The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Latest Reviews
Visited this 5 storey house whilst in Lichfield. House looked old but fairly ordinary from the outside. Yet on opening the door...wow! You were transported back in time to the life of Samuel and his family as it really was. The house was tastefully laid out with period furniture. The information well produced and easy to understand. A very informative 12 minute film to watch brought it alive. The guide on the day was really enthusiastic and knowledgeable too. I would love to go back and learn more. Bonus was free entry too!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went today and had a wonderful welcome from the gentleman on duty. The building is across multiple floors and each presents more about Samuel Johnson, works and life. The video presentation is excellent. Would thoroughly recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We looked up “Things to do in Lichfield” and this popped up. The building is in the centre of the town and the curators have done a really good job to keep it as close to the original. Each of the five floors is themed by period and we learnt a lot about the life of Samuel Johnson from the room he was born in, through to his childhood, his hunger for reading and writing and his eventual rise to fame with his famous dictionary of which there is a copy in the museum. Allow a couple of hours to take it all in. There is no admission charge - payment is by donation. Highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Myself and my partner came here during our lunch breaks and were not disappointed the man behind the counter was very knowledgeable and welcoming. There are a number of floors with various themes and of course a giant dictionary.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Worth a visit if you've never been before. Got a lovely welcome from the very friendly volunteer as we entered. Loved all the really old rooms! I'm not really ''into'' History but it was a nice little tour all the same. Free entry.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was great to see the house where the English dictionary's writer was born. Free to enter with a small gift shop and book shop. There are activities such as quill writing and dress up. There is a staff member in the shop area who was very informative and clearly passionate about the museum. However, it is over 5 floors with very steep old stairs so one member of our party was unable to see the whole museum due to mobility issues. This meant we spent less time here than we might have as we didn't want to leave her alone. However, she had a good chat with the staff member in the shop!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well presented house of Samuel Johnson
Birthplace- informative through out the house with various displays and video introduction
Giving a good history of the life Of SJ the time period as well of that of the locality
Would have like to have spent more time to digest... definitely worth the visit
Birthplace- informative through out the house with various displays and video introduction
Giving a good history of the life Of SJ the time period as well of that of the locality
Would have like to have spent more time to digest... definitely worth the visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lots of history over 5 floors. The house itself isn't large but a lot of well presented information makes it interesting. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This building belies what is inside. A completely fascinating trip back in time for all ages. I need to go again to make sure I took everything in!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was only in the city for a brief visit and spent about forty minutes doing a very brief look around. Anyone with an interest in books and writing would be fascinated to see the birthplace of this great man, from the kitchen/living room in the basement to the attic rooms at the top of the house. A friendly and helpful guide at the front desk was able to answer my questions. A delightful discovery on my first visit to this city.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A fascinating museum that is bigger than it appears. Start your visit with the video, then work your way through the building. It gets a bit confusing in places, trying to reference anyone and everyone Samuel Johnson might have interacted with - I eventually gave up trying to keep up and just focussed on the key people (Johnson, his wife, Garrett and Johnson's biographer). To their credit, there is a lot of recognition for influential women of the time in some of the different exhibits, which was very welcome.
There are some interesting items on display, from playbills to Johnson's original dictionaries and other publications, to his wife's wedding ring. and some beautiful maps and paintings of the city and its cathedral. The information posters are interesting, and there are large-print versions, magnifiers and close-up photos available to help those with limited vision. There are a lot of steps so the museum itself isn't very accessible, although a video tour of the building is available in the bookshop/reception.
A good place to while away a couple of hours and learn more about Johnson and Lichfield.
There are some interesting items on display, from playbills to Johnson's original dictionaries and other publications, to his wife's wedding ring. and some beautiful maps and paintings of the city and its cathedral. The information posters are interesting, and there are large-print versions, magnifiers and close-up photos available to help those with limited vision. There are a lot of steps so the museum itself isn't very accessible, although a video tour of the building is available in the bookshop/reception.
A good place to while away a couple of hours and learn more about Johnson and Lichfield.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It is easy to find in the centre of Lichfield. There is an interesting book shop at the ground level entry
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
You will be able to visit this spot as easily as we did as it is right in the middle of the city centre.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderful helpful staff - enjoyed the variety of information and loved the second hand books!!
Previously enjoyed special events
Keep up the great work
Previously enjoyed special events
Keep up the great work
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took my granddaughter who was being home schooled at the time. The staff are so helpful and knowledgeable. Free to visit and right in the city centre. Very atmospheric of Dr Johnson's time. You could couple it with a visit to the Darwin museum or the cathedral, both of which are only a few minutes walk away
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
this is a must if you are in lichfield the museum is run by voluntary staff ,they are very informative with any questions and its a lovely well keeper museum .its free and worth the visit .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A really well organised and interesting museum giving a real insight into Johnson, his times and works. The fact that it is free to enter is a great bonus. A good second hand bookshop complements the museum. Lichfield itself is a very attractive small city too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This relatively small museam proved to be facinating. We spend a long time on each floor and found it all interesting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Samuel Johnson authored an important English language dictionary, however, sadly, this museum did not really match our tastes. Other people might really like it though.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This man was a towering genius of hie age but also a great son of Lichfield beautifully explored in this building
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Opening the door into the bookshop we were greeted by the best of hosts who told us what could be seen and how we should pace our ascents to the upper floors. It proved to be a worthwhile climb with treasures on every level.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Excellent window onto the life and influence of Samuel Johnson. Who knew what an undertaking writing a dictionary could be!
Source: google.com
Very interesting museum
Source: google.com
A decent museum showing the life of a man, in great depth. Lots of things to look at, plus lots of interactive things to do too. Not surprisingly there's a copy of the original Dictionary which you can use to look up words and see how their meanings have changed over time.
Source: google.com
Great site to discover the rural life of a village doctor in the 18th century. Good and interesting museum about the life of Charles Darwin's grandfather, one of my heroes.
It's free and very flirty. Very helpful employees
It's free and very flirty. Very helpful employees
Source: google.com
