The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Latest Reviews
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
I confess that it is difficult to visit this place without recalling Blackadder's Ink and Incapability with Robbie Coltrane starring as Dr Johnson. However, having had a most entertaining hour visiting his birthplace and museum, I was surprised to see how accurate some observations were in the Blackadder script (not the made up words, obviously!) and how similar in features Robbie Coltrane is to Dr Johnson's portrait. Simply, for anybody that enjoys history and has a fascination for how we came to be where we are now, this museum is a must and you will leave better informed than when you entered!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Centre of Lichfield city,all you need to know about Dr.Johnson.There are two flights of stairs to the various parts of the house,No access for wheel chairs,and not recommended for anyone with walking difficulties.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I didn't know anything about Samuel Johnson before I went to the museum, but an hour and a half later I was an expert! My friend and I were welcomed into the museum by an enthusiastic member of staff who was knowledgeable about Samuel and passionate about sharing her interest of him, but not at all pushy. We were delighted and surprised that the museum is free as there is a lot to see and do in the small space available. I was pleased to see activities available for children too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This place is well worth a visit & is in honour of the man who wrote the first dictionary. Very educational with fun stuff for the kids to find on the way round. The staff were first class (even pointing out a possible TARDIS in one of the paintings. Ask them for more details !!! ) and I really liked this place. Would go again and recommend anyone in Lichfield to go too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Another educational tour all in the heart of Lichfield, explore the home of the forefather of the English dictionary. Great way to spend an hour even, and it's got great activities for the children to get involved with as well whilst touring the house
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I never realised how prolific Samuel Johnson was. What a prodigious effort from a person of a humble and difficult beginning!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Useful video presentation setting the context. The museum is in an pld house so not accessible, lots of steps. Liked the booksale too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very interesting and informative visit. The lovely man in charge was very helpful and could not do enough to make our visit a success. I was unable to visit all the floors as I an disabled but a video was played for me and a comfortable chair found while my friends enjoyed looking around
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A fascinating insight into one of Britains most influential people. Over five floors, this charming little museum and bookshop, gives an overview of Samuel Johnsons early life, with fascinating reflections of his mature career, and that of his many influential friends.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
have lived in the area for over 20 years, have been passing the house every week and entered the first time. What a gem. Very friendly reception. House is on 4 floors, shows the kitchen in the basement and then other rooms on different floors. Information is displayed on panels on the wall. A Video is set up in one room to give you all the history. Oh the top floor (loft) is a little dress up area - had lot's of fun there.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
To be honest I found this interesting but lacked substance. This old building is looking sorry for itself and needs some serious work and funding! Go for the sense of history and the surprise to me was how small people must have been 300 years ago! Not that tall myself but my head nearly touched the kitchen ceiling! There seems to be no disabled access and there are steep staircases. Half an hour at the most a time filler.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
