Handel Hendrix House — Attraction in London

If you’re sick and tired of elbowing past the throngs of uninspired tourists pretending to enjoy themselves at the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate Modern and the like, then Handel and Hendrix may be your cup of tea 🇬🇧

This museum is small, located in two unremarkable 4-story row-houses that are next to each other on Brook St., a pleasant byway forgotten amid the hedonistic hubbub of the nearby Regent Street.

In one house lived the 18th century German composer George Handel. In the other, Jimi Hendrix, the 1960s rock legend who lived here at the height of his success. The museum consciously limits its scope to each musician’s time in London, with interesting insights on their habits, social circles, accomplishments, and other fun tidbits. Hendrix’s bedroom has been beautifully restored to its former glory, while Handel’s austere lodgings and creaky floorboards feel in line with the bleak reality of 18th century existence. While I appreciate brevity in museums, I do also feel that guests would benefit from (a) more on London life in the 18th century and 1960s, and (b) more information about Handels and Hendrix prior to their moving to London.

I also experienced, and am still somewhat bemused by, a certain curatorial incongruence in what essentially amounts to a museum about two men who had nothing in coming, apart from their being musicians who happened to live on the same London street at different times. This coincidence is admittedly startling, and one need not overexert herself to imagine the earnest non-profit folks who resolved to commemorate this historical happenstance with something permanent. The catch-22, however, is an incoherence about the whole enterprise, which is readily admitted by the museum employees who acknowledge the “weirdness” of the whole endeavor.

My pedantic critiques notwithstanding, I’d say that Handel & Hendrix is worth the ten quid. Go enjoy your...

What an amazing find! I love music but am not a classical buff, however this house is like a trip back in time. It's all historic furniture with newly renovated rooms and the care taken shows, I was resting my back leaning in a doorway watching a beautiful visual display with music, when on a side table nearby notes of music started appearing across a blank sheet of musical staves. What a delight! There are no flashy labels, you just need to pay attention. I loved it. Upstairs we saw a group of professional musicians who played two sets of music, had a little rest while listening, and carried on exploring after. They were brilliant and added the extra dimension if hearing what we were learning about, Handel's genius. Then....we found Jimmy Hendrix's old flat which is recreated faithfully from photographs and stood there reminiscing about the 70s. A lovely volunteer chatted to us about the displays and we shared our memories with him. It was a great afternoon of entertainment and we learned a lot. There's also a studio for workshops too, so it would be a lovely venue for young music students to visit. Very helpful staff and a lift to every floor with interconnecting doors to the Hendrix flat. Totally accessible for disabled people, the only request I would make is to put a few chairs on each level for disabled visitors to rest between areas. Do go, your carer is free and the entry fee is a very reasonable...

What a bizarre and incredible couple of houses, yes it is two. Upon arrival I was greeted by the extremely friendly staff and given a free electronic guide, reading not audio. The Handel side is filled with lots of period furniture most of which is reproductions as the real ones are now true museum pieces. Each room is laid out very well and gives a real sense of the comings and going during the time Handel stayed and worked there. Each area has a member of staff who can give you plenty of facts and information about the great composer. When I visited there were musicians playing music from the composer which was a real treat. The Hendrix side only has the bedroom of the apartment he stayed in re-created. However the level of detail is astonishing as they used images from a photo shoot Hendrix did in that very room. The rest of the Hendrix side is mainly a museum format going over that period of time in the music scene. You don't have to be a fan of Handel or Hendrix to enjoy this brilliant little spot, if you are in the area...