The Charles Dickens Museum at 48 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LX, is the only one of Dickens's London homes still standing. If you're planning a visit and want a proper meal before or after, Fiena, our family-run Italian cafe, bar and restaurant, is about 900 metres away at 4 Medway Court, Judd Street, London WC1H 9QX, roughly a 12-minute walk.
About the museum
Dickens moved into 48 Doughty Street in March 1837 with his wife Catherine, a year after they married, and lived there until December 1839. Those were busy years: in the house he finished The Pickwick Papers, wrote all of Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby, and worked on Barnaby Rudge.
The house was threatened with demolition in 1923 and saved by the Dickens Fellowship, and it opened as a museum in 1925. Today it holds first editions, manuscripts, letters and personal belongings. One of the best-known pieces is Dickens's Dream, an unfinished portrait by R. W. Buss showing Dickens surrounded by his characters. Background from Wikipedia's Charles Dickens Museum page.
The museum lists its opening hours as Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. A new temporary exhibition opens on 21 October 2026, and there's a Halloween programme of family events and live theatre in late October. Check the Charles Dickens Museum website for tickets and times before you go.
The walk
From Doughty Street, head west along Guilford Street towards Brunswick Square, then turn north and follow the quiet streets up to Judd Street. You'll find us at Medway Court, between Bloomsbury and King's Cross. Tina made a similar walk from Euston and enjoyed it: Interesting walk from Euston station as well via the back streets.
(Tina E., Google review)
Breakfast before your visit
We open at 08:00 every day, and breakfast is served until 14:00, so there's plenty of time before the museum opens at 10. Eggs Benedict, the Fiena English breakfast or a granola bowl with a good Italian coffee is a fine start. The full list is on our breakfast menu, and our post on breakfast until 2pm has more.
Lunch or dinner afterwards
From midday our main menu runs until close: starters like bruschetta, Caprese and arancini, pasta such as spaghetti carbonara and Linguine Fiena, risotto, pizza, grills and fish. The bar opens at 10:30, with spritzes, Italian wine and cocktails on the drinks menu.
Celia found us by chance and came straight back: A hidden gem not far from Kings Cross or Euston
(Celia F., Google review).
Making a day of it in Bloomsbury
The Dickens Museum is one of several places worth seeing within a short walk of Judd Street. Our guides to Russell Square and Bloomsbury and a day around the British Library have more ideas, and families can read our post on family-friendly dining.
“This cafe had delicious food and a lovely little patio!”
Kathleen, Google review, October 2026
Good to know
- Address: 4 Medway Court, Judd St, London WC1H 9QX. Phone 020 4618 6314.
- Hours: 08:00–22:00 Monday to Saturday, 08:00–21:00 Sunday.
- Booking: book online for up to eight, or walk in whenever we have space. For larger groups, please get in touch.
- Allergies: information on the 14 major allergens is available on request.
A morning with Dickens, then a long Italian lunch. Book a table or walk in at 4 Medway Court, Judd Street.