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    The Charles Dickens Museum

    4.0 (36 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    The Charles Dickens Museum Photos

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    Veronica J.

    The museum transports you back to the era of Dickens with a glimpse into Victorian era. A lot of effort has been put into allowing us to have a peek of the writers home, including dining room, where he entertained the guest, bedroom and reading room. As you walk into the dining room, audio of dinner chat starts to play, enhancing the atmosphere. Each room has a few of objects with explanation, however, audio guide is available (we didn't use it). The museum also has a cafe downstairs. Selection of items available is pretty simple, but the cafe is cosy and has a gorgeous courtyard.

    Charles Dickens House and Museum, London.  December 2022.
    Wulfstan C.

    The Charles Dickens Museum is a wonderful and interesting experience, particularly for any fan of Dickens. It is in a house where he lived from 1837-1839 and the only surviving house he had in London. It includes many items belonging to him, brought here from his final home in Kent. These include his writing desk, chaires, other furniture, clothes, letters, and many other items. There is a cafe as well. It is especially decorated for, and interesting at, Christmastime, which is when we went. I highly recommend visiting it.

    Paris M.

    The Charles Dickens Museum is truly mesmerizing. Every time I fly to London, I take a visit here. This's where Dickens, one of the greatest authors ever, wrote his masterpiece Oliver Twist. It is located on 48 Doughty Street, London. This museum hosts the world's biggest collection relating to Dickens, including letters, pictures, furniture, and memorabilia. I took a ton of photographs, yes cameras are allowed. There is a small but welcoming cafe and a garden at the bottom floor where you may sip your tea and catch your breath. There is a gift shop on the first floor. I enjoyed every second I spent in the Dickens museum. I highly recommend a visit here if you are a Dickens fan.

    Sandie L.

    Fantastic! This is one of my favourite museums with its 5 floors to wander. lifts (elevator) is available for those with mobility needs and plenty of toilets Cameras are welcome and offered many fun areas to pose. It's a bit of a walk from tube so be prepared for approximately 20min walk Well worth the admission

    A cup of hot tea on a cold day!
    Jakub S.

    Full disclaimer: I consider myself a hard-core Dickens fan, so visits to this place are for me a cherry on top of every visit to London. Too bad I was there only once during the period when I lived in the town of Olivier Twist. The place has a cafe and a gift shop. Proceeds support the foundation that is in charge of the place, so I always feel obliged to drop in there if only for a cup of breakfast tea. The museum feels very authentic. It looks as the Dickenses moved out only yesterday. Only the top floor is a bit more "contemporary" with such memorabilia as Marshalsea prison cell gate and excerpts from the books painted on the walls. For me the most impressive part is Dickens' own books library. What I like about this place is that it is quite cozy yet the house is these days equipped with such modern things as elevator for accessibility. There is also a room where you can explore on-line the work of Dickens. Plus temporary exhibitions which are changing from time to time. It's great to get a chance to move back to the Victorian-era London if only for an hour or two while exploring the Dickens house.

    Mr. Dickens is there to guide your way
    Jessica S.

    I really am glad we carved a bit of time out of our schedule to visit this museum. I had read other reviews, in which people had gotten lost trying to find the house, but we found some very clear signs (brown, with white lettering) posted along the route from the underground station, which led us right to the front door. The museum is within Dickens' former residence, a five-level, four-story terraced house in Camden. Each room is decorated as it might have been when he lived there, and the displays provide additional insight into the man, the author, the husband and the activist. The most amazing things for me, though, were the original letters they had on the walls, and the references to his work in trying to abolish the slums in London and trying to protect the intellectual property put out by himself and his peers. The layout could be a bit confusing, even with the provided guide (on loan only, don't even try to take it with you!), but each room was informative without being overwhelming. I loved that they gave a glimpse as to the house as a whole - including how the servants lived and what occupied his wife's time during the day. It really helped to paint a picture in my mind. The displays each had a card that provided information about the object you were looking at - its significance in Dickens' life, how old it was, where it came from, etc. - so I never got the sense I was just looking at a bunch of random antiques pulled together for the museum. Granted, some of the items and stories could have been hogwash, but at least they were presented well! All in all, it took us maybe an hour to get through the entire house, and that was with us stopping to read every placard and take every conceivable picture you can imagine. It was absolutely worth the time and money, even if you're not a fan of the author (my husband hasn't read a Dickens book, but he was still able to enjoy himself).

