Pilgrimage Sites
Here are a few Led Zeppelin "pilgrimage" sites. I visited a number of these sites in England in 1999 and 2004, and in New York in 2000 and 2006. With a rental car, getting to most of these places is fairly easy, and Google maps helps too!
Boleskine House
Boleskine House was originally a hunting lodge for noble gentlemen, built over 200 years ago. In the early 20th century it was owned by Aleister Crowley, and subsequently by Jimmy Page until the MacGillvray clan purchased it in the 1990's and opened it as a Bed & Breakfast. I stayed there for one night in 1999 and it was wonderful accommodation, though somewhat expensive (£60 for one night). The house changed hands again and was no longer a B&B for a while, but I believe it has been open again as a B&B since May 2005 - please check with the owners before you turn up because I haven't been able to substantiate this!
They do have a bed that Jimmy Page used to sleep in.
It is on the southern site of Loch Ness, and the front windows look out onto the loch. The road is narrow, but most of the tourists use the northern road so travel was not too difficult. There is some beautiful countryside, the area is full of wildlife and there are some interesting walking tracks. Boleskine graveyard is directly opposite the house - but don't start practising any black magick rituals in the middle of the night as the new owners don't like it!
Some of the filming for The Song Remains the Same was done in the hills directly behind Boleskine House, where Aleister Crowley used to go mountain climbing.
Bron-yr-Aur Cottage
For those that don't know, it is pronounced "bron-rar", and it means Golden Breast (as in sunlight shining onto it at sunrise). Led Zeppelin used the cottage in 1970 as a retreat, and several tracks were recorded there. There are some recordings of them jamming and you can hear the kids making a noise in the background.
I visited Bron-Yr-Aur cottage in 1999, thanks to directions from Rob Davies. I had never even heard of Machynlleth, and I still can't pronounce it. For a more detailed map see Google maps. Following Rob's directions, I parked near the station and started walking over the bridge and left towards a road going up a hill on the right. Steep doesn't begin to describe the gradient here! You can mountain-bike up this if you are an Olympic athlete. It wasn't a particularly hot day, and I was puffing and sweating as I made my way up. It isn't very far, but it is real steep and would be a challenge for cars.
I believe you can still rent the cottage, but I don't have details of the owners. From the public road you get a good view of the cottage from above, and also the surrounding countryside which is wonderful. Quiet, green and clean. You shouldn't go to the cottage as it is private property, and when I walked past there were people staying there.
In the same vicinity in Wales, is Corris Slate Quarry where Nobody's Fault But Mine was filmed for the 1994 Unledded video. Corris is about 10 km north of Machynlleth. I drove there and saw the quarry, but it wasn't obvious to me exactly where the Unledded filming took place. I think you would have to walk through the quarry to find it, which isn't very safe if equipment is operating.
Also, a further 10 km further north and towards the coast, near Tal-y-llyn is Dolgoch falls and forest. This is well signpost, and a popular walking track through the woods. This is where No Quarter was filmed for the 1994 Unledded video. This is a very pleasant walk. Again, it wasn't obvious to me the exact location of the filming, but it was a very enjoyable walk.
Raglan Castle
Also in Wales, between Monmouth and Abergavenny, is Raglan Castle which was used for filming scenes from The Song Remains the Same. Travelling west along the A40 from Monmouth is it well sign-posted and worth a visit. It is a popular spot and don't expect to have the place to yourself. Abergavenny is a good place for overnight bed & breakfast accommodation.
John Bonham's Grave
This in in Rushock, in the Birmingham/Kidderminster area, in a church cemetery. It is quite hard to find (here it is on Google maps). Driving south from Kidderminster towards Droitwich on the A442 there are two roads near each other going to Rushock. The first sign also has a sign saying "Rushock Church". Turn left off the A442 into this narrow country lane. At the top of the road turn right then almost immediately left and follow the road as it curves to the left and you will come across the small Rushock church in about 1 km. Watch for other traffic on these narrow roads as often the road is too narrow for two cars to pass. The grave is fairly easy to locate round the back of the church.
Headley Grange, Hampshire
I was lucky enough to drive past Headley Grange in 2004 when I visited a relative who lives nearby in Headley Downs. Page's son used to go to the same school that my relations' children attended, and both Jimmy and his wife Patricia were often seen taking James Patrick Junior to school. There was always excellent attendance by Father's at parent teacher evenings! The photo shows me in front of Headley Grange.
Tower House, Kensington
Jimmy owns the Tower House in Melbury Road, Kensington, London. It is an easy walk from High St Kensington tube station round this exclusive neighbourhood. All houses in the street are large and expensive, and by expensive I mean £10 million plus. There is a large house with a Tower about mid-way down the street. All the houses have large walls, gates, and intercoms. You could try posing as the pizza delivery person if you want to see if Page is at home (it always works in the movies)!
Madison Square Gardens, New York
Familiar to New York residents. I took this photograph in April snow in 2000. Madison Square Gardens was where The Song Remains the Same film footage was taken over the nights of 27, 28 and 29 July 1973.
Physical Graffiti building - Bleeker Street, New York
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In May 2006 I was in New York and went past the building at 96-98 Bleeker Street (St Marks Place). I had some trouble finding the exact spot but was lead there with the help of a local (thanks Chris!). This is the building on the Physical Graffiti album cover. The photo above was taken at night of the second-hand clothing store in the basement, and the photo on the left is a more recent daytime photo sent to me by Pam (thanks!) - a great improvement over my previous night shot.
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