Remote cottage in SE England for recording?

[Rob K]

Hi all,

Later this year, I'm planning on hiring out a remote cottage somewhere in the countryside within a couple hour drive of London to record with my band. Does anyone have any idea where I might be able to find a recording-friendly location? I have scoured some websites but, no suprise, none of them have "Great for recording!!" as a selling point!

Any ideas or experience in this area would be appreciated!

[Roland]

If it's a rock record, I think that you could pretty safely take a punt on something, an acoustic record would be (IMHO) a totally different animal. I am working with a colleague where we are doing several such projects and to be honest we are working with what we have. It's not always ideal, but because of being able to get a vibe going it is working out well. I would scour ebay for some late deals. Perhaps also look for somwhere which isn't too small and be honest with the landlord what you propose, it might be that the neighbours will object.

Good luck!


Roland

[Coyoteous]

I suppose this thread is 100% on-topic, even if you don't take the forum name literally, but just from the title, I'm left with this strange image of a "cottage on wheels."

Seriously, I suppose the most "recording friendly" location would be a studio. Maybe you can find more of a rehearsal space sans gear... assuming you intend to take your own.

[matthewd]

Well I did a recording at Hammerwood House a few years back which has history - Led Zepplin bought it in 1973 with the intention of making it into a studio and there is a stairwell in which Stairway to Heaven was recorded - can't get better pedigree than that. The disc I did was in fact Vivaldi Mandolin concerto which we did in the library - I don't know if it is available to hire but I do know it is hard work balancing the books of any stately home so you could make the Lord an offer - I am sorry, I forget who owns it now but he was a nice bloke - make us all lunch and stuff - the website Hammerwood Park, near East Grinstead, historic houses to visit and stay convenient when flying to or from UK Gatwick Airport London. England UK. English Heritage & Preservation. Historic Houses Association and Stately Homes open to the public in the

Matt

[phil.]

Rob,

check out the UK Landmark Trust.

The Landmark Trust | Homepage

It's a building preservation charity that rescues historic and architecturally interesting buildings and most of them are availabe to rent for hoidays. 8 of us rented a castle in Scotland (where Paul McCartney's daughter celebrated her wedding) once for a week and it wasn't even that expensive.

Some of the houses are amazing and would have some incredible acoustics for sure.

Definitely check it out and maybe order their handbook that lists all the houses.

Hope you find something.

Phil.

[Recording David]

What about this place...

Welcome to Woodworm Music Ltd

It belongs to one of the regular posters on the Sound on Sound forum.

thumbsup

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Recording David

What about this place...

Welcome to Woodworm Music Ltd

It belongs to one of the regular posters on the Sound on Sound forum.

thumbsup

This is nice, actually, I have been there.

Oxfordshire - and about an hour and a half from London (M40), maybe less.

Nice out there, quiet village, residential and within easy reach of Banbury and Oxford as well.

[Rob K]

Thanks for the replies chaps- Definitely some food for thought here!

Roland- I hadn't thought of looking on eBay! It is a rock record- I'm thinking of making sure that the cottage is remote enough not to have any neighbours- that's the plan anyway!

David- that studio does look awesome! What I had more in mind was a cottage where I could take my own gear to hole up for a few days and record, day and night. Their daily rate was only a little less that I was hoping to spend on a whole week.. Thanks for the suggestion though- the sort of place I would dream of owning!

[Roland]

As far as I know, Woodworm used to be owned or tied up with Fairport Convention, though I believe it was sold a few years ago to it's present owners. I've heard several tapes made there that sounded good, however I've been told that it is very small.

To Rob, there is no reason why your idea shouldn't work, my colleague and I have done a fair bit of this type of recording between us. You may find tha tyou need to sensibly budget a bit more than £200 for the week, realistically I would have athough £350-£500 for a decent weekly rental, £200 sounds like a lot for recording, however ok studio's were that a day 10-15 years ago.

Regards


Roland

[Coyoteous]

Coincidentally, I recently saw the last half hour of a Zep documentary on the Biography cable channel which included shots and talk about Hammerwood House... good luck with your search.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Roland

As far as I know, Woodworm used to be owned or tied up with Fairport Convention, though I believe it was sold a few years ago to it's present owners. I've heard several tapes made there that sounded good, however I've been told that it is very small.

Woodworm is owned by Steve Hill (see Sound on Sound Forum).

It is not large, but has a good atmosphere - I have been there several times.

It's in a quiet village in Oxfordshire.