The Sherlock Holmes Museum ☆☆☆
This actual Victorian boarding house at 221b Baker Street is a (contrived, but fun) recreation of how Holmes' and Watson's home might have looked
London's Sherlock Holmes Museum resides at good old 221b Baker Street, the boarding house run by Mrs. Hudson where private investigator extraorindaire Sherlock Holmes and his intrepid companion Dr. John Watson let rooms from 1881 to 1904.
Or, of course, not—since both men were fictional characters invented by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
In fact, there never was a "221b" on Baker street until the City of Westminster gave special dispensation to create the famous address when this museum opened in 1990.
(You will note that it is, confusingly, actually located between 237 and 241 Baker Street. This is because it used to be 239, until the museum's backers bought the place. What's more, the round blue "historic marker" on the exterior brick wall that attests to Holmes's residency is not an official English Heritage marker, just a very good facsimilie.)
Not that this classic Georgian house isn't at least period-appropriate—all narrow staircases and Victorian decor—and it even was an actual boarding house during the appropriate era (actually, from 1860 all the way to 1936).
"Sherlock" and "Watson" take turns on alternating days greeting visitors in these tight rooms crammed with the furnishings, props, and Victorian-era scientific apparati fans would recognize or expect to find, from microscopes, a doctor's bag, and reams of books to a violin propped in a chair, a deerstalker cap, and a lovely collection of pipes.
- Sherlock Holmes Film Location Tour in London - Spend an afternoon hot on the heels of Sherlock Holmes in London, learning about the popular Victorian detective while seeing countless filming locations and literary haunts. The 2-hour tour is led by a film-expert guide, who’ll introduce you to sites like Somerset House, the fictional Diogenes Club and more, used in adaptations like Guy Ritchie’s 2009 film ‘Sherlock Holmes,’ as well as the 1979 thriller ‘Murder by Decree.’ So, book now! As the man himself would say: ‘It’s elementary, my dear Watson.’Partner
- Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour in London - Grab your deerstalker hat, dig out a magnify glass from the dressing up box and sleuth out locations made famous by TV, film and the original novels of Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes is a character that never lived and will never die and whether you love the TV, film or original versions of Sherlock. Enjoy playing detective hunting out and re-creating scenes from locations made famous from a consulting detective.Partner
- Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes Tour of Haunted London - Experience the spook-laden sights and streets of London’s past on this 2.5-hour bus and walking tour. Ride a vintage double-decker bus, stop for two walking tours along the way, and listen to stories at every eerie stop from an expert local guide. Explore the atmospheric hunting grounds of the Ripper, see the former execution site of Smithfield Market and learn about bloodthirsty Sweeney Todd and the Cock Lane ghost. Finish at a cozy London pub to soothe your jangled nerves.Partner
- Private Tour: 'Sherlock' London Filming Locations by Black Cab - Find yourself hot on the heels of 21st-century sleuths Sherlock Holmes and John Watson on this 3-hour black cab tour of London's 'Sherlock' filming locations. Discover sites featured in the popular TV series, a modernized version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective stories starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. See the Diogenes Club, 221B Baker Street and Irene Adler’s residence; follow the route of the Soho cab chase; and visit sites seen on-screen in the upcoming 2015 Christmas special. Receive the undivided attention of a driver-guide on this private tour.Partner
- Private Tour: The London of Shakespeare, the Beatles, James Bond and Sherlock Holmes by Traditional Black Cab - This fun-packed four-hour private black taxi tour takes you around London, seeing the major sights and following in the footsteps of Shakespeare, the Beatles, James Bond and Sherlock Holmes. Your private expert guide will share fun anecdotes about the history and cultural impact of these English icons as you zip around London in your own black cab.Partner
- London Marylebone and Baker Street Walking Tour - A walk through Baker Street, which has become a shrine to the world's greatest detective. Your guide will talk about Sherlock Holmes's fascinating creator, and how he had a dramatic tendency to solve real life crimes. Then a walk through the medieval village of Marylebone, which has London's highest concentration of genteel Georgian housing. See John Nash's classically designed villas and terraces around Regent's Park, The Royal Academy of Music, and the church where the world's best known publishers started in its basement.Partner
Tips
It really only takes about 30–45 minutes to tour this little museum and peruse the offerings in the shop.