London is a fantastic city to visit, a hub of culture and history; it has enough activities, attractions and sights to keep you occupied for weeks. Among the many things to do in London are museums, such the Natural History Museum and London’s most popular attraction, the British Museum. There are also a number of famous markets to choose from, as well as landmarks such as the London Eye. So, find yourself a good deal on flights, book one of the many cheap London hotels and come and see this wonderful city for yourself!
London has been home to many illustrious people over the years. A number of the most famous have had their houses turned into museums, which are open to the public. These provide a fantastic insight into how these famous Londoners lived. Although this may not be an activity that immediately springs to mind when you are planning your trip to London, it is nonetheless something that is not to be missed.
It is possible to go inside the residences of the following famous Londoners:
Charles Dickens
One the most famous of all London’s residents past and present, Dickens lived in Bloomsbury between 1837 and 1839. During these extremely productive years he wrote both Nicholas Nickleby and Oliver Twist. Being in the very room where Dickens wrote these masterpieces is an experience to cherish. Dickens’ house is now The Charles Dickens Museum and it contains, within several beautifully restored rooms, letters, pictures, first editions and memorabilia.
Sigmund Freud
In 1938 Freud and his family came to London as refugees, fleeing Nazi-occupied Vienna. Freud’s house in Hampstead has been preserved as it was when the family lived in it. In addition to seeing Freud’s library, papers and an excellent collection of antiques and furniture, when you visit the Freud Museum you can, of course, also see the famous couch. Visitors to the museum can also view some of Freud’s home movies.
Benjamin Franklin
Dr Benjamin Franklin; diplomat, scientist, philosopher, inventor and founding father of the United States, lived just off Trafalgar Square for nearly 16 years. A trip to Benjamin Franklin House will give visitors the historical experience of the life and times of Franklin.
Dr Johnson
In 1755 Dr Samuel Johnson published his Dictionary of the English Language, arguably one of the greatest achievements by a single scholar. The impact that this book, which took nine years to produce, had on Modern English is so vast as to be almost indescribable. When you visit Dr Johnson’s house you can not only stand in the very room in which he toiled over his great work, but also see the very first edition of his dictionary.
Charles Darwin
What single man can claim to have had such an impact on the modern world as Darwin? This is surely a must-see for all visitors to London and Londoners alike. OK, so Darwin’s house is a little outside of central London in Downe, but it’s within the M25 and doesn’t take long to reach by train. Visitors to the house can see Darwin’s rare and unique collections of animals, see the room in which he wrote the book that changed the face of science, and wander the house’s extensive grounds, which Darwin referred to as his “outdoor laboratory”.
Sherlock Holmes
OK, so technically he’s not a real person, but there’s no doubting that Sherlock Holmes is a famous Londoner. According to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Holmes and Watson lived at 221b Baker Street between 1881 and 1904. This famous address has been preserved as it would have been in Victorian times; see if you can spot all the items that are mentioned in the stories.
The Queen
Without a doubt, the most famous living Londoner of them all, the Queen’s official residence is Buckingham Palace. During the summer the Palace opens its gates and visitors are allowed to see the State Rooms. A visit to one of the few working palaces left in the world today is not to be missed; it also provides a chance to see some of the greatest treasures in the Royal Collection. The Palace’s stunning garden is also open to the public during the summer.
There are several other houses of famous Londoners that are open to the public and information can be found about them online. There are, however, many more historic homes that the public cannot visit. As you wander through the streets of London look out for these properties; they are each marked by a blue circular plaque which tells you who lived there any why they were famous; some of these include the house in which Mozart stayed for a year with his father and sister and Karl Marx’s house, in which he wrote Das Kapital.