Address: 18 Folgate St, London, E1 6BX, United Kingdom
Phone: +442072474013
Rating: 4.5
based on 144 reviews.
Atmosphere & Authenticity
Pros:
"Amazing place, a 250 year time capsule, the attention to detail is second to none and you really get the filling of going back in time."
"It feels like you've stepped back in time and the residents will be back soon."
"The most incredible walk through time - beautiful and captivating."
"The house felt absolutely genuine and pre-industrial, it felt like entering the pictures of Vermeer and Old Masters."
"The candlelight, fireplaces and smells of cooking really set the atmosphere for the visit."
"The rooms are atmospheric and haunting with the sounds and smells of their era, wonderfully recreated in this gloomy, creaking old house on four floors."
"You feel utterly transported to another age, or several ages, as each room has a slightly different time frame, aromas and sounds from the imagined history of the Jervis family of silk weavers that Severs invoked here."
Cons:
"The audio effects could be enhanced, as they are sometimes not clear."
"This climate, items, dark lights... I was scared when I've visited it."
"Though I’m not sure the fibreglass insulation falling through the upper floor ceiling is true to the period."
"The house is well furnished and presented albeit with some anachronisms, like a plastic not comb and a plastic toothbrush."
"It’s poorly lit (VERY poorly lit if you go at night)."
"All rooms are lit be candlelight and it was difficult to see and read. A day visit might be better."
"What struck me was just how dark the rooms were, so give yourself the time to get used to it."
Experience & Engagement
Pros:
"A unique gem of a museum / art installation."
"It’s part museum, part art gallery and part interactive experience."
"The evening theatrical tour was incredible, thought-provoking and fun!"
"Great experience and it helps you visualise what Christmas was like back then."
"The 'Simon Story' show is joyous and the acting will knock your socks off!!"
"We did the silent tour on a Saturday afternoon which means that there is nothing to get in the way of the atmosphere or distract you from the visual experience."
"The performance tour is excellent, you really feel immersed in the world Dennis Sever created."
Cons:
"Great place but with no booking system for lunchtime visitors, we had to wait hours in the cold to get in."
"Shame you can't book in advance because we travelled a long way to visit."
"We arrived an hour before it closed but were turned away as they were busy."
"A great deal of your enjoyment depends on others taking the tour - if they're intrusive it can break the spell somewhat."
"The Evening Experience is ridiculously priced at £50 per head."
"It could be a very interesting experience if you were the only visitors, but the private tours are really expensive."
"Very disappointing to not be able to attend due to a positive covid case of our daughter."
Value & Accessibility
Pros:
"Personally think £15 entry is a bargain as it allows them to keep visitor numbers down which makes it so intimate."
"A truly hidden gem that takes you far far away from the hustle and bustle of busy London life."
"One of the best experiences I've had in London!"
"The price for this place is completely justified because it's a one of a kind experience and a very rare find in this day and age."
"A must do experience and well worth the £10.00 charge per adult."
"Tickets are only £15."
"Would highly recommend this place! Extremely interesting, and the staff were super friendly when I visited pre-lockdown."
Cons:
"Cannot recommend it for people with movement disabilities or poor vision, as the interiors get pretty dark at times and the floor is uneven."
"Only criticism, is the location, it is in Liverpool st. and there are many drunks and drug addicts around."
"Beautiful house, but you only get 45 minutes for £20 per person."
"Listen I did like the place. As a history lover it is immersive and quaint. But the tour is over in max 20 mins... This should be 10 15 quid max."
"Very weird and not worth the money (£15 entry). Basically 4 floors of an old house, all in silent and no photography allowed."
"I would not recommend this for children or adults with short attention spans, this is not an interactive experience, you can't touch anything and requires you to immerse yourself in your imagination and the world/s that have been created inside this townhouse."
"Worse though, after the stress of watching her struggling to breathe and standing by helpless as the paramedics assisted her, to be told by Denis Severs House the best they could do was offer a discount on another booking."
Staff & Service
Pros:
"Do talk to the guides, they know their stuff."
"The staff are very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly and make the whole experience unforgettable."
"Friendly, talented and knowledgeable staff and actor (we were lucky to have Lisa as our compelling guide)."
"Absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish."
Cons:
"The pomposity, arrogance and rudeness of the door man does ruin it slightly."
"The visit is not very interesting. Although the door men was very nice after entering the house we have learnt nothing about it."
"The 'gift shop' is a cupboard with Severes books, branded candles and postcards."