These colour pics of the Beatles in the summer of '67 have been doing the rounds since they first appeared in Mark Hayward's Unseen Beatles book. But where were they taken? There has been some confusion over this, partly as a result of them being labelled "London Summer" in that book. In fact, the answer is Kingsley Hill in Sussex, Brian Epstein's country retreat, bought in February of the same year. The big clue is in the pic of Brian and Pattie Boyd. Compare the house in the background with the colour pic of Brian standing beside the sundial outside Kingsley Hill - a slightly different angle, but definitely the same house. Secondly, note the car in the Brian/Pattie pic. Then look at the black and white Kingsley Hill shot - there it is again. This is "interesting" for several reasons - the (or at least a) Sgt Pepper party, so vividly described by Derek Taylor and Cynthia Lennon (though their respective takes on it were rather different) happened here. Also, Kingsley Hill was where Brian was the night (or so) before he died - his abortive "party" here led him to drive back up to London, and the rest we know. The house is still there, I think...maybe a resident of Sussex could find out for sure...
Could it be John and Paul wrote "Baby Youre A Rich Man" in this backyard?? John appears to be looking for a line to nick.
ReplyDeletekingsley hill is still there, i live near it. its a spooky house with gargoules (sp?) on the gates... i never realised the history behind it until today when i started googling it...
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ReplyDeleteI can confirm that the house is still there,looking much the same as in a book entitled The Brian Epstein Story by Debbie Geller.I visited it today and took some photos.I also spoke with the landlord of the local pub The Warbill-In-Tun Inn who told me that The Beatles and Brian were frequent visitors in 1967...he also mentioned Mick Jagger,Marianne Faithful visited too.The house is now owned by a friend of the his.He says one of the upstairs rooms(studio) has been left untouched since those days....psychedelic walls etc...J.Knight
ReplyDeleteHi is it easy to visit the estate? And how do you get there?
DeleteI can confirm that the house is still there,looking much the same as in a book entitled The Brian Epstein Story by Debbie Geller.I visited it today and took some photos.I also spoke with the landlord of the local pub The Warbill-In-Tun Inn who told me that The Beatles and Brian were frequent visitors in 1967...he also mentioned Mick Jagger,Marianne Faithful visited too.The house is now owned by a friend of the his.He says one of the upstairs rooms(studio) has been left untouched since those days....psychedelic walls etc...J.Knight
ReplyDeleteReally? Interesting... if you'd be willing to have your photos on here, then drop me a line at the email address in the header.
ReplyDeleteHi I used to live opposite and still farm the land opposite this house. My father got all the Beatles signatures when they were here once in the summer in the 60's
DeleteSteve - if you ever return to this webpage, could you post any pictures of the house please?
ReplyDeleteI have been a Beatles fan since 1963, but never knew much about this Estate.
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