The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Latest Reviews
The museum was at the hub of a big set of Johnson events in central Lichfield. Music, drama, markets and events for all ages. Great day's celebrations.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A friendly welcome from the staff. Balance of information exhibits etc just perfect. Wander through four floors of Johnson's life - steep stairs. Do stop and watch the 13 minute video loop. Entry is free so make a donation as you leave.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Free entry to a 18th Century town house will a real feel of history. The restoration of the building and displays are a real credit to the Trustees - thank you.
Toilets are available in the Heritage Centre on the other side of the road.
Toilets are available in the Heritage Centre on the other side of the road.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very informative and welcoming docent. Exhibits self-explanatory and most engaging. We've been to Lichfield a few times and finally had an opportunity to be available when it was open.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great museum in the centre of town. Very well put together and would appeal to all ages. There are quite a few stairs and I don't think there was a lift so maybe not as accessible to all. Excellent given that it is free to all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
5 floors of a house. Lots of things to keep children entertained, not too much reading . Pleasant and airy building, easy to get to as in I centre of things
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My title is taken from the free leaflet handed to us by the very pleasant lady as we entered the place of Samuel Johnson's birth (this Museum) and is exactly what we did.
After asking us if we had visited before she handed us the guide leaflet and told us that there was one room in the basement and five floors in total and suggested that we listen to the introductory film on the first floor.
She also told us that we could purchase books from the Museum Bookshop before we left and that entry to the Museum was free - although we could give a donation if we wanted.
We had heard a little of doctor Johnson and his dictionary but this Museum was extremely informative about his life, family and friends.
Each room had information on the wall to read to learn more about Dr Johnson and the film explained by the words of his long time friend James Boswell was very informative.
We purchased two books from the Museum Bookshop and felt that it was well worth a donation (ensuring that we included gift aid)
I would definitely recommend visiting this museum to family and if you are ever shopping or visiting Lichfield it is well worth having a look where Dr Samuel Johnson was born.
After asking us if we had visited before she handed us the guide leaflet and told us that there was one room in the basement and five floors in total and suggested that we listen to the introductory film on the first floor.
She also told us that we could purchase books from the Museum Bookshop before we left and that entry to the Museum was free - although we could give a donation if we wanted.
We had heard a little of doctor Johnson and his dictionary but this Museum was extremely informative about his life, family and friends.
Each room had information on the wall to read to learn more about Dr Johnson and the film explained by the words of his long time friend James Boswell was very informative.
We purchased two books from the Museum Bookshop and felt that it was well worth a donation (ensuring that we included gift aid)
I would definitely recommend visiting this museum to family and if you are ever shopping or visiting Lichfield it is well worth having a look where Dr Samuel Johnson was born.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We thoroughly enjoyed visiting what felt more like a house than a museum. The ground
floor has a bookshop with a good selection of new and used books. In his father's workroom
you can find out about book production. On the first floor you can discover more about his
life via a 13 minute film and visit the room he was born in. On the second floor you can
learn about his life in London and the attic displays an original of the dictionary and you
can also see many of his personal items In the basement kitchen you can meet the young
Samuel JohnsonI
If you are visiting with children follow the trail with Hodge the cat and they will find
activities which will keep them amused and teach the a little about life in Lichfield and
London.
There is no charge for this attraction but the friendly and helpful staff would appreciate
a donation.
Not suitable for those with mobility problems but there is an induction loop fitted in some
areas and large print information and magnifiers are available. Assistance dogs are
welcome,
There are car parks nearby with reasonable parking £2 for four hours and the museum
is in the high street and there are plenty of eating places nearby. Its only a short
stroll to the cathedral which is also well worth a visit.
I
floor has a bookshop with a good selection of new and used books. In his father's workroom
you can find out about book production. On the first floor you can discover more about his
life via a 13 minute film and visit the room he was born in. On the second floor you can
learn about his life in London and the attic displays an original of the dictionary and you
can also see many of his personal items In the basement kitchen you can meet the young
Samuel JohnsonI
If you are visiting with children follow the trail with Hodge the cat and they will find
activities which will keep them amused and teach the a little about life in Lichfield and
London.
There is no charge for this attraction but the friendly and helpful staff would appreciate
a donation.
Not suitable for those with mobility problems but there is an induction loop fitted in some
areas and large print information and magnifiers are available. Assistance dogs are
welcome,
There are car parks nearby with reasonable parking £2 for four hours and the museum
is in the high street and there are plenty of eating places nearby. Its only a short
stroll to the cathedral which is also well worth a visit.
