Charles Dickens is one of Britain’s greatest writers with a body of work that gives an incredible insight into what life was like in 19th Century England. His books are still extremely popular and have been translated into many different languages as well as being frequently adapted for television and the cinema. So, if you are planning a trip to the UK, here is a roundup of Charles Dickens’ England; an overview of some of the places associated with him and his books.
Portsmouth
Trains from London Waterloo to Portsmouth & Southsea are operated by the South Western Railway.
Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum
Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum, Portsmouth (By Austriantraveler – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27331513)
The museum is a 15 minute walk from the station.
Charles Dickens was born on 7th February 1812 at 1 Mile End Terrace, Portsmouth. The street has since been renamed, but the house still exists and its address is now 393 Old Commercial Road. The house has been owned by Portsmouth City Council since 1903 and has been converted into a small museum, with period furnishings and decorations.
After visiting the museum you can follow the Dickens Trail, a self guided walk of the local area, taking in many places associated with the author, some of which were mentioned in the novel, “Nicholas Nickleby”. A leaflet with details of the places and a map can be downloaded here.
Portsmouth, of course, also has many other attractions such as the old Naval Dockyards and Admiral Nelson’s ship, HMS Victory. Full details of everything that Portsmouth has to offer can be found here.
Broadstairs
Trains from London St. Pancras International to Broadstairs are operated by the South Eastern Railway.
Between 1837 and 1851 Charles Dickens spent most of his summers with his family at Broadstairs. The town is an attractive Kent seaside resort and many of the buildings you see today would have been known to Dickens.
Dickens House Museum
The museum is a short walk from the station.
The character of David Copperfield’s aunt, Betsey Trotwood, was based on Broadstairs resident Mary Pearson. Dickens got to know her well and often visited her house which is now the Dickens House Museum. The description of the house in the book matches it today. If you have read “David Copperfield”, you will recognize the parlour in the house.
Bleak House
Bleak House, Broadstairs
Bleak House is short walk from the Dickens House Museum.
For most of their summers in Broadstairs, the Dickens family stayed in Fort House, on a hill overlooking the town. Here, Dickens wrote big chunks of his early novels including “Nicholas Nickleby”, “David Copperfield” and “Dombey & Son”. He would later base John Jarndyce’s home “Bleak House” on Fort House, although he placed it in St. Albans rather than Broadstairs.
The owners of Fort House later changed its name to Bleak House as a tribute to Charles Dickens. You can visit the house and see Dickens’ study. There is also The Smuggling Museum in the basement and the Great Expectations Dining Room where you can have afternoon tea.
Broadstairs Dickens Festival
For three days every June, Broadstairs organizes a Dickens festival with Victorian parades, beach parties and much more. More details are here.
For more information about Broadstairs including accommodation and other things to do, check out the official tourism and leisure guide here.
London
Charles Dickens is mostly associated with London. He lived in the metropolis for much of his life and many of his books were set in London.
Charles Dickens Museum
Charles Dickens Museum, London
Nearest Tube: Russell Square
This is probably the best of the Dickens’s museums. No. 48 Doughty Street is where Dickens lived between 1837 and 1839 and it is here that he wrote “Oliver Twist”, “The Pickwick Papers” and some of “Nicholas Nickleby”.
The main attraction is Dickens’ study where he did his writing. The museum holds original manuscripts and furniture. It also has a program of special exhibitions and talks about his work and legacy. There is more information on the website.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Nearest Tube: South Kensington
The Victoria and Albert Museum has a large collection of material relating to Charles Dickens including books, manuscripts, pictures and illustrations.
The V&A is one of the World’s leading museums of art and design and, as admission is free, is well worth a visit when in London. See the website for details of what else is at the V&A.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, London
Nearest Tube: Westminster
Charles Dickens died on 9th June 1870. He stated in his Will “….that my name be inscribed in plain English letters on my tomb….” Dickens was buried in the Poets Corner section of Westminster Abbey and you can see his small stone with a simple inscription.
Finally, for biographical information about Charles Dickens as well as some scans of his original work, check out the British Library’s Charles Dickens page here.
Enjoy your trip!
If all this has got you in a Dickens mood, you may be interested in these books:
Major Works of Charles Dickens (Great Expectations / Hard Times / Oliver Twist / A Christmas Carol / Bleak House / A Tale of Two Cities) (Penguin Clothbound Classics)
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