Access information
Access at the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum aims to make its collections, building, programmes, exhibitions, and services accessible to as wide an audience as possible.
We are committed to welcoming all and improving access to the Museum despite the limitations of our building. To find out more please read our access policy.
The Museum is a Grade I listed building with many stairs. There are five floors of the Museum to explore, and the entrance is accessed via five steps. As a listed building we are unable to install a lift or ramp, widen doorways, or modify the handrails.
This page offers a detailed, step-by-step guide to navigating the Museum and exploring its layout, ensuring you’re well prepared for your visit.
Please let us know if there is anything we can do to enhance accessibility or improve the information we provide.
Contact us
If you have any questions or other requirements for your visit, please contact us:
Email: sjmuseum@lichfield.gov.uk
Telephone: 01543 264972 (during opening hours)
Parking
The Museum does not have a car park, however there are multiple car parks nearby. Information on parking in Lichfield can be found here (external site). Information on blue badge parking in Lichfield can be found here (external site).
The closest blue badge parking spaces are available on Market Street, in front of the NatWest Bank, directly across from the Market Square. Additional blue badge parking can be found on Bore Street, in front of the Tudor Café.
The nearest public car park is the Bird Street car park, which is a five-minute walk from the Museum. This is a short stay car park. After parking, follow the alleyway at the top of the car park, and it will lead you out onto the Market Square. Turn right, and the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum is in front of you. Information for this car park (including disabled parking) can be found here (external site). We do not have a visitor toilet at the museum, so it is worth noting that our nearest public toilet is in the top left-hand corner of the Bird Street car park.
You may also consider using Lombard car park, which is also a five-minute walk from the Museum. It offers an upper level for short stays and a lower level for long stays. When leaving the car park, head straight ahead towards another alleyway, which leads out onto the Market Square. From there, walk directly across the square, and we are located at the top, opposite Waterstones. Information for this car park (including disabled parking) can be found here.
Arriving at the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Location: on Market Street opposite Waterstones.
Please be aware that the Market Square and the surrounding pavement are cobbled, which creates an uneven walking surface.
Access: visitors must go up five steps to reach the Bookshop, which is also the entrance to the Museum.
Upon entering, a Museum Attendant will be stationed at the desk opposite the entrance door. They will provide information about the Museum and its layout and are ready to assist with any questions.
Please be aware that the Museum spans five floors, including one below ground (the Basement) and three above. The staircases are old and narrow, so visitors with mobility restrictions may find them challenging. Additionally, due to the building’s age, the floorboards and floor tiles can be uneven in certain areas.
We understand that stairs can be challenging for some visitors. On the ground floor, in the Bookshop, there is a touchscreen where you can watch our introductory film (also available on the first floor) or take a virtual tour of the Museum. Our staff will be happy to assist you with this if you’d prefer to stay in the Bookshop.
If you’d like to explore the Museum from the comfort of your home, you can do so through our virtual tour.
You can also search our collections.
Getting around the museum
Stairs
The narrowest part of the staircase leading to the upper floors is 770mm wide.
There are 12 steps leading down to the Basement.
There are 16 steps from the ground floor to the first floor.
There are 18 steps from the first floor to the second floor.
There are 17 steps from the second floor to the top floor.
Doorways
Main entrance doorway is 850mm wide.
Doorway from Bookshop to the museum is 830mm wide.
Doorway to the Workroom is 770mm wide.
Entrance leading down to the Basement is 670mm wide.
Doorway to the Basement Kitchen is 630mm wide.
Doorway to the Introduction Room is 795mm wide.
Doorway to the Audio-Visual Room is 810mm wide.
Doorway to the Birth Room is 770mm wide.
Doorway to the London Life Room is 820mm wide.
Doorway to the Hay Hunter Library is 760mm wide.
Doorway to Attic Room (Dictionary Room – room three) 780mm wide.
Doorway to Attic Room Room (Final Years – room four) 800mm wide.
Doorways to Attic Room (Final Years – room five) are 830mm and 815mm wide.
Floor surfaces
Due to the building’s age, the floorboards and floor tiles can be uneven in certain areas.
The steps leading to the main entrance are stone.
The Bookshop has wooden floorboards.
The Parlour has a carpeted floor.
The Workroom has a tiled floor.
The stairs leading to the Basement are wooden and not carpeted.
The Basement has a tiled floor.
The stairs and landings leading to all the upper floors are carpeted.
All other rooms in the building have wooden floorboards covered by large sisal super boucle rugs with cotton edging, except for the Hay Hunter Library which is carpeted.
Sounds
There are no loud or sudden noises in the building.
As we are situated near a shopping area and the bustling Market Square, you may hear people and vehicles throughout the building.
The Workroom has a touchscreen showing a short film about bookbinding. This film has the sounds of someone using tools to build a book. The film is captioned.
The Audio-Visual Room has an introductory film playing on a loop. The film features music and the sound of people talking. The film is captioned.
We have old clocks in the building which chime.
On the staircase and in the London Life Room there are sound boxes; an interactive feature with a button that, when pressed, plays the sound of someone speaking.
There is an interactive in the Dictionary Room which makes sounds through a silver handset when you press the buttons.
Additional Information
Our friendly staff wear their own clothes, but they can be identified by their blue lanyards.
Our staff are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Please ask our staff for information available in languages other than English.
Exiting the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Once you have completed your visit you are able to exit through the Bookshop. You will leave through the same door you used to enter the building.
Facilities
We do not have a toilet on site, but there are many nearby. Please visit this page (external link) for information on where to find public toilets or ask one of our helpful staff when you visit.
Please visit this page (external link) for information on the nearest Changing Places facility.
We do not have a café at the Museum, but Lichfield has many wonderful cafes, pubs, bakeries, and restaurants all within walking distance. Please visit this page (external link) for more information on food and drink in the city.
Assistance dogs
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome at the Museum.
Hearing loop
There is a hearing induction loop at the reception desk in the Bookshop.
Large print guides
Large print guides are available throughout the building.
Seating
There are seating areas throughout the building. If you need additional seating and none is available, please speak with a staff member.
‘I lately took my friend Boswell and showed him genuine civilised life in an English provincial town.
I turned him loose in Lichfield that he might see for once real civility.’
