The Sherlock Holmes Society of London

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The Sherlock Holmes Society of London

Founded in 1951, the Society is open to anyone with an interest in Sherlock Holmes, Dr John H. Watson and their world.

We are a literary and social Society, publishing a scholarly Journal and occasional papers, and holding meetings, dinners and excursions. If you would like to attend our meetings and receive our biannual publication 'The Sherlock Holmes Journal' visit our website to find current subscription information http://www.sherlock-holmes.org.uk/join/join.php

16/11/2025

Well, this looks interesting…

14/11/2025

The Society enjoyed its annual Film Evening last night at the Cinema Museum in Kennington - the building was originally the Lambeth Workhouse, where the young Charlie Chaplin once lived.
We saw two fascinating films, one in Hindi, one in Russian. Sherlock Holmes is a world-wide phenomenon!

22/10/2025

Advance notice for our loyal Cricketers and supporters - the 2026 Grits match against the PG Wodehouse Society at West Wycombe will be on Sunday, 21st June (11.30am-6pm).

This is always a lovely day in a beautiful setting - weather permitting, of course. Everyone is very welcome and there is no charge. Bring a deckchair and a picnic, come in Victorian attire if you wish, and cheer the teams on.

21/09/2025

Remapping the London of Sherlock Holmes

This autumn, the Sherlock Holmes Society of London will be retracing the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes, as described in Charles O. Merrimans’ The Tourist Guide to the London of Sherlock Holmes. This booklet, originally published in 1970, traced out six walks in Central London, covering a swathe of thrilling adventures, and noting locations. The aim of this Remapping project is to compare the buildings and layout of 1970s London to that of today: what was there? What is there now, and has it kept or lost its charm?

Remapping walks will take place over Saturday mornings, led by Society member and City of London Guide Lecturer Robin Rowles. Guests are invited to make observations and comments, which will be collated into a new edition of The Tourist Guide, just in time for the Society’s 75th anniversary in 2026. Each walk is expected to take approximately one- and three-quarter hours and will finish near to a convenient hostelry where everybody can compare notes over lunch. There will be a nominal charge to cover expenses. For logistical reasons, numbers are limited to 12. Walks are scheduled as follows:

Walk 1:
20 September: The Return of Sherlock Holmes Portland Place to Oxford Street

This walk traces what was probably the most hoped for adventure in the Canon after 1891, the return of Sherlock Holmes in ‘The Empty House’, taking place in the Spring of 1894. Booking is now open, with a booking fee of £10. Places are limited. Information about the rendezvous and itinerary will be sent on booking.

Book Now

Walk 2:
4 October: The Museum, The Goose and The Mafia The British Museum to Oxford Street

This walk brings together elements from several well-loved Sherlock Holmes stories: the bizarre adventure of ‘Wisteria Lodge’, the black comedy ‘The Blue Carbuncle’, the sinister ‘Red Circle’ and others.

Book Now

Walk 3:
25 October: The City of Dark Secrets The Royal Exchange to Aldgate Station

Walk 4:
1 November: Origins, Shocks, and Surprises Holborn to Cannon Street

Walk 5:
15 November: Theatreland of Adventures Haymarket to Bow Street: ‘

Walk 6:
22 November: Squaring the Circles Piccadilly Circus Circular

Booking for each walk will open 4 weeks beforehand and close the Monday before the walk; joining information will be sent to those who book.

07/08/2025

More events coming up over the next few months- details are on our website

7 OCT
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Visit to the Gordon Museum and Lecture
16 OCT
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Richard Lancelyn Green Lecture – Dr. Sara Lodge
13 NOV
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Film Evening
24 JAN
6:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Annual Dinner 2026
25 JAN
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Morning After 2026
12 MAR
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Spring Meeting
30 APR - 4 MAY
Reichenbach Revisited – The Sherlock Holmes Society of London returns to Switzerland!

07/08/2025

Moriarty’s Game: The Professor’s Invitation

September 27 @ 11:30 am - 4:00 pm
Moriarty’s Game: The Professor’s Invitation
After successfully taking on the challenge of the official Sherlock Escape Rooms, the next outing for The Reformed Diogenes Club is Moriarty’s Game on Saturday 27 September.

This is a 3 to 4 hour experience, an immersive treasure hunt style game across London guided by your phone – we will be starting around 11.30am and finishing 3 to 4 hours later. We will play as two groups competing against each other.

We will be facing Sherlock Holmes’ arch-enemy, Professor James Moriarty, and trying to solve his mysterious challenge, which he has personally prepared. We have to infiltrate Moriarty’s criminal organisation and find his Safe House.

The experience includes:

A 3 to 4 hour immersive experience across Marylebone, London
Interactive text messages and phone calls with characters in the story
Hands-on physical puzzles for your team to solve
A story that changes with the decisions you make
Interactions with people you meet, in the real world
Optional breaks in pubs and cafes, where you can pick up refreshments
The experience takes place around Baker Street and will involve walking the streets of London, so please ensure you are prepared for that and wear comfortable shoes.

Full details of the event are on the Hidden City web site at:

https://www.inthehiddencity.com/london/moriartys-game-the-professors-invitation

If you want to be part of the Society party taking part, then please book using our Mycroft system below.

Tickets are £30 per person for this date.

https://www.sherlock-holmes.org.uk/event/moriartys-game-the-professors-invitation/

07/08/2025

Ships, Shanties and the Shingle of Southsea

September 12 - September 14
Southsea
‘On Portsmouth Jetty’ with The Sherlock Holmes Society of London

12th-14th September 2025

‘These are very deep waters’

This Autumn, the SHSL will be following in the footsteps of Dr Watson who landed ‘on Portsmouth Jetty’ when he returned from active service in Afghanistan. The area obviously held fond memories for the Good Doctor, for he would later yearn for ‘the glades of the New Forest or the shingle of Southsea.’

‘There is a great garret in my little house that is stuffed with books’

Pompey’s reputation as a key destination for Sherlockian pilgrims was cemented when the Society’s own Richard Lancelyn Green bequeathed his unparalleled Conan Doyle collection to the City of Portsmouth in 2004. We will have privileged access to the collection during our stay, including visits to the strong rooms at the Central Library and the Museum galleries. We’ll also see the original manuscript of The Adventure of the Creeping Man.

‘Among the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the effects’

There will also be an opportunity to explore the city’s Naval heritage with an expedition to see The Mary Rose at the Historic Dockyard, just a pebble’s throw from our base at the Royal Maritime Hotel. We’ll view the remains of the Tudor warship and ponder the mysterious circumstances of her sinking in the sixteenth century.

Events will conclude on Sunday with a walking tour which will take in the Lancelyn Green displays at the Portsmouth museum and sites of interest associated with Conan Doyle’s time as a resident in the town.

NOTE: This event has now sold out, however there is a possibility further places may become available. Please click the link complete the form to be added to the waiting list.

https://www.sherlock-holmes.org.uk/product/ships-shanties-and-the-shingle-of-southsea/

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London

Website

http://www.sherlock-holmes.org.uk/

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