221-B Baker Street

I visited the museum at 221-B Baker Street. Who needs to know more than that? It's the Sherlock Holmes Museum that was created to commemorate that fabled fictional character who lived at an address that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle made up out of (almost) whole cloth. But anyone who has read the stories is perfectly aware that Sherlock Holmes lives on; long after his creator is dead and dust. Apparently (probably an urban legend), so many people would come on pilgrimage to London, looking for that non-existent address, that when Baker street was extended some many years ago, the address 221-B was added so people would have something to "look at". I just read this very diverting article on Wikipedia on the same subject.

In any case, the museum is very tastefully done, complete with a living Sherlock Holmes who lurks theatrically in the upper floors. Even if Sherlock was never invented, the museum would still be a lovely period piece. The folks who put the museum together were clearly huge Sherlock fans, because the rooms are accurate down to little tiny details. I took loads of pictures, and had a delightful conversation with "Mr. Holmes", who graciously gave me permission to play on his precious "Strad". That picture is above.

Loads of fun! I also wandered about town, found a post office, Soho Square, and watched people engaging in buying frenzies. I thought the economy was poor...

Currently reading: I Wouldn't Start From Here by Andrew Mueller