The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Latest Reviews
Worth a visit but the stairs can be difficult to navigate for anyone having difficulty in walking. Best to take one flight slowly. Staff very helpful. Some very interesting items on display which provides a better understanding of Mr Johnson's work. He must have been a formidable person to have met in those far off days.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Although I studied the life and work of Dr. Johnson many years ago as part of my English degree, I remembered very little about him apart from his famous dictionary, and his habit of writing very long sentences! Visiting his house was first on our list of things to do in Lichfield, and we were not disappointed.
Each room of the house is dedicated to a different part of Johnson's life, and in one room a life sized sculpture of the great man peering at the view from his window, hands leaning on the sill, made me believe for a minute that an actor was employed to represent him! We learnt a great deal about Johnson's early life, his less happy experiences at school and his success in London. We both enjoyed getting to know him.
But do beware! My husband had some difficulty with navigating the narrow stairs to the higher floors!
Each room of the house is dedicated to a different part of Johnson's life, and in one room a life sized sculpture of the great man peering at the view from his window, hands leaning on the sill, made me believe for a minute that an actor was employed to represent him! We learnt a great deal about Johnson's early life, his less happy experiences at school and his success in London. We both enjoyed getting to know him.
But do beware! My husband had some difficulty with navigating the narrow stairs to the higher floors!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a free museum and provides some interesting insights into the life of Samuel Johnson. Dr. Johnson was the author of a famous 2 volume English dictionary. There is a copy you can check out here on site. This building originally housed the book store that Samuels father ran, and the living quarters where he grew up. Takes an hour or so to go through the museum. One warning: lots of step stairs to climb, and no elevator.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Set in Johnson's original Lichfield house, the museum attempts to create the different phases of Johnson's life in different rooms. The display's were interesting, but it did seem to gloss over the dictionary and his other famous writings.
Beware, there are many, many narrow stairs.
Beware, there are many, many narrow stairs.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very interesting small house and museum. The lady on reception was very knowledgable and friendly. There are many artefacts from Samuel Johnson's lifetime. The most fascinating is one of his original dictionaries in pride of place on the top floor. Recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Set on 4 floors, this is a very interesting house. There is a video showing his life and times, which is informative. There is also the First Edition of his famous dictionary (vol i and ii) in a glass case, and a facsimile of the same by the side for you to look at.
When we got home we had to watch Blackadder III, episode 2. LOL.
When we got home we had to watch Blackadder III, episode 2. LOL.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited as it was free and had time to explore and glad we did it was an interesting place and we found out more about Samuel Johnson and was very pleased to find out that the video all about him and the timelines had captions for deaf and hard of hearing people.. It certainly was well laid out and interactive and a good interest for those who have read his books.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum is a fantastic museum for all ages to enjoy. Kevin is one of the volunteers and he is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We went through right before a group of school kids were about to come through. He gave us loads of history and told us where to go to not be in their way.
There are multiple floors with some very interesting displays. There are beautiful paintings in every room/hallways, and loads of activities for everyone from dressing in traditional clothing to writing. The ground floor is a used bookstore with hundreds of unique books.
It’s a free museum and well worth the hour or so spent learning about Samuel Johnson and his family.
There are multiple floors with some very interesting displays. There are beautiful paintings in every room/hallways, and loads of activities for everyone from dressing in traditional clothing to writing. The ground floor is a used bookstore with hundreds of unique books.
It’s a free museum and well worth the hour or so spent learning about Samuel Johnson and his family.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
On a day out in Lichfield, we came across this small museum and what a fascinating place. Staff were very friendly and welcoming and advised us on the order we should go around the museum. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Plenty to see and do ( even for children) in this beautiful old house in the centre of the City.The staff are very helpful and well informed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited a while ago-really good for children but such an informative treasure place. Need to visit while it's still free-fantastic if you're on a budget parents, with cathedral and park nearby!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
For anyone interested in Johnson this is the place to visit as it was his birthplace.
Very informative and helpful lady at the entrance explains how to get the most from the visit and the exhibits are fascinating if somewhat limited.
Steep stairs will limit access for anyone with mobility problems, particularly at busy times.
Admission is free although you are invited to make a donation. Guide books are available for a modest price (£2.50 June 2018) and descriptive leaflets are free.
Very informative and helpful lady at the entrance explains how to get the most from the visit and the exhibits are fascinating if somewhat limited.
Steep stairs will limit access for anyone with mobility problems, particularly at busy times.
Admission is free although you are invited to make a donation. Guide books are available for a modest price (£2.50 June 2018) and descriptive leaflets are free.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife, 19-year old daughter and I came to Lichfield specifically to go to the Johnson home and museum. It was a wonderful experience, with interesting artifacts, exhibits and knowledgeable, friendly people. There is no charge, although donations are accepted and undoubtedly truly needed for continued operations. This was one of the highlights of our trip to England last year.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a must do!
