The Charles Dickens Museum is the only surviving London residence of the great Victorian novelist and
Operating as usual
Beard? What beard?
This miniature of Charles Dickens is one of the earliest known portraits of Dickens, created when he was 18. It was actually painted by his aunt, Janet Barrow.
This beautiful image shows Dickens before his rise to fame, when he dreamt of becoming an actor.
We were thrilled to be joined by Harry Lloyd to talk about Charles Dickens, but we couldn't resist asking him what it was like to play Viserys Targaryen in Game Of Thrones
Here's what he had to say... 🙌
The Charles Dickens Museum is based in 48 Doughty Street, which was the historic London home of Charles Dickens.
Walking through this beautiful townhouse, you'll see treasures which actually belonged to Dickens himself!
We reopen on 1st February 2023. Book your tickets at https://dickensmuseum.com/pages/admissions
Since we're on the subject of busts, this one is a firm favourite at the museum.
It is the cast of a (now lost) bust produced by Henry Dexter during Dickens's trip to the USA in 1842.
Known to be precise, it allows us to see Dickens as he was around the age of thirty.
To bust, or not to bust? That is the question.
Our collection has been moved into storage, while our maintenance works are underway, giving us the rare chance to compare our busts.
From left to right you can see Charles Dickens in 1870, created from his death mask. George Cruikshank, the illustrator, in the 1850s. Charles Dickens ages about thirty, made during his 1842 trip to the USA and John Dickens, Charles' father.
Charles Dickens probably seems to be a world away from a show like Game of Thrones, but do they have more in common than you think? 🐲
We sat down with Harry Lloyd, who you'll recognise as Viserys Targaryen from season one, to talk about the links between the two.
Stay tuned for more.
Remember that we are currently closed, as we carry out essential maintenance work.
So far our team have been busy removing collection items and creating protective barriers.
We'll be reopening on 1st February.
Come and visit us this weekend, and discover the historic London home of Charles Dickens.
Remember, we close between 9th and 31st of January for some essential maintainance work, so visit us now while you can! 😊
We'll be closed between 9th and 31st January while we carry out some essential maintainance in the historic house.
Come and visit us this week before we close. We'll be back open from 1st February.
On this day in 1848, Dickens and his wife Catherine held a dinner to celebrate the success of The Haunted Man.
This invitation was sent to family friend Thomas Beard and specifies for him to arrive at 6.15pm.
The family had a lot to celebrate as the story was a great success and it sold 18,000 copies on its first day of publication. The Haunted Man was the fifth and final volume in a series of special stories released at Christmas.
Join us virtually tonight at 5.00pm (GMT) for 'The Chimes.' A New Year's Tale by Charles Dickens.
https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/the-chimes-adapted-and-performed-by-dominic-gerrard
Celebrate the 175th Birthday of Dickens’ second Christmas Book, The Chimes, with a special reading on New Years Eve. “So may the New Year be a happy one to you, happy to many more whose happiness depends on you!”
Would you like to join our fabulous museum team?
We're looking for a Visitor Experience Assistant to help look after our visitors.
Head to our website https://dickensmuseum.com/pages/vacancies-at-the-dickens-museum
We hope you've all had a marvellous Christmas, but the fun isn't over yet!
This New Year's Eve, we'll be streaming a virtual adaptation of The Chimes, a New Year's tale by Dickens, adapted by
Head to our website to find out more.
https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/the-chimes-adapted-and-performed-by-dominic-gerrard
A very Merry Christmas to all our followers!
God bless Us, Every One!
We're very nearly sold out today, with only 2 admission tickets available.
If you have not pre-booked tickets to visit the museum, remember you can always visit us from 27th December. The historic house will be dressed for Christmas until 31st January.
A Merry Christmas Eve to all our followers!
Its officially Christmas Eve-Eve! 🎄🎉
We're joined by Miriam Margolyes who shares why she loves A Christmas Carol.
Its nearly Christmas! 🎄
To help you get into the festive spirit, Simon Callow has joined us to share a reading from A Christmas Carol.
"I want everything to be well done; and, the time being short, am getting very nervous."
On Christmas Day 1845, Charles Dickens was preparing for a charitable production he was creating. He writes here to actress F***y Kelly, with a list of instructions and requests.
Even Christmas Day was no day off for Charles Dickens!
179 years ago, A Christmas Carol was first published. 🎄👻
To mark the occasion, Miriam Margolyes returns to read the end of this wonderful festive novella.
“Spirit! are they yours?” Scrooge could say no more.
“They are Man’s,” said the Spirit, looking down upon them. “And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want..."
Monday 19th December!
We're delighted to mark 179 years of 'A Christmas Carol' with a virtual performance by Dominic Gerrard.
