The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum

4.7/5 based on 582 reviews
Latest Reviews
Situated in the centre of Lichfield, this is a lovely little museum. There is a lot of history across several rooms.

The rooms are only accessible by stairs.

Free entry.
google.com
Source: google.com
Visited on
Weekday

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
NoMore
google.com
Source: google.com
A very interesting and free place to visit, I really appreciated the remarkably friendly gentleman who was happy to share information about almost everything related to Lichfield and Dr. Johnson. Lovely second-hand bookshop too.Visited on
Weekend

Wait time
30–60 min

Reservation recommended
Not sure …More
google.com
Source: google.com
Great place to find out about the celebrated literary giant who gave us A Dictionary of the English Language, not the first but definitely the best of its time in the 18th century. A nice little 12 minute film gives an easy introduction and the house is authentically furnished over five floors, including the bookshop where Johnson's dad tried to make a living but didn't quite make it. Lots of pithy sayings and bite-sizedl pieces of information around, well thought out. Free admission - although donations welcome and highly deserved - and nice friendly staff/volunteers/devotees of this educational treasure. At time of writing they even had relevant children's activities on offer. Not to be missed on a visit to lovely Lichfield, which also has other outstanding attractions including the cathedral, Erasmus Darwin's fascinating house and a really pleasant shopping centre. The big church next door has been preserved by being made into a public library/arts centre with a very amenable coffee shop above to be enjoyed alongside beautiful stained glass windows and fine architectural features.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a really lovely museum full of interesting and well laid out information and artefacts detailing the life of Johnson. The house itself is fascinating and the staff very welcoming. It’s also free to go in but I’m sure all donations are gratefully received! There are activities for children which looked really enjoyable.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well presented quaint informative museum. Started with clear engaging video of his life. Then all other rooms of his birthplace showed his life works & story.Visited on
Weekday

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
No …More
google.com
Source: google.com
Loved this what an experience it was and thought enjoyed itVisited on
Weekday

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
No …More
google.com
Source: google.com
Visited on
Weekend

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
NoMore
google.com
Source: google.com
Very interesting!Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
No …More
google.com
Source: google.com
Free to enter, Great place to visit and has some things that the kids can doVisited on
Weekday

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
No …More
google.com
Source: google.com
Can across this by chance, and very pleased I did. A friendly welcome, and excellent introductory film covering Johnson's life. Not a big place, but the Johnson Society have tried very hard to collect momentos and bring his career alive
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great place to visit throughlly enjoyed looking around and learnt alotWait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
Not sure …More
google.com
Source: google.com
The museum is fairly small but is beautifully presented and is very interesting. There was a film showing in one of the rooms giving you information about the life of Samuel Johnson which was very interesting and well worth a sit down to watch, especially if like us you know very little about Samuel Johnson. I would definitely recommend a visit if in Lichfield.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fascinating building and a warm welcome on enteringVisited on
Weekend

Wait time
No wait …More
google.com
Source: google.com
We had a lovely visit here with our guests from Canada. Even though I’ve lived in Lichfield for a few years I had never been in before. The person who welcomed us was fantastic- enthusiastic and engaging. He gave us some interesting information about Lichfield as well as the museum itself.

There’s a lot to do including a film to watch. There’s the first dictionary- as we know it on the top floor to look at too. Well worth a visit.

It’s free to enter too!
google.com
Source: google.com
Museum over three floors, alot stairs and not ideal for someone who couldn't use the stairs sadly.Visited on
Public holiday

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
No …More
google.com
Source: google.com
An interesting place to visit. Set out over a number of floors that some might find difficult. Staff friendly and helpful.Visited on
Weekday

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
No …More
google.com
Source: google.com
Free to enter. Worth a visit for an hour.Visited on
Weekday

Wait time
No wait …More
google.com
Source: google.com
Visited on
Weekend

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
NoMore
google.com
Source: google.com
What a great find this museum was. Very informative and fantastic being able to flick through a copy of the dictionary. Also a must see if you are a blackadder fan. There is no sausage or aardvark.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A group of eleven of us went to Samuel Johnson Birthplace museum . We had pre- booked a guided tour. Our guided tour was led by Sarah who was both knowledgeable and also informative. She is a good speaker and guide as she made sure that we were entertained as well as informed with a nice balance of information and anecdotes. They knew we had an interest in gardening and allowed us a close look at Millers gardening dictionary of 1752. All the volunteers were friendly and helpful. We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A little disappointed with my visit. There seemed to be as much information about his best friend, Garrick, as there was about Johnson, however, there was some interesting details about Samuel Johnson so as the entry was free, well worth a visit.Visited on
Weekday

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
No …More
google.com
Source: google.com
Great place to visit. Describes his life and work in the house he was born in. Plenty of contemporary artefacts. Stairs to climb! Free entry.Visited on
Weekday

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
No …More
google.com
Source: google.com
Very interesting museum, with original rooms allowing a look into the past and plenty of informative but not overwhelming historical information.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
5 floors of interesting information. A copy of the original dictionary, and it’s free!
The lady on the desk was very informative too, told us all about other things in the city too
tripadvisor.co.uk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
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In February 2017
Erin Cariney said

This is an interesting and fun museum!