The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Latest Reviews
Visited with my wife during a visit to Lichfield. Quite a surprise, and based around a book shop, this journey around the family home, explains the life and times of Samuel Johnson who arguably invented the English dictionary. Fascinating historical view of Victorian Life and free of charge. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Interesting but the traditional original old style steps are steep.Wait time
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Reservation recommended
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Reservation recommended
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Source: google.com
The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum is a delightful gem in Lichfield. Stepping inside feels like traveling back in time, offering a charming glimpse into the life of one of England's greatest literary figures. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting—a must-visit for any history or literature enthusiast! Plus, the entry is for free 🆓
Source: google.com
Visited with family from the USA and have to say having lived in Lichfield for two years we should have visited sooner.
The welcome we received brought us up to speed with everything Samuel Johnson and the house , so enthusiastic.
The house has five floors and no lift so if your mobility is poor consider before entering.
Excellent museum and supported by donations only, no admission charge.
The welcome we received brought us up to speed with everything Samuel Johnson and the house , so enthusiastic.
The house has five floors and no lift so if your mobility is poor consider before entering.
Excellent museum and supported by donations only, no admission charge.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on
Weekday
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Reservation recommended
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Weekday
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Reservation recommended
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Source: google.com
A much bigger building than you first think. I spent about 90 minutes there, as there are 4 floors of information.
We didn't realise at first but there is a "way round" following the information boards, starting in the basement and working upwards.
To be honest I wasn't massively interested in SJ but it was quite interesting and worth learning about. The house itself is lovely and interesting with a view over the market. The book shop is okay and the lady there was informative and friendly.
We didn't realise at first but there is a "way round" following the information boards, starting in the basement and working upwards.
To be honest I wasn't massively interested in SJ but it was quite interesting and worth learning about. The house itself is lovely and interesting with a view over the market. The book shop is okay and the lady there was informative and friendly.
Source: google.com
Kevin was super welcoming, he explained about the history of the house, the tour diagram of the house. What we could do in each room. He explained their were cats in rooms and gave us a check sheet.
We enjoyed dressing up, calligraphy, puzzles, climbing up all the stairs to visit the room and learning more about Samuel Johnson. Our daughter also received an Olympic medal. Thank you for a lovely morning. Kevin is amazing!
We enjoyed dressing up, calligraphy, puzzles, climbing up all the stairs to visit the room and learning more about Samuel Johnson. Our daughter also received an Olympic medal. Thank you for a lovely morning. Kevin is amazing!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely free museum (there is an honesty box to contribute if you wish) in the centre of Lichfield. Some interesting information about the life of this great man and a few artefacts including a copy of his original dictionary.Visited on
Weekend
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Reservation recommended
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Weekend
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Reservation recommended
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Source: google.com
This museum is free. You can leave a donation if you wish to. Very interesting. Over 5 floors but as it is inside a house with bookshop on ground floor, stairs very narrow as befitting for the age of the building. Learnt a lot about Samuel Johnson. I would probably go again.Visited on
Weekday
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Reservation recommended
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Weekday
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Reservation recommended
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Source: google.com
Visited on
Weekend
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Reservation recommended
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Weekend
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Reservation recommended
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Source: google.com
Really appreciated the "Johnson in his century" exhibit on the second floor — it's a simple thing but this type of formatting is just so effective in contextualising history (which can too easily be a muddle of names and dates). Also had fun using the ink blotter on the first floor and flipping through the dictionary facsimile on the top floor.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that entry is free (given that it is a smaller museum far away from the London belt) and hope people donate generously.
I came away with a greater interest in the man behind the first definitive English-language dictionary and would happily visit again. In the meantime, I'm off to visit its London counterpart, 17 Gough Square (and Hodge the Cat)!
I was pleasantly surprised to find that entry is free (given that it is a smaller museum far away from the London belt) and hope people donate generously.
I came away with a greater interest in the man behind the first definitive English-language dictionary and would happily visit again. In the meantime, I'm off to visit its London counterpart, 17 Gough Square (and Hodge the Cat)!