This stunning show was filmed in the very house where Dickens lived, and is the perfect way to get into the festive feeling.
https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/virtual-show-dominic-gerrards-a-christmas-carol
Christmas is the perfect time to visit the Dickens Museum.
Decorated with garlands of holly and ivy and a beautiful Victorian Christmas Tree, you can experience Christmas as Charles Dickens would have known it.
Come and visit us! We're open Tuesday to Sunday!
We're excited to welcome a very special visitor to the Charles Dickens Museum next Sunday 18th December.
Find out more. https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/finding-father-christmas
Today is National Christmas Jumper Day! 🎄
A very merry Christmas season from all of us at the Charles Dickens Museum!
It's less than a week to go until we're joined virtually by the fabulous Lucinda Hawksley author, who will be talking about Charles Dickens and the writing of A Christmas Carol.
6 Weeks to Write a Masterpiece is on sale now.
Visit https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/six-weeks-to-write-a-masterpiece-charles-dickens-a-christmas-carol
Lucinda Hawksley author, Dickens's descendant, tells us about a very special Christmas in 1869.
Have you had your Christmas party yet?
"I arrived home at one oClock this morning dead drunk, & was put to bed by my loving missis. We are just going to Chapman's sisters' quadrille party, for which you may imagine I feel remarkably disposed."
Some things never change! 😂
It's happening tonight!
The Haunted Man virtual performance streams.
7.30pm GMT.
Visit https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/the-haunted-man-virtual
Looking for a fun, family-friendly event to get them out of the house?
Join the Charles Dickens Museum for our family Christmas PJ Party on Saturday 10th December, 10.30am-12.30pm!
From games and hot chocolate to Christmas crafts and a screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol, we have plenty of things going on to occupy the kids and build up the Christmas hype.
Head to the link in our bio, or visit
https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/kids-christmas-pj-party
Do you have a passion for heritage?
We're looking for a museum curator to join our team. You don't need to know everything about Dickens, we're looking for someone who can learn, research and inspire.
Head to our website for further details.
https://dickensmuseum.com/pages/vacancies-at-the-dickens-museum
We're so excited about our virtual adaptation of The Haunted Man, which streams this Sunday 4th December.
We asked some of our team what they think is so special about The Haunted Man.
To find out more about our virtual show, visit https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/the-haunted-man-virtual
Drum roll please... 🥁
We're thrilled to announce that Danny Robins will be joining Lucinda Hawksley here at the Charles Dickens Museum to talk about Charles Dickens and ghost stories.
Hosting an evening Q&A in which the audience is encouraged to participate, they will be looking at how Dickens's ghostly tales compare with modern experiences of the supernatural.
The Haunted Writer has a limited number of onsite seats available, but we'll also be streaming the talk virtually. Head to https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/the-haunted-writer-an-evening-with-danny-robins-and-lucinda-hawksley
👻👻👻
Looking for a fun, family-friendly event to get them out of the house?
Join the Charles Dickens Museum for our family Christmas PJ Party on Saturday 10th December, 10.30am-12.30pm!
From games and hot chocolate to Christmas crafts and a screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol, we have plenty of things going on to occupy the kids and build up the Christmas hype.
https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/kids-christmas-pj-party
This Sunday 4th December our virtual performance of The Haunted Man streams at 7.30pm (GMT).
This incredible Christmas ghost story was the fifth and final novella by Charles Dickens, and was perhaps his most powerful festive tale.
To find out more visit https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/the-haunted-man-virtual?goal=0_3ad6fa3a95-f34772d9e4-&mc_cid=f34772d9e4&mc_eid=UNIQID
Tommorrow is Museum Shop Sunday and we've got a fabulous festive offer for you.
Every order placed on our online shop on Sunday 27th November will receive a free pin badge, depicting the Lost Portrait.
This remarkable painting shows Charles Dickens in 1843, as he was writing A Christmas Carol.
Head over to our online shop! This offer applies to the first 100 orders placed.
Just imagine trying to read A Christmas Carol with a flickering rush light?
"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
We were delighted to collaborate with on their new Christmas Books inspired clutch bags.
Head to their page and check out some of their gorgeous hand-embroidered designs.
This week, join us virtually as we show you Charles Dickens as you've never seen him before...
This brilliant performance tells the life story of Charles Dickens, using extracts from his famous novels.
Created by Gerald Dickens, filmed at the museum
https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/mr-dickens-is-coming
that Oliver Twist was written here at Doughty Street?
This is a copy of Dickens's fifth and final Christmas novella, 'The Haunted Man.'
You can see where Dickens has defaced this book, painting over sections of text with coloured ink.
