Dr Johnson's House

A preserved early 18th-century townhouse tucked into the courts off Fleet Street, where the writer Samuel Johnson lived and worked and compiled his English dictionary in the garret. Visitors climb the original staircase through several small rooms, see portrait prints of Johnson and his circle, and can look at a copy of the first edition of the dictionary. A children's guide is provided, and the museum runs learning sessions for primary and secondary pupils, so it suits school-age children with an interest in history, words and books. The house is small and spread over several steep staircases, so it is a short, focused visit rather than a long day out. Gough Square itself and the nearby churches and Inns of Court make a pleasant walk to pair with the visit.