Description of 221b Baker Street

This sequence of photographs shows houses along the west side of Upper Baker Street. The official home of Sherlock Holmes at 221b Baker Street is just out of the picture to the right, which is today known as the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Sir Aurthur Conan Doyle's first reference to the home of Sherlock Holmes was in Upper Baker Street, and this picture sequence of photographs taken at that time clearly show what the street looked like when Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson were engaged on their adventures!

Walking up the street from left to right (South to North) we come to New Street which is presently known as Melcombe Street. The Post Office sign points to the post office which is actually in New Street next to the corner grocery store. It's adress however is 45 Upper Baker Street - perhaps because at some period it might have been possible to access it from Upper Baker Street. This is the local post office that Holmes and Watson must have used on frequent occasions.

The sign in New Street that looks like a wall clock is actually an advertisement. The corner shop and all the adjacent properties in the picture were demolished in the 1930's to make way for the Abbey National Headquarters building.

The Society of Entertainers Agency at No 44 looks as though it is at an angle because the photo was taken from an angle, but in fact it is parallel to the other properties, as can be seen from this picture looking North along the Street.

The terrace of houses to the right of the picture, including Sherlock Holmes's house, thankfully still survive today, and visitors are warmly welcome to make their way up the 17 steps to the Great Detective's study overlooking Baker Street.