This was because he was planning to perform 'The Haunted Man' in public, so he was condensing the story into a shorter, performable narrative.
But despite having prepared this prompt copy, he never did perform 'The Haunted Man' in public.
If you would like to see a performance of this incredible tale, we're hosting a virtual adaptation on 4th December. Visit https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/the-haunted-man-virtual
48 Doughty Street
London
WC1N2LX
| Wednesday | 10am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 5pm |
| Friday | 10am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 5pm |
| Sunday | 10am - 5pm |
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What would Charles Dickens make of today's politics? We asked the one and only Miriam Margolyes
We're delighted to be joined by the one and only Miriam Margolyes for some social media fun. Watch this space! 🥳
Our ever popular Housemaid's #Tour is back! 🎊 Step back in time and experience the London home of Charles Dickens, on a tour led by his own housemaid! 📆 12th June at 10.00am, 11.00am and 12.00pm £15 Adult, £12 Concession, £8 Child https://buff.ly/34O8tSq
The Housemaid returns this weekend... 💯 Sunday 8th May from 10am! https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/housemaids-tour
Are you ready for our Housemaid's Tour this weekend? Book your tickets or find out more today! https://buff.ly/34O8tSq
Just 24 hours to go until our virtual performance of Mr Dickens is Coming! A new virtual play, which delves deep into the private life of Charles Dickens. Performed with incredible energy and style by Gerald Dickens. 🎩 Featuring performance pieces from David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol and more, as well as quotes and scenes from Dickens’s private letters and conversations, Mr. Dickens is Coming! captures the drama, the comedy, the passion and the sheer ingenuity which formed the life of Charles Dickens. https://buff.ly/3GUV0WV Be there, or be square! ⬜️
Pssst.... what's your plan this Sunday evening? 🤔 Joining us on zoom of course! 🤗 We're celebrating Dickens's 210th Birthday with his great-great-great grandson Gerald, with his one man virtual performance, Mr Dickens is Coming! https://buff.ly/3GUV0WV
🎭 Virtual Play 🗓️ Sunday 6th February ⏲️ 7.30pm GMT 💷 £15 per device 🖱️ https://buff.ly/3GUV0WV
We're nearly at the end of our literary journey, with just one more day to go! For the eleventh Day of Christmas, we'd like to share with you some of these beautiful illustrations by John Leech. 🖌️ Created for the first edition of 'A Christmas Carol' they perfectly capture the fear, joy and change in Scrooge, as he encounters his ghostly apparitions. Brought to you in partnership with @duchessofcornwallsreadingroom, remember to join us tomorrow for the twelfth day finale! 📚
On the 10th Day of Christmas... 🎵 Scrooge has awoken from his journey with the three Ghosts! Now he realises he has the chance to make amends! Thank you to Paterson Joseph for a glorious reading of 'A Christmas Carol.' Brought to you with The Duchess of Cornwall's Reading Room, remember you can read along too by heading to the link in our bio! ⬆️⬆️⬆️
On the 9th Day of #Christmas... 🎵 Dickens wanted as many people as possible to read A Christmas Carol. So how did he make sure they were affordable? https://buff.ly/33WTd4
Happy New Year! 🎊 We're continuing our literary journey with the Duchess of Cornwall's Reading Room. Today We're joined by Stephen Mangan and Bridgette Amofah, as Scrooge encounters the Ghost of Christmas Yet-To-Come. Its scary stuff! 👻 Remember you can read along by heading to our website. https://buff.ly/33WTd4T
Why do you love 'A Christmas Carol?' 👻 Our wonderful patron, Miriam Margoyles, returns to tell us why she loves this particular Dickens tale. Brought to you in partnership with @duchessofcornwallsreadingroom 📚
On the 6th Day of Christmas... 🎵 Thank you Sir Derek Jacobi for reading a scene from Stave III 🎄🎅 We're delighted to be working with the Duchess of Cornwall's Reading Room. Find out more and read along at https://buff.ly/33WTd4T
#Book your ticket today for our upcoming #virtual performance of #TheChimes 🔔 This incredible second #Christmas Story by #CharlesDickens tells us the true meaning of #NewYearsEve 🎊 With a #special #guest panelist, @lucindahawksley 🤗 https://buff.ly/3mtVxXj
For the 5th day of Christmas, watch Pen Vogler create a delicious, Victorian plum pudding! 🎄 We've partnered with the Duchess of Cornwall's Reading Room to bring you 12 Days of A Christmas Carol. Find our more, and read along by visiting https://buff.ly/33WTd4T
On the Fourth Day of Christmas... 🎵 Thank you to Paterson Joseph and Simon Callow for reading Stave III🎄🎅 We've partnered with the Duchess of Cornwall's Reading Room to bring you 12 Days of A Christmas Carol. Find out more, and read along with us, by heading to https://buff.ly/33WTd4T
Book your ticket today for our upcoming virtual performance of The Chimes 🔔 This incredible second Christmas Story by Charles Dickens tells us the true meaning of New Year's Eve 🎊 With a special guest panelist, Lucinda Hawksley 🤗 https://buff.ly/3mtVxXj
