Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum

Name: Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum
Address: 393 Old Commercial Road, Portsmouth, PO14QL, GB
Telephone: 02392 827261
Price range: $

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Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum

Charles Dickens was born in this house on 7th February 1812. Charles Dickens was born in this house, then known as 1 Mile End Terrace, on 7th February 1812.

The Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum is the perfect place to start exploring and experiencing the work of one of England’s most famous and best-loved writers. It was the first married home of his parents, John and Elizabeth Dickens. Here you can experience the authentic atmosphere of the comfortable Regency home which would have greeted the new-born Dickens. Much of Victorian Portsmouth still rem

ains in the city’s streets and heritage, drawn upon by Dickens himself in Nicholas Nickleby. The Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum is the perfect place to start exploring and experiencing the work of one of England’s most famous and best-loved writers.

2015 - 2016 Opening Hours
Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum is closed between October 2015 to the end of March 2016, with the following exceptions;

Christmas Weekend Opening
Open from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th December, 10am - 5pm

Special opening to celebrate Dickens' Birthday Sunday 7th February, 10am - 5pm. Last admission 30 minutes before closing time.

18/03/2026

Exciting news - thrilled to hear Portsmouth has made it in the UK City of Culture longlist! Brilliant to hear during the Portsmouth100 celebratory year!

We are Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum and we're backing Portsmouth's bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.

Portsmouth Creates
We Are Pompey 2029
Portsmouth City Council
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

09/02/2026

Saturday 7 February marked the 214th anniversary of Charles Dickens birth. The Mayor and Mayoress laid a laurel chaplet on the door to Dickens' birthplace.

The museum was also open for free for all visitors.

28/01/2026

We are Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum and we’re backing Portsmouth’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.

Portsmouth is a city rich in history, culture and creativity, and this bid celebrates its heritage and future potential.

At Portsmouth Museums we are champions of Portsmouth's history and culture. We are welcoming, inclusive and community driven and know that being UK City of Culture 2029 brings amazing opportunities for everyone.

We back the bid.

Portsmouth Creates

Portsmouth City Council

02/01/2026

We’re proud to support - a citywide celebration of Portsmouth’s
centenary as a city.

It’s a moment to reflect, connect and look ahead.

Everyone’s invited. Be part of the story.

👉 Visit www.portsmouth100.co.uk to get involved

19/12/2025

Portsmouth is stepping onto the national stage. We’re proud to support the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.

Portsmouth Creates

📷Millstream Productions

13/12/2025

This Christmas experience A Christmas Carol at the birthplace of its author Charles Dickens.

Immerse yourself in the story as each room relates to a chapter in the book, also don't forget to take part in our trail.

All dates can be found online.

https://charlesdickensbirthplace.co.uk/visit/

02/12/2025

**COMPETITION CLOSED WINNERS WILL BE CONTACTED**

To mark the release of in cinemas we have these fantastic packs to giveaway!

The latest adaption of it follows the story of hard-nosed businessman, Mr. Sood, who is forced to confront his past, present, and future over one fateful Christmas Eve - guided by three unforgettable spirits - on a journey toward compassion and redemption.

The film stars The Big Bang Theory's Kunal Nayyar, Billy Porter, Boy George, Hugh Bonneville and Eva Longoria, and is from the team behind Bend it like Beckham.

To win make sure you like Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum and comment below with your favourite thing about Christmas.

out now in cinemas.

Don't forget you can also follow the story of A Christmas Carol around the museum from Thursday 4 December.

The prize consists of a tote bag, cracker with socks inside, headband craft kit and a bauble.

T&Cs
This closes at midnight on 15 December 2025 Anyone commenting after this date will not be counted.
Entrants must comment on the original post
Once the winner has been chosen their name will be announced on here and they will be contacted.
Please be aware of accounts pretending to be us in the comments. Winners may not request and are not entitled to a cash alternative to their prize and their prize is non refundable and non-transferable. Please note this giveaway competition is not endorsed, sponsored or administered by Meta, nor is Meta associated with this competition in any way.

27/11/2025

Today we welcomed Lucinda Hawksley, Dickens great great great granddaughter, to the museum. She was being interviewed by Pompey Poetry Party for The News about Dickens, and their event 'What the Dickens!?'.

She also signed some books which are available in the shop.

18/11/2025

We are delighted to share our Portsmouth Museums Impact Report for April 2024 to May 2025.

This impact report showcases the work of the Museum Service together with partners for the year 2024-25.

Portsmouth City Council's corporate plan looks to ensure that the city is a welcoming, vibrant and inclusive place to live, work and visit and by providing cultural opportunities such as high-quality museum spaces, engagement and activity we are delivering against this objective.

https://portsmouthmuseums.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/PM0992-ImpactReport-AW6-LowRes-Spread.pdf

21/10/2025

Just over a week until our spooky writing workshop at Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum.

On Wednesday 29 October award-winning author Ali Sparkes will guide you through a spine-tingling workshop.

Inspired by the spirit of Charles Dickens and his celebrated ghost stories, Ali will treat writers to some spooky 19th Century parlour games designed to trigger terrifying tales.

Places are limited, so please book quickly. To book call 023 9283 4779.

This writers’ workshop is for adult writers (and accompanied teens under 18) who would enjoy the frisson of conjuring something short, sweet and ghostly for Hallowe’en. Ticket price includes Victorian-style refreshments.

23/09/2025

Portsmouth Museum's latest events programme is now available.

There is lots happening across the six museums over the next few months with a writing workshop at Charles Dickens' Birthplace for Halloween to the Christmas Grotto returning to Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, and an exhibition at The D-Day Story called 'Fun, fear and familiarity: A child's view of Second World War Portsmouth'.

The Halloween writers workshop will take place on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 October not on the Tuesday as listed in the below brochure.

You can find all the details in the link below.

https://portsmouthmuseums.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/portsmouth-museums-autumn-winter-2025-aa-accessible-2.pdf

Address

393 Old Commercial Road
Portsmouth
PO14QL

Telephone

02392 827261

Website

http://www.charlesdickensbirthplace.co.uk/

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