PIN Handel & Hendrix Museum

Handel's House

The house occupies two floors of 25 Brook Street, the building in which the composer George Frideric Handel lived from 1723 until his death in 1759. The four restored historic rooms include his bedroom, and the dining room in which he rehearsed his musicians and singers and often gave informal recitals for friends and neighbours. Additional rooms in the adjoining house are used for temporary exhibitions which focus on aspects of Handel’s life, professional career and associates.

This was Handel's first home of his own which he chose because of its close proximity to the theatres of Georgian Covent Garden and Soho at his patrons, the Royal family, at St. James Palace. At the time Brook Street was both residential and commercial with gin houses, apothecaries and coffee houses, vibrant, on the street below .

Handel's House, consisted of five floors including his composition room, dressing room and bedroom which can all be seen perfectly recreated today. Here he wrote the operas Faramondo and Serse in days and weeks but his quickest creation was the Oratorio Messiah which was produced in just 24 days.

Handel's instruments, manuscripts and personal artefacts can all be viewed here and there is plenty of commentary from the volunteer staff who are both helpful and informative.

Jimi Hendrix's Flat

The top two floors of the museum are devoted to the great man. The third floor is in the style of a traditional museum with plenty of multi-media to satisfy the most inquisitive visitor all the way down to replica guitars and authentic journals.

Downstairs in his bedroom the Hendrixologist can indulge him/herself in the stories and living space where Jimi spent much of his time in London. This room has carefully been reconstructed using the many photoshoots that took place here alongside the memories of then girlfriend of Kathy Etchingham. From the BOAC Airline bag to the dual period phones this room exudes an authentic feel and all the other accessories here are more than enough to delight and absorb countless visitors.

TripTide Thoughts

This unique experience exemplifies London's ability to serve up culture in the most diverse and eclectic formats. The Jimi Hendrix experience coupled with the George Handel experience are a perfect match of the old and the contemporary. Both are served up in a highly palatable combination that will delight and amuse for hours.

How to get there

Handel & Hendrix in London is located at 25 Brook Street, Mayfair, just off Bond Street between Grosvenor Square and Hanover Square. It is between shops Sonia Rykiel and Aspinal of London.

London Underground: Bond Street (Jubilee and Central lines) – walk down South Molton Street which leads to Brook Street. On the other side of the road to the left is Handel House which is marked with two blue plaques and a red flag above shop level (there are also two red doors at Nos. 23 and 25). Cross the road at the lights and the entrance is at No. 25.

Oxford Circus (Victoria, Central and Bakerloo lines) – Regent Street, Hanover Street then Brook Street.

Bus: numerous buses serve Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street, stopping within a few minutes’ walk of Handel House.

Rail: closest mainline railway stations are Victoria and Marylebone. Take the tube to Oxford Circus.

Tags

• History
• , Museum
• , Culture
• , Indoor
• , Downtown Westminster