Please read in full as it is a mixed feelings here: I visited the place today as they mentioned a jubilee special event. It turned out not to be that "special" as almost nothing about the Crown was mentioned. I joined the architect tour. The guide is knowledgeable but i find one thing a little bit absurd. You have an hour for the tour then the next tour follows immediately after that so you had to leave. it left you no time for reflection. That is not how i normally visit a museum as you would like to submerge yourself in that surroundings and feel that immersive feeling, listening to history echoing towards your eardrums. You got none of that, you have to go. When i asked whether we would be left ten minutes to look around, the guide said, "this is a grade one listed building so you can imaging we cant leave alone in there." it is her response that really completely erased my perception about her knowledge. Hello, V&A is a grade 1 listed building, so is St Paul's Cathedral, so are many many churches, so is Spencer House, so is Handel House Museum etc. etc. There are over 9,000 Grade I listed buildings in England! This is the first one i have visited that i felt i was driven out of the door. You took the money from us, we signed a TOR, if you think people would vandalise this place, shame on you on human morals and integrity. I gave a three star because the tour is informative and people are welcoming but how the things are handled is sub-optimal. sorry. I never realised such things happen in England. I hope management cam pick this up.

Extraordinary experience. We did not know the house was closed on that Thursday but they answered our knock. Bryce, an intern and recent college grad from the States gave us an excellent tour. He loves Franklin and knew much about him and the importance of this residence, the only original home of Franklin's in existence in the world. Many well known diplomats and eventual Founders of America spent many hours and days in the spaces of this home..... Many consider the place America's first defacto embassy. Bryce was awesome!!

I visited here for free as part of the London Open House festival. The rooms are a bit sparse, but there are display cabinets with items associated with Benjamin Franklin.

Who knew Ben Franklin lived in London? I was super excited to check out this museum since it’s lead by a costumed re-enactor but honestly it was a bit disappointing. We were in with a large group and as you move from room to room the guide began before we even got to the next room. So I missed out on some info. This is no standard museum. There is no furniture or things in the rooms to look at. It’s more of an audio visual tour. Interesting concept but a bit lacking.

Worth a stop by! It’s wild that this house is the only remaining home of Benjamin Franklin. The combination of technology, story telling, and the real life tour guide is interesting. The outside is easy to miss! Definitely take time to use the restroom - the original stove is in there, ha!

The house itself is fairly bare, but they did well in telling of his life via an interactive video and costumed tour guide experience that takes you through 4-5 rooms. It gives an understanding of his life, why in London, people he interacted with, and the house itself. The guides/workers were very kind and helpful in answering questions. If looking for something historical but a little different than the usual tourist places in London it’s a good 50 minute stop within a 2-3 minute walk of Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square. Make sure to book in advance though.

Ironically for a man who did so much to bring about American independence from the British Empire the only remaining house he ever lived in is in London not the US. The house has been very well curated to really give you an insight into what the man was like and the events surrounding his tumultuous time in London. There are 2 possible tours, the historical and the architectural. I took the historical which includes a very convincing actress who re-enacted the part of Benjamin Franklin's landlady (they became great friends). Particularly recommended for American visitors who will gain a fresh and interesting take on one of their most famous founding fathers.

I meen there's not really much you can do with a few rooms. But they've put loads of work into restoring it how it would have looked. Staff super knowledgeable and nice and are thirsty for a chat. Pop in and have a look round.

Really interesting tour around a beautiful house. Everything was socially distant and felt very safe. Pre booking is a must

Some have commented on the sparse decor, but this is IMO one of the site’s distinct virtues. You get to walk on the very floors and stairs (the latter you learned upon which old Ben exercised regularly), touch the molding and walls, while absorbing the stories in the preserved, and in a couple noticeable cases refurbished physical remnants that Franklin saw, touched and experienced as they were (and are). The end of the tour is a nice surprise as you learn about and experience Franklin’s favorite and perhaps least known invention. The only feature of the tour I would eliminate is the obligatory kite and key, but that’s just me. Our tour guide Jessica was a delight, and proved her knowledge answering questions from the history buffs among us. Overall an understated gem in a glorious city.

Interesting historically. Tour was not bad - it went on a little too long - but, overall it was interesting. Not much to see in the rooms of the house. I would recommend if you are a history buff.

I really liked it. The given information and presentation was really good. Of course you can google a lot of these information also on the internet, but to be there and to see it "live" is a given bonus for all people who are interested in Benjamin Franklin. Congratulations to the Team 👍

Why does no one ever discuss the fact that 11 dead bodies were found underneath 36 Craven Street after Ben Franklin’s departure? Also founded Hellfire club; research that for an eye-opener, and then ask yourself who BEN FRANKLIN really was.

