Seasonal Sundays

Dr Johnson's House is open on selected Sundays 12pm - 4pm until December!

Visit and enjoy special talks and activities

2pm on Sunday

19 & 26 October: Hear the story of the life of Francis Barber, resident of 17 Gough Square and England's first known Black school master

9 November: Join us for Tea@2pm in the Withdrawing Room

23 November: Learn all about the art of Book Binding

7 December: Drop in for a Knit & Natter with Helen

Discover the famous Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) who lived in this 1690s townhouse when he wrote his Dictionary of the English Language. The son of a bookseller from Lichfield, Johnson walked to London in 1737 in search of fame and fortune. While fortune evaded him, Johnson’s fame was assured with the publication of his Dictionary of the English Language in 1755, from when he became known as 'Dictionary Johnson'.

Built shortly after the Great Fire, the house at 17 Gough Square has survived many near misses over the last 300+ years (not least the Blitz!). The house retains many original features, including a very quirky anti-burglary device.

Destination City

Our Sunday openings are possible thanks to a generous grant from the Destination City Parternship Fund.

Accessibility

There is regrettably no step-free access to Dr Johnson's House.

There are seven steps to access the entrance (with a handrail).

The building is a four-storey townhouse with a staircase between each floor.

There are handrails on each side of the staircase and visitor seating in every room.

Toilets are located down a steep set of stairs.