Dr Johnson's House is a charming 300-year-old townhouse, nestled amongst a maze of courts and alleys in the historic City of London. Samuel Johnson, the writer and wit, lived and worked here in the middle of the eighteenth century, compiling his great Dictionary of the English Language in the Garret.
Today, the House is open to the public with a collection relating to Johnson, a research library, restored interiors and a wealth of original features. Often described by visitors as a hidden gem, 17 Gough Square is a tranquil spot in the midst of the bustling City.
Dr Johnson’s House is a Grade 1 listed small historic town house in the City of London. We are an independent, fully accredited museum and a registered charity (no. 1122396). The house has two members of staff and a dedicated team of volunteers who together run a vibrant programme of education workshops, exhibitions and events.
Facilities
- Audio-visual tours (£)
- Shop selling books and souvenirs
- Children's guide and dressing up costumes
- Toilets
- Bags and coats can be left at reception. Large bags are not permitted and must be left at reception.
- Pushchairs cannot be taken through the House, but can be left at reception. They may need to be folded at busy times. We recommend a sling or carrier for babies. There are no dedicated baby-changing facilities, but a changing mat is available upon request.
- There are no refreshments on sale, but there are many cafes and restaurants nearby.
Access
- There is regrettably no wheelchair access to Dr Johnson's House. A DVD is available to borrow. Please contact us for more information.
- There are many steps at Dr Johnson's House. There are seven steps to access the entrance (with a handrail). The building is a four-storey townhouse with a staircase between each floor. There are handrails on each side of the staircase and visitor seating in every room. Visitors who are unable to manage the stairs can use the audio-visual guide free of charge.
- A ground-level adapted toilet is available.
- There is parking for blue badge holders nearby. Check the City of London parking pages for up-to-date information.
- The audio-tour is available to visually impaired visitors free of charge. Please ask at the desk on arrival.
