Step Inside The Muse: 7 Museums That Were Once Artists' Homes

Exploring the intimate spaces where artistic genius met daily life is a unique journey into the minds and hearts of the world's most celebrated creators. From quaint cottages to grand mansions, these homes have been preserved as museums, offering visitors a detailed glimpse into the private worlds of their former inhabitants.

Here's a closer look at ten remarkable artists' homes and gardens that have been transformed into living tributes to creativity:

Derek Jarman's Prospect Cottage, Dungeness, Kent, UK:

Nestled amidst the shingle landscape of Dungeness, Prospect Cottage served as a creative haven for filmmaker, artist, and gay-rights activist Derek Jarman. From the sun-yellow door to the weathered walls adorned with gardening tools, every corner of the cottage tells a story of Jarman's prolific career and personal journey.

Recently opened to small groups and artists' retreats, it offers an immersive experience into Jarman's world of art and activism.

Dickens House Museum, Broadstairs, Kent, UK:

Nestled in the seaside town of Broadstairs, the Dickens House Museum preserves the summer retreat of Victorian novelist Charles Dickens. From his writing box to personal letters, the museum offers a comprehensive look into Dickens's life and literary career. Visitors can soak in the coastal charm that inspired classics like David Copperfield and immerse themselves in the atmosphere that fueled Dickens's creativity.

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, St Ives, Cornwall, UK:

Trewyn Studio in St Ives was the beloved home and studio of renowned sculptor Barbara Hepworth. The museum allows visitors to explore her studio, adorned with her monumental sculptures, and wander through the serene garden she designed as an open-air gallery for her work. From her early wooden carvings to her later bronze sculptures, the museum showcases Hepworth's evolution as an artist and her deep connection to the Cornish landscape.

Museo Frida Kahlo, Coyoacán, Mexico:

La Casa Azul, or the Blue House, was the birthplace and lifelong home of iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Now a museum, it houses a vast collection of Kahlo's paintings, personal belongings, and memorabilia.

Visitors can explore the vibrant rooms where Kahlo lived and worked, including her studio filled with art supplies and her iconic dresses, and stroll through the lush garden that served as a source of inspiration for her colourful artwork.

Charleston Farmhouse, Firle, East Sussex, UK:

Charleston was the vibrant hub of the Bloomsbury Group, a gathering of artists and intellectuals including Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. The farmhouse and its gardens are a testament to their avant-garde creativity, with every inch adorned with vibrant paintings and decorative motifs.

Visitors can explore the rooms where the artists lived and worked, gaining insight into their unconventional lifestyle and artistic collaborations.

Beatrix Potter, Hill Top, Cumbria, UK:

Hill Top Farm was the beloved country retreat of beloved children's author Beatrix Potter. Preserved as a museum, it offers visitors a detailed glimpse into Potter's world of imagination and creativity. From the grandfather clock immortalized in The Tailor of Gloucester to the vegetable patch where Peter Rabbit caused mischief, every corner of Hill Top Farm tells a story from Potter's beloved tales.

Handel Hendrix House, 25 Brook Street, London, UK:

George Frideric Handel and Jimi Hendrix, two musical legends from different eras, once called adjoining residences on Brook Street home. Merged into a single museum, the Handel Hendrix House offers visitors a fascinating juxtaposition of Baroque music and 1960s rock 'n' roll. From Handel's grand compositions to Hendrix's iconic guitar riffs, the museum celebrates the enduring legacy of both artists in the heart of London.

These remarkable artists' homes and gardens-turned-museums offer a detailed and immersive experience, inviting visitors to step back in time and explore the lives and creative spaces of some of history's most influential figures.