Dickens House Museum
Small museum in the Broadstairs cottage said to have inspired Betsey Trotwood's home in David Copperfield, with Dickens letters and memorabilia.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The house on Victoria Parade was once known as 2 Nuckell's Place. In the late 1830s it passed to Mary Pearson Strong, who lived there until 1855. Charles Dickens first holidayed in Broadstairs in the late 1830s and often visited her. Her strong character and her dislike of donkeys are thought to have inspired Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield, and the house matches the novel's description of her home.
Later the local chemist Julian Horrell bought the house and renamed it Dickens House, after Charles Dickens Jr. wrote about Miss Strong in 1896. In 1951 the house, together with a Georgian sideboard that Dickens bought for his marriage in 1836, was given to Broadstairs Urban District Council, the forerunner of Thanet District Council.
The museum is run by Thanet District Council and staffed by volunteers. It shows letters written by Dickens in Broadstairs, first editions, furniture he owned, a writing slope from his American tour, and illustrations by Phiz and other artists, plus a parlour recreated from Betsey Trotwood's room.
Highlights
- Letters written by Dickens while staying in Broadstairs
- First editions of his novels
- Writing slope used on his second American tour
- Recreated parlour inspired by Betsey Trotwood's room
- Illustrations by Phiz and other illustrators
Permanent exhibition
- Dickens in Broadstairs – Letters, first editions, furniture and illustrations connected with Dickens's holidays in Broadstairs, with a parlour recreated from Betsey Trotwood's room.
- Operated by
- Thanet District Council
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £3.50Concession for visitors who can only use the ground floor; students aged 16 to 18 or with a student card |
| Children & teens | £2.50Children under 16. |
| Students & apprentices | £3.50Aged 16 to 18 or with a student card. |
| Groups (10+ people) | £4 per personAdult groups of 10 or more; groups of under-16s pay 2.50 pounds per person. |
| Families | £12.50Two adults and two children. |
Prices for the 2026 season.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The entrance has one step and staff can help at the door. The museum has two floors joined by 14 stairs, with no lift or ramp. Two accessible parking bays are about 50 metres from the entrance, and the nearest accessible toilets are about 160 metres away at Broadstairs Bandstand. Seating is provided for reading. Guide dogs, hearing dogs and registered assistance dogs are welcome. Quiet days and special tours can be arranged, and a detailed access guide is available on AccessAble.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | £12.50 · Two adults and two children. |
|---|
The museum has a children's activity room.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Broadstairs railway station
The nearest railway station is Broadstairs, about 1 mile away.
By car
Paid parking
Pay and display car park at the end of Albion Street, reached on foot via Dickens Passage. Two accessible bays are about 50 metres from the entrance.
The Visitor Information Centre is in The Droit House on Stone Pier in Margate.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Gift shop with Dickens-related gifts and books. The museum is staffed by volunteers.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours are offered, and group tours for 10 or more people can be booked by phone or email. Quiet days and special tours can be arranged on request. A Dickens Town Trail leaflet can be collected at the museum. Coaches and groups are welcome. |
