Sherlock Holmes Museum, London

Sherlock Holmes Museum, London

If you have ever enjoyed a Sherlock Holmes story, a visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum (phone +44 20 7224 3688, www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk) in London will brighten your day. For those of us who have ever read an annotated collection of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, the museum provides an immersive experience in a familiar, but never before visited, world.

Located at 221b Baker Street (of course), the museum is one or two blocks north of, and across the street from, the Baker Street exit of the Baker Street Tube stop.

Long entrance lines are common. Note that there may be two lines, one for ticket holders waiting to enter the museum and another to purchase tickets. Tickets are purchased in the rear of the large and architecturally interesting gift shop just beyond, and adjacent to, the museum.

The first time my wife, Paula, and I arrived at the museum, in late December 2015, a staffer was advising visitors they’d have to wait 1½ hours to enter. We moved on but tried again a few days later, this time arriving just before opening time on a weekday. We were able to buy our tickets and enter in just five minutes. 

So what’s there? After climbing the first of three narrow stairways, you enter the lower of two levels that realistically re-create the 221b Baker Street described in the books. On this level you can explore Sherlock’s study and, in the rear, his bedroom. Both are charmingly cluttered with objects, photos and publications mentioned in the books.

If you have questions, docents in period costume are there to help. After a few minutes, it’s easy to believe you’re in a history museum instead of a fictional realm. On the next level are Dr. Watson’s bedroom and Mrs. Hudson’s room.

Finally, on the top floor are rooms with tableaus of famous scenes and characters (e.g., Jabez Wilson of “The Red-Headed League”) from the books. These rooms are a bit more spacious than the snug rooms below. 

Your visit to this small museum will likely take less than an hour. Make your way downstairs and return to the store to browse more Holmes swag than you ever imagined existed.

Still not sure you want to go? You can watch a 10-minute video preview at the museum’s website, www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk. The museum is open 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily except Christmas Day. Admission costs £15 (near $20) per adult and £10 for a child under 16 years.

STEPHEN O. ADDISON, Jr.

Charlotte, NC