Anita Dobson, the wife of Queen guitarist Brian May, has shared the poignant and somewhat brutal realisation she faced after the couple were forced to abandon their life in London for the Surrey countryside.
From Sewage Crisis to Countryside Idyll
The catalyst for the major lifestyle change was a devastating incident in 2021 when the couple's previous £7million Kensington residence was inundated with sewage. The flood left them distraught and resulted in the loss of precious memorabilia stored by the legendary guitarist.
In response, last year, they made the decisive move to trade their city home for a sprawling £25million estate set within an expansive 200-acre property in Windlesham, Surrey. Their opulent new abode, originally built in the 1920s, stands on the site of a demolished 16th-century farmhouse.
A Newfound Happiness and a Bittersweet Truth
According to Anita, the move has been transformative for her husband. She confessed that Brian, 78, has "never been happier" since swapping the capital's hustle and bustle for the tranquillity of their new surroundings. In fact, she revealed that he "fell in love" with the area before even seeing the house, captivated by "the trees, the flowers, the grass, the lake."
However, for Anita, 76, the transition brought a moment of stark clarity. In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, she reflected, "I remember thinking, 'I'm buying my own retirement home,' because it's quiet. I do miss London. I miss the lights, the noise, even the dirt - I was born in that dirt. But I know what I'm facing ahead of me."
Life Inside the Lavish Surrey Estate
The couple's magnificent property is far from ordinary. Brian, an avid astronomer, has an observatory on-site to indulge his passion for the stars. The east wing of the house is said to boast an impressive array of amenities including:
- An indoor swimming pool
- A studio
- A spa, sauna, and gym
Anita also offered a glimpse into their domestic life, describing Brian as a "hoarder" with a vast collection of Star Wars memorabilia. His favourite is Yoda, the "little green guy". She explained his collecting habit: "He buys a packaged one and one that he can have for the grandkids." His interests also extend to dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures.
Anita admits she has "semi-hoarding tendencies" herself and finds it difficult to clear out their possessions, not least because Brian, being "really clever," often finds a use for items she considers useless.
Brian May is set to feature on Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh at 9.30am on ITV One.
