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Sunday 8 September 2019

221B, Baker Street



Being a bookworm has its advantage and disadvantages. When people learned about my trip to London, everyone seemed to have opinions and advises for me. From what to carry to what to do and of course the places I must visit. But very few people ever guessed the first place I would visit after landing here. It should have been very obvious to anyone who knows even a teensy bit about me.


Visiting Sherlock Holmes Museum was the first thing on my list. As such, I headed to Baker Street within a few hours of landing in London. The road from the tube station leading up to the museum seemed oddly familiar after having stalked it on Google Street View for years! [Yes I am crazy enough to stalk dead fictional characters.] We bought our tickets from the Gift Shop and after about 15 mins in a very well behaved (being an Indian I was almost disappointed at the lack of impatience and pushing) queue, we got our chance to enter the hallowed grounds.

The ground floor houses the gift shop which is stocked full of Sherlock Holmes books, souvenirs and tidbits. The famous study room, on the first floor, is so well set up and maintained that it was as if it had come straight to life from the pages of the books. The bedrooms of Sherlock, Watson and Mrs.Hudson are equally well maintained. Then on the third floor are wax statutes portraying various characters from the stories - including the man himself and the notoriously famous Professor Moriarty.


There are knick-knacks spread throughout the house to give it an authentic feel. From Sherlock and Watson's personal belongings to what could be only termed as Sherlock's souvenirs from his various cases make for interesting decorative pieces. The aptly dressed up staff add to the air of this Victorian set up. From the policeman at the gates, who by the way is expert at spotting people taking pictures and then posing for them, to the maids in the house who were ready to answer queries and guide the visitors at all times - only made the experience more fun. But what was priceless to me was Watson's diary containing extracts from the famous adventure of The Hound of the Baskervilles. It was so precious.

The nicest part about this whole set up is that if you look out the windows of 221B Baker Street, you will still see a somewhat Victorian London. The buildings around 221B have been kept up and maintained in a manner so as to add to the whole experience. Of course, the cars and people with gadgets cannot be helped, but the buildings remain the same as 1880s - the time when Sherlock and Watson is said to have lived there.


If you visit Sherlock Holmes Museum and forget that he is just a fictional character who couldn't have owned a house or any of those materialistic things, I will not blame you! Go on... Go and experience the very real lifestyle of a very fictional character - You know you want to ;)


For more details visit : http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk/

QOTD: Have you ever tried 'traveling'  around the world with Google Street View?





I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa.



57 comments:

  1. I have been to the Sherlock Holmes Museum
    At Baker Street! It is a lovely place and really transports you back to the books!
    Noor Anand Chawla

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    Replies
    1. Wasn't it amazing? the set up, the presentation...
      Thanks for stopping by Noor.

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  2. Replies
    1. :) I so wish he was a real person I could meet and learn from

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  3. This has been on my wishlist ever since I read Satyajit Ray's Golapi mukto rahasya. So glad to see you doing travel diaries.

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    Replies
    1. Feluda! I wish there was something similar at 21 Rajani Sen Road

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  4. Makes me want to travel to London, like RIGHT NOW! #myepicareads #MyFriendAlexa

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    1. Hope you do travel there soon! till then, let Google street view help you out ;)

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  5. Wow! That must have been so fascinating. Would love to visit the museum.

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    1. Hope you get to experience it for yourself soon.

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  6. Wonderful! While reading I felt like I was in London. I lost somewhere in there. Impressed!#SrishtiReads #MyFriendAlexa

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  7. It was nice to get a virtual trip to the Holmes museum.

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  8. Holmes museum is something I have wanted to visit for a long time now but alas, all my London trips get cancelled for some reason! Loved your pictures.

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    1. Hope you get to experience it for yourself soon! Fingers Crossed & Toes too!

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  9. Hi, that's such a nice post. I , vicariously, felt myself visiting 221B, Baker Street. Thanks for sharing your visit details. it was nostalgic reading your post :)

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  10. Great post

    I just want to visit london now

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    Replies
    1. Hope you do get to visit soon. It is an amazing City

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  11. I have never heard of this museum before. Interesting!

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  12. London must have been filled with such treasures. I read somewhere they even have a Jane Austen walking tour! I think I'll spend all my time going for these historic tours whenever I visit :)

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    1. It is... They have all these walking tours and the number of little independent bookstores that will take your breathe away!

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  13. woow it seems interesting! have never heard before

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    1. :O I did not expect that from a book lover like you! YOU MUST check it out.

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  14. That's the first place to begin my to travel around list and it's still a dream.. Thanks for re kindling that dream!

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    1. Hope you get there soon! Fingers crossed for you Aadhira

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  15. For literally billions across the world, he's as real a human as anyone else. They've grown up to his stories which by now must be close to 130 years old

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  16. Wow this looks like a beautiful place, never knew about it before. Although, Sherlock Holmes is everyone's classic favorite. Would keep this museum in mind during my London Trip :)
    #MyFriendAlexa #vigorousreads

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    1. Thanks Varsha. Please do visit when you get a chance

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  17. Big fan of Sherlock.I would so love to visit the house /museum.Its easy to forget he is fictitious!

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  18. Congrats on this blog, Debdatta. And wow, I'm officially J! I hope I get to visit this place someday. :)

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  19. I love watching the screen adaptation of the famous sleuth. I must have felt awesome to visit the museum.

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    1. Who did you like the most - Jeremy Brett, Benedict Cumberbatch or Robert Downey Jr.?

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  20. Being a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, this place is on my bucket list though God knows when I'll get an opportunity to actually visit the place. Really enjoyed reading your post.

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  21. I hope now a fan inside you is more than satisfied. Loved your pics of Baker street.

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  22. A London trip is long due for us, hope to go asap. And this travelogue is making me to crave for the London calling now

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  23. veri nice post. It is in my wishlist. :)

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  24. Lovely detailed writeup. I must compliment...i like the way you have organised your blog. Really appreciate the overall look n feel. A standout. Great work.
    #ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia #MyFriendAlexa

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  25. just wow. i love reading travel diaries cause they transport us to different destinations every time.

    #myfriendalexa #princyreads

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  26. When I was house hunting in canada, i had to depend on google street pics to find my way in snow and to check how accessible the place be in summers etc. Got me hooked to checking map and seeing different views for any place i have to visit. I have also checked some tourist spots this way sitting in my bed !

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  27. Didn't have the opportunity yet to visit London but whenever I do I am sure I will be visiting this place. :)

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