Charles Dickens called the city of London home for a few years. One can see many of his influences around town. Most notably, he is buried at Westminster Abbey. I learned that his funeral at the abbey was a small family affair, and he dictated prior to death that his grave marker was to be understated. If you choose to visit Westminster Abbey, you will know the spot of his grave by the high number of visitors in that area.
When Dickens lived in London, his house situated in historical Bloomsbury. This area was full of famous late 19th century writers including Virginia Woolf and T.S. Elliott. The Charles Dickens Museum is located in a beautiful Georgian terraced house, which is also his former residence.
The rooms are displayed as originally used. The tour started on the ground floor that was comprised of the public rooms, such as the reception room, a library, and dining room.
Then the tour went downstairs to see the kitchen, laundry area, and the outdoor wine cellar.
Next, I made my way up to the remaining floors. I walked through another reception room, Charles' bedroom, his bathroom (as in a room without a toilet and an actual bath), his sister's bedroom, and a nursery up on the top floor.
The top floor had an adorable nursery.
On the way out, I passed through a temporary exhibit focusing on Dickens's literature. Tables full of his writings were alongside comfortable chairs which allowed for a short bit of reading.
The Charles Dickens Museum is open every day 10-5. Admission is £8. It is easily accessible from the Russell Square (Piccadilly Line), Chancery Lane (Central Line) or Holborn Station (Piccadilly & Central Line) or Kings Cross/St. Pancras (Circle, Piccadilly, Northern, Victoria, Metropolitan, and Hammersmith & City)
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