Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
4.5
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Full view
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164 within 3 miles
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44 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- Rob C5 contributionsA lovely visit to a fascinating MuseumA group of eleven of us went to Samuel Johnson Birthplace museum . We had pre- booked a guided tour. Our guided tour was led by Sarah who was both knowledgeable and also informative. She is a good speaker and guide as she made sure that we were entertained as well as informed with a nice balance of information and anecdotes. They knew we had an interest in gardening and allowed us a close look at Millers gardening dictionary of 1752. All the volunteers were friendly and helpful. We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit.Visited April 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 6 May 2023
- vikkip27 contributionsLovely little museumThe museum is fairly small but is beautifully presented and is very interesting. There was a film showing in one of the rooms giving you information about the life of Samuel Johnson which was very interesting and well worth a sit down to watch, especially if like us you know very little about Samuel Johnson. I would definitely recommend a visit if in Lichfield.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 June 2023
- account2018Nuku'alofa, Tonga191 contributionsFree, and well worth a detourCan across this by chance, and very pleased I did. A friendly welcome, and excellent introductory film covering Johnson's life. Not a big place, but the Johnson Society have tried very hard to collect momentos and bring his career aliveVisited July 2023Travelled soloWritten 13 July 2023
- Sootydog69Brighton, United Kingdom61 contributionsA great discoveryThis is a really lovely museum full of interesting and well laid out information and artefacts detailing the life of Johnson. The house itself is fascinating and the staff very welcoming. It’s also free to go in but I’m sure all donations are gratefully received! There are activities for children which looked really enjoyable.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 August 2023
- Shirley E40 contributionsHighly palatable free education about a literary giant.Great place to find out about the celebrated literary giant who gave us A Dictionary of the English Language, not the first but definitely the best of its time in the 18th century. A nice little 12 minute film gives an easy introduction and the house is authentically furnished over five floors, including the bookshop where Johnson's dad tried to make a living but didn't quite make it. Lots of pithy sayings and bite-sizedl pieces of information around, well thought out. Free admission - although donations welcome and highly deserved - and nice friendly staff/volunteers/devotees of this educational treasure. At time of writing they even had relevant children's activities on offer. Not to be missed on a visit to lovely Lichfield, which also has other outstanding attractions including the cathedral, Erasmus Darwin's fascinating house and a really pleasant shopping centre. The big church next door has been preserved by being made into a public library/arts centre with a very amenable coffee shop above to be enjoyed alongside beautiful stained glass windows and fine architectural features.Visited August 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 25 August 2023
- Lynda RDoncaster, United Kingdom81 contributionsWonderful and unusual place to visit.Really enjoyed our visit. It was fascinating to see so many objects owned by Dr Johnson in the house he was born and lived in. The short film telling the story of his life was a great introduction and the information in each room was excellent. Add to that the friendly, knowledgable and helpful staff and you have a gem to visit!Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
382 reviews
Excellent
250
Very good
120
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
1
EGM68
Gateshead, UK203 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
Really enjoyed our visit and learnt a lot about Samuel Johnson's life and works. Friendly, helpful staff and quite a lot to see, certainly enough to occupy an hour or two.
Written 26 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynda R
Doncaster, UK81 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Really enjoyed our visit. It was fascinating to see so many objects owned by Dr Johnson in the house he was born and lived in. The short film telling the story of his life was a great introduction and the information in each room was excellent. Add to that the friendly, knowledgable and helpful staff and you have a gem to visit!
Written 26 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paul d
Leicester, UK172 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
A very interesting and historic building and museum. Well kept and full of artifacts and exhibits . Staff helpful and informative . Also a good video screened history of Dr. Johnson. It's an early 1700's building so access to cellar and upper floors may not be easy for everybody. Worth a visit for just a donation anyway .
Written 25 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shirley E
40 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Great place to find out about the celebrated literary giant who gave us A Dictionary of the English Language, not the first but definitely the best of its time in the 18th century. A nice little 12 minute film gives an easy introduction and the house is authentically furnished over five floors, including the bookshop where Johnson's dad tried to make a living but didn't quite make it. Lots of pithy sayings and bite-sizedl pieces of information around, well thought out. Free admission - although donations welcome and highly deserved - and nice friendly staff/volunteers/devotees of this educational treasure. At time of writing they even had relevant children's activities on offer. Not to be missed on a visit to lovely Lichfield, which also has other outstanding attractions including the cathedral, Erasmus Darwin's fascinating house and a really pleasant shopping centre. The big church next door has been preserved by being made into a public library/arts centre with a very amenable coffee shop above to be enjoyed alongside beautiful stained glass windows and fine architectural features.
Written 25 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sootydog69
Brighton, UK61 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This is a really lovely museum full of interesting and well laid out information and artefacts detailing the life of Johnson. The house itself is fascinating and the staff very welcoming. It’s also free to go in but I’m sure all donations are gratefully received! There are activities for children which looked really enjoyable.
Written 15 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
account2018
Nuku'alofa, Tonga191 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
Can across this by chance, and very pleased I did. A friendly welcome, and excellent introductory film covering Johnson's life. Not a big place, but the Johnson Society have tried very hard to collect momentos and bring his career alive
Written 13 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vikkip
27 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
The museum is fairly small but is beautifully presented and is very interesting. There was a film showing in one of the rooms giving you information about the life of Samuel Johnson which was very interesting and well worth a sit down to watch, especially if like us you know very little about Samuel Johnson. I would definitely recommend a visit if in Lichfield.
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheDgbys
Royston2,226 contributions
May 2023 • Family
What a great find this museum was. Very informative and fantastic being able to flick through a copy of the dictionary. Also a must see if you are a blackadder fan. There is no sausage or aardvark.
Written 6 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob C
5 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
A group of eleven of us went to Samuel Johnson Birthplace museum . We had pre- booked a guided tour. Our guided tour was led by Sarah who was both knowledgeable and also informative. She is a good speaker and guide as she made sure that we were entertained as well as informed with a nice balance of information and anecdotes. They knew we had an interest in gardening and allowed us a close look at Millers gardening dictionary of 1752. All the volunteers were friendly and helpful. We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Written 6 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coastal64581165821
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Solo
Very interesting museum, with original rooms allowing a look into the past and plenty of informative but not overwhelming historical information.
Written 20 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WWCollins
Stafford, UK2 contributions
Does this house have a cellar which is open to the public? Can you please explain how accessible the house is for someone with difficulties with walking / stairs?
Thanks
Sam J
Lichfield, UK
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your questions. We do not have a cellar, however the building has a basement level with one room which is set up as a recreation of a Georgian kitchen.
It is worth noting that Erasmus Darwin House, another Georgian Museum in Lichfield, does have an original cellar which is wheelchair accessible.
The Samuel Johnson Museum is set on 5 different floors, and although it has lots of places to rest and a sturdy banister, it is quite narrow and difficult to navigate due to its old nature. We also do not have a lift. We have a page dedicated to accessing the building on our website, which includes some more useful information.
I hope this helps! If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to get in touch.
All the best,
Penny, on behalf of The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Team.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
- Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:30 - 16:30
- Hotels near Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum:
- (0.10 mi) The George Hotel Lichfield
- (0.10 mi) The Bogey Hole B&B
- (0.18 mi) St Johns House
- (0.20 mi) Premier Inn Lichfield City Centre Hotel
- (0.41 mi) The Cathedral Hotel
- Restaurants near Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum:
- (0.01 mi) The Coffee House
- (0.02 mi) Birds Bakery
- (0.02 mi) No Mango
- (0.02 mi) Faro Lounge
- (0.02 mi) Greggs