Source: google.com
Informative and historic. Learnt a lot more about Samuel Johnson than expected. A small bookshop on the ground floor.
There are some fairly steep stairs as you would expect in an old building.
There are some fairly steep stairs as you would expect in an old building.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Friendly informative staff interesting place worth look and freeVisited on
Weekend
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Weekend
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Source: google.com
Top class. The place goes on and on and is packed to the rafters with history plus the chap that was looking after it was very friendly and knowledgeable!Visited on
Weekday
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Weekday
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Source: google.com
Now retired, I have discovered that there are some excellent small museums in this country. The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum must be right up there with, for example, 78 Derngate in Northampton, and other hidden gems of these islands.
The museum is housed in the old Johnson family home on Breadmarket Street. On the ground floor is a very good bookshop, incorporating a gift section. The three floors above cover Johnson’s life from childhood to death - including his dictionary and life in London. To say that the staff were knowledgeable on their subject is an understatement. I left wanting to know more about ‘Dr Johnson’ and the Georgians. As a result, I am planning a visit to the capital to explore ‘Dr Johnson’s London.’
If you are coming to Lichfield, then this museum is a must visit.
The museum is housed in the old Johnson family home on Breadmarket Street. On the ground floor is a very good bookshop, incorporating a gift section. The three floors above cover Johnson’s life from childhood to death - including his dictionary and life in London. To say that the staff were knowledgeable on their subject is an understatement. I left wanting to know more about ‘Dr Johnson’ and the Georgians. As a result, I am planning a visit to the capital to explore ‘Dr Johnson’s London.’
If you are coming to Lichfield, then this museum is a must visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Museum is temporarily closed at the moment while Bookshop is still open.Visited on
Public holiday
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No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure …More
Public holiday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure …More
Source: google.com
As a visitor from afar, I was captivated by the historic charm and intellectual legacy of this esteemed location, the birthplace of Samuel Johnson, pioneer of the inaugural English Dictionary. The guided tours of the meticulously preserved 1707 house offered a glimpse into the life and times of this literary luminary. Stepping through its doors felt akin to traversing the corridors of history itself. The experience was truly enriching, resonating with the essence of cultural enlightenment. A five-star rating is undoubtedly deserved for the invaluable insight and memorable journey through the annals of linguistic and literary achievement.
Source: google.com
An interesting place to visit, free entry with contributions welcomed. Plenty to see and do for all ages and all exhibits have their own story clearly displayed.Visited on
Weekday
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Reservation recommended
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Weekday
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Reservation recommended
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Source: google.com
Really enjoyed our visit and learnt a lot about Samuel Johnson's life and works. Friendly, helpful staff and quite a lot to see, certainly enough to occupy an hour or two.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really enjoyed our visit. It was fascinating to see so many objects owned by Dr Johnson in the house he was born and lived in. The short film telling the story of his life was a great introduction and the information in each room was excellent. Add to that the friendly, knowledgable and helpful staff and you have a gem to visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
5 floors packed with fascinating information and details, relating to Johnson and his time. The history boards are well set out and the information panels are clear and interesting. We noticed plenty of activities for children. The staff members were welcoming and helpful.Visited on
Weekday
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Reservation recommended
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Weekday
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Source: google.com
Very interesting, great museum and free! Loved it definitely would recommend for any history or book nerds!Visited on
Weekday
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Weekday
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Reservation recommended
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Source: google.com
A very interesting and historic building and museum. Well kept and full of artifacts and exhibits . Staff helpful and informative . Also a good video screened history of Dr. Johnson. It's an early 1700's building so access to cellar and upper floors may not be easy for everybody. Worth a visit for just a donation anyway .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting place to visitWait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
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No wait
Reservation recommended
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Source: google.com
Good you can right your own name or anything you like with real ink and quick has loads of books and is good if you want to learn about Johnson
Source: google.com
