The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum

4.7/5 based on 586 reviews
Latest Reviews
Informative and interesting museum over four floors of a period townhouse. There's a short video explaining Johnson's place in British history and a copy of his groundbreaking dictionary on display. Engaging and helpful staff make for a worthwhile visit that fits comfortably under forty minutes.
google.com
Source: google.com
What a lovely little gem! The staff on duty were wonderful. They were very knowledgeable and gave us a very enjoyable history of the house and it's occupants.
google.com
Source: google.com
Fascinating museum, highly entertaining and informative. The lady at reception was so friendly, charming and knowledgeable. Visiting the house was a wonderful experience.
google.com
Source: google.com
Excellent experience, greeted by a very jolly chap who furnished us with the most useful information.
google.com
Source: google.com
A free museum housing the story of the English dictionary creation by Samuel Johnson.
google.com
Source: google.com
Super interesting museum
google.com
Source: google.com
🌻 Lichfield, a picturesque city in the heart of England, is the birthplace of Samuel Johnson, known as the author of the first authoritative dictionary of the English language.<br><br>* Samuel Johnson was born in Lichfield in 1709.<br>The house where he grew up is now a museum dedicated to his life and work.<br><br>* Visitors can see original manuscripts, personal belongings, and learn more about his contribution to the development of the English language.<br><br>To experience the atmosphere of the era in which Samuel Johnson lived, you need to come to Lichfield.<br><br>You can see historical artifacts related to his life and deepen your knowledge of the English language and its history.<br><br>Lichfield is a wonderful place for those interested in the history of the English language and want to learn more about the life of Samuel Johnson.<br><br>Lichfield is not only a historical place but also a great city for relaxing with family and friends.<br>* Every Saturday morning, there is a wonderful farmers' market where you can buy fresh and delicious products from local producers.<br>* The city has many cozy cafes where you can enjoy aromatic coffee and delicious desserts...<br><br>Visiting Lichfield is a great opportunity:<br><br>* Combine an educational tour with a pleasant vacation.<br>* Taste local delicacies and enjoy the atmosphere of an English town.<br>* Buy high-quality and natural products at the farmers' market.<br><br>***<br>🌻 Лічфілд, мальовниче місто у самому серці Англії, є місцем, де народився Семюел Джонсон, відомий як автор першого авторитетного словника англійської мови.<br><br>* Семюел Джонсон народився в Лічфілді в 1709 році.<br>Будинок, де він виріс, зараз є музеєм, присвяченим його життю та роботі.<br><br>* Відвідувачі можуть побачити оригінальні рукописи, особисті речі та дізнатися більше про його внесок у розвиток англійської мови.<br><br>Щоб відчути атмосферу епохи, в якій жив Семюел Джонсон Вам потрібно приїхати в Лічфільд.<br><br>Ви можете побачити історичні артефакти, пов'язані з його життям та<br>поглибити свої знання про англійську мову та її історію.<br><br>Лічфільд – це чудове місце для тих, хто цікавиться історією англійської мови та хоче дізнатися більше про життя Семюела Джонсона.<br><br>І це не лише історичне місце, але й чудове місто для відпочинку з родиною та друзями.<br><br>* Щосуботи вранці тут працює чудовий фермерський ринок, де можна придбати свіжі та смачні продукти від місцевих виробників.<br><br>* У місті є багато затишних кафе, де можна насолодитися ароматною кавою та смачними десертами, або ж пообідати в колі близьких людей.<br><br>Відвідування Лічфілда – це чудова можливість:<br>* Поєднати пізнавальну екскурсію з приємним відпочинком.<br>* Скуштувати місцеві делікатеси та насолодитися атмосферою англійського містечка.<br>* Придбати якісні та натуральні продукти на фермерському ринку.
google.com
Source: google.com
Really nice museum. Despite being one of Lichfield's most lauded attractions, I was the only person in the building during my visit, which was a wonderful experience! I stayed much longer than I was expecting and learnt loads. The floorboards are satisfyingly creaky!
google.com
Source: google.com
Excellent small (and free) museum with friendly host.
google.com
Source: google.com
Been meaning to pop in here for years. Free entry. But donations welcome. Gift shop at entrance. 5 floors including basement. As well as Samuel Johnson also David Garrick content here. Views out to the Market Square.
google.com
Source: google.com
Great little museum. They pack a lot into a small space. Very interesting and educational, free to enter with donations if you can.
google.com
Source: google.com
A great place to visit. The house has a lot of exhibits and good information boards. The volunteer on duty was very nice - not only giving me a lot of detail about the house but also giving me a local map and a number of ideas of things to see and do on my visit to Lichfield.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Enjoyable visit. Good museum. Staff friendly. Film good about Samuel Johnson . Some of interactive displays did not work. Books and souvenirs for sale. Would benefit from a toilet on site.
google.com
Source: google.com
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.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Interesting but the traditional original old style steps are steep.
google.com
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 🆓
google.com
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.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A much bigger building than you first think. I spent about 90 minutes there, as there are 4 floors of information.<br>We didn't realise at first but there is a "way round" following the information boards, starting in the basement and working upwards.<br>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.
google.com
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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!
tripadvisor.co.uk
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.
google.com
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.
google.com
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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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)!
google.com
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.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Friendly informative staff interesting place worth look and free
google.com
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!
google.com
Source: google.com
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In February 2017
Erin Cariney said

This is an interesting and fun museum!