    Museum Interior
    Whitney N.

    Essential pilgrimage for any lover of Dickens. It's fascinating to see original manuscripts, portraits of him and his family, plus other bits and bobs related to this notable Victorian figure. As one reviewer said, yes, there's a lot to read, but if you're a total Dickens geek like I am (from "Great Expectations" to "Bleak House" - I think I've read nearly every published work of his) you'll absorb it all with ravenous fascination. Plus, there's just something special about being in a place, a room, where a writer that you love penned words that have so-captivated you. The best time to pay a visit is during the Christmas season when the house is festooned with holiday greenery and they do live readings of "A Christmas Carol" (just as Dickens himself once did). They even hand out mince pies and mulled wine for you to enjoy as you listen... a nice way to get into the holiday spirit!

    Beneta P.

    I am so happy that I got to come and see house of one of my favorite authors the place is amazing.the staff were supper helpful and nice. Make sure to go to gift shop and the cafe. There is a beautiful garden with available seating as well. This was a great experience

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    The Charles Dickens Museum Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - The Charles Dickens Museum

    There aren't too many of those items that were supposedly used by him, but I still liked it, being a Dickens fan.

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    The British Museum - At British Museum

    The British Museum

    4.6(1.3k reviews)
    0.6 miBloomsbury

    How is this place free?!?! As they state themselves, it is the greatest collection of stolen items…read moreanywhere...lol. Meaning there are artifacts from countries all around the world. You do have to register for timed tickets ahead of time to get in. We got some just a few days before and they didn't check for times as we were almost an hour late. It was super crowded and getting through the queue took about 10 minutes. Once inside, we knew we had to move fast since they close at 5pm and you could spend all day here. The information booth was helpful as they gave us a map with the option of hitting the highlights, which was perfect for our amount of time. The items from the Easter Islands were my favorite and the library room right when you walk in was cool too. Of course the Rosetta Stone was amazing as well! There is food and a gift shop inside so get an early time and spend the day here.

    The British Museum is a must on your visit to London especially if it your first time in London…read more Check their website before you arrive to see if a reservation is required. On busy days they require pre-booked reservations which can be made at no cost. I suggest planning 1.5 hours to see the highlights or recommendations found on the free map at each entrance. There are places to sit and relax with a coffee or tea at a counter service cafe or a place with table service. There is a coat and bag check available to the left once you enter through the main entrance. I'm not sure if there is a cost for it.

    Photos
    The British Museum - At British Museum

    At British Museum

    The British Museum - British Museum_Yelp_Sanju-1

    British Museum_Yelp_Sanju-1

    The British Museum - British Museum_Yelp_Sanju-28

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    British Museum_Yelp_Sanju-28

    The National Gallery - A full room of Rembrandts

    The National Gallery

    4.7(546 reviews)
    1.1 miTrafalgar Square

    Stopped by the National Gallery yesterday, and honestly, this place is amazing. It's way bigger…read morethan I expected -- room after room packed with artwork from all the famous painters you learn about in school. And the vibe is super chill. Every room has benches so you can sit down, relax, and actually enjoy the art instead of rushing through. The best part? It's completely FREE to get in. You just walk in and suddenly you're face‑to‑face with pieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and a ton of others. You could easily spend hours here and still not see everything. There's just so much to take in -- colors, details, history, all of it. It's the kind of place where you keep saying "okay, just one more room" and then an hour goes by. If you're in London, this is a must‑visit. Beautiful art, relaxed atmosphere, and again... it's FREE. Absolutely worth your time.

    The National Gallery is a must see on your visit to London. We went on a Friday night because they…read morewere opened until 9:00 pm. We thought that evening might be a quiet time to go, but the Gallery was packed with art lovers. The Gallery is huge and free to visit, although donations are emcouraged. The building is Greek Revival with a modern addition that serves as the visitor entrance. Ornate domes, marble and granite staircases and beautiful woodwork add to the grandeur. The complex is made up of galleries of art organized by time period, several cafes and gift shops. Maps throughout the complex are very helpful. The Museum houses the most extensive collection of Masters that I've ever seen. There is an entire gallery of spectacular Rembrandt paintings. I enjoyed comparing his style between the different works. Four galleries are filled with Impressionistic greats including a room devoted to Monet's water lily pieces. I saw so many Van Gogh's that I had never seen before. Beautiful benches in each room were inviting to sit and take in the art. There is so much to see that you can't see it all in one day. I ordered free tickets on-line but they were not checking tickets during my visit. I did go through security and they check bags. Rest rooms are sparse, expect to wait in a line to use the facilities. There are lots of stairs with a few elevators available.

