Charles Dickens Museum Reviews Summary

Staff and Guides

Pros:

• "One of the gentlemen seems to totally in love with his job. It's a pleasure to hear him talking."
• "Our visit was made all the more interesting by the inspirational guide Peter Thompson."
• "The staff are excellent and answered many of my questions."
• "The staff are very helpful and knowledgeable."
• "The staff was SO helpful and willing to share their knowledge."
• "Finally, I must mention the knowledgeable & friendly volunteers/staff who really help to make your visit a thoroughly enjoyable experience."
• "The staff were brilliant and so enthusiastic and welcoming."

Cons:

• "However there was one that was very rude and ruined our entire experience with her attitude."
• "I found the tall young man behind the cash desk in the shop unfriendly and grumpy."
• "Staff could be more welcoming and helpful."
• "Unfortunately I shared my visit with a school party."

Museum Experience

Pros:

• "An enchanting museum- like stepping back in time!"
• "AMAZING SPOT! The house is so nice, fair price to enter. The exhibits were informative."
• "A sweet little museum about Charles Dickens’s, his work, his family and friends with a glimpse into the Victorian era."
• "This is one of the best museums I've visited, on par with the Jane Austen museum in Bath."
• "I highly recommend a visit to the Charles Dickens Museum."
• "An incredible place for all Dickens lovers."
• "A wonderful collection, sympathetically displayed."

Cons:

• "It really brushes over a lot of the negative aspects of Dickens though, namely his affairs and unhappy marriage."
• "Bit dry. The kids said they enjoyed it, but there are just too many things you can't touch."
• "Unless you get the commentary on your phone, it will be one of the most boring things you will do in London."
• "There is A LOT about fog and smoke pollution in London at the time of dickens - to the point where it becomes almost comical."
• "All these positives were spoilt by young children who couldn't access the details and became disruptive."
• "Terrible. Avoid their dickens after dark event altogether."
• "Big disappointment. Outrageous entry fee, it could have been anyone's house they stuck in some bits of documents to legitimize."

Cafe and Food

Pros:

• "The cafe there is really nice with a beautiful garden seating area."
• "The soup & bread was delicious."
• "The best part was the cafe in the back."
• "The cafe and garden are likewise peaceful and very pleasant."
• "There are toilets, very well decorated, and cafe with a good selection of pastries."
• "Not only is the Dickens Museum full of atmosphere and fascination, the garden cafe is absolutely lovely."
• "The garden cafe was really nice to take a break in."

Cons:

• "Unfortunately since our last visit in 2018, the prices remain extortionate and extremely off-putting."
• "Nasty looking tea area overpriced and overpriced dreck crap in gift shop."
• "Only one groan the cafe inside the house is far too small and seating could be arranged differently."
• "Not enough of a food selection to choose from unless you like scones and cookies for your elevenses."
• "Whatever you do don’t go into the cafe unless u have a few hours to spare."
• "Sadly, the gift shop is quite small and there’s not an awful lot of product selection."
• "One tiny negative- I would have preferred a sandwich option in the cafe."

Accessibility and Facilities

Pros:

• "For an old house it's shockingly accessible. There is a lift that goes to all floors except the attic, a nice accessible loo, and the staff are very helpful."
• "There is also a lovely cafe to relax and have a coffee."
• "A memorable experience to visit the actual residence of a beloved writer."
• "The museum does have wheel chair ramps."
• "Lift has been installed to help the handicapped."
• "Very pleasant cafe garden to sit and discuss your impressions."
• "Pleasant cafe on the ground floor for sandwiches and cakes as well as a small shop."

Cons:

• "No wheelchair access."
• "Not handicapped friendly, sorry."
• "It is not wheelchair accessible. Due to many stairs, the tour is for the able bodied."
• "It's over 5 floors without a lift so unsure how helpful the ramps are."
• "Lots of stairs, no elevator, even though there is a ramp to the front door."
• "The only thing was that I felt it lacked lifts. Not everyone can climb the stairs on all five floors."
• "Not a good place to visit if you have walking difficulties as there are a lot of stairs."

Value for Money

Pros:

• "It is worthy what we pay for the entrance."
• "Worth the cost."
• "The entrance fee is relatively inexpensive compared to other sightseeing and is worth Adult: £9.50."
• "For about the same price as two admissions you can become a member for a year, allowing you to enter with a guest an unlimited number of times, so that is a great deal."
• "Entry costs £9.50 but it’s free if you have the Art Fund card."
• "Adult admission is £9.50."
• "A bit of a hidden treasure, this place. It was very atmospheric and we felt that we were getting some real insights into Dickens the man, as well as the writer."

Cons:

• "Unfortunately since our last visit in 2018, the prices remain extortionate and extremely off-putting."
• "Nasty looking tea area overpriced and overpriced dreck crap in gift shop."
• "Big disappointment. Outrageous entry fee, it could have been anyone's house they stuck in some bits of documents to legitimize."
• "The entry to the museum is a bit pricey, but it's a worthwhile visit, though."
• "For the size of the museum I would say the entry price is a little on the high side."
• "I pretty regret that I paid £26 for this special event - it doesn’t worth this price for me."
• "I found it too expensive but probably other people would like the visit."