Looking for Sherlock Holmes in London? Skip the queues on Baker Street. One of the best-kept secrets in the capital is the Sherlock Holmes pub London has tucked away near Trafalgar Square, with a free replica of the great detective’s study hidden upstairs. It is mysterious, atmospheric and utterly Londony, and most visitors walk straight past it.
Sherlock Holmes pub London: the secret study upstairs
Climb the stairs of the Sherlock Holmes pub and you will find a lovingly detailed recreation of the sitting room at 221B Baker Street. Holmes himself stands by the window in his dressing gown, surrounded by the clutter of a very busy mind.
What to see in Sherlock’s study
Look closely and you will spot clues from his most famous cases: a violin, a globe, a tea set, pipes, a Persian slipper, a red wig, boxing gloves and shelves of chemistry bottles. It is a treasure hunt for any Sherlock fan, and the display is updated over time.
Why is there a Sherlock Holmes study in a pub?
The study began life as an exhibition for the Festival of Britain in 1951 and later toured the world, including New York. It then found a permanent home above this pub, which took the name The Sherlock Holmes in the 1950s. Some Holmes fans believe the building was the Northumberland Hotel in The Hound of the Baskervilles, and the pub is close to the site of the old Scotland Yard.
Sherlock Holmes pub London address and how to visit
Address: The Sherlock Holmes, 10 Northumberland Street, London WC2N 5DB. Charing Cross is the nearest station, and it is a short walk from Trafalgar Square and Embankment.
Cost: the study is free to see during opening hours. Check the pub’s listing for the latest times, and ask at the bar if you are unsure where to go, as access can change.
Tip: order a drink and a plate of pub food, then climb upstairs for the best mystery in town.
For more Sherlock sleuthing, see my guide to literary London for kids, or explore more secret London gems.