Sherlock Holmes – Consulting Detective

221b Baker Street is one of the most famous addresses in London:

Bobby arriving at 221b Baker Street

If you’ve watched the latest and very modern Sherlock Holmes movie with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, you would have been reminded of 221b Baker Street, the home address of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson. Well, at least that’s where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle told us that Holmes and Watson lived from 1881- 1904.

221b Baker Street is now one of the most famous addresses in London and the home of the Sherlock Holmes Museum, dedicated to the life and times of Sherlock Holmes.  Built in 1815, the property is now heritage listed and for posterity, the interior has been faithfully maintained exactly as described in the published stories.

The museum’s beautiful Victorian interiors have been carefully created from references in the Sherlock Holmes stories. There are three floors of exhibits and a souvenir shop on the ground floor.

Three Floors of Exhibits

Climb up a flight of 17 steps to the lst floor and you’ll come to the famous study overlooking Baker Street. You’re allowed to sit in Mr Holmes’ armchair by the fireside to pose for photos as well as enter his bedroom adjoining the study. As for the pipe, you’ll have to bring your own to smoke – although I doubt if you’d be allowed to light up! Sherlock Holmes’ possessions such as his deerstalker, magnifying glass, calabash pipe, violin, chemistry equipment,notebook, Persian slipper and disguises are in their usual places.

On the second floor, at the rear of the house, is Dr. Watson’s bedroom which overlooks a small yard. Mrs. Hudson, the landlady, lives in the front room.

Sherlock Holmes Museum, London

These rooms contain personal belongings and private papers of the great detective and a variety of exhibits from his published cases. In Dr. Watson’s diary are hand-written notes and extracts from the famous adventure of The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Up on the third floor, the exhibit rooms contain an arrangement of wax models of scenes from the stories. You’ll see Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty actually standing in the same room! Also, check out the attic, where the lodgers used to store their trunks and luggage.

Did Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson really live in the house? Well next time you’re in London, head for 221b Baker Street and do some detective work of your own.

The way Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes ended, it looks like a return of Sherlock Holmes is on the cards. And if you’re looking for Sherlock Holmes books, dvds, Sherlock Holmes fancy dress kit, etc. Amazon has them all.

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