If ever there was rock star royalty, that royalty was John Lennon. His music, his writings, his manner of life and his unimaginable death render him alive for the ages.
Now, one of Lennon’s former homes has come onto the South East England market. Known as Kenwood in the hamlet of Surrey, the mock-Tudor style mansion is listed for $11.7M.
Lennon lived in Kenwood with his then wife, Cynthia, from 1964 – 1968 until they divorced.
Sited on a “perfect plateau position” in the Surrey Hills area on the St. George Hill estate, the home was built in 1915 on 1.5 acres of land to maximize uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside. The magnificently landscaped grounds offer guests and visitors mature gardens, multiple fountains, split-level lawn terraces, ponds and floral varieties designed to both surprise and inspire. There is no question that this home represents quintessential English country living.
The home itself has six bedrooms, six baths and six expansive reception rooms. Hardwood floors throughout the house, wood paneling, grand fireplaces in most every room, scattered window seats, exposed beams, and lead laden windows blend together to give the home grounding in both contemporary and English country-style traditions. French doors open out to the gardens from most every room. White cabinetry contrasts with a large brown marble island in the middle of the huge kitchen. Clearly, entertaining friends and colleagues was a top priority in the daily living style of this boundlessly talented star.
A secondary building was added during Lennon’s ownership to accommodate a stunning indoor swimming pool, sauna, indoor shower and changing facilities.
No reason has been given for the timing of this home sale. Perhaps enough time has passed for living memories of this legend to have faded and to truly, on all levels, allow the music of John Lennon to speak for itself on its own terms.
