Tittenhurst Park

Tittenhurst Park is an early Georgian country house in Sunningdale, Berkshire. It stands on grounds that include gardens, a Tudor cottage and servants’ cottages. The present house dates mainly from about 1830, though parts go back to 1737. In the 19th century it belonged to Thomas Holloway, a philanthropist who also built Holloway Sanatorium and Royal Holloway College. Later it passed to Thomas Hermann Lowinsky, who won a gold medal from the Royal Horticultural Society for his rhododendrons. The house became Grade II listed in 1972 for its architectural merit. The property is famous as the home of John Lennon and Yoko Ono between 1969 and 1971. They spent twice the purchase price on renovations, installing hand-woven Asian rugs and a man-made lake visible from their bedroom. George Harrison arranged for members of the Radha Krishna Temple to stay in the servants’ quarters while they prepared their London temple. A recording of a philosophical discussion between Lennon, Ono, Harrison and Swami Prabhupada was later published as Lennon ’69: Search for Liberation. The last Beatles photo session took place here in August 1969 for the Hey Jude album covers. Visitors find the house set among mature gardens and wooded grounds. The estate once housed Ascot Sound Studios, built by Lennon in 1970, where he recorded much of the Imagine album. After Lennon left, Ringo Starr bought the property and renamed the studio Startling Studios. Other artists recorded there, including Judas Priest and Def Leppard. The grounds also contain a recital hall known as the Tittenhurst Temple.