Very informational tour. The house is well restored. The staff extremely knowledgeable. Worth the entrance fee. Great to learn about a man that didn't start out as a revolutionary but just wanted to heal the rift

Live action role play combined with audio visual telling tale of key chapters in a legendary life. Tremendous value for few £s & an hours time. Spitting distance from Charing Cross & Trafalgar Square. Age 10+. Highly recommended to visiting Americans. Mandatory for residents of Keystone State!

I really enjoyed my visit, although the house is bare the actress (Sophie?) brought the stories and context to life. Good use of projected images & sounds. Enjoyable history lesson about a quite significant historical figure, and the changing world around him.

We had the London pass and decided to hit one more spot on our first day (it was the only thing still open toward the end of the day) the group for the tour was 6 people. It consists of many videos and a live actress discussing Benjamin’s time in London. It may have been the most awkward thing I’ve ever seen. The home he lives in has no furniture in it. They show a video of what the rooms may have looked like with furniture, but when you go on the tour you are literally looking at rooms with nothing inside that Benjamin lived at at one time. The actress moves you through each room pretending she’s from the era and recounting her time with Benjamin. I would highly recommend the London pass. But don’t make this a priority.

Learned alot and the actress was wonderful.

Special experience of one of founding father's of the United States 🇺🇸

Very educational, interactive, and enjoyable way to spend a few hours in the afternoon; particularly relevant before going to see Hamilton in the West End! The staff really appreciates education as well which just adds to the experience!

Best advice is go on the tour. The tour guide brings what is otherwise a bare bones 18C house to life with the history of Benjamin Franklin in London. The house contains no artifacts or furniture belonging to Franklin and therefore it is the story of how he came to London and why, together with how he lodged in Craven Street and who with, that is the essential story that is told; together with the amazing variety of his interests and inventions that truly bring the character to life.

Interesting and informative dramatic tour of his London house given by a costumed actor with multimedia accompaniment and an introductory video beforehand. Most rooms are quite bare but in authentic and original condition. Small groups only and no photography allowed.

An interesting building and great quides ,providing details of the man's life and politics of the time.Staff/volunteers most helpful ,particularly for my disabled friend.

This house contains few objects, but makes up for it with an engaging presentation including a presenter dressed in period clothing. Well worth a stop for anyone interested in American history.

As an American visiting London, going to the home of one of our greatest founding father is very awe inspiring. The tour was fantastic, the actress who dressed in period clothing was quite brilliant and the different rooms were very informative. I highly advise for anyone interested in learning more about this great statesmen.

Excellent tour, very well presented well worth the entrance fee and both tour guides exceptional. Well worth a visit.

Cool but not amazing either. 80% plus un restored pretty amazing from the 1700s and bombed twice

Nice historic place!

Historical place to visit

Disappointing

Weird but enjoyable day out. Cool thing to go see.

The empty house really gives visitors no perspective of what Franklin was like as a resident. A hurried tour, we felt like we were almost pushed out of the door, it is begging for period furnishings to bring to bring the place to life. The period costumed actress was very good, but pretty much left on her own to put some life into the house.

Great tour lasting an hour, with multimedia interacting with actor in the role of a resident at the time Franklin lived there. Stairs but plenty of seats in each room

Interesting house with lots of historic anecdotes about Benjamin Franklin, they offer some nice activities for kids that you have to book in advance. Recommended!

I enjoyed the tour. We hit Westminster in the morning and then walked to the Franklin House. The house is set up more like a play, that a self guided tour. Each room had a movie or audio, accompanied by a guide in period costume, adding additional commentary.

This was a very nice escape from the bustle of Trafalgar Square! We just knocked on the door & the staff accommodated us quickly- should have done tix online--I think we surprised them. Tour guide was interesting & informative, mixing history with humor, and we learned alot about Mr. Franklin. House is old and creaky and small, exactly what we expected...loved to imagine Ben walking the floors! The Spinning Glass Musical instrument in last room is really cool! Overall, a place that reflects the caretakers love of Ben and his London story.👍👍

Don’t expect rooms full of objects. Book the interactive tour and listen. It’s a different set up but that’s okay… not every museum has to be the same. I felt more immersed, transported, and passionate on this tour then I have with most museums in London. Also, as an actor myself I found the guide to be knowledgeable and presented a well, thought provoking story. I enjoyed it.

