He rocked the world from the roof of Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee, mirroring his performance for her Platinum Jubilee last summer when he performed We Will Rock You in front of the Victoria Memorial.
But now Brian May – more formally, Sir Brian May, since being knighted for services to music and charity earlier this year – has decided it’s time he lived like a king.
I can reveal that the Queen guitarist, who celebrated his 76th birthday on Wednesday, has spent around £25million on a mansion of his own – a magnificent, three-storey property, with five magnificent reception rooms, set in more than 200 acres of land in Surrey. .
Built in the 1920s in the William and Mary style, the mansion, which stood on the site of a 16th-century farmhouse – was removed to make way for a Regency replacement, which then made way for the current house – owned by a series of tycoons who had money To indulge themselves in any way that takes their fancy.
So, while its ten bedrooms may seem relatively small compared to Buckingham Palace’s 52 ‘royal’ bedrooms (supplemented by a further 188 for staff), May’s palace has riches all its own.
Brian May (pictured with his wife Anita Dobson) rocked the world from the roof of Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee, mirroring his performance at her Platinum Jubilee last summer
Brian May splashed out on £25million mansion (pictured)
The grand, three-story property has five grand reception rooms
It stands on the site of a 16th century farmhouse
The palace was built in the 1920s in the William and Mary style of the early 1700s.
It was owned by a class of tycoons who had the money to indulge themselves in their fancy ways.
No one can see into the house – thanks to extensive woods to the north of the house, while, to the south, the formal gardens are first bordered by extensive parkland.
The East Wing – a relatively new addition – has an indoor swimming pool, studio, spa, sauna and gym.
Mr May’s mansion is set in over 200 acres of land in Surrey
The gardens include parterres and topiary that probably owe more to Versailles than any British royal residence.
This includes an Art Deco bathroom – one of ten bathrooms in total – that was salvaged from a pre-war ocean liner before being restored and inserted into the new home.
The East Wing – a relatively new addition – features an indoor swimming pool, studio, spa, sauna and gym.
But beyond that ‘King Brian’ and ‘Queen Anita’ – May’s second wife, former EastEnders star Anita Dobson – can really count their blessings.
Two years ago, when their home in Kensington, west London, was flooded with sewage, the couple suffered the loss of carpets and childhood memorabilia, with May warning: ‘London is in danger of drowning in its own waste’.
But, in their new country seat, they will be assaulted only by the sweet scent – emanating from the nectar house of the palace gardens.
The gardens include parterres and topiary that probably owe more to Versailles than any British royal residence.
There is even a viewing tower from which all that can be seen is part of the estate.
But no one can see – thanks to the extensive woods to the north of the house, while, to the south, the formal gardens are first bordered by extensive parkland, beyond which there is arable land and further woodland.
‘I lived in the village, but I didn’t know [May’s house] existed,’ a surprised ex-local tells me when I point out its location.
Perhaps, in time, Sir Brian will let the fans hear what he has to say. A presentation of We Are The Champions from the top of the viewing tower should do the trick.
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