Contact

Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum
393 Old Commercial Road
Portsmouth
PO1 4QL

Tel: 023 9282 1879
Email: vis@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

During our summer season (April to September), Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum is open 10am-5.30pm, Friday – Sunday.

You may be interested in:

Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Room Guide
Ground Floor The Kitchen Originally, the kitchen, scullery and pantry were all on this lower level. The Dickens family in…
Collections and stories
Discover the house in which Charles Dickens was born, and learn about Portsmouth's connection to this great author.
About the museum
Learn all about the museum and how it's honouring the life of Charles Dickens.
By appointment
Do you have a vested interest in Dickens and Portsmouth? Find out how to book an appointment with the museum curators.
Staff recommendations
Take a look at the items we think you really shouldn't miss.
Stories
Read some of the stories behind the stories, at the Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum.
The history of Charles Dickens’ Birthplace
Discover the fascinating history of this building - and the early years of Charles Dickens.
The legendary ‘Grip’ the Raven
The legendary story of a bird that would inspire two great works of fiction.
The ring that belonged to ‘Little Dorrit’
The fascinating story behind a ring belonging to the inspiration for Little Dorrit.
The Dickens Trail
Take a Dickens-themed walking tour around Portsmouth.
Get involved
If you want to get involved at the Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum, here's where to find all the information.
Activities
Get involved in these fun Dickens-themed activities at home.
Puzzle – Bedspread detail
Focus in on some beautiful detail on a bedspread at the museum. 30 pieces.
Puzzle – Charles Dickens by Bryant
Recreate one of the most famous portraits of Dickens. 48 pieces.
Puzzle – Dickens’ Birthplace wallpaper
See the wallpaper of the Dickens' Birthplace in fine detail with our 63-piece puzzle.
Puzzle – Mr Pickwick Toby jug
Try our beginner's puzzle, featuring Mr Pickwick - in Toby jug form! 20 pieces.
Puzzle – Parlour
Try our fiendish 300-piece puzzle of the Parlour.
Puzzle – The Artful Dodger and Oliver
Recreate Kyd's vision of Oliver and the Artful Dodger with our 204-piece puzzle.
Donate an object
Whether it's time or money, find out how you can donate to help Portsmouth Museums.
Make a donation
Make a financial contribution to the Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum.
Volunteer
Find out about volunteer roles at the Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum and how to apply.
Home
Your starting point to discover all about Charles Dickens and his connection to Portsmouth.
Private hire
Discover the options to hire Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum. or to organise a special visit.
Hire
The cosy rooms of the townhouse where Charles Dickens was born make for great meeting and event spaces.
Out of hours
Arrange a visit to the museum outside of our regular opening hours.
The Bedroom
This was the main bedroom of the house. It was here on 7 February 1812 that Elizabeth Dickens gave birth…
The Dining Room
The wallpaper in this room is reproduction but carefully matches the original. The curtains and carpets are also reproduction, but…
The Kitchen
You have entered Charles Dickens Birthplace through the kitchen. Originally, the kitchen, scullery and pantry were all on this level.…
The Parlour
Visitors in 1812 would have been shown to the parlour; the living room at the front of the house. The…
The role of Portsmouth in the Dickens family
Discover the story of how the Dickens family ended up in Portsmouth.
Visit
Discover opening times and prices for the Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum.
Charles Dickens’ Birthday
While the coronavirus pandemic prevented us from commemorating the 209th anniversary of Dickens birth in the usual way, we have been…
Groups
The Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum welcomes groups from around the world.
Museum access
See access information for Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum here.
Private bookings
Don't miss your opportunity to have the museum all to yourself!
Schools
Discover all the ways our museum can help teach Key Stages 1 and 2.
Shop
Browse the vast selection of books and keepsakes available at the Dickens' Birthplace shop.
What to see and do
Discover what to see at the museum, and keep abreast of upcoming events.
Displays
Take a virtual walk around the Dickens' Birthplace Museum, to learn about everything there is to see.
Events
Keep up to date with the events taking place at Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum.

You may be interested in:

Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Room Guide

Collections and stories

About the museum

By appointment

Staff recommendations

Stories

The history of Charles Dickens’ Birthplace

The legendary ‘Grip’ the Raven

The ring that belonged to ‘Little Dorrit’

The Dickens Trail

Get involved

Activities

Puzzle – Bedspread detail

Puzzle – Charles Dickens by Bryant

Puzzle – Dickens’ Birthplace wallpaper

Puzzle – Mr Pickwick Toby jug

Puzzle – Parlour

Puzzle – The Artful Dodger and Oliver

Donate an object

Make a donation

Volunteer

Home

Private hire

Hire

Out of hours

The Bedroom

The Dining Room

The Kitchen

The Parlour

The role of Portsmouth in the Dickens family

Visit

Charles Dickens’ Birthday

Groups

Museum access

Private bookings

Schools

Shop

What to see and do

Displays

Events