26th March Away Day – Visit to the Handel/Hendrix House

In one London street, separated by a wall and 200 years, are the homes of two of history’s great musicians. From 1723 to 1759 George Frideric Handel lived and composed at 25 Brook Street.

Two centuries later the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix lived in a flat at number 23, the adjacent property.

Step back in history and see how a typical Georgian gentleman’s house would have looked and then step forward, yet still in the past, to the heady world of the 1960s.

Handel House occupies four floors, with all rooms now restored. Additional rooms in the adjoining house are also used for temporary exhibitions, which focus on aspects of his life in Georgian London, his legacy and the baroque instruments used in his extensive body of work.

There are new exhibitions about Hendrix’s music, Handel’s music and the musicians he worked with, and displays about London in the 18th century and the 1960s.

Hendrix’s flat occupies the upper floor of number 23. The main room where Jimi lived, entertained friends and wrote new music has been restored. There are also displays dedicated to his legacy and performances.

Date: Thursday, 26 March

Meeting Time/Place: 10.15am at Waterloo Station opposite platforms 1-4

Travel: Jubilee Line to Bond Street (3 stops). We’ll go into the Caffè Concerto, a few steps from the station in South Molton Street (refreshments not included in the price), then it’s a short walk to Brook Street, to arrive at 11.30/11.45am for our self-guided tour.

Cost: £13.45 Free entry for National Art Pass holders Accessibility: Visitors move up through Handel’s House first. At the top the route crosses over to the Hendrix side and back down to where the tour began.The lift can access all areas of the house.

To join us, please complete the booking form in the cerntre of your Newsletter and send it with a cheeque made payable to Kingstonu3a GAS to to Hazel Burr.  07950 687553