Erasmus Darwin House — Attraction in Lichfield

A real gem of a museum about a relatively unknown great mind. Dedicated to the life Erasmus Darwin, grand father of Charles Darwin, who lived in Litchfield for a time. The museum can be accessed either from the front on Beacon Street or via an alley way at the back from The Close, which is opposite Litchfield Cathedral. It is right in the heart of Litchfield, so plenty of car parks nearby and places to eat.

Entrance to the herb garden is free but to access the house/museum it is just £5 per person. You can pay by cash or card.

The staff there are very friendly and knowledgeable. The museum consists of a large house with displays and information in each room. Surprisingly for a museum of this size, a lot of the exhibits are interactive so good fun for the kids. It will take about an hour to have a really good look and read all the information.

It was fascinating to learn about Erasmus as I knew nothing of him before. Well...

This is a great place to visit home of Charles Darwin. Erasmus Darwin was a man before his time and his house is free to visit. The house is tucked away in a little courtyard close to the wonderful Lichfield Cathedral. The house is very interesting to visit for all ages. You are actively encouraged to touch exhibits, there is a video all about the great man and his achievements. For little ones there is a mouse trail with little pictures of mice hidden all over the house and when complete they get a certificate and a little knitted mouse to take home. We visited with our Grandchildren aged between 11 and 6 and we all loved it. The staff are lovely and friendly and informative and will answer all questions and if they don't know the answer will get it for you before you leave. It is a little hidden gem and we all loved it. It...

This is a lovely little museum about the life of Erasmus Darwin (grandfather of Charles Darwin). I'd never heard of him before going to Lichfield, and had no idea that so many of Charles' theories of evolution were potentially based on his grandfather's ideas and theories. Erasmus it seems was a quite remarkable man - well ahead of his time on the idea of education for women, separation of church and state and much more. A few of the exhibits weren't working, and many were obviously designed for school trips or the like. Personally I'd like to have seen more detail of his ideas for evolution. The lady at reception was fantastic - very enthusiastic and informative, and incredibly helpful. Well worth the few...