The house is Georgian, on three floors. There is no original Georgian furniture, which was disappointing. I would have preferred to see it presented as it might have looked in Franklin's time. The floors, stairs and window shutters are original. The Christmas-themed evening tour was fascinating and well- presented. I definitely wanted to learn more about Franklin and the Edwardian era following my visit. We were greeted with mulled wine, soft drinks, mince pie and other sweet treats, which was enjoyable and the staff were pleasant and knowledgeable.

Benjamin loved Britain, (politics over the colonies aside) He truly hoped for reconciliation between the States and Britain without compromising the demands and rights of his Philadelphia constituents. He wanted to move to England but his wife could not stomach the Atlantic crossing and so he came back and forth alone, often returning to this same house in Craven Street. He would walk to the Houses of parliament to conduct business in relation to the United States and to lobby MPs and Lords.

Really enjoyable experience. While the rooms are sparse, the real reason to go is the interactive nature with the tour guide and the way in which they’ve presented it. It’s almost more of an emersive experience than a museum which is a really unique and different way of presenting something like this. Perfect for an hour free in London.

Great place- very interesting

Very historical building in a great condition. If Benjamin Franklin would come back, he would still recognize the house—no furniture or household items though. But you get a sense of what it was like living in this four-story building. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and made the tour enjoyable.

A nice museum of one of the USA funding fathers and first diplomat for the US in the UK. The house is interesting but mostly unfurnished. The staff members makes a great effort to make the museum shine. Well done!

While the history is unrivaled, the tour was an hour long and felt like it dragged on. The actress who walks you around the house was really great but the story felt drawn out. Recommend doing the architecture tour instead and buy tickets in advance.

A lot of old history is known.

Interesting to look around and listen to the history of the place and him

(Translated by Google) If you are a science student, it's worth a visit, but there's not much to see. (Original) 과학도라면 가볼만은 하지만 볼것도 그리없고 설명사분이 스토리텔링으로 설명해주시는데 별재미없습니다

Historical find

(Translated by Google) Without any decor, a series of empty and unadorned rooms and rooms. Not even with the imagination can we fall into the time and habits of this character. (Original) Senza alcun arredamento, una serie di stanze e locali vuoti e disadorni. Neppure con l'immaginazione ci si può calare nel tempo e nelle abitudini di questo personaggio.

An interesting little gem of a townhouse. Home to Benjamin Franklin whilst living in London. Check out the working glass harmonica.

(Translated by Google) It is not worth queuing ... The house is completely empty and the few chairs are not even original ... No atmosphere ... Other homes are much better ... (Original) Non vale la pena fare la coda... La casa è completamente vuota e le poche sedie non sono neppure originali... Nessuna atmosfera... Molto meglio altre dimore...

I couldn't make the live action so I opted for the architecture tour which personally was not for me, so I left early.

A museum looking for a role.

Home of Benjamin Franklin

(Translated by Google) Well, I don't know, the visit bothered us why it was closed, I'm sorry I couldn't help (Original) Pues no sé, se nos fastidió la visita por qué estaba cerrado, siento no poder ayudar

Very creative presentation in costume!

Just so your aware, most of the tours involve actors , but I enjoyed it

Very well done presentation..informative and charming.

Excellent tour which gives a good insight into Benjamin Franklin's life living in London. Well worth visiting.

Historical secrets

(Translated by Google) It's not interesting because I do not understand English and everything is in English and no decoration (Original) C est pas intéressant car je ne comprend pas l anglais et tout est en anglais et aucune décoration

Great to be able to see but the building was mostly empty as the friendly staff shuffle you through the rooms doing a demonstration via projection and audio.

Well produced tour of the house and history of Benjamin Franklin.

Tours too long can't just walk around

Informative and realistic.

It wasn't what I had expected. I wanted to wander around the house and see it as it was when Benjamin Franklin lived there - with furniture. There's no furniture and just an audio overview of his accomplishments and life. There's an actress filling in some bits. Not for me I'm afraid

The tour was really immersive and told me new things I was unaware of. It was well executed and good value. Interesting

Ben's house frank

Quick, enjoyable rundown of Franklin's life, highlighting his dealings in London and the relationship with his "landlady". The historical tour I took with my wife was mainly a video presentation of various paintings and real life demonstrations accentuated with a 'one man play' narrated and acted by Franklin's landlady, with pre-recorded vocal parts standing in for other actors. The tour takes you through not even half a dozen rooms of the house though; only ground and first floor.

An amazing tour that really brought history to life. Both adults and the kids loved it!