The Surreal Story of the Sherlock Holmes Museum

Crime novels are prevalent among millions of readers around the world. We are obsessed with the suspense they provide, that adrenaline rush, and the heartbeat that rises as the mystery unfolds. We unconsciously engage with the story that we feel so relieved (or utterly frustrated) when we finally know how Mrs McCarthy got the snake venom to kill her friend even though she had never made it outside her tiny neighbourhood.

Ah! This is a legal addiction.

No one can mention crime fiction without recalling the world’s most meticulous and intelligent yet arrogant detective, Sherlock Holmes. This character appeared for the first time in the late 19th century and has ever since lived. It crossed borders, reached every culture and mesmerised readers, or should we say hypnotised them, that they forgot to pay proper attention to the person who brought this character into existence in the first place, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Arthur Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a legend, the famous but not-as-famous-as-Sherlock-himself English writer. Like Holmes, he excelled in many fields. He was initially an optometrist. Yet, he was much more into writing and chose to focus on it other than medicine; he eventually became one of the most highly prolific writers of the 20th century.

Besides his genius brain, which created these extraordinary detective stories, Doyle was also talented in many other areas. For instance, he was a goalkeeper, cricket and billiard player, boxer, skiing lover, and very into architecture, so much so that he helped design his own house.

However, Sherlock’s exceptional deduction skills, logical reasoning, and profound observation overshadowed all of this.

The endless adaptations of Sherlock and his loyal friend, Dr Watson, also contributed to that. Estimated to surpass 25,000, these adaptations came in all kinds, from stories and comic books to films, TV series and plays.

The more widespread Sherlock became, crossing barriers, touring the world, and impressing millions of audience members from so many different cultures, the more Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was pushed into the shadows.

Even England did not seem to treat Doyle the same way they celebrated Sherlock Holmes. Despite all the recognition they have already given to their talented author, the Britons seemed more concerned about embodying Sherlock and bringing him to life.

How? By establishing a museum for him.

221B Baker Street – The Home of Sherlock Holmes

To better depict everything about Sherlock Holmes and bring it to reality, every little detail mentioned in his stories was well taken care of. And it all started with the address 221B Baker Street.

So Sherlock Holmes stayed at 221B Baker Street from 1881 to 1904. Luckily for those who established the museum, Doyle had used a part-actual, part-imaginary address for the house of Sherlock Holmes. In other words, he placed the house in an existent district in London, but the building itself was not there.

Baker Street is in the Marylebone district. This was and still is a chic, high-class neighbourhood in London. However, until Doyle died, there was no premise with the number 221.

This address came into existence with the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson in their first story, A Study in Scarlet, which was also the first time they met. As both of them were in a harsh financial situation that gave neither of them a chance to have his room, they had to share a small flat.

That said, the story of establishing the Sherlock Holmes Museum is pretty surreal, just like Salvador Dali’s painting. Here is what happened.

Surreal?

As we mentioned, when Sherlock lived at 221B Baker Street, this number was not there. But later, the street was expanded, and more premises were added, including the one numbered 221.

In the first half of that 20th century, the head offices of the Abbey National Building Society, a bank, settled in venues numbered 219 to 229. Once the readers knew that 221B Baker Street became an actual address, they started sending letters to Sherlock as if he were real and living at that address.

Suddenly, the Abbey National Building Society, which will be referred to as just Abbey from here on, was showered with these letters; many letters were received daily. But instead of throwing them away or redirecting them to the British Library, they hired a secretary to receive all the incoming mail on behalf of Sherlock and even reply to it!

This is similar to what happened in Italy with Shakespeare’s most famous fictional character, Juliet.

Shakespeare was believed to have been inspired by a real, 13th-century casa owned by a noble family in Verona, Italy, to create Juliet’s house. Since the story was a great success, the Italians turned that casa into a memorial and called it Juliet’s House. They even added a balcony to it to accurately follow the house description mentioned in the story.

Thousands of tourists visit this house every year, mesmerised that they have even forgotten that Juliet herself was fictional. They even write her letters asking for advice about how to handle their relationships, why they cannot forget their ex, and what to do with their broken hearts.

A club in the city of Verona called Juliet Club was established to receive these ‘letters to Juliet’ and reply to them with the most proper advice!

OK. Now, back to Sherlock.

At this point, one cannot help but wonder why this Abbey Society bothered paying a secretary to reply to all those letters. Such a job does not directly benefit whoever is doing it or the company that hired them. In addition, it is indeed a very demanding job, so why would anyone do it in the first place?

