During my last visit of London in November 2014, my friend, boyfriend and I had some time to kill before heading to Wembley to see the football match between England and Slovenia. While we were in the Marylebone area and my friend is a Shelock Holmes fan, we decided to take a look at Sherlock Holmes Museum.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum is located at the Baker Street, at the approximate address where this well known fictional character used to live in the A.C. Doyle’s stories. We haven’t done any research prior to our visit, so we ended up waiting in a queue in front of the entrance to the museum. Luckily, we figure it out quickly, we can’t buy ticket here, but in the shop at the right side of the entrance. My boys went there and pick up the tickets while I was holding our place in the queue. Soon after they return, we were allowed to go in by the police officer (aka actor in a police uniform) standing guard at the door.
Museum is stretching over three floors of a typical Victorian house and tries to picture an atmosphere of Sherlock’s late Victorian era. First two floors were made into Holmes’, Mrs Hudson’s and Watson’s bedrooms and living quarters. Upper floor rooms are displaying scenes from Sherlock’s cases.
There is also a folder of letters addressed to Holmes by his fans from all over the world. Some really believe that the Holmes was a real person and the whole set-up is for real.
I have never read the stories, but I watched the BBC’s series with Benedict Cumberbatch in a role of Sherlock Holmes. I liked the series and was keen on learning more about the original stories. The museum rooms are filled with all kind of objects, but there are very few explanations provided. There is nothing to learn here. Nothing is given an context. If you don’t know what you’re looking at, you come away from it knowing no more than you did on entering. None of my company was neither inspired to read the stories, nor to return to the museum.
The presented objects also lack authenticity, but that I can forgive. After all, how authentic can the museum dedicated to the fictional character be?
Unfortunately, museum’s main (and only) target audience are Sherlock Holmes fans. Everyone else is left out. I believe, the visit could be fun experience for a fan. To others, I would recommend to avoid this rather pricey tourist trap and visit any other London museum. They are much better than Sherlock Holmes museum and most of them have no admission.
Practical information:
- Entrance fee: 10 GBP/person
- The nearest Tube station: Baker Street Station
- Access and facilities for visitors with mobility impairments are non existent.
It’s a shame that you found it disappointing. I am a big Sherlock Holmes fan (the books and the TV series), but I think even for me it doesn’t sound as interesting as I would have hoped.
Oh well, you can’t win them all!
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I think, the main reason why I didn’t like the Sherlock Holmes Museum is due to the fact I’m a museum professional. I saw all the flaws in the exhibition. I really couldn’t get over them and wasn’t able to enjoy my visit. My boyfriend and friend shared my disappointment, so I guess it’s not just me…
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I’ve never been there.. I really hesitated during my last trip to London, I think I did well not going to this museum after all 🙂
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I think you decided well. 😉
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have nominated you for ” The versatile blogger award” … Check my post about it 🙂
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I love Shelock Holmes but I think I’l stick to the series and movies:) But at least you were able to kill some time before the football match:) Who won, England and Slovenia?
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Indeed. Unfortunately England won. At least Slovenia scored first, so we were able to enjoy the lead for a few moments. 🙂
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Thanks for your honest review of this museum. It is a bit pricey for so little authenticity. Happy travels! Melissa
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yikes – 10 pounds entry…
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Rip off. Especially when you compare it with other London museums.
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Hmmm…..I wish museum authorities that thought about others as well who had not read the stories. This museum can be a means to gain more new fan following of this legendary fictional character.
I am a huge fan of him and have read all of his stories. Will certainly visit this museum when I am in London. Thanks for sharing it Urska. Have a great day 🙂
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I agree with you. This museum should inspire visitors to read the stories and become Sherlock fans, but unfortunately it fails in that task. Shame. When you’ll visit, I would love to hear your thoughts about the museum. 😉 Great day to you too!
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Absolutely. When I visit it, I am bound to write my review and experience about it 🙂
Thank you so much.
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I loved this museum! But I’ve read the books so… 😉
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Thanks for your comment! 🙂 I guess, reading the books highly improves visitors experience. 🙂 I’m glad you’ve enjoyed your visit.
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I am currently reading a Sherlock Holmes books for my book club actually, so this place looks super interesting. That note from the student?! Hilarious!! Definitely looks like an interesting place to visit!
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Last time we were in London we walked over there, but didn’t have time to actually go inside because of the line. It sounds like we didn’t miss much…especially since I haven’t read the books.
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Yes, if you haven’t read books you didn’t miss much. 😉
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We didn’t go to this museum while we were in London, but it looks great! We’ll have to put it on our list for next time!
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Well, you need to put it on your list only if you’re a Sherlock fan. If not, I don’t think you’ve missed much. As I already wrote, I think Sherlock Holmes museum is a overpriced tourist trap, but that’s just my opinion influenced by museum education and lack of knowledge about Sherlock.
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I would have to admit I’m more of a Benedict Cumberbatch fan than a Sherlock Holmes fan and I always find wax figures super creepy. Thanks for your honest and charming opinion! #FarawayFiles
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Glad you like my review Erin! Cheers from Lucerne! 🙂
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I had wanted to visit the SHM when we were recently in London but had to cut it out! 😦 Will have to save it for next time! We love to show so much! #FarawayFiles
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I wouldn’t be too sad about missing it. Looking forward to your London posts. 😉
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Love your honest review Urska. I’m not a huge Sherlock Holmes fan so never visited but I think I also would have been disappointed with the old fashioned displays. There are so many well done museums in London that deserve more traffic. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
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Thank you Katy, glad you hear you liked my review! 🙂 I agree, there are so many awesome alternatives to visit while in London, going to Sherlock Holmes museum seems like a waste of time and money.
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I’d never even heard of the Sherlock Holmes museum. How fun! We’ll have to put it on the list for when we make it to London. #FarawayFiles
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Well, I guess if you’re fan of the books you might even like it. 😉
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I don’t think it has ever received a lot of positive reviews in travel guide literature, and probably serves Sherlock Holmes fans the most – so I don’t think you are alone in your opinion. I do consider myself a fan, but also love other English writers so my time and money has gone elsewhere (the Charles Dickens Museum I visited twice!). Thanks for your honest review, I will probably end up there one day, but maybe by then they will have done a makeover. ha! #FarawayFiles
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I can definitely see why it doesn’t receive much of positive reviews in the travel guides. 🙂 I haven’t been to Charles Dickens museum yet. I’ve heard a lot about it, but never had a chance to visit. Looks nice. 🙂
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Seems a bit tacky – glad I read this before going for a visit! #FarawayFiles
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