Did you know Jimi Hendrix and Handel have more in common than you’d think? One was an 18th-century Baroque composer, the other a 20th-century rock legend, but both changed the music world in their own way (and yes, both happen to start with H!).

Here’s the twist: Hendrix and Handel actually lived in the same building on Brook Street in Mayfair. Just a wall (and 200 years!) separated them, and today their shared address is one of London’s most fascinating museums!

Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you inside the legendary London homes of two music icons!

Handel & Hendrix in London: a house of music

The Handel & Hendrix Museum is a unique cultural space where two musical worlds meet. The museum has painstakingly reconstituted the homes of these two musical giants, allowing visitors to step back in time.

But how did this unique museum come to be? The Handel & Hendrix Museum in Mayfair is actually a true passion project! The idea to turn Handel’s home at 25 Brook Street into a museum started in 1958, but it wasn’t until the early 1990s that musicologist Stanley Sadie and his wife founded the Handel House Trust. The museum officially opened in 2001.

In 2016, Hendrix’s flat at 23 Brook Street was integrated into the museum, bringing the worlds of Baroque and rock together. Then, in 2021, the Hallelujah Project restored Handel’s Georgian home, opened previously inaccessible rooms, and upgraded the Hendrix flat. 

And the museum reopened in May 2023, offering a fuller, more immersive experience of both musical legends.

A must-see for Londoners and music lovers alike!

Walking through its rooms, you can experience the elegance of Handel’s Georgian London and the electric atmosphere of Hendrix’s swinging 1960s flat, all under the same roof.

Despite their different eras, Handel and Hendrix shared more than an address. Both were immigrants to London, Handel from Germany, Hendrix from the United States, and both made the city their stage, pushing the boundaries of music in ways that still resonate today. Now let’s take a look inside their homes…

Discover Handel’s house: London’s baroque gem

Visiting 25 Brook Street feels like stepping into Handel’s world. The German-born Baroque composer who later became a British citizen, moved into his Brook Street home (now No. 25) in the summer of 1723.

Within those walls, he spent most of his time composing the masterpieces that would define his career.

We started in the old kitchen in the basement, imagining the daily life of the house. Then we moved upstairs to the rooms where he composed, with a handy digital guide giving insights into his life and the objects on display.

I didn’t know much about Handel’s work, so visiting his house was fascinating. I discovered he started three opera companies to bring Italian opera to London and moved there in 1710. He became cantor to George, Elector of Hanover (later King George I) and remained close to British royalty throughout his life.

Handel’s legacy includes choral masterpieces like Messiah with its iconic ‘Hallelujah’ chorus and the Harmonious Blacksmith. He was also an innovator, introducing unusual instruments, from the viola d’amore and lute to clarinets, trombones, and harp, into his compositions.

I have to highlight the amazing volunteers in each room. They’re incredibly knowledgeable and ready to answer any question! Their presence added so much depth to our visit, making Handel feel surprisingly close.

Finally, we reached the top floor to see his bedroom, rounding out a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of London’s greatest composers.

Just a few steps away, and two centuries later!, we stepped into the world of another musical legend: Jimi Hendrix.

Inside Hendrix’s flat: where rock history happened

Next door, at 23 Brook Street, you step into a completely different world: the colourful, bohemian flat that Jimi Hendrix shared with his girlfriend, Kathy Etchingham, in 1968–69.

Jimi Hendrix lived above Handel’s house in his “first real London home” from July 1968 to spring 1969. Though brief, it was an intense period in his career, filled with music, creativity, and countless interviews!

The room has been recreated down to the smallest details: vintage posters, vibrant fabrics, and Hendrix’s record collection, offering an intimate glimpse into the rock icon’s personal life.

For fans, stepping into Hendrix’s London flat is like traveling back to the golden age of rock. It’s easy to feel his restless creativity. He was always experimenting with new techniques and technologies to perfect his playing and recordings.

It’s poignant to think that he lived here just before his untimely death, at a moment when the world was finally recognising his extraordinary talent.

Live Music, Talks & Events at Handel & Hendrix in London

The Handel & Hendrix Museum isn’t just about exploring historic homes, it’s also a lively hub for music lovers of all ages!

Visitors can enjoy intimate concerts from Baroque ensembles in Handel’s rooms to guitar sessions in Hendrix’s flat, weekly talks on music and history, and Saturday Guitar Days for players of all levels. 

Families can join interactive trails and crafts, while young musicians have the chance to attend the Summer School to develop their skills in a historic setting.

Head to their website to plan your visit around the can’t-miss events at the museum!

I hope you found inspiration here! Whether you’re drawn to the grandeur of Baroque music or the raw energy of rock and roll, Brook Street in Mayfair is a reminder that genius can strike in the most unexpected places!

Visiting the Handel & Hendrix Museum soon? Share your impressions and stories on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON’s blog!

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What you need to know for your visit:

The Handel & Hendrix Museum: 25 Brook St, London W1K 4HB.

Website

Check out my other Museums recommendations in and around London here.