Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England East Dean Sherlock Holmes Retirement Cottage

Sherlock Holmes Retirement Cottage

In this quiet village, a blue plaque marks the spot where the famous fictional detective retired.

East Dean, England

Added By
Faith Daza
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
View of the cottage from across the green.   honeytea / Atlas Obscura User
A blue plaque marks the spot.   honeytea / Atlas Obscura User
Sherlock Holmes Retirement Cottage.   honeytea / Atlas Obscura User
  aandebiz / Atlas Obscura User
View from the Tiger Inn of the cottage (located to the right).   honeytea / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The exact location of where Sherlock Holmes retired is of course merely speculative, but the few details that do exist point to this spot in East Dean near Beachy Head.

Literary detectives have often highlighted several clues that point to this location as the possible destination. In His Last Bow, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle mentions that Holmes retired to a small farm on the Downs five miles from Eastbourne where he was "living the life of a hermit" among his bees and books. Located along South Downs Way, is the tiny village of East Dean. It is located just far enough from the winds of the sea that beekeeping is possible. Doyle also grew up not far from East Dean and is believed to have visited the village. 

This building, part of the Gilbert Estate, contains a blue plaque staking its claim as the final home of the famous literary character.  

Occasionally, fans of Doyle's famous series will hold walks along a small portion of South Downs Way to enjoy the scenery, as well as the house. There are many charming sights to enjoy throughout the village and its only a mile from the beach at Birling Gap. If you need a break from walking, right across from the cottage is the Tiger Inn. 

Although it may not be as famous as 221B Baker Street when visitors take in this peaceful location, they'll understand why it's the quintessential place to retire. 

Related Tags

Fiction Books Houses History & Culture Homes

Know Before You Go

This house may not have an exact address but don't fret. It's directly across from the Tiger Inn. There is plenty of signage along the roads that make the Tiger Inn easy to find, then just walk across the green. While you are in the area, be sure to visit the Seven Sister Cliffs and Beachy Head. 

Community Contributors

Added By

honeytea

Edited By

WhiskeyBristles, aandebiz

  • WhiskeyBristles
  • aandebiz

Published

March 27, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.beachyhead.org.uk/news/2012/01/did-sherlock-holmes-retire-near-beachy-head/
  • http://www.sherlock-holmes.org.uk/event/walking-the-south-downs-with-sherlock-holmes/
  • https://www.beachyhead.org.uk/the-tiger-inn/
  • https://www.go4awalk.com/userpics/davidclowes1.php
  • His Last Bow by Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes Retirement Cottage
The Green
East Dean, England, BN20 0BY
United Kingdom
50.758974, 0.205111
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Grave of 'Washed Ashore'

Friston, England

miles away

Seven Sisters Cliffs

East Sussex, England

miles away

The Birthplace of Banoffi Pie

Jevington, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,212
Stories 144

Nearby Places

Grave of 'Washed Ashore'

Friston, England

miles away

Seven Sisters Cliffs

East Sussex, England

miles away

The Birthplace of Banoffi Pie

Jevington, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,212
Stories 144

Related Places

  • View from Above; a more recent concrete construction can be seen nearby

    Green Island, Taiwan

    Youzihu

    The ruins of a prehistoric village hide on a remote Taiwanese island.

  • Alatskivi Castle

    Alatskivi, Estonia

    Alatskivi Castle

    A wealthy aristocratic family built this Disney-worthy, fairy-tale castle.

  • The house’s garden

    Mantua, Italy

    Casa di Rigoletto

    A small villa said to have inspired the design of the court jester at the heart of Giuseppe Verdi's 1851 opera.

  • Hallwylska Museet (Hallwyl Museum)

    Stockholm, Sweden

    Hallwylska Museet (Hallwyl Museum)

    The 19th-century home of Count and Countess von Hallwyl is now a museum.

  • Stone Mansion

    Alexandria, Virginia

    Stone Mansion

    Originally dubbed "Retirement" by the Navy Commodore who built it in 1780, this beautiful mansion is now the centerpiece of a suburban community park.

  • Roxbury, New York

    John Burroughs Woodchuck Lodge

    The Catskills retreat of naturalist writer John Burroughs.

  • Olander Banks Sr. and Margaret Lomax Banks Community Park

    Alexandria, Virginia

    Olander Banks Sr. and Margaret Lomax Banks Community Park

    Home to a 27 room house, this estate was crafted by Black entrepreneur Olander Banks Sr.

  • Grant’s Cottage.

    Wilton, New York

    Ulysses S. Grant Cottage National Historic Landmark

    This picturesque cottage was the site of Ulysses S. Grant’s final and perhaps most important campaign.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.