Thursday 20 March
5.30pm - 7pm
£15 (booking fee)
Explore London’s literary past after hours – with a glass of prosecco in hand!
Step inside Dr Samuel Johnson’s 17th-century townhouse, where the great lexicographer compiled his legendary Dictionary of the English Language in 1755. Wander through the historic rooms, soak up the atmosphere of London’s only surviving original townhouse in Gough Square, and discover the quirky words and witty definitions that still amuse us today—like hotcockles, jiggumbob, and twittletwattle!
With its period features, secret anti-burglary device, and a deep connection to London’s literary history, Dr Johnson’s House is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Join us for this exclusive after-hours experience and raise a glass to the man who famously declared:
"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."
Like many Londoners today, Samuel Johnson was not from London. The son of a bookseller in Lichfield (Staffordshire), Johnson walked to the capital in 1737 seeking fame and fortune. He never left. While fortune evaded him, Dr Johnson rose to become one of the greatest literary figures of the 18th century.
Dr Johnson's House is the only original historic townhouse still standing in Gough Square (just off Fleet Street), having survived the Blitz and developments. Built in the 1690s, shortly after the Great Fire of London, the five-storey House retains many of its period features, including a very quirky anti-burglary device! You can browse all the rooms and sit down on the chairs and window seats to soak up the atmosphere in what was still the tallest building in the area during WWII.
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.