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Finchcocks, Kent

Whenever I hear All The Young Dudes by David Bowie I'm back in the seventies feeling that the world better watch out because here I come. Forgetting youthful overenthusiasm for a moment, music has a powerful way of evoking time and place. Museums which recall the sounds of past ages have a peculiar power to recreate past times and worlds, but are a rather rare breed. There's the Beatles Museum in Liverpool, the York Gate Collections at the Royal Academy of Music in Marylebone Road, London, and the infrequently open Museum of Music, at the Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, London.

One of the most attractive music museums is Finchcocks near Goudhurst in Kent. The museum is housed in a beautiful early Georgian mansion, and has a wide range of period keyboard instruments. Most of these can be played, or are demonstrated by musicians. When I visited a piano made in London in 1800 was being played by an exuberant young dude with long blonde hair. I listened to sounds of the early nineteenth century. France had just been convulsed by its revolution, and people in Britain were worried that the same thing would happen here. Prime minister William Pitt the Younger had resigned following a dispute with George III over full civil rights for Roman Catholics. And when people weren't worrying about the issues of the day they were listening to music like this.

At certain times of the day recitals are staged, allowing a more comprehensive experience of the collection. Special events are also organised with visiting musicians. Courses are run in maintenance and playing of period keyboard instruments.

The collection is complemented by musical prints and pictures.

Opening Times: Finchcocks is open Sundays from Easter to September 27th , 2pm to 6pm and bank holiday Mondays.

In addition during August it is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2pm to 6pm.

The music begins at 2.45pm. The garden is open from 12.30. Teas are available.

Address: Finchcocks Musical Museum, Goudhurst, Kent TN17 1HH

Directions: Finchcocks is just off the A262 between Lamberhurst and Goudhurst. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Finchcocks.

Access: The house and grounds are accessible to wheelchair users, but the restaurant in the cellars beneath the building can only be reached by steep steps. Tables have been set out in the garden to make provision for disabled visitors.

Contact:

telephone: 01580 211702

fax: 01580 211007

web site: www.finchcocks.co.uk