Well, no one knows, and this is precisely what defines surrealism!

Is that not surreal enough?

Things turned even more bizarre when someone—we do not know who—came up with the idea of establishing a museum for Sherlock Holmes. Whoever they were, they were apparently obsessed with Sherlock, and they wanted to bring him to reality.

But they faced a teeny-tiny problem. The premises numbered 221 were already occupied by the Abbey Society, so they had to settle for building number 239. They prepared the building to match the descriptions of Sherlock’s house, and the museum was opened in 1990.

Now that they had established an actual entity, they started acting upon their new roles of representing and taking care of Sherlock Holmes’s legacy. So, the museum management politely asked the Abbey Society to redirect all the mail they received in the name of Sherlock Holmes, which made sense.

Surprisingly, the bank rejected their request! By that time, they had already spent over 70 years paying secretaries to reply to Selock’s males, a practice that had continued since the 1930s! 

The museum management was outraged. So, they reacted unexpectedly and went to court with the Abby Society. They insisted on being in charge of such a very intimate matter as Sherlock’s mail. However, the court itself could not settle the dispute. 

It was only when the Abbey Society had to relocate that this problem was solved. As they moved to another venue, they stopped receiving and replying to Sherlock’s incoming mail. Soon after, the museum took charge of this duty.

The Sherlock Holmes Museum

It seems like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle somehow foresaw establishing a museum dedicated to Sherlock Holmes. He made it so easy for the museum to come into existence by describing everything about it in tremendous detail. This valuable information was the primary reference when the museum was furnished.

So, what does this museum look like?

Even though the Abbey Society left the premises numbered 221, the museum was not moved there and was kept in the same building. That building, in itself, is a four-storey townhouse that dates back to 1815. Its Georgian architecture characterises it. Such style was the mainstream style in England during King George’s era, which extended from the early 18th century to the mid-19th century.

From 1860 to 1936, this townhouse was used as a lodging house where people rented rooms and were provided with meals. Coincidentally, this townhouse is very much like Sherlock and Dr Watson’s flat, as Doyle described it.

According to the stories, Sherlock and Dr Watson stayed in a small flat on the second floor that was reachable precisely after 17 steps. Although the building might not have the number of steps to the second floor, the museum was well-furnished to match the description in the stories.

Speaking of furniture, it was Victorian. This makes a lot of sense, as Sherlock lived during the era of Queen Victoria. The first floor, which belonged to Mrs Hudson in the stories, has a fully furnished sitting room with a fireplace.

After a few steps, one can reach Sherlock’s flat. It comprises several rooms, the most important of which is the study. This used to be Sherlock’s reading and writing room and his laboratory, where he worked and did his experiments.

Sherlock’s bedroom, which dates back to the 19th century, also has a dining table and a typewriter. Dr. Watson’s room is on the next floor.

In the museum, there is also a gift shop that sells a wide range of Sherlock-themed items, such as puzzles, books, notebooks, stationery, T-shirts, socks, and ties, as well as prints and many other souvenirs and antiques.

Interestingly, this building is listed as Grade 2 in England. Buildings listed as so typically have some architectural or historical significance and are preserved for their tremendous value.

The museum is open all week from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. These opening times, however, may undergo some changes during the holiday season. So it is recommended that visitors check the museum’s website before visiting it. To provide a detailed summary of the experience:

The History of the Sherlock Holmes Museum

The Sherlock Holmes Museum, located at 221B Baker Street, London, is a charming Georgian townhouse that commemorates the life and times of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes. The museum opened its doors in 1990 and has been a popular destination for tourists and literature enthusiasts alike since then.

The building dates back to 1815 and was converted into a museum to preserve the memory of Sherlock Holmes and his adventures. The interior has been carefully curated to replicate the Victorian era, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into the world of Holmes and his trusty sidekick, Dr. John Watson.

Exhibitions and Collections

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is home to a vast array of exhibits and collections that bring the world of the detective to life. These include:

The Study: Step into Sherlock Holmes’s famous study, where many of his cases were solved. The room is adorned with period furnishings, scientific equipment, and various artefacts that Holmes would have used during his investigations.

The Sitting Room: This is where Holmes and Dr. Watson would discuss their cases and enjoy their leisure time. The room is filled with Victorian-era furniture, a roaring fireplace, and a bookshelf with various books and journals.

Dr. Watson’s Bedroom: Discover the room where Dr. Watson resided at 221B Baker Street, complete with his medical equipment and personal belongings.

