Is the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London Worth It?
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One of the most highly anticipated events on my trip to Europe was the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London. I had missed 221b Baker St on my last trip and was determined not to miss it again as I’ve been a fan of Sherlock for quite a while now! With all the hullabaloo over BBC Sherlock, Elementary, and Robert Downey Jr.’s films, I was nervous it would be more of a tourist trap than ever! So, is the Sherlock Holmes Museum worth visiting?
Getting Sherlock Holmes Museum Tickets
As you probably already know, Sherlock Holmes’ address is 221b Baker Street, and so is the museum’s. Yes, 221b Baker Street truly exists. The museum was also the first stop on my self-induced Sherlock tour of London.
The 221b Baker St Museum was close to my YHA hostel, so I walked there. It’s a pretty bustling street, being that it’s near Madame Tussauds and Regent’s Park, so no worries if you’re a solo female traveler. When you arrive, go directly inside the Sherlock Holmes Museum shop to purchase your ticket, then go outside to wait in line. Sherlock Holmes Museum tickets cost £16 for Adults and £11 for Children (under 16 years).
As a note, they do not offer tickets online. You must buy them at 221B Baker St by cash, credit, or debit card. You also can’t book in advance. It wasn’t jam-packed when I went so that I wouldn’t worry too much about this. However, since the writing of this post, a few people have mentioned two-hour waits, so you may want to show up early.
Update 2024: They now encourage booking tickets online in advance to avoid long wait times. Your ticket is also only valid on the date and time shown on your booking confirmation, and you will be required to present it upon arrival. Please note, you will lose your ticket if you do not arrive 10 minutes before the time on your ticket.
Visiting the 221b Baker St Museum
The London Sherlock Museum is a small building, so they only let a certain amount of people in at a time. Honestly, I truly appreciate this because I hate being too crowded. Too many places cram people in and it ruins the experience. Bring an umbrella in case it rains because there’s no covering for you to stand under while waiting. Seventeen steps up, and you have reached Sherlock Holmes’ apartment. If you’re like me and have read the books, you will actually count those seventeen steps! Dorky, I know. #sorrynotsorry
Upon reaching the living room, you can see his famous deerstalker, magnifying glass, and pipe on the small table in the middle. You can tell a real fan and ardent researcher of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books took the time to think about everything in the flat. You’ll notice yet another deerstalker on his bed below.
Inside Sherlock’s Apartment
The room above is Sherlock’s, and you’ll notice that there’s an incredible amount of detail here. Upon entering, you do feel that he could have lived in this very apartment. It was actually a boarding house during Sherlock’s time, so it’s very accurate to the Victorian period.
What impressed me most was that there are references to most of Sherlock and Watson’s adventures. For example, “A Scandal in Bohemia,” which is one of my favorite stories, is represented amongst others. The photo wall pictured above features real criminals from London’s history.
There are also lots of letters from the infamous detective to Watson and other handwritten notes. I liked the way they set up the scene below with his magnifying glass. They let you take pictures of everything, and if you needed help, a museum employee was always nearby. All of the employees were dressed in period clothing, so that was a lovely touch as well. I always love when museums go all out, especially for something that could be “living history” in a way.
You could spend all day reading the little articles here at the Baker Street Sherlock Holmes Museum. I do apologize. I forgot to take a picture of Watson’s room upstairs, but hey, you’ve got to have some surprises when you go to this fantastic 221b Baker Str Museum, right?
Below is a close-up of Mr. Holmes’ desk. You can see his bag, ink wells, and signs that he’s been doing some scientific testing lately.
I wonder what he’s discovered today?
The Baker Street Sherlock Holmes Museum Shop
Finally, the man himself! It’s a pretty nice bust of our high-functioning sociopath! I wish they sold mini versions of these in the London Sherlock Holmes Museum shop! After you leave the apartment, you can go back to visit the gift shop where you bought your ticket. It’s a bit pricey, but what souvenir shop isn’t?
They have a large assortment of souvenirs and their mail-order catalog contains the most extensive collection of Sherlockian gifts in the world! So you’ll absolutely be able to find something for your Sherlocked friend or family member.
A Review of the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London
So, is the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London worth it? It was absolutely worth it! It does focus much more on the books than the film and television incarnations, as it should! But it’s good to note that in case you were expecting any Cluedo! They have made Sir Arthur Conan Doyle proud, as well as this Baker St Museum reviewer!
So, is the Sherlock Holmes Museum worth visiting? Yes, I’d certainly say so!
Sherlock Museum Address: 221b Baker St, Marylebone, London NW1 6XE, United Kingdom
Hours: 9:30 am to 6 pm every day (except Christmas Day, 25th December)
Duration: 1 hour
Take a Baker St Museum Walking Tour
If you’d like to bundle a trip to the Baker St Museum with a walking tour of London’s most popular sights, I recommend checking out this Get Your Guide tour. I love Get Your Guide, as they make it super easy to cancel and get refunded in case of any travel troubles. I’ve also loved their guides and had a blast whenever I’ve taken one.
Book Activities & Tours:
Click here to read my full guide to London.
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Thank you for posting this review. Due to health issues I will regrettably never get to make that ‘trip to London’, but I feel like I have seen the Museum through your eyes. Thanks so much for the terrific photographs & essay attached !
You are quite welcome! Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help in your virtual tour of London!
I just wanna live in there!
Haha, it’s a very nice part of London to this day!
That looks very cool! I didn’t visit when I went to London, but I’m planning to go back and will have to stop by this time!
I didn’t get there my first time either, but it is worth it. I bet the popularity has gone up quite a bit since BBC Sherlock.
Walking by now.there is over an hour wait in line. Next trip maybe.
Geez, the wait wasn’t nearly that long when I went and I went in summer!