The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Latest Reviews
A nice little place, well-informed friendly staff and interesting exhibits. Only drawback is no toilets, which isn’t too surprising considering the age of the building, so we popped into the library instead.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Interesting - not too much to see but never the less worth visiting. Interesting to see the interior and the size of the rooms. How they ever coped with stairs!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fascinating to learn about a man who developed the first english dictionary. Well described and historical content is good
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful well kept Georgian house situated on the corner of Lichfield's Market Square where Dr. Johnson's statue and that of Boswell stands.His story is told through the rooms in the house in a very informative manner and shows a fascinating side to this man's life. The entrance is filled with books that can be purchased and the staff are very knowledgeable. Interesting that when you look a word up in a printed dictionary I often look at words either side, something that cannot be done with as much pleasure online.
Worthwhile to see.
Worthwhile to see.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Probably of little interest to your average child this house/museum was fascinating for someone of literary bent! It’s on several floors so no disabled access or lift and stairs quite steep. However it’s a treasure trove of 18th century history pertaining to Samuel Johnson. His travels, his family life, his dictionary, his possessions. This house is where he was raised and his father was a bookseller, but surprisingly and wonderfully there are art works by modern local s all mixed in, which works!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This building is a bit of a challenge for tall visitors or those with mobility problems, but for me that added to its authenticity. Clambering up and down the stairs over five floors I felt I was walking in Samuel’s foot prints.
There’s an excellent video account of his life and a host of treasures and artefacts.
It’s free and, a particular treat, it’s set in the heart of picturesque and friendly Lichfield.
Marvellous.
There’s an excellent video account of his life and a host of treasures and artefacts.
It’s free and, a particular treat, it’s set in the heart of picturesque and friendly Lichfield.
Marvellous.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The museum is slap bang in the centre of the city. It's free, with donations generally expected to help upkeep. Thre museum outlines the life and times of the great man, with interesting and relevant artifacts and extracts throughout the tour. Well worth spending some time here to learn more about this great literary figure in the context of his early life and later travels.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Here's somewhere you can go back in time that's warm and welcoming, quirky and stuffed full of fascinating features. You won't feel you have to rush, nobody will chivvy you along and you can just soak up the atmosphere, imagining how Samuel and his parents before him lived in this house right in the heart of the town centre. There's a video to give you information about his life and achievements, and reference to what national events were contemporary with his time and a hint that, for educated people, life was far more enlightened than we might credit. One warning: if you aren't too agile, there are a lot of stairs and no lift, bu there is plenty to occupy your mind on the more accessible levels, while the upper rooms are less crammed. This building is run by volunteers who love their work: a feeling you absorb along with their enthusiasm, and the house feels positively loved. Do visit if you're in Lichfield; you won't be disappointed. And it's free!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In the middle of this lovely town is a house which is fun for all to explore and learn about this interesting man! Great experience! Thank you!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A gem in the centre of the city! Lovely house and lovely lady greeted us. I went with 6 year old grand-daughter and her task was to find the cats in each room.
Good fun and well worth a visit.
Good fun and well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This birth place of Samuel Johnson is a well preserved Georgian house. His story is well explained with lots of his possessions. Again the 'museum' is very child oriented. The staff are delightful - well informed and so enthusiastic. Not to be missed. We will be back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fascinating visit discovering more about this author, poet and compiler of the first real English dictionary. Beautiful house. Friendly helpful staff. Free entry. Positioned on the edge of a historic market square. Suitable for all ages.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I've always found the museum to be very interesting and informative, being born in Lichfield (like Johnson) and having gone to the same Grammar School as him, I was also in Johnson House I feel we have much in common. I find it fascinating to think that he lived much of his life in Lichfield. There is always something new to discover each time I visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Intriguing stop off - over five floors this very old house has creaky floor boards but is absolutely delightful. Tall folk watch your heads on the stairs! Try out writing with a quill! The volunteers are really welcoming and enthusiastic. It’s not suitable for folk with mobility issues but is for hearing and partially sighted (large print sheets and magnifiers are provided). Located next to the market.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a great place to visit and learn about the Johnson family and how their influence was seen within the area and the country.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent a wonderful day in Litchfield and then a great find, a place I have passed by at one time or another, and yesterday Saturday 20th I went inside. What a treat that was. I was greeted by a lovely gentleman who set the film going for me. it is fantastic.
