Sherlock Holmes Museum

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is a privately run museum in London, England, dedicated to the famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.

Although the building lies between numbers 237 and 241, towards the north end of Baker Street, it bears the number 221 B, granted by the City of Westminster in 1990. This is to make it correspond with the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle whose famous detective Sherlock Holmes shared accommodation with Dr John Watson at 221B between 1881 and 1904, as tenants of Mrs Hudson. (The address didn't exist at the time the stories were published either; street numbers in Baker Street only went up to 100.)

The Grade II listed Georgian townhouse that hosts the Sherlock Holmes Museum was built in 1815, and was in fact a boarding house between 1860 and 1936. It's been faithfully recreated as it was in Victorian times, as described by Conan Doyle. Most notable is the famous first floor study overlooking Baker Street where Holmes' possessions — his deerstalker, magnifying glass, calabash pipe, notebook and various disguises — are on display.

On the third floor is a re-enactment of scenes from Sherlock Holmes stories, with the main characters played out by wax models. There are sometimes `real-life' characters who add to the air of authenticity, playing the parts of a policeman, maid and Mrs Hudson, who are on hand to help visitors with their enquiries.

As well as a magnet for devotees of the Holmes stories, the house presents a great photographic opportunity for Victoriana fans.