    Photos
    The National Gallery - Portrait of G.B. Cataneo Della Volta by Van Dyck at National Gallery

    Portrait of G.B. Cataneo Della Volta by Van Dyck at National Gallery

    The National Gallery - Portrait of Greta Moll by Matisse in National Gallery

    Portrait of Greta Moll by Matisse in National Gallery

    The National Gallery - Display Gallery at National Gallery

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    Display Gallery at National Gallery

    The London Film Museum - One of many beautiful Bond cars on display

    The London Film Museum

    4.0(28 reviews)
    0.8 miStrand, Covent Garden

    The London Film Museum is essentially the James Bond Museum, with the "Bond in Motion" exhibits…read moreoccupying the vast majority of the space. It is a rather small museum though, and even if you take the time to look at every detail, one to two hours will be more than enough. The main exhibits are the hot cars that 007 gets to drive, as well as a few other cool surprises - remember the car that turned into a submarine when it hit the water (The Spy Who Loved Me)? Or the plane with folded wings that emerged from a trailer (Octopussy)? Many of those exhibits include detailed specifications as well as videos of the scenes that highlight the vehicles. Some exhibits also play the theme songs in the background. Other memorabilia that Bond fans would love include original costumes, props, photo of backstage scenes, theatrical posters, etc. Admission is GBP14.50 (about USD18), which is rather expensive for such a small place (hence only 4 stars). But Bond fans, don't you dare say it's too expensive so you'll never go. Never Say Never Again! You Only Live Twice! You can go tomorrow since Tomorrow Never Dies. Go see it with your own Golden Eye. After all, this museum is For Your Eyes Only...

    007 fans, you do NOT want to miss this!! This was only ever meant to be a temporary museum, but was…read moreso successful, they've opened it indefinitely. What you'll find in here is gold if you're a Bond fan; from the first ever original car insurance deal for filming, props used in the films like passports, keys, money to a range of vehicles used throughout all the films - it's well worth the money. Here's a tip - buying tickets online is actually more expensive than in person, only by a couple of pounds, but when there's six of you going, that's 6 coffees I could buy at Pret a Manger around the corner!!!! Keep your change, and buy when you get there.

    Photos
    The London Film Museum - Tacky, maybe, but I just had to...

    Tacky, maybe, but I just had to...

    The London Film Museum - Each car/vehicle had clips from relevant James Bond movies running in the background

    Each car/vehicle had clips from relevant James Bond movies running in the background

    The London Film Museum - Sketch in the upstairs exhibit

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    Sketch in the upstairs exhibit

    Hunterian Museum - Art Area, Hunterian Museum - London

    Hunterian Museum

    4.6(45 reviews)
    0.6 miHolborn

    Well first of all it's free to visit. Ahem! FREE....to visit. For a tourist, it's almost virtually…read moreunheard of in London other than some of the art museums and other minor attractions or if you've got the London Pass. Anyway, my sister and I being the nerds that we are decided to check this place out. *Spoiler Alert* It's a museum of mainly surgical/medical specimens. So if you got creeped out by all those animals in jars of formaldehyde in high school chemistry or biology then you might want to sit this one out. Honestly, it's not that creepy but more so very interesting. Even if you don't have an understanding or appreciation for medical science, I still think most people would find this place highly educational and mind-boggling. I'm sure most people have watched a medical surgery show on TV or saw vids on the internet of things of that nature or weird animals. So, this museum kind of sums that up but in thousands of glass jars filled with all sorts of animals, body parts, tumors, cancers, and bones. The variety in genus and species is astounding. The main floor is seemingly endless jars of things. There isn't a huge amount of information or placards but you can read the jars and kind of figure it out or write it down later and search it online. I found myself asking how? and why? or what in the heck is that? I like that it made me think back to things I learned in college without even noticing it. I didn't take any photos as they said not to and also I didn't think it would be appropriate. The have a small gift shop & have guided tours on some days so check the website. I know I said it's free, and it is but it's suggested to donate about £3 to keep things running. Still mega-cheap. It kind of blows (no pun intended) that a large portion of the museum and the majority of what was contained within was destroyed or badly damaged by bombs in World War II. Such is war I guess, but we live and learn and the rebuilt museum is almost better than ever.

    This museum has the skeleton of Charles Byrnes on display since around the 1730s despite his…read moreexpress wishes to not have his body dissected or put on display. Byrnes was around 7' 7" tall likely due to a gene mutation and was well known. Prior to Byrnes died 1783 at just 22, Dr. Hunter who this museum is named after, tried to buy the rights to Mr. Byrnes' corpse but he declined and soon before his death, he made an express wish to have his body buried at sea. However, Dr. Hunter legitimately stole his corpse and put his skeleton on display. the current administration continues to do, with no plans to remove. You would think after 200 odd years the museum might want to right the wrongs of the past but I guess continuing to make a quick buck off those less fortunate is important to them. Free Byrnes! May he some day rest in peace. BBC article for reference below. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-54644243.amp

    Photos
    Hunterian Museum - 19th C wax model of a jaw operation, Hunterian Museum - London

    19th C wax model of a jaw operation, Hunterian Museum - London

    Hunterian Museum - Clockwork Amputation Saw, Hunterian Museum - London

    Clockwork Amputation Saw, Hunterian Museum - London

    Hunterian Museum - Crocodile and egg, Hunterian preservation

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    Crocodile and egg, Hunterian preservation

    Wellcome Collection - Creepy skeleton art

    Wellcome Collection

    4.4(94 reviews)
    0.8 miBloomsbury

    Begun by the founder of Burroughs-Wellcome, the first company to introduce medicine in pill form,…read morethis marvelous free museum specializes in things related to health and the human body. Or science, medicine, life, and art. Or health, life, and our place in the world. Just looking at those descriptors sort of ensured that there'd be something compelling here and there was. A lot. One floor is given over to the collection itself, which is a quirky assemblage of old medical devices and the like, including old sexual devices. Free guided tours are one way to enjoy this part of the museum though I cop to liking the rest of the place even more. The other floors contain exhibits and art which ranged from interesting to fascinating to heartwarming and inspirational. A couple examples: * Words which, when pressed, would light up the associated internal body parts. It's fair to say I don't know where anything inside my body is except maybe my heart and stomach. Now I do. Or I did, for a moment there. * The origins of a mental health project in Africa, where mental health providers are sparse and grandmas we're trained to fill the gap. The results? Improved mental health in the community and the grandmas. There was just so much neat stuff here and not just in the museum exhibits. The ground floor cafe has very good food (try the eggplant parmesan baked individually in a sweet little French crock) and don't miss the gift shop where you'll likely blow all that you saved by coming to this free museum. I certainly did. I left wanting to return to the Wellcome Collection and that was before I even looked at their web site and saw all of the talks and group activities they regularly offer (Death Cafe anyone? Grief Group?). I wish the Wellcome Collection were in my own community as I'm certain I'd take advantage of much more that they have to offer.

    I don't know if I caught the museum on a bad day or what. I walked in and said hello to the staff…read moreperson near the entrance - I was rewarded with a dirty look. I was going to ask for some directions but instead just found myself a map. I checked out the two exhibitions they had open. They both were okay. Being Human was fine, not much to see in the gallery to be honest. The other one, Objects in Stereo, was a clever idea that could have been better. I don't understand the point of looking at photos of objects and storage when one could put those objects on display. Fragile things can be displayed in the right way with the right light and temp/humidity conditions. I was very disappointed to not see more of the permanent collection being used. I work as a museum registrar and I was having trouble understanding the reasoning here. Especially since similar objects were on display upstairs. The reading room was the highlight of the collection. Finally some AMAZING historical, medical related objects and art!

    Photos
    Wellcome Collection - Heart Exhibition

    Heart Exhibition

    Wellcome Collection - Wellcome Collection

    Wellcome Collection

    Wellcome Collection - Jennifer Sutton looking at her own heart in the Heart exhibition

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    Jennifer Sutton looking at her own heart in the Heart exhibition

    The Charles Dickens Museum - museums - Updated July 2026

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