Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum — Attraction in Portsmouth

The museum was interesting to look at.

There isn’t much information about his life in Portsmouth as he was only there for the first two years of his life. It mainly had information about his parents, family and his life and career in London/Kent. It is important to note that it does not have much of the Dickens’ families possessions. However, one of the possessions they did have was a couch in which Dickens’ had passed away on according to the museum. This was donated by his sister in law.

It’s a three storey house with stairs so this is something to consider if you struggle with stairs.

Note: £6.60 for an adult ticket and it’s free for Portsmouth residents! The bus 20 goes from the city centre to the museum. Once you get off the stop, walk through the underpass and you will get onto commercial road. The house is on the right hand side (it’s a White House) and the entrance is down the stairs.

It’s only open on...

A hidden gem just behind the A3! We visited on Charles Dickens' birthday, so admission was free, which was nice 😉

This is the house where Dickens was born when his father worked for the Roalyal Navy, and gives you a really good idea of how they lived in a time when poverty and disease were rife in England. They weren't well off, but "respectable," and (as was the norm back then) they had a [lowly-paid] maid to cook and clean for them. The house is beautifully preserved and well worth a visit, if only to travel back in time. You may see actors in period costume or hear members of The Dickens Society reading passages...

Small in size but rich in atmosphere, this house instantly transports you back to the early 1800s. Every room has been restored with care and the period furniture makes it feel like you are stepping into a scene from Dickens own childhood. I took my time noticing the tiny details, the textures of the wallpaper, the way the light fell across the writing desk. The staff bring the place to life with stories that make the connection between the boy who grew up here and the author he became. It is easy to see why visitors give it high praise on Google, it is not flashy but it is genuine and that...