Is 261B Baker Street, London NW1 6XE a Real Address? The Sherlock Holmes Connection

261B Baker Street: A Valid Postal Address for a Fictional Resident

Yes, 261B Baker Street, London NW1 6XE is a valid, deliverable UK postal address. However, its fame stems entirely from literature.

The Sherlock Holmes Legacy

• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories place Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson at 221B Baker Street.
• When the stories were written (1880s), Baker Street numbers only went up to ~100. 221B was fictional.
• Street renumbering in the 1930s extended the range; 221 Baker Street became the site of Abbey House (Abbey National HQ), which employed a secretary to answer Holmes' fan mail.
• In 1990, the Sherlock Holmes Museum opened at 239 Baker Street but petitioned for and won the right to use the address 221B for mail.
• 261B Baker Street is a real commercial/residential address further north, near Regent's Park. It has no canonical connection to Holmes.

Current Status

• Royal Mail delivers to 261B Baker Street NW1 6XE.
• The Sherlock Holmes Museum receives mail at 221B Baker Street, London NW1 6XE.
• Abbey House (former 221) still exists but no longer handles correspondence.

So: valid address, but if you're looking for Holmes, head to the museum at 221B (physically 239).