48 Doughty Street is the only surviving London home of Charles Dickens.

This peaceful Georgian terraced house is now the home of the Charles Dickens Museum and attracts lovers of Dickens from all over the world. The important collections of books, paintings and memorabilia give a unique insight into the life and work of the author of Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities.

Dickens moved to 48 Doughty Street in March 1837, at the age of 25, and later described it as a 'frightfully first-class Family Mansion, involving awful responsibilities.' In the ground floor dining room the ambitious young journalist entertained friends from the worlds of publishing and theatre including Leigh Hunt, Harrison Ainsworth, George Cruikshank, W. C. Macready.

In his first floor study Dickens completed Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist, and wrote all of Nicholas Nickleby. Two baby girls (Mamie and Katey) were born here, and it was in this house that Dickens experienced the tragically early death of his young sister-in-law, Mary Hogarth, - a grief which coloured his subsequent life and writings. The Museum is at the heart of an understanding of Dickens's London, his life and his works.

The Charles Dickens Museum is governed by an independent charitable trust (Charity Number 212172) which aims to protect and preserve 48 Doughty Street and its museum collections, and to promote an appreciation of Dickens's works through an on-going educational programme of exhibitions and readings.
The Friends of the Charles Dickens Museum welcome people who wish to support the work of the Museum. By becoming a Friend you are ensuring that the Museum can continue to develop its unique collections and its role as a national educational resource. The house at 48 Doughty Street is now over 200 years old and requires continuing care and protection.

As a Friend of the Charles Dickens Museum you will benefit from:

Free entry to the Museum for yourself and up to two guests per visit;
10% discount in the Museum shop;
3 newsletters a year describing developments and activities at 48 Doughty Street;
Priority booking facility for public events;
Personal invitations to private views, readings, social and fund-raising events, including the annual House Party;
Opportunities to support the Museum's small professional staff in a variety of
ways.

To become a Friend please write to:
Friends of the Charles Dickens Museum, 48 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LX, United Kingdom.
If you have further questions please contact us by writing to the address above, email to friends@dickensmuseum.com or call the Museum on 020 7405 2127 (or 0044 20 7405 2127 if you call from abroad).