So interesting and it's free, takes you back in time, wonderful.
Lichfield has so much history and Samuel Johnson lived here.
So interesting and it's free, takes you back in time, wonderful.
Lichfield has so much history and Samuel Johnson lived here.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have passed this many times- but today went in. Welcomed by a friendly guide who enthuses about the house, and who also acts as an ambassador for all the many delights of Lichfield. Thank you!
Fascinating display on life of Dr Johnson- including helpful introductory video. Five storied house with steep stairs- so not suitable for everyone.
Appreciated the ready access to large print guide material in all the rooms. Please can other museums note this.
Though the house has no cafe nor toilets these are readily available in the market square outside.
Fascinating display on life of Dr Johnson- including helpful introductory video. Five storied house with steep stairs- so not suitable for everyone.
Appreciated the ready access to large print guide material in all the rooms. Please can other museums note this.
Though the house has no cafe nor toilets these are readily available in the market square outside.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
For free you can view the house that Johnson was born and raised in and learn much about this life. You can happily spend just a few minutes or several hours - and all for free.
Donations are well justified.
Donations are well justified.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This place is great, I can't believe I've only just visited after living nearby for years! VERY enthusiastic man at the till/shop/entrance told us about the museum. He had made some of the children's toys dotted around which we enjoyed trying. There is stuff for adults and children and it was a great way to spend an hour.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
To be honest I knew next to nothing about Samuel Johnson. This is another free museum and you are encouraged to make a donation to its upkeep. We were advised to go to the 1st floor and watch a short video about the various phases of the life of Samuel Johnson. Then to start in the basement and work our way up to the attic. Each room had several information boards with lots of interesting facts. There were interactive things to do and the usual dressing up box for the children. If you are not keen on going up all the stairs there is a laptop set up on the ground floor where you can explore the house without leaving your seat. An interesting visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I live in Lichfield so love taking friends, visitors to the Museum. It always surprises people that it is free entry. Give a donation if you can as it helps with the upkeep of the museum. There is very helpful film to watch in one of the rooms which explains Dr. Samuel Johnson's life from his birth in 1709 to his death and burial in Westminster Abbey. Go to the top floor and see the 2 volumes of his original dictionary and a replica that you can actually touch and look up any word and see how Dr. Johnson describes that word. Children love this room!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
On entering the house, we were warmly welcomed by a very nice lady who explained the layout of the place and gave us recommendations on where to start. The house had a multitude of rooms over five floors and a plethora of fascinating objects. I particularly enjoyed interacting with the dictionary and spending time in the room in which Dr Johnson was born. I learned a huge amount and had a wonderful afternoon here. Highly recommended for anybody interested in history and for those who want to learn more about Lichfield itself as a cultural centre.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited this museum while in Lichfield and as we walked in we received a lovely welcome from the lady in the bookshop/entrance to the museum. She explained what we could see and left us to wander around the house at our own pace.
Lovely historic building filled with the history of Samuel Johnson including a short video to watch about his life.
Good information on each floor, things for the kids to do especially trying on the hats!
The bookshop on the ground floor has a variety of second-hand books too.
Lovely historic building filled with the history of Samuel Johnson including a short video to watch about his life.
Good information on each floor, things for the kids to do especially trying on the hats!
The bookshop on the ground floor has a variety of second-hand books too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This place is somewhat Tardis-like; once you are inside there are a lot of rooms and a lot of stuff to read about too.
Staff are friendly and the events held on special occasions are well thought out.
Staff are friendly and the events held on special occasions are well thought out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting museum. We all discovered lots about a man we knew very little about before our visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took my daughter today she’s 6. She did the spy trail. We were both so impressed with what we learned & saw. Staff were so helpful and friendly
If you haven’t yet been take a look. You won’t be disappointed
If you haven’t yet been take a look. You won’t be disappointed
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
my daughter and myself stopped off at Litchfield just for one night on our way to National Memorial Arboretum. Had done some homework on Litchfield prior to our visit so was aware of Samuel Johnson Museum.
On entering just looks like a little book shop, greeted by a lady who appeared to have a lot of knowledge of the museum and she gave us an info leaflet to assist is with the visit. Lovely little museum with lots of very detailed information about Samuel Johnson and other philosophers local to Litchfield.
Visit took about an hour so ideal if you don't have long, would definitely recommend
On entering just looks like a little book shop, greeted by a lady who appeared to have a lot of knowledge of the museum and she gave us an info leaflet to assist is with the visit. Lovely little museum with lots of very detailed information about Samuel Johnson and other philosophers local to Litchfield.
Visit took about an hour so ideal if you don't have long, would definitely recommend
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
