The Sherlock Holmes Museum
Named after builder William Baker, who laid out the street in the 18th century, Baker Street is possibly one of the best known roads in London. Subject of the 1978 song by Gerry Rafferty, it is best known for 221B, the home of the fictional character, Sherlock Holmes.
This is now home to the Sherlock Holmes Museum where visitors can enjoy being greeted by a British Bobby on the door before exploring rooms designed to bring to life the home and cases of the great detective, including the seventeen steps (as mentioned in A Scandal in Bohemia) from the hall to the study!
When I visited the museum, my son was very young and thoroughly enjoyed sitting by the fire wearing a deerstalker and holding a magnifying glass. With admission now being around £20 per person, I decided not to visit again!
Round the corner on Marylebone Road, there is a statue of Holmes which was unveiled on the 23rd September, 1999. Apparently, G K Chesterton, author of the ‘Father Brown’ stories first suggested the idea, although his efforts came to nothing.
Even Baker Street tube station celebrates Conan Doyle’s creation, featuring tiles with Holmes’ distinctive silhouette!
The Sherlock Holmes Museum
221b Baker St,
London
NW1 6XE
Sweet Cherry Publishing offers simplified versions of the Sherlock Holmes stories, perfect for introducing young readers to his adventures. Each has a QR code so children can listen along on a free audiobook and includes additional information about the period.
You can read about Hound Tor, one of the inspirations for ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ here.