On the Third Day of Christmas... 🎵 A massive thank you to our patron, Simon Callow for talking about #AChristmasCarol and the inspirations behind it! 🎄🎅 We've partnered with the Duchess of Cornwall's Reading Room to bring you 12 Days of A Christmas Carol. Find out more, and read along with us, by heading to https://buff.ly/33WTd4T
Thank you to our wonderful patron, Miriam Margoyles, for reading the beginning of Stave II from 'A Christmas Carol.' 👻🎄 We're pleased to be working with the Duchess of Cornwall's Reading Room to bring you 12 Days of A Christmas Carol. Find out more, and read along with us, by heading to https://buff.ly/33WTd4T 🎅
Thank you to HRH The Prince of Wales The Royal Family for reading the first extract of A Christmas Carol. 👻 We've partnered with the Duchess of Cornwall's Reading Room to bring you 12 Days of A Christmas Carol. https://buff.ly/33WTd4T🎄
We're delighted to announce that we have partnered with The Duchess of Cornwall's Reading Room to bring you 12 Days of A Christmas Carol! 🎄 Every day for the 12 days of Christmas, the Reading Room and ourselves will be releasing readings from A Christmas Carol. You can join in from home too; a link in our bio will bring you to a digital copy of the First Edition of A Christmas Carol, so you can follow the story wherever you are in the world! 📚 We hope you take the opportunity to read this true masterpiece of a story. A massive thank you to Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and to The Duchess of Cornwall's Reading Room for helping to create this project, and to all of our collaborators who have taken part. May we wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas! 🎅
“A Christmas Carol” streams tonight at 7pm (GMT) All filmed inside Charles Dickens’ London home @DickensMuseum Join us - wherever you are in the world! 🌎🌍🌏🎅🏻👻 Daily Mail ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ New European ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Stage ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Public Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ https://buff.ly/3HDUz43
👀 👀 👻 🎃 👻 👀 👀 ⭐️⭐️ Dominic Gerrard ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to everyone who has supported us through the pandemic. We're open and ready to inspire again. We're launching a wonderful new exhibition on Oliver Twist, engaging more with our local community and are planning a whole new calendar of virtual and on site events. None of this would be possible without you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you! 💛
In this final instalment of At Home With Dickens, #SimonCallow shares with us a letter that encompasses a wide range of Dickens insights by way of his offering of unsolicited advice to a fellow writer! The topics include children and his views on God. If you enjoyed these videos please consider donating to our Just Giving campaign - https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/DickensMuseumAppeal #AtHomeWithDickens #MuseumFromHome
What are good friends for if not to tease? Dickens loved to tease Forster as is evident from many a jovial letter! In this letter, he teases him about his presidency of the Children’s Balloon Club in Twickenham, in regards to a shortage of balloons! 🎈 More letter readings to follow. If you enjoyed this please consider donating to our Just Giving campaign - https://bit.ly/3eHfGVi #AtHomeWithDickens #MuseumFromHome #Dickens #DickensMuseum #CharlesDickens #DonateNow
In the latest At Home With Dickens, #SimonCallow shares with us an insight into Dickens's friendship with friend and biographer John Forster. More letter readings to follow. If you enjoyed this please consider donating to our #JustGiving campaign - https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/DickensMuseumAppeal #AtHomeWithDickens #MuseumFromHome #Readings #Dickens #DickensMuseum #CharlesDickens #DonateNow
In this rather moving letter, we get an insight into just how much of an impact losing his sister in law, Mary Hogarth, had on both the Dickenses. More letter readings to follow. If you enjoyed this please consider donating to our #JustGiving campaign - https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/DickensMuseumAppeal. #AtHomeWithDickens #MuseumFromHome #Readings #Dickens #DickensMuseum #CharlesDickens #DonateNow
In the latest #AtHomeWithDickens, Simon Callow shares with us how Dickens responded extremely particularly and often amusingly and, sometimes, quite profoundly to letters that he received from his fans in response to suggestions for his characters and stories. More letter readings to follow. If you enjoyed this please consider donating to our #JustGiving campaign - https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/DickensMuseumAppeal #AtHomeWithDickens #MuseumFromHome #Readings #Dickens #DickensMuseum #CharlesDickens #DonateNow
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