I
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited the small museum created in the house where Samuel Johnson was born, and spent the first 27 years of his life, with frequent visits back to this family home thereafter. Free entry, but donations gratefully received. A knowledgeable lady welcomed visitors with a free leaflet as well as a potted summary of the great man and what the museum contains. Well worth a visit if you are in the city.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a great place. Friendly and helpful staff. Great exhibits and helpful wall mounted explanations
Great for adults and children with lots to enjoy
Woul recommend to everyone
Great for adults and children with lots to enjoy
Woul recommend to everyone
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited this excellent museum recently with friends. As we entered there was an extremely informative and friendly guide who gave us just enough information about what we could see on each of the floors.
It is very well laid out, with interesting collections of artefacts pertaining to Dr Johnson's life. There is an opportunity to donate some money to the museum if you wish, but this is only pointed out politely by the guide and you don't feel pressurised to donate as you do in some museums and cathedrals.
This museum should definitely be on everyone's 'to do' list when visiting Lichfield!
It is very well laid out, with interesting collections of artefacts pertaining to Dr Johnson's life. There is an opportunity to donate some money to the museum if you wish, but this is only pointed out politely by the guide and you don't feel pressurised to donate as you do in some museums and cathedrals.
This museum should definitely be on everyone's 'to do' list when visiting Lichfield!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
They say you do not get anything for FREE unless there is a catch in it of some sort,
Well you can at Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum,it is FREE and is well worth visiting and do
make a point of watching the short film,
Well you can at Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum,it is FREE and is well worth visiting and do
make a point of watching the short film,
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is the Johnson household portrayed in the way it would have been when Samuel Johnson lived here. It has atmosphere and tells the Johnson story through the various rooms. While some of the displays are more traditional in their presentation there are dressing up opportunities for children and a chance to see Johnson's statue in the Market Square.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The house of Dr. Johnson has been well set out and cared for by local volunteers. A 13 minute introductory film sets up the this short but well worthwhile visit. A must is looking through his dictionary of the English language.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went on a tour and it was wonderful, so enlightening. A must for anyone visiting the wonderful city of Lichfield
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Situated just next to the market square in the centre of town, this building looks like nothing special. However, once inside you find yourself transported into a beautifully preserved museum.
Each room is insightful and interesting and the staff are extremely knowledgeable. Definitely worth a visit if you're interested in etymology of the history of the English language.
Each room is insightful and interesting and the staff are extremely knowledgeable. Definitely worth a visit if you're interested in etymology of the history of the English language.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Right in the center of the city, and a lovely museum celebrating one of the true characters of our history. Spread over several floors of a real family home from the past. Lots of interesting exhibits and a copy of one of the first issues of his amazing dictionary. Very friendly staff and all very well looked after - highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An enjoyable and informative way to spend an hour or more, depending how interested you are.
The museum offers a clear and insightful picture of Samuel Johnson's life through information panels, artefacts, a short video and interactive displays; the balance is just right between providing plenty of information without overwhelming you with too much to read.
Free entry but well worthy of a generous donation.
The museum offers a clear and insightful picture of Samuel Johnson's life through information panels, artefacts, a short video and interactive displays; the balance is just right between providing plenty of information without overwhelming you with too much to read.
Free entry but well worthy of a generous donation.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
How many places of this stature are free entry? Very few and I'm still surprised that this is. I was given a lovely welcome as I entered the building. At the suggestion of the lady on the desk, I began by watching the film about Johnson's life which was very interesting and put the house in context. All of the displays are well labelled and I enjoyed the quotes posted liberally around. Well worth visiting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Such an interesting museum on several floors. The building is deceptive from the outside as it doesn't give you the impression of being such a mine of interesting exhibits. Love the fact that someone so well known as Samuel Johnson was born in our city! People think he only even lived in London - I've recommended people from London come up to the Museum and see his birthplace.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
When you walk into the Museum it appears to be rather small, however, there are several levels to the house so there's quite a bit to look at. I particularly enjoyed the video that was played in one of the rooms and the costumes on the top floor which you could dress up in. Admittedly the main draw of the Museum at first was that it was free but me and my partner spent a good 45 minutes in the house looking at all the displays. Worth a look if you're looking for something to do, maybe as a time filler.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I've lived locally for 40+ years and passed this places hundreds of times and actually only visited it when relatives from Australia came over. Informative and the staff were friendly and knew their stuff.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Friendly staff in a very well presented 5 floor Georgian home that contains a rich variety of artefacts: letters, prints, portraits, dictionary and interactive dictionary, and some furniture from Samuel Johnson and his close friends, such as James Boswell and the actor David Garrick.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I bought visitors from our German subsidiary here. They loved the way the building is tucked away by the Cathedral, the medicinal herb garden and the opportunity to look around the rooms.
A real winner.
A real winner.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
lovely interesting place to visit, a great insight into the man I would not say great man but..... well he was at least to say a great character of his time
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
