Annarchy for the UK

221b Baker Street

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John H. Watson lived at 221b Baker Street between 1881-1904, according to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The house is protected by the government due to its “special architectural and historical interest”, while the 1st floor study overlooking Baker Street is still faithfully maintained for posterity as it was kept in Victorian Times.

I cannot wait to see the Sherlock Holmes Museum where I will inevitably subject myself to the tourist trap that is 221b Baker Street.  But sometimes it is fun to get sucked into the fiction!  Hopefully I will have the good sense not to leave with a deerstalker cap and pipe - but if I do, well, I can look at it as having a “brilliant” Halloween costume for life.  

Recently I have been enraptured by Guy Ritchie’s take on Sherlock’s story in the recent Holmes movies in addition to Stephan Moffatt’s (Dr. Who’s head writer and producer) BBC serial Sherlock.  Holmes is truly a character for the times and I am glad to see that there are large amounts of fans who are being re-drawn to the mystery stories.  Sherlock Holmes has become somewhat of a superhero.  Probably Hollywood’s marketing of him…

That being said, I will try not to be too disappointed if the whole experience is adorn in price-tags and instead look at it as the local that inspired Conan Doyle to write the tales of the famous consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes. 

If it is too disappointing, I can always opt to visit the site where Sherlock’s exteriors are filmed at (187 North Gower Street, Camden London, NW1 2NJ).

This is where Speedy’s Cafe is - note the same exterior of the show’s 221b site, but with actual address on door.  Might be fun to see where the show is filmed…

John Watson: [upon first seeing Baker Street] Well this is a prime spot. Must be expensive.

Sherlock Holmes: Mrs. Hudson, the landlady is giving me a special deal. She owes me a favor. A few years back her husband got himself sentenced to death in Florida. I was able to help out.

John Watson: You stopped her husband from being executed?

Sherlock Holmes: Oh, no. I ensured it.

• 5 June 2012
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