As the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth on February 7 approaches, it's remarkable how few physical landmarks of Britain's favorite author are open to the public - or still standing for that matter. Saddest of all, the Charles Dickens Museum in London, which holds the most important Dickens collection in the world and which occupies the author's last remaining London residence still standing, will be closed for most of the Dickens Bicentenary Year. In its wisdom, the charitable trust that owns and runs the museum, has taken £500,000 of Lottery Heritage Fund Money to top up its £3.1 million renovation fund and will close the museum from April 9 to November 4 for refurbishment. So, while London is bursting with Olympics 2012 and Diamond Jubilee visitors, this important museum will be closed.
Nevermind. There are still a few places where you can get close to the real Charles Dickens without partaking of theme park Dickens attractions:
- Find out where to find traces of the real Charles Dickens in Kent and Hampshire.
- Get the full schedule of Dickens 2012 Bicentenary events
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