As a big Sherlock Holmes fan, both the books and show with Benedict Cumberbatch & Martin Freeman, one of the things I was the most excited about for London was getting to see the Sherlock sights! Next to the Harry Potter sights, I’d say that Sherlock was the most important part of my London Bucket List. Here are the Sherlock Holmes sights in London:
221b Baker Street:
221b Baker Street was a bit disappointing. I was under the impression there was a plaque like the one from the BBC show but it was a door to the museum, with the number on the glass above the door. The queue for the museum was massive so we just had a look around the gift shop, but there wasn’t anything in particular that caught my eye. I already have all the books, so there wasn’t anything I needed.
What I liked about Baker Street in general was the Sherlock decor in the tube, and nods to Sherlock in the area like images in restaurants and shop names.
Baker Street was one of my favourite places in London. We stayed around Victoria/Westminster but when I inevitably go back to London if we don’t stay there again, I’d like to be in Baker Street. It’s a lively area, but not overwhelmingly swarmed with tourists like Leicester Square is.
Sights from the show
We went on a Jack the Ripper AND Sherlock tour where the guide pointed out a few sights and fun facts, such as that there’s a conspiracy theory that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was the Ripper himself! We got to see the infamous building Sherlock jumped off in season 3, and the hospital where John and Sherlock meet in the books. It was also cool to see areas in London that appear in the show often too, such as the big oval building I now know is locally called the Gerkin! I’m such a tourist that even hailing London’s iconic black cabs reminded me of the show – where do John & Sherlock get the money to constantly be paying for taxis?
The tour ended at the Sherlock Holmes pub on Northumberland Street, which had a small recreation off Sherlock’s study. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed in the study itself, but it was cool to see his iconic violin on the couch.
Overall, the Sherlock locations in London were unfortunately underwhelming but I’m still glad I saw them. Doing another thing on my big list of things before I die is always worth it, even when they sometimes don’t turn out to be as good as I hoped.
Have you seen these Sherlock Holmes sights in London? You might also like these pop culture spots. and literary spots.
Check out my London vlog here:
Oh wow, that sounds so interesting! I have never heard that conspiracy theory before about Sherlock being the ripper, but I’d love to hear the details…
I love the Baker Street tube station, I used to pass it when I interned in London earlier this year! It’s a shame that you found the experience underwhelming but it’s great that you’re still glad that you went 🙂 x
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I love the tube station it’s one of favourites! But I totally agree with you for the most part the Sherlock sights in London are furious underwhelming x
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This sounds awesome! I’ve always been slightly obsessed with Sherlock Holmes since my fourth-grade teacher gave me a mini Sherlock Holmes children’s book. When they came out with the series, I loved that just as much. Like another commenter, I’ve never heard of that particular conspiracy. Would be very interesting to read/hear more about that!
Thanks for sharing!
I loved this! Sherlock has always been one of my favourite shows. <3
This is one reason I want to visit! I so look forward to planning my trip in the future with this in mind!
I’ve really wanted to visit the Sherlock Holmes museum for a while but just haven’t found myself in that part of London! Thanks for the heads up that’s it’s a bit underwhelming, whilst I’ll still go and see it I might just wait till I’m near the area! X
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Baker Street is a nice area anyway, but if you’re not in that part it’s not really worth it
That’s a shame that you didn’t get to go into the museum because of the massive queue. I hate queuing for stuff, so I totally get why you didn’t wait in line. Hopefully you’ll get a chance next time you visit London
Thank you!
Would love to visit too!
Ohh that’s so cool! I love London , Sherlock Holmes and Harry Potter ☺️☺️I’ve been to the platform at kings cross but never to the Sherlock Holmes house. Thanks for sharing 😊
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I`m ashamed to admit that although I`ve been living in London for 7 years, I`ve never ventured to Baker Street. It`s so crowded. I do want to go since I`m a massive Sherlock Holmes fan as well, but hopefully, I`ll find a less busy day.
The Baker Street tube station is one of my favourites. I went with some American friends last year, and they were raving about the museum (although we didn’t visit it together because the queues were too long to go a second time).
I was a touch underwhelmed by it as well, but maybe in some ways that is good because so much in London is exaggerated and overwhelmed that being a touch more subtle can make something stand out as being more real.
I have never heard the conspiracy theory about Conan Doyle being the Ripper! Although in some strange way it does make sense to me.
Our tour guide thought the ripper theory was one of the the more ridiculous ones, but that’s a good point, I prefer Baker st to bigger busier parts of London
It’s been a while since I last read any of the books, but being in a time of body snatchers for the medical students to discover on a corpse I can kinda see the point of practicing so you are writing with realism.
Not that I encourage or condone murder….just fits with the times in my mind.
For what it’s worth, you didn’t miss much by not getting to go in the museum. It’s pretty small. We waited it out and probably spent longer in the queue than the museum itself. Definitely a disappointment. I liked the pub a bit more though.
Sticking to the Sherlock theme, there’s a pub in NYC that’s Sherlock themed which I think is called the Baker Street pub. I didn’t go in on that occasion but it had a cool mural on the side so might be worth a look if you’re ever in NYC 🙂
Wow!!!!!!! Interesting tour. I’ve been to London 7 times. But haven’t experience this kinda tour yet. Reading your post makes me wanna go for this kinda tour. Tq for sharing.