The Sherlock Holmes Museum is a Georgian townhouse that is the purported former home of the fictional sleuth from writer Arthur Conan Doyle’s novels. As in the books, the house bears the address of 221b Baker Street, although the museum is actually a few doors down from that number. Learn about the period of 1881 to 1904, when the literary figures of Sherlock Holmes and his colleague Dr. Watson resided here.

Spot the commemorative blue plaque on the façade that states the years that Holmes and Watson supposedly lived here. Although similar types of plaques are fairly common in London, they usually refer to real people rather than fictional characters.

Enter the townhouse and begin to explore the various rooms that are set up to resemble the descriptions of the Holmes’ house in the much-loved books. Among the highlights is Sherlock’s Laboratory, with a range of medicinal and scientific objects as well as a violin. Look for the iconic magnifying glass and pipe in Sherlock Holmes’s Study and admire the cozy setting of the Sitting Room.

Peruse the books in the tidy chamber of Dr. Watson’s Room and admire the elegant patterns in the bathroom. Also visit the room for Mrs. Hudson, Holmes’ landlady and occasional cook.

Note that the address was a matter of a dispute between the museum and a nearby bank that had been receiving fan mail for Sherlock Holmes. In 2002, the bank finally vacated the premises, leaving the museum as the collector of this correspondence.

The museum opens daily year-round from morning until late afternoon. There is a fee to enter, with discounts for kids.

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is on the southwestern corner of Regent’s Park in northwestern London. Get the Tube to Baker Street or ride the National Rail train to Marylebone and walk to the museum. Visit nearby landmarks, such as Madame Tussauds London, the Wallace Collection and Wigmore Hall.