Toffs and Taverns, Georgian London - Rose Balston, Art History UK - Art History Abroad - Art History Abroad

This day will be paying tribute to 4 inspirational Georgian men; Coram, Hogarth, Soane and Handel - philanthropist, painter, architect and composer.  The Foundling Hospital, designed for unwanted or orphaned children was the vision of Thomas Coram and sponsored by both William Hogarth and George Frederick Handel.  The Museum now is a memorial to these men, to the 25,000 children they helped save and to the aggressive nature of 18^th century London.

John Soane was not a gentleman, but he was the first professional English architect.  Driven to establish himself, he spent a record breaking sum when he bought Hogarth's celebrated Rake's Progress.  Happily for us, he left his entire collection for public display in his extraordinary house.  It is a gem stone in the crown of London and no one interested in interior design should miss it.  More various than the Frick in New York, more alive than Buckingham Palace, Soane's house is a living museum.

Not far away at 25 Brook Street, the great German composer Handel lived between 1723 - 1759.  Here, the only composer house in London, Handel wrote some of the country's greatest music, including the Messiah, Zadok the Priest and Music for the Royal Fireworks.  The house itself is a beautifully restored example of Georgian interiors.  NB There is an option of having a short private harpsichord recital in Handel's own concert room.

• Meet where: Outside the Foundling Museum, Coram Fields
• Meet when: 10.30 or 11am
• Fee: £81.50 per person including entrance to the Foundling Museum, entrance to Handel House Museum, Soane Museum contribution and 2 x taxi
• Suggested lunch venue: Bleeding Heart Tavern. Please talk to Rose for other options
• Days available: Tuesday - Friday
• Rose carries public liability insurance