Wessex Sound Studios

Wessex Sound Studios was a recording studio on Highbury New Park in North London. The building began life in 1881 as the church hall of St Augustine’s Church. It later housed the Rank Charm School, where film stars like Diana Dors trained. In 1966 the Thompsons converted the hall into a studio with an 8-track Neve console. The studio grew to a 24-track desk by 1970 and then a 32-channel Cadac in 1975. The studio became famous for recordings by King Crimson, Queen, the Sex Pistols and many others. Mike Batt cut his first single there in 1968 and later all four Wombles albums. The Moody Blues’ 1969 album earned Robin Thompson a Grammy nomination. Queen tracked parts of Sheer Heart Attack and News of the World at Wessex. The Sex Pistols recorded Anarchy in the U.K. and Never Mind the Bollocks there. Visitors today see the converted church hall turned into eight apartments and a townhouse. The Gothic façade of 1881 still stands on Highbury New Park. Inside, original features remain alongside modern fittings. The front door opens onto the same street where Rank once ran its film studio. Across the road is St Augustine’s Church, completing the historic setting.