Charles Dickens Museum

Explore the Charles Dickens Museum in London, a renowned satirist's former home where some of his best-loved novels were written.

Enjoy access to Charles Dickens Museum with The London Pass® 

• Pay nothing at the door – simply show your pass.
• Explore the family home of the prolific author, Charles Dickens.
• Enjoy seasonal events and exhibitions as part of the museum’s general admission. 

The Charles Dickens Museum in central London is a celebration of one of the greatest novelists in British history. The museum exhibits over 100,000 items, from personal possessions and keepsakes to artwork and manuscripts from some of his original works.

Where is the Dickens Museum?

The museum is located in the heart of central London, making it easily accessible for visitors. Its exact address is 48 Doughty St, London. If you're planning to buy tickets, consider The London Pass® which provides access to this and 100+ other attractions in London.

Getting to the Charles Dickens Museum

Finding your way to the Charles Dickens Museum is a breeze.

By Tube:
The nearest tube station is Russell Square, a short walk away. Holborn and Chancery Lane stations are also options, each around a 10-minute walk. If you're using The London Pass®, your guidebook provides a handy map to help you navigate.

By Bus:
Many bus routes stop near the museum, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city.

Parking:
If you're driving, there are public car parks nearby. However, considering London's excellent public transport links, taking the tube or bus might be more convenient.

Ticket Information

Before heading to the Charles Dickens Museum, here's some handy info:

The London Pass® Advantage:
With The London Pass®, you can enjoy hassle-free entry to the museum, bypassing any long queues. You also get access to this museum and 100+ other attractions for one low price!

Standard Admission:
You can also purchase tickets directly at the museum entrance or online.

Group and Student Discounts:
The museum offers special rates for groups and students, so it's worth checking if you qualify.

Opening Hours:
Open from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday, the last admission is at 4 pm. It's a good idea to check their official website for any special events or changes in timings.

Whether you're using The London Pass® or buying tickets on the spot, the Charles Dickens Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in literary history. Enjoy your visit!

Charles Dickens Museum history

A few months before Queen Victoria claimed the throne in 1837, Charles Dickens and his wife Catherine moved to their new home. This Victorian family home at 48 Doughty St, London, became the centre of the couple’s domestic world, where they enjoyed hosting dinners and parties with leading figures of the period.

From his guests to his family (by the end of his life, he had 10 children) and the servants around him, Dickens’ home became a paradisiacal haven of inspiration. He absorbed the stories and the characters around him, working by candlelight to create the iconic novels Oliver Twist, Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby, as well as the newspaper articles and essays that carried the weight of his social commentary.

It was in his study, at the centre of the house, that he cemented his name as one of the greatest writers and academics in the world.

Today, his home is the Charles Dickens Museum - an international centre for research on Charles Dickens and the Victorian society he mirrored through his work. Through a major a from the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as sponsorships and partnerships with a number of trusts, foundations and donors, the Museum now contains the world’s finest and most comprehensive collection of Dickens’ life and work. 

Charles Dickens Museum highlights

• The building is the writer’s only surviving London home.
• Uncover the private world behind the author’s public image. 
• Explore his study, the family bedchambers, and the servants’ quarters below stairs. 
• Walk through rooms dressed with their authentic furniture, tableware, portraits, marble busts, china ornaments and paintings.
• Permanent exhibitions include portraits of the author, manuscripts of his work, personal items and letters. 
• The Museum also has a café for an ideal pitstop after wandering these famous quarters.

Charles Dickens Museum facts

• The Museum allows you to see treasures including Dickens’s desk, handwritten drafts from the novels he wrote here, and his young wife’s engagement ring. 
• The author himself didn’t have the best start. When he was 12, his father was sent to debtor’s prison for debts he couldn’t afford to pay off. Charles’ mother and siblings moved into the prison with his Charles’ father, leaving Charles to struggle in poverty with family friends. 
• Since his emergence as a writer, Dickens’ books have never gone out of print. 

Don’t miss

Educational events

The museum offers a vibrant programme of curriculum-relevant taught workshops, activities, tours and interactive visits for pupils from KS1 through to A-level.

Family-friendly activities

With self-guided activity trails for families, audio guides specifically aimed at younger visitors and period costumes to play dress up in, the museum promises to be enjoyable and family-friendly. Ready to visit more museums in London?

Check the museum’s official site for the latest events.

Getting in: simply present your pass at the entrance.

Please note that walk-in admission will be subject to availability and you may be asked to wait for the next available time slot.