several years of litigation, the bank ceased to exist. A plaque was solemnly installed on the building with the glorified book address, although it was out of the general numbering.

Interior

The four-story house, erected in 1815, represents the architectural and historical value of London. A round plaque, installed on the facade of the building, informs that the detective consultant Sherlock Holmes lived here from 1881 to 1904. The museum is furnished with original furniture and household items from the second half of the 19th century. Thus, the apartments allow museum visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the stay of their favorite literary hero Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

A constable is on duty at the entrance to the house, and inside Miss Hudson, the owner of the house, welcomes guests. The interior of the house realistically reproduces the setting as described in the book. The creaky seventeen steps of the staircase lead to the rooms of Holmes and Dr. Watson. Each exhibit here represents the life and detective work of Sherlock. These are his personal belongings, filing cabinets, books, tools and much more. Everything testifies to the presence of a brilliant intellect in this house.

The decoration of the apartments creates the absolute illusion of a habitable apartment. It seems that the famous shrewd detective with a felt hat will now come out to meet his guests. While smoking a pipe and making notes in a notebook, he will be interested in listening to the stories of visitors and drawing logical conclusions.

What to see

The unique museum exhibits will certainly make a pleasant impression, making you want to re-read the famous stories about the valiant detective once again. All the attributes and objects that the detective used while solving exciting mysteries and catching cunning criminals of Great Britain fill small rooms on all four floors of the house. This is one of those museums where you are allowed to touch exhibits that are not hidden under glass with your hands. Visitors to Holmes' apartment can comfortably sit in the detective's chair and take souvenir photos.

Exposition on the 1st floor

The first floor is a souvenir shop, which is impossible to pass. Here they sell entrance tickets to the museum, as well as all kinds of commemorative products with Holmes symbols: books, caps, pipes, T-shirts, toys, ceramics, matchboxes, key rings and much more. The store contains photographs of actors who embodied the screen images of Sherlock Holmes. Among them, an honorable place is occupied by the famous Soviet and Russian actor Vasily Livanov, who became a Knight of the Order of the British Empire for his brilliantly played role of an English detective.

Exposition on the 2nd floor

The famous living room with a fireplace, where Holmes and Watson received their guests, is located on the second floor of the museum. It is a cozy little room, lit by wide windows, furnished with comfortable soft armchairs and a small sofa. On the table are the headdresses of the detective and his assistant, a magnifying glass, and a smoking pipe.

Walls with red wallpaper are decorated with paintings and the patriotic monogram of Queen Victoria "VR", knocked out by bullets from a detective's revolver in a state of depression. There is a served refectory table in the corner of the room. The living room was used by Holmes as a study. Therefore, here you can also see a chemical laboratory with a microscope, test tubes and bottles, an abundance of book volumes, stacks of letters, newspapers, candelabra, small figurines, a Turkish shoe for storing tobacco, bearskin on the floor.

Near the fireplace lies a violin, the play on which helped Sherlock build a logical chain of thought. In Holmes's bedroom, adjacent to the study, there are portraits of famous criminals in England. On the bed, there are bags with a set of master keys, gloves, masks and cosmetic accessories for makeup.

Coca-Cola London Eye Ticket - £ 24.30
Tower of London and Royal Treasure Exhibition Ticket - £ 26.80
Tower Bridge Ticket - £ 9.80
Westminster Abbey entrance ticket and audio guide - £ 20
Madame Tussauds ticket - £ 29
St Paul's Cathedral Fast Track Ticket - £ 16
Skyscraper "Shard" - entrance ticket and champagne - £ 24.95

Exposition on the 3rd floor

The third floor of the museum is represented by the rooms of Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson. The office of Sherlock's companion and loyal friend fully characterizes its guest. Cozy apartments are decorated in light colors. The room contains medical books, a blood pressure monitor, a collection of walking sticks, a revolver, stuffed animals, and a handwritten diary with notes about Holmes's adventures.

The dwelling of the hostess of the house is notable for its cleanliness and order. It houses a bronze bust of Sherlock and displays display tables with items that Mrs. Hudson carefully kept in memory of her famous tenant. The expositions are connected with Holmes' cases under investigation: knives, poisoned throwing arrows, masks, a book with a niche for a pistol, a metal bowl with a part of a human hand, ears, bones, bottles of poison.

Mrs. Hudson's personal belongings look harmonious in the room: shoes, shoe dryer, ceramic figurines, candlesticks, a basket of threads. There is a book on the writing table, where each guest of the museum can write their comments and wishes.

Exposition on the 4th floor

Two rooms on the fourth floor are occupied by wax figures of book heroes depicting scenes from various stories. On the wall, like a hunting trophy, hangs the huge head of the Baskervilles dog.Along the perimeter of the apartment are recognizable characters that bring back memories of some of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

A stooped man with an evil eye on museum visitors is Holmes's sworn enemy and the head of the London underworld. This is Professor Moriarty. The red-haired moneylender Wilson is sitting at the table and rewriting the Encyclopedia Britannica. Spread out on the floor is the reporter Saint-Clair, moonlighting as a professional beggar. Stepfather from the "Colorful Ribbon" dies from the bite of his own swamp viper. In the corner of the room, a desperate lady shoots a blackmailer with a pistol.

Opening hours and ticket prices

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Only Christmas (December 24) is considered a day off. Admission is £ 6 for adults and £ 4 for children. It is allowed to take pictures and video in the museum.

Where is it located and how to get there

Sherlock Holmes' house is located in the center of London at the famous address - Baker Street, 221-B. A popular attraction near the Baker Street Subway Station is decorated with a profile picture of the famous detective. Leaving the metro, the Holmes monument will point you in the right direction to the museum. You can also get there by shuttle buses # 18, # 27, # 30, # 159, # 274.

Sherlock Holmes Museum on the map