Home | Dr Johnson's House
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Welcome to Dr Johnson's House

'...when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life'

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Discover the world of Dr Samuel Johnson, England's most distinguished man of letters

Opening Hours
Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm

Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Free Talks Every Wednesday & Friday

Join us for volunteer-led talks.
Wednesdays at 2:30pm - Dr Johnson’s Dictionary: an extraordinary feat of lexicography
Thursdays at 2pm - 18th-Century Costume

Fridays 2:30pm - A City of Change: Living in 18th-Century London 

Included with admission.

Museum Lates

Thursday 23 April
5.30pm - 7pm

Celebrate the return of light evenings with a Museum Late at one of London’s best-kept secrets!

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​Trafalgar: Battle & Aftermath

Thursday 7 May
6.30pm - 8pm

An unmissable opportunity to hear military historian Paul O'Keeffe discuss key highlights from his vivid and visceral portrayal of the most famous naval battle in history and the human cost of war.

Walk & Visit

Wednesday 13 May
1pm - 3pm

Take a fascinating walk through the heart of literary London and visit the home of its most famous resident writer, Samuel Johnson.

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​London Craft Week Exhibition: Zié Object(s) × Dr Johnson's House

Friday 15 May & Saturday 16 May
Free Entry to Exhibition


Developed from archival research, this exhibition considers material as a carrier of time. The works respond to historical documents, found objects, and site-specific records, transforming archival traces into contemporary design explorations of memory, history, and place.

Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words 2026

The Age of Wisdom and Foolishness
Tuesday 12 - Saturday 16 May

Featuring an array of authors, journalists and thinkers across multiple genres, the Festival of Words once again celebrates Fleet Street Quarter as the place where stories have always been born.

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​Death Rituals & Grief: In Conversation with Sofka Zinovieff & Julia Samuel

Wednesday 10 June
6.30pm - 8pm

Join acclaimed author Sofka Zinovieff and leading psychotherapist Julia Samuel for a fascinating exploration of death rituals and grief.

Become a Member

Join us and enjoy unlimited free entry! Your Membership provides critical support for the future of Dr Johnson's House.

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Desks, Drudgery and the Dictionary: Samuel Johnson’s Garret Lexicography

Current Exhibition
Free with Admission

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We showcase new aspects of Johnson's garret lexicography, exploring why the garret was so important in Johnson's move to Gough Square.

Discover Johnson's Dictionary

​Explore the story behind Samuel Johnson’s groundbreaking Dictionary of the English Language and its lasting impact.

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Children Welcome!

We've been welcoming children since 1752, when 8-year old Francis Barber came to live with Samuel Johnson.

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