Harp House 83 86 Farringdon Street Ec4a 4bl London

When London's Farringdon Street Gets its Harp On

Ever walked down Farringdon Street and felt like you've stepped into a scene from a musical? No, it's not the pints of ale talking, it's the Harp House at 83-86 Farringdon Street, EC4A 4BL, London. This isn't your grandma's harp house, mind you. It's more like the cool cousin who's always got a story to tell and a tune to play.

Picture this: You're strolling down Farringdon Street, minding your own business, when suddenly, you hear a melody that's not coming from your headphones. You look around, and there it is - the Harp House, with its windows wide open, spilling music onto the pavement like a sonic waterfall. It's like when your neighbor starts playing the guitar at midnight, but instead of wanting to throw your shoe at them, you find yourself tapping your foot and humming along.

But What's a Harp House, You Ask?

Well, imagine a house that's been possessed by a thousand strings. That's the Harp House. It's a place where harps go to party, or at least, that's what it feels like. It's not just one harp, oh no, that would be too easy. It's a whole symphony of harps - lever harps, pedal harps, even a harp that's so big, it's like the harp equivalent of a Great Dane.

Now, you might be thinking, "Harp House? Isn't that just a fancy name for a music shop?" Well, yes and no. It's a music shop, sure, but it's also a place where harpists go to geek out, to strum and pluck and twang to their heart's content. It's like a library, but instead of books, there are harps. And instead of shushing you, they encourage you to play.

Meet the Harp Whisperer

At the helm of this harp haven is Simon D'Mello, the resident harp whisperer. He's the guy who can make a harp sing like a canary, and he's been doing it for so long, he's practically a harp-legend. He's seen harps come and go, he's heard every excuse in the book for why you can't play a harp (yes, even "I have big hands"), and he's probably the only person in London who can make a harp sound like a bagpipe. (Don't ask, it's a long story.)

Simon's not just a harp salesman, he's a harp evangelist. He's on a mission to get more people playing harps, and he's not afraid to use his charm (and his harps) to do it. He's like the used car salesman of the harp world, but instead of selling you a lemon, he'll sell you a harp that's been played by the likes of Jimi Hendrix. (Okay, maybe not Jimi Hendrix, but you get the idea.)

Harp House: The Unlikely Tourist Attraction

Now, you might be thinking, "This all sounds great, but I'm not exactly a harp connoisseur." Well, neither was I, until I stumbled upon the Harp House. But here's the thing: you don't need to be a harp expert to appreciate the Harp House. It's like going to an art gallery - you don't need to know your Monet from your Manet to enjoy the paintings. The Harp House is just a place where you can go, listen, and maybe even have a little jam session.

So, the next time you're in London, and you find yourself wandering down Farringdon Street, do yourself a favor and pop into the Harp House. You might not leave with a harp (although, let's be honest, you probably will), but you'll leave with a newfound appreciation for these stringed wonders. And who knows? You might even pick up a tune or two. Just don't blame us if you find yourself humming "Greensleeves" for the rest of the day.