On a recent visit to the Charles Dickens Museum London, I discovered that Charles Dickens was a bit of a rake and dandy and far more eccentric than my early readings had given him credit for. This fascinating museum offers an intimate look at his life , with carefully preserved rooms, personal artefacts, and unexpected insights into the man behind some of England’s most famous novels.
In this guide, you’ll find the key highlights of the Charles Dickens Museum, accompanied by original photographs, plus how to get tickets and practical visiting tips.
Stepping Into Dickens World: My Visit to 48 Doughty Street
Charles Dickens was a towering figure of my school days, his works filled with larger-than-life characters, from the miserly Scrooge to Oliver Twist, begging for more gruel. His books painted a world of contrasts: jolly, rotund gentlemen alongside the filthy, ragged children teetering on the brink of starvation.
So, with a mix of curiosity and trepidation, I visited 48 Doughty Street, the rented townhouse where a young Dickens lived with his wife Catherine and their children. This very house—now the Charles Dickens Museum—was secured with his advance from Pickwick Papers, marking the start of his literary stardom.
Charles Dickens got into his characters by acting them out in his bedroom mirror… the very mirror that is in his upstairs bedroom.
A Home That Mirrors Dickens’ Rise to Fame
I had imagined sumptuous Victorian grandeur—a house dripping with Christmas decorations, flickering candlelight, and mahogany furniture. Instead, I found a residence both affluent and ordinary, a typical Georgian townhouse similar to many that line Bloomsbury’s residential streets.
At this point in his life, Dickens was just starting out. The house, while respectable, lacked the opulence I had anticipated.
A Childhood Marked by Debt and Despair
Climbing to the top floor, I found the children’s bedrooms—bleak, sparsely furnished, and divided by iron bars, a haunting nod to debtors’ prison. This was a direct reflection of Dickens’ own childhood trauma.
At the age of 12, Dickens’ father was imprisoned in the Marshalsea Debtors’ Prison, along with his mother and younger siblings. Meanwhile, young Charles was sent to board with a stranger and work in a blacking factory, pasting labels onto bottles of shoe polish. The experience would deeply influence his later works, shaping his lifelong empathy for society’s underprivileged.
Dickens’ Master Bedroom: The Mirror of a Performer
Descending to the next floor, I stepped into Dickens’ bedroom, a genteel space overlooking Bloomsbury. The room held a four-poster bed with a burgundy coverlet, a slipper bath beside the fireplace, and on the dressing table, his wife’s turquoise serpent engagement ring.
The most striking object? A large, pedestal mirror.
Dickens would act out his characters in front of this very mirror, rehearsing grotesque expressions, exaggerated gasps, and high-pitched voices. He was, after all, a theatrical writer, embodying his characters before committing them to paper.
A Ghostly Presence in the Guest Room
Next door, I encountered a bright and seemingly peaceful guest room—until the attendant shared a chilling detail.
It was here, in Dickens’ arms, that his 17-year-old sister-in-law, Mary Hogarth, died suddenly. This tragedy devastated him, and for years afterward, he wore a ring in her memory.
Charles Dickens: The Dandy with Curlers in His Hair
Moving past the dressing room, I spotted Dickens’ only surviving suit, displayed on a mannequin. Dickens was a man of style, frequently wearing fashionable tartan waistcoats and spending afternoons socializing with London’s elite.
A lesser-known fact? Before bed, he curled his hair with tongs. Who would have thought that the great social critic was also something of a dandy?
Entertaining London’s Literary Elite in the Salon
The salon—or family sitting room—was where Dickens honed his performative storytelling. A makeshift lectern stood in the room, where he would recite his stories aloud to guests, captivating them with twists, turns, and dark humor.
It’s easy to imagine Dickens delighting his audience, a precursor to the dramatic public readings that would later make him one of the most famous literary performers of his time.
The Writer’s Sanctuary: Dickens Study
In a book-lined study, Dickens spent four hours each morning writing, undisturbed. He wrote in a spidery, scratchy hand, making constant revisions in blue ink.
This room was his sanctuary, where he crafted The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, and Nicholas Nickleby. He was a man of immense ambition, striving to secure his place in London’s literary society despite having no formal education.
The study was not just a place of work—it was his passport to success.
Here was a conundrum. Charles Dickens was a man eager for fame, with little formal education yet he wanted to be part of learned society. This house was was sufficiently impressive to be a passport to his place in the world. And it was here, in his first family home, that he and his wife Catherine began to make their mark, inviting interesting people such as the author Elizabeth Gaskell and the historian Thomas Carlyle to dinner.
The Basement Kitchen: The Heart of the Home
I nearly skipped the basement, but I’m glad I didn’t. It turned out to be the warmest, most inviting part of the house.
Here, I found a bustling Victorian kitchen, complete with a scullery, pantry, and wine cave. The wooden countertops bore the marks of decades of chopping and overuse. A place setting was arranged for Dickens himself, evoking the image of a hearty beef and oyster pie, steaming mash, and a bustling household.
Fun fact: The household kept a resident hedgehog to control insects!
Visiting the Charles Dickens Museum Tickets & Practical Info
Is the Charles Dickens Museum Accessible?
Yes! The museum has a lift covering four out of five floors, including the basement.
How Much Are Tickets?
•Adults: £12.50
•Concessions (Students, Seniors, Disabled Visitors): £10.50
•Children (6-16 years): £7.50
•Children under 6: Free
(Prices updated September 2023.)
Discounts Available
You can obtain discounts through:
•Art Fund National Art Pass
•ICOM
•Museums Association
•London Pass Holders (walk-in basis)
Where Is the Charles Dickens Museum?
📍 48 Doughty Street, London, WC1N 2LX
🔗 Official Website: dickensmuseum.com
Final Thoughts: A Vivid Portrait of Dicken’s Life
Hats off to the curators of the Charles Dickens Museum, who have beautifully preserved the world of Dickens—his creative process, personal life, and literary ambitions.
If you love historical homes, don’t miss our review of Churchill War Rooms or the Museum of London Docklands.
