The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Latest Reviews
and what more can you want? The museum stretches over five floors (and might not therefore be suitable for visitors with mobility problems) and is well worth visiting. Free admission, too! Add to this an excellent range of second-hand books, and it's bibliophile heaven.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A detailed and interesting overview of Samuel Johnson's life, focusing much more on the biographical than his work (in comparison to the museum at his London house). Good material on his collaborations with Garrick in particular. As a donations only attraction, this is very impressive
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Based in an old building - Johnson's actual birthplace - in the centre of Lichfield. Is a very interesting visit but not good for disabled as there are stairs to climb.
An interesting and tempting selection of second hand books to buy.
An interesting and tempting selection of second hand books to buy.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lots to see and do with visit with my grandchildren, will come back when I send them back home so I can appreciate it a little better.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lots of rooms to see and mosey around. Its very interesting. Staff knew quite a lot. This would be ideal for historians. I don't think young children would like it at all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Birthplace of Lichfield's famous son. The house/museum is set out in a user-friendly manner. Starting in the basement of the house, the tour will direct you from room to room. Each room has push button speakers . There is a ten minute (approx.) video on the first floor in a room with plenty of seats, which gives an accurate and interesting summary of Johnson's life. Returning to the entrance of the museum, is a small shop, where there is a selection of items for sale, EG books, postcards, bookmarks, pencils etc. Staff are most helpful. On a plus, if you are not able to tackle the four flights of stairs, you can sit in the entrance/shop in comfort, and use the virtual computerised tour on a computer screen.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An interesting and atmospheric house and fascinating museum. Very friendly and informative volunteer, plus the audio video is very good.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Nice to find some places free to visit, an interesting little museum, watch the film at the start so you have some background information, nice little second hand book shop there too
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The centrally located little gem is a tribute to a man who had a great impact on the UK and beyond. The story is about the man who created "The Dictionary of the English Language". It is intellectually stimulating, well presented so easy to take in. I can't recommend it enough. Furthermore it's ideal to pop in for a few hours on a rainy day and as it's free it's the sort of place you could go again and always learn something new.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
You have to see while visiting Lichfield. We nearly passed it as just thought it was a ordinary house. It's big inside lots of stairs feels and smells very old it should being built in 1707-8. I hadn't heard of Samuel Johnson but I'm glad i went to see and hear the history was amazing. The gentlemen at the front was great telling us alsorts of things he give us a leaflet showing about the rooms great having lots of information about Samuel family and life even though i hadn't heard of him.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderful. A must visit for bibliophiles and lovers of the English language.
Source: google.com
Free access, multi floor building, once home to the author of the dictionary. Scenes recreate what living was like in the house at the time of Johnson. DVD narrates history. Many books available to browse and kids can dress up on the top floor. Excerts from the dictionary and Johnson's quotes adorn the wall. Staff are friendly and helpful. It's very easy to be lost in educational thought in this fine place, whilst meeting Johnson and his friends; zero pence, well spent.
Source: google.com
A very nice lady was inside at her desk, she provided us with a plan of the house and off we went. It's a beautiful old building on 4 floors and was well worth a look and interesting to read about his life and see how he lived. I was born in Lichfield and walk
past this house everyday and it's taken me 50 years to push that big door open!
past this house everyday and it's taken me 50 years to push that big door open!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A really interesting little museum; a must for literary and history buffs. We received a very warm welcome from the gentleman at the entrance. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. An hour very well spent.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting place, lots to find out about Samuel Johnson. Great books available to buy. A must see if you are mad about literature. There is even opportunity for little ones to dress up!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A small museum in the family house by the Market Sqare. It sets Johnson's work on his dictionary in context. There is an introductory film. Set on 4 floors and a basement, so plenty of stairs!. With the market traders in full voice outside you could imagine what it was like when he was a boy. In reception there is a huge second hand book library.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I've read the Life of Dr Johnson by J. Boswell, so I was very curious about seeing some real evidence of the Doctor's existence. Since Í'm from Germany and don't have so many opportunities to come to Lichfield, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed my visit in the well-designed and -preserved museum. I stayed two and a half hours in the museum, eventually challenging the patience of my host :-) Recommendable to anyone who's read Johnson's work, or who's curious about an adventurous period in English literary development.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Even if this weren't the birthplace of the mighty Dr. Johnson, it would be a touching survival of a modest 18th century provincial family home. It is beautifully preserved and interpreted, and all the richer for connecting specific rooms and objects with incidents in the famous life. You don't need to know much about Johnson and his work to enjoy a short visit, and you'll certainly be entertained and moved if you do.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having lived in Lichfield, I know a bit about Sam Johnson but I've never been in his house. Good information given at the reception & then you explore the five floors alone so lots of stairs to climb. In one of the rooms there is a very good rolling video detailing Johnson's life. Well worth having a look.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Samuel Johnson museum is an excellent way to spend time in the holidays with the children or with adults. It is free entry but they do encourage donations. There is a well stocked second hand book shop with very fairly priced books. A quiz is available to keep the children amused and the history of the house and Samuel Johnson is very educational.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Laerning about the writer of the first dictionary may not sound the most exciting way to spend to an hour or so with kids but the SJ Birthplace Museum exceeded expectations and was well worth the effort. The attendent in charge made us feel welcome from the start. Liked the video and overall set up.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
He had an extraordinary life and this museum brings the period to life. There is a dressing up room which children would probably enjoy. The stairs can be steep but as it is a listed property they can't do much about that. It's a good way to spend a few hours and is easy to find just off the market square. It's open daily Apr - Sept 10.30 to 4.30 & Oct to March 11.00 - 3.30pm.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth seeing and the video show was really good as in linked in other timelines and Johnson's friends and contemporaries.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
On the edge of the Market Square this is a well laid out Museum, giving a wel set out overview of Samuel Johnson, his life, and his position in British literary history. Well worth a visit, easy to access.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We really enjoyed this little place, & it made a pleasant & diverting hour away from the shops. It remains free, though you are invited to make a donation, but no pressure.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
