If you live in the UK you won’t have failed to notice it is another long weekend. You may also have noticed the weather is looking none too brilliant either. In other words the perfect time to visit one of London’s less well known museums.
The Charles Dickens Museum is located in what was the home of Charles Dickens which makes it especially interesting. Not only is 48 Doughty Street the house where he wrote ‘Oliver Twist’, Nicholas Nickleby and Pickwick Papers, its the house where two of his daughters were born and where his sister in law Mary died at just 17. This is a museum which feels like a home rather than a home which feels like a museum. It is set out as it would have been when Dickens and his family lived here. You can visit bed rooms, sitting rooms, the servants quarters and more Each room is dressed with furniture, paintings and ornaments. Perhaps most exciting is Dickens study where his desk and hand written drafts from the novels he wrote in that room remain. Perfect if you are looking for some literary inspiration. And quite thrilling too, so man classics were penned here!
Around the house you will see Victorian clothes and other apparel set out ready for the inhabitants to step right into. There are always special exhibitions about all aspects of Charles Dickens and his family’s life, and plenty of things to interest smaller visitors too with special family trials, dressing up and lots of things to touch.
There is of course a gift shop where you can purchase any one of the of the many novels Dickens wrote. Its hard not to leave inspired to read more. I read David Copperfield after visiting last year! A courtyard cafe with outdoor space is a great place to settle down with a book after your visit. Or if you just want to visit the cafe and shop you can do that for free. Although if you did I would suggest you would me missing out on all the museum has to offer
An added bonus is the location. The Charles Dickens museum in the heart of Bloomsbury is a short distance from Russel Square Tube and Bloomsbury Square. Interesting shops, cafes and The British museum are al a short stroll from here.
I would love to know of other smaller London museums you would recommend.