Is Sherlock Holmes Museum Worth Visiting

Published February 10, 2025

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London boasts a wealth of literary heritage, and one could dedicate weeks and weeks to discovering every literary landmark in the city.

The Sherlock Holmes Museum remains one of the essential stops during a visit to London.

So is Sherlock Holmes Museum worth visiting? Keep reading to discover more!

What is the Sherlock Holmes Museum?

The Sherlock Holmes Museum stands as a privately operated museum located in London, honoring the renowned Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective.

It’s the first museum in the world focused on the literary figure Sherlock Holmes and it was inaugurated in 1990.

The museum is located inside Baker Street, having the designation 221B with the consent of Westminster City, despite being positioned between 241 and 237, near Baker Street's northern end inside central London near Regent's Park.

Doyle’s tale of the renowned detective Sherlock Holmes occurred from 1881 to 1904, during which Sherlock Holmes resided at 221 B Baker Street alongside Dr. Watson, his companion and partner.

The interior of the Sherlock Holmes Museum has been crafted to match the descriptions found in Doyle’s tales (and as earlier stated, while the structure is actually situated between 241 and 237, it features a 221 B address sign).

The museum has attracted over 2 million fans of Sherlock Holmes since its opening in 1990 and is managed by Sherlock Holmes International Society.

Getting to the Museum

The museum is located at 221b Baker Street, Marylebone in London, United Kingdom.

It is situated in the heart of Marylebone and can be conveniently reached by public transport.

The iconic museum is roughly a two-minute stroll from the subway station of Baker Street, and also reachable via the Jubilee, Bakerloo, Circle, Hammersmith and City, and Metropolitan lines.

An oversized Sherlock statue can be seen outside the underground station of Baker Street, so when you get there, be sure to look for the enormous statue at the entrance.

Bus: For those traveling with bus, routes 13, 2, 27, 18, 30, 82, 74, 189, 113, 139, 453, C2, and 274 all have stops at Regent's Park, situated under a 2-minute stroll from the Sherlock Holmes museum.

Several buses are available to take you to the museum and you can also consult Google Maps to get the latest suggestions.

Train: For those traveling with train, the closest stations are Euston (a 21-minute walk), Marylebone (a four-minute walk), and Paddington (an 18-minute walk).

Car: If you’re driving, the nearest parking facilities are located in Park Road, Dorset Square, and Regent Park.

Tube: If you’re using the underground, the museum's closest stations are Regent's Park (an 8-minute walk), Baker Street (just a 2-minute walk), and Marylebone (a 4-minute walk).

Best Time to Visit Sherlock Holmes Museum

The Sherlock Holmes Museum operates from Monday up to Sunday, 9:30 am to 6 pm, but it’s closed on December 25th (Christmas Day).

If you wish to park in your vehicle at The Regent's Park, parking spaces are offered daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

Parking charges are £2.80 each hour from Monday - Saturday, while on public holidays and Sundays, it’s £2 for an hour.

From Monday - Saturday, parking your car in the given spots is limited to four hours maximum.

Then, you may also want to think about participating in one of the London free tours that leave every day when going to the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

It is strongly advised that you show up very early (particularly in the summer period) since the lines can become quite lengthy during peak times.

Is Sherlock Holmes Museum Worth Visiting?

Yes, the Sherlock Holmes Museum is definitely worth visiting and a must-see, particularly if you're an avid fan of Sherlock Holmes.

The museum is absolutely worth the ticket price, and its gift shop remains worth checking out afterward, filled with various Sherlock Holmes merchandise.

It may be petite, yet it is delightful with its Victorian collectibles and individual artifacts.

This museum dedicated to Sherlock Holmes is indeed fascinating and you are completely assured that you will not feel let down if you go.

Who is the Museum For?

Anyone who has a basic interest in the man Sherlock Holmes should discover something enjoyable at the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London.

Even, the museum's website and provided informational resources clearly state that everyone is invited, whether they are die-hard fans or individuals who have never encountered Sherlock Holmes in any form.

Certainly, Sherlock's superfans will gain the greatest benefit from this experience, though even ordinary fans will be able to expand their understanding of Sir Doyle and Holmes.

Also, the museum is suitable for children and it will be very enjoyable for kids who have some familiarity with the detective's stories.

In the shop at the museum, there are many kid-friendly retellings of Sherlock available for sale.

How Long to Visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum?

The optimal visiting duration for the museum is 1 to 2 hours.

However, feel free to take enough time and explore the museum to its fullest potential.

Some visitors spend 35 to 45 minutes there while others spend more than 2 hours exploring the iconic museum.

