Welcome to Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum

Charles Dickens – Portsmouth’s most famous son
Portsmouth, the Home of Great Writing, has touched the lives and works of Britain’s most famous writers - from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to Michelle Magorian, from H.G. Wells to Neil Gaiman. But the city’s most famous son is Charles Dickens – novelist, journalist, and social commentator.  Although homes in London and Chatham would later claim him, Dickens’ early life was spent in Portsmouth.

Charles Dickens was born at 1 Mile End Terrace on 7th February 1812 - the first married home of his parents, John and Elizabeth Dickens. Here you can experience the authentic atmosphere of the comfortable Regency home which would have greeted the new-born Dickens. Much of Victorian Portsmouth still remains in the city’s streets and heritage, drawn upon by Dickens himself in Nicholas Nickleby. The Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum is the perfect place to start exploring and experiencing the work of one of England’s most famous and best-loved writers.

About the displays
The displays bring the birthplace to life, perfectly presenting the furnishings and style of the Dickens family.
A fully-furnished parlour, dining room and bedroom feature genuine Regency furniture and household items, allowing you to step into the world of the 19th century Dickens family. See exhibits belonging to the man himself, including personal possessions such as his snuff box and even the very couch on which he died.

Opening times will be extended in 2012 for the bicentenary celebrations. The Birthplace will open on 28 January and close on the 4 November.

A Tale of One City
2012 marks the bicentenary of the great writer’s birth, and Portsmouth is marking this important anniversary with special events around the birthday and throughout the year, and a unique exhibition at Portsmouth City Museum.
The "A Tale of One City" exhibition explores life in Portsmouth during Dickens’ lifetime and examines the themes that ran through his writing, including health and wealth, children and family life. 

Explore ‘behind the scenes’ of Dickens the writer as you examine pages taken from the original, hand-written manuscript of Nicholas Nickleby. Complete with all the crossings out, scribbling and inkblots of the man himself, this manuscript has been exclusively loaned to Portsmouth by the British Library for the 2012 bicentenary. The "A Tale of One City" exhibition runs at Portsmouth City Museum from 28th January until the 4th November. Admission is free.

A Tale of One City website
Want to find out more about the people and places which tell the story of Portsmouth?  www.ATaleOfOneCity.portsmouth.gov.uk is Portsmouth’s new community history website. You can add pictures, memories and new entries of your own to the site to help build an online archive. What are you waiting for? Tell us your tales.

Charles Dickens Guided Walks

Discover the area where the Dickens family lived and worked! These walks are led by Portsmouth Tourist Guides and all are free of charge. They all start at the Victory Gate (the entrance to the Historic Dockyard) and finish at the City Museum, Museum Road. This also provides an opportunity for you to see the new "A Tale of One City" exhibition at the City Museum, which explores the links between Charles Dickens and life in Portsmouth and Leigh Park today (exhibition opens 28 January 2012). Click here to see when the walks are taking place (February - December 2012).

Come and hear readings of Charles Dickens' work

On the first Sunday of each month (April to September), come and hear readings from a selection of Charles Dickens' works, by members of the Dickens Fellowship. The readings are 'in the style of Dickens', and take place at 3.00pm, lasting around 45 minutes. Included in the usual admission price, no booking required.

For details of other events and special opening days at Charles Dickens Birthplace, see our Visitor Information page.

Click here to find out more about Portsmouth Museums & Records Society, our 'Friends' organisation which supports the work of our museums.