Erasmus Darwin House
Erasmus Darwin House
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Erasmus Darwin was one of the greatest polymaths of the 18th century. It has been said that no one since has rivaled his achievements in such a wide range of fields. Indeed, he posited a coherent theory of evolution a full 70 years before his grandson Charles. This beautiful Georgian town house and previous home of Erasmus is dedicated to his life and achievements. Set in an ancient part of Lichfield city centre, the house contains a wealth of information about this fascinating man through videos, audio guides and several hands-on exhibitions and also provides a window into Georgian life. There is also a wonderful herb garden to stroll through and a gift shop. There are plenty of activities and workshops for all ages so do check our website for various events throughout the year!
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
169 within 3 miles
Attractions
48 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
357 reviews
Excellent
211
Very good
122
Average
15
Poor
5
Terrible
4
Xedos1
Cawood, UK129 contributions
Sept 2020
Due to Covid-19 access is via hourly slots booked in advance, one per family group. Perhaps not good for the museum, but good for the few lucky visitors. Tells the story of Darwin's grandfarther well. Would recommend.
Written 28 September 2020
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.
Hazel Ldn
London, UK75 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
We have been meaning to visit for a while and COVID made it possible. We had the house to ourselves and Brian, the caretaker, wore a visor and made sure our 6 and 10yr olds had lots to do with their activity packs. We adults enjoyed the rooms and the clearly presented information panels. The house had a lovely homey feeling. We very much enjoyed the inventions room. Thank you for making it a fabulous visit.
Written 13 September 2020
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.
2006Oz
london uk62 contributions
Aug 2021
I knew plenty about Charles Darwin but virtually nothing about his grand-father Erasmus so I was eager to visit this museum & find out more. It was a joy - giving a warts an' all picture of this great C18th Enlightenment scientist. Excellent introductory video presented by Adam Hart-Davis then the various rooms illustrate the different aspect of Darwin's life. At reception you can buy books & memorabilia. Outside is a charming garden divided into 'rooms', each one planted out with herbs relevant to Darwin's interests.
A 'must visit' particularly for any would be scientists.
A 'must visit' particularly for any would be scientists.
Written 21 August 2021
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.
Eddie730
County Durham, UK187 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
On the day we visited, there was a massive jigsaw sale going on in almost every room in the house!
However, we managed to weave our way around the piles of puzzles and read the interpretation boards. Mostly.
It was lovely to be allowed free entry to the museum, but we'll have to come back again to visit on a day when there aren't lots of puzzles everywhere.
Tip: check that there isn't a sale of jigsaws going on...or of any other items when you wish to visit.
You get lovely views of the Cathedral from the house!
There weren't any jigsaws in the lovely little herb garden.
However, we managed to weave our way around the piles of puzzles and read the interpretation boards. Mostly.
It was lovely to be allowed free entry to the museum, but we'll have to come back again to visit on a day when there aren't lots of puzzles everywhere.
Tip: check that there isn't a sale of jigsaws going on...or of any other items when you wish to visit.
You get lovely views of the Cathedral from the house!
There weren't any jigsaws in the lovely little herb garden.
Written 9 November 2021
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.
Phil R
Broadstone, UK308 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
As a bit of a science geek I had great expectations of this visit. I wanted to experience the atmosphere of the place Erasmus Darwin hosted the Lunar Club. Instead I found an empty room with a few information boards. Some furniture that looked like it was a school project and a lack of any real depth of information or artifiacts. The rest of the house was similar. A hotch pitch of items without a clear narrative. There are some of Darwin’s work displayed but the most material was either local artists selling paintings and an eclectic mix of books in the library. Front the outside the house is grand and the proximity of the cathedral is easily seen from the upstairs window.
Written 10 September 2021
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.
welshrainbow
Shenstone, UK45 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
We visited this house today and because of Covid restrictions were the only people in there as only one household or bubble is allowed a pre-booed visit at a time. Paul the volunteer on duty was really helpful and the house and information fascinating. I know the limits on numbers are not good for the sustainability of the charity running it all but it does make for a really good visit. The herb garden is open to all and is free. That’s a bonus for everyone
Written 5 September 2020
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.
Jobeth B
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
I'm local. From Burntwood. I've been before. My daughter who is 8 and I decided we needed to revisit as I didn't have a hockey game and she did not have dance. We had a lovely time. My daughter enjoyed finding the mice, I enjoyed listening to the reflective accounts. Also the herb garden smelled lovely in July. Wish more locals went. Also tourists should find it so amazing good value at 5 quid for adults and free for under 11's not sure how much for 11 to 17 year olds.
Written 16 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.
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are so pleased that you both enjoyed your visit - and what lovely pictures of your daughter dressed in one of our Georgian costumes.
Written 19 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
vikkip
38 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
If visiting Lichfield it is definitely worth visiting the museum and the herb garden at the back of the house. Erasmus Darwin was the grandson of Charles Darwin. There is a video telling you about him which is well worth a sit and watch, especially if you know nothing about him. He was a very interesting man and a great inventor. The house is very interesting too.
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.
Thank you for your lovely review
Written 19 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Caticorn
Lichfield, UK5 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Lovely bit of local history! House and garden are beautifully maintained, and the garden gives a really authentic feel as though you’re stepping back in time. Great way to get to know the area and it’s historical significance a bit better. Looking forward to taking one of the cellar tours when available.
Written 29 February 2020
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.
Williams57
Lichfield, UK218 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
Visited here yesterday with a History group of adults with learning disabilities as one of our first visits indoors since lockdown.
We had an amazing experience. I had booked and the museum opened early to accommodate us. From the moment we entered we were made welcome - the staff we charming and helpful and we had a great experience
We had an amazing experience. I had booked and the museum opened early to accommodate us. From the moment we entered we were made welcome - the staff we charming and helpful and we had a great experience
Written 2 November 2021
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.
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing