George Frederick Handel lived in this 18th-century Mayfair building for 36 years until his death in 1759; this is where he composed some of his finest works, including Water Music, Messiah, Zadok the Priest and Fireworks Music. The house opened as a museum in late 2001 after extensive restorations and looks as it would have when the great German-born composer was in residence.

Exhibits include early editions of Handel’s operas and oratorios, portraits of musicians and singers who worked with Handel and musical instruments in the Rehearsal & Performance room on the first floor; musicians regularly come to practice so you may be treated to a free concert. The staff attending the rooms are all Handel enthusiasts and wonderfully knowledgeable about the composer’s life and his work.

Funnily enough, the house at No 23 (now part of the museum) was home to a musician as different from Handel as could be imagined: American guitarist Jimi Hendrix (1942–70) lived there from 1968 until his death.

Entrance to the museum is on Lancashire Court.