A free film show on the computer for those unable to climb all those narrow stair. It gave more than a glimpse into his life I was thrilled to see it.
Also a small room with more of his lifetime.
Shelves full of books too that kept my other half interested. Don't miss it, it is well worth the time to visit.
A free film show on the computer for those unable to climb all those narrow stair. It gave more than a glimpse into his life I was thrilled to see it.
Also a small room with more of his lifetime.
Shelves full of books too that kept my other half interested. Don't miss it, it is well worth the time to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have decided to spend time with friends and family, instead of buying 'stuff' for birthdays etc.
So I thought I would take my friend to Lichfield for theatre, lunch and a little culture.
What an absolutely wonderful gem Samuel Johnson's Birthplace Museum is. A small building packed with so much history of Lichfield and the surrounding areas. My friend and I really enjoyed it and have recommended it to others since. Even better it's FREE and it's not often you can say that these days.
So I thought I would take my friend to Lichfield for theatre, lunch and a little culture.
What an absolutely wonderful gem Samuel Johnson's Birthplace Museum is. A small building packed with so much history of Lichfield and the surrounding areas. My friend and I really enjoyed it and have recommended it to others since. Even better it's FREE and it's not often you can say that these days.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited this 5 storey house whilst in Lichfield. House looked old but fairly ordinary from the outside. Yet on opening the door...wow! You were transported back in time to the life of Samuel and his family as it really was. The house was tastefully laid out with period furniture. The information well produced and easy to understand. A very informative 12 minute film to watch brought it alive. The guide on the day was really enthusiastic and knowledgeable too. I would love to go back and learn more. Bonus was free entry too!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went today and had a wonderful welcome from the gentleman on duty. The building is across multiple floors and each presents more about Samuel Johnson, works and life. The video presentation is excellent. Would thoroughly recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We looked up “Things to do in Lichfield” and this popped up. The building is in the centre of the town and the curators have done a really good job to keep it as close to the original. Each of the five floors is themed by period and we learnt a lot about the life of Samuel Johnson from the room he was born in, through to his childhood, his hunger for reading and writing and his eventual rise to fame with his famous dictionary of which there is a copy in the museum. Allow a couple of hours to take it all in. There is no admission charge - payment is by donation. Highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Myself and my partner came here during our lunch breaks and were not disappointed the man behind the counter was very knowledgeable and welcoming. There are a number of floors with various themes and of course a giant dictionary.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Worth a visit if you've never been before. Got a lovely welcome from the very friendly volunteer as we entered. Loved all the really old rooms! I'm not really ''into'' History but it was a nice little tour all the same. Free entry.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was great to see the house where the English dictionary's writer was born. Free to enter with a small gift shop and book shop. There are activities such as quill writing and dress up. There is a staff member in the shop area who was very informative and clearly passionate about the museum. However, it is over 5 floors with very steep old stairs so one member of our party was unable to see the whole museum due to mobility issues. This meant we spent less time here than we might have as we didn't want to leave her alone. However, she had a good chat with the staff member in the shop!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well presented house of Samuel Johnson
Birthplace- informative through out the house with various displays and video introduction
Giving a good history of the life Of SJ the time period as well of that of the locality
Would have like to have spent more time to digest... definitely worth the visit
Birthplace- informative through out the house with various displays and video introduction
Giving a good history of the life Of SJ the time period as well of that of the locality
Would have like to have spent more time to digest... definitely worth the visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lots of history over 5 floors. The house itself isn't large but a lot of well presented information makes it interesting. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