What Should You Expect at the Sherlock Holmes Museum?

When you reach the museum, you will see uncovered, outdoor lines (be sure to bring your umbrella if it is a rainy day in London).

These lines are two: one for walk-ins and another for pre-booked ticket reservations - the uniformed officer outside can guide you onto the correct line.

Then, when you have successfully stepped into the house, you can leisurely explore the three levels of displays.

Ensure you are counting the steps when you walk in so Sherlock won't be let down by your keen observatory skills.

The initial part of the adventure involves the primary floor's guided tour, featuring Sherlock’s bedroom and sitting room.

This enjoyable guided tour segment is brief and delightful, led by a maid who is costumed and will immerse you in the authentic (fictional) realm of Dr. Watson and Sherlock, making you not remember that they never actually existed in these specific rooms.

She will entertain you with charming tales about Sherlock’s unusual tobacco smoking choices together with his other eccentric habits.

She’ll additionally highlight the spot where Sherlock fired VR (representing Queen Victoria or Victoria Regina) into the walls with his gun out of boredom (to the great displeasure of Mrs. Hudson).

Then, once this short guided segment is complete, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the two rooms independently but remember that another tour batch will be arriving soon.

As you explore the area, don't forget to examine the space near the window chair to find Sherlock's renowned violin.

Then, after completing the primary level of Sherlock Holmes Museum, at your convenience, you may proceed to the top two floors.

On the floor above, you'll see Dr. Watson's bedroom, arranged as if he had just stepped out for a brief moment.

You will also discover the room of Mrs. Hudson, which you're free to investigate on your own.

In the room, you’ll discover numerous small items of importance from different Sherlock tales.

Naturally, these can be most comprehended by individuals who know the tales, yet strategically positioned signs can illuminate even those that are less acquainted with the enigmas.

Then, at the highest and last level of the museum, you will find additional “artifacts” along with various dioramas depicting some very iconic moments from Sherlock's tales.

Also, you certainly cannot escape the notorious Professor Moriarty eerie statue.

Once you've finished exploring these three levels of the Sherlock Holmes Museum, you'll head to the museum's Shop next door.

In this place, you'll discover an excellent assortment of collectibles and books that will interest any fan of Sherlock.

You can purchase a deerstalker hat in the style of Holmes, although the housemaid notes that Holmes wouldn't ever have donned that hat except for hunting trips.

You can also buy the complete Sherlock Holmes stories from the store, though they lack an engraving or stamp to personalize the book, which is common in many literature gift shops.

Getting Tickets

You can obtain tickets for the museum in two ways: either by purchasing them online in advance or by buying the walk-up tickets.

When you buy a ticket online beforehand, it will be designated for a specific time and date, and you will incur a minor convenience charge.

Then, if you plan to buy walk-up tickets for the museum, remember that those with reserved times will have priority, so you might have to wait anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes before you enter.

To obtain your walk-up ticket, first enter the shop of the Sherlock Holmes Museum and buy it at their register before lining up in the correct queue outside.

If necessary, the police officers are glad to guide you properly to the right location.

Note that on your reservation day, you need to arrive ten minutes earlier than your scheduled time or you’ll forfeit your ticket.

Things to Note When Visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum

• Activity sheets can be found at the shop, allowing you to respond to different questions about Holmes while you visit.
• All guests are required to access the museum via the shop, found on its ground level.
• Ensure you buy your tickets first before lining up at the museum's entrance.
• To fully immerse yourself in the Sherlock Holmes adventure, be sure to visit the former site of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's medical practice, two Devonshire Place (just a 10-minute stroll from the Sherlock Holmes museum).
• While at the museum, you can participate in the Free Holmes Tour led by an experienced guide.
• You may also view wax figures of Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey in their own Sherlock Holmes outfits at Madame Tussaud’s, located just a 4-minute stroll from the Sherlock Holmes museum.
• To seize a fantastic photo opportunity, aim to take a picture with Dr Watson. He will be awaiting you outside the entrance of the museum before you go in.
• Try to also take a picture of Sherlock Holmes's silhouette at Baker Street's underground station, along with the nine-foot-tall bronze Arthur Doyle statue located outside this station near the exit of Marylebone Road.
• Refrain from carrying large items, since there isn't any storage available for your luggage.

Conclusion

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is indeed a must-see for everyone, particularly if you're an avid fan of Sherlock Holmes.

Upon visiting the museum, you will be inclined to think that Watson and Sherlock Holmes actually resided here, since the museum’s curators have effectively gathered displays that align with the numerous tales and arranged the rooms well.