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Charles Dickens Museum



Charles Dickens (1812-70) lived at number 48 Doughty Street from April 1837 to December 1839.  Although it wasn't a long period, it was an important one, because it was here that he really secured his reputation.

While at Doughty Street, Dickens finished Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist, wrote Nicholas Nickleby and began Barnaby Rudge.

Study and Drawing Room

You can see the study in which the young writer created such immortal characters as Fagin, Bill Sikes, The Artful Dodger, and the Squeers and Crummles families.

You can also see the carefully reconstructed drawing room in which the family received it's guests and the bedroom where Mary Hogarth died - the inspiration behind the death scene of Little Nell in The Old Curiosity Shop.

Original Manuscripts, Letters and First Editions

Visitors to the house can see portions of Dicken's manuscripts, letters, preliminary drawings (from his illustrators) and first editions of his books, including the original paper-wrapped parts.

Also on display are the desk that he used for public readings of his works and many other exhibits, including furniture, pictures, books and memorabilia.

Shop for Dickens' Work

The Dickens House shop offers a wide range of books of Dicken's work including hardbacks, paperbacks, rare, antique, children's, simplified and abridged for students and biographical studies. There is a good selection of posters and prints and a wide range of souvenirs.

A new feature at the Dickens House Museum is guided tours by guides in period costume. You are asked to believe you are part of the Dickens family and can see how the house was run in the 1830s.

Audioguide and guide book available.

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Directions

Take the underground to Chancery Lane, Russell Square, Holborn or Kings Cross. Bus to Grays Inn Road, drive and park on a meter (free parking on Saturdays after 1.30pm) or park in the Brunswick Square National Car Park.


Charles Dickens Museum Postcode for SatNav: WC1N 2LX

Contact

 
Tel:
+44 (0)2074 052 127
Fax:
+44 (0)2078 315 175
Email:
Web:


48 Doughty Street
London
Greater London
WC1N 2LX

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