Mrs. Hudson’s Kitchen: Explore the kitchen where Mrs. Hudson, the housekeeper, prepared meals for Holmes and Watson.

The Murder Room: This exhibit displays an array of weaponry, poisons, and other tools of the trade, showcasing the darker side of crime-solving in the Victorian era.

Events and Activities

The Sherlock Holmes Museum offers a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including:

Guided Tours: Expert guides will take you through the museum, sharing fascinating insights and stories about Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the Victorian era.

Special Exhibitions: The museum hosts temporary exhibitions focusing on specific aspects of the Sherlock Holmes stories or related themes, offering visitors a unique perspective on the detective’s world.

Workshops and Lectures: Attend workshops and lectures led by experts in literature, history, and criminology, which will provide an in-depth understanding of Sherlock Holmes’s world.

Getting to the museum was never easier. All it takes is just using the underground, getting off at the Baker Street stop, and walking for five minutes. Full options to get to The Sherlock Holmes Museum:

By Tube: The nearest tube station is Baker Street, which is served by the Bakerloo, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, and Metropolitan lines. The museum is just a short 4-minute walk from the station.

By Bus: Several bus routes serve the Baker Street area, including numbers 2, 13, 18, 27, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 189, 274, and 453.

By Car: There is limited on-street parking near the museum, and the nearest car park is located at 170 Marylebone Road, an 8-minute walk away.

It is highly recommended that visitors book their tickets online beforehand. As the museum is quite famous, there is usually a long wait before one can enter and start their tour.

It is worth mentioning that tickets are only available for the exact time they are booked for. Visitors must also attend the museum at least 10 minutes before their visit to present their tickers. If anyone arrives even 10 minutes late, their tickets are automatically cancelled. At the moment of writing:

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, with the last admission at 5:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online, and prices are as follows:

Adults: £15.00
Children (ages 5-16): £10.00
Under 5s: Free
Please note that the museum is not wheelchair accessible due to the nature of the historic building.

Yes and No!

It is expected that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s remaining family members would be happy with such a celebration of their father’s most famous character. Unfortunately, that was not the case with the Museum of Sherlock Holmes.

Jean Conan Doyle, Doyle’s youngest daughter, who served as a military officer in the Women’s Royal Air Force, was entirely against the museum idea. She thought that dedicating a museum to Sherlock Holmes would deceive many people into thinking he was real. She refused even when she was offered to dedicate one museum room to her father.

The Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street may be the first such museum, but it is not the only one. There are multiple ones dedicated to Sherlock Holmes in many different countries. The second one was, in fact, opened in Switzerland just a year after the first one.

Ironically, Jean Conan Doyle was not against establishing this museum in Switzerland, which no one can really understand.

Since Sherlock’s home now exists physically, and as a way to preserve English Heritage and Culture, a permanent sign, a blue plaque with the address 221B Baker Street, was added at the museum’s entrance in 1990. It marks that Sherlock Holmes, the consultant and detective, lived there from 1881 to 1904.

The Society of Arts initially established the blue plaque in the mid-19th century. After that, it was run by an English charity called English Heritage, which takes care of hundreds of monuments, including buildings, places, and historic sites in the UK.

As a goodwill gesture after years of conflicts and court hearings, the Abbey National Building Society financed the creation of a bronze statue of Sherlock Holmes. The statue is now kept at the underground station of Baker Street.

Museums are the time machines scientists could not yet invent. It took us so many years to see the fascinating past. Although this does not quite apply to the Museum of Sherlock Holmes, it matches many others, such as the Brontë Parsonage Museum, which was established in the parsonage where Charlotte Brontë lived with her famous and talented siblings.

Nearby Attractions

While visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum, why not explore some of the other fantastic attractions in the area? Here are a few recommendations:

Madame Tussauds London: Located just a stone’s throw away from the museum, Madame Tussauds is a world-famous attraction featuring lifelike wax figures of celebrities, historical figures, and fictional characters.

Regent’s Park: A short stroll from the museum, Regent’s Park offers a beautiful green space to relax and unwind. The park is also home to the London Zoo, an Open Air Theatre, and various gardens and sports facilities.

The Wallace Collection: For art enthusiasts, The Wallace Collection is a must-visit. This national museum houses an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries.

The British Library: A 20-minute walk or a short tube ride away, the British Library is a treasure trove of knowledge, housing over 150 million items, including the Magna Carta, Gutenberg Bible, and original manuscripts of famous literary works.

Some of the Best Sherlock Holmes!