After nearly four decades living in the vibrant heart of London, Queen guitarist Brian May, 77, and his wife, former EastEnders star Anita Dobson, 76, have traded their iconic £7 million Kensington townhouse for the tranquil embrace of the Surrey countryside. But their decision to leave the bustling city was not simply about seeking peace—it was a choice shaped over years and dramatically accelerated by an unexpected disaster.
A Home Full of Memories
For 24 years, the elegant Kensington residence served as both a creative sanctuary and family nest for May and Dobson. The Grade II-listed townhouse, with its ornate period details and a dedicated music studio, was where May composed and recorded some of his most intimate work. The home was more than bricks and mortar—it was steeped in personal history, sheltering the couple from the spotlight that came with a life in entertainment.
Yet, as Dobson recently revealed, long before their basement was ravaged by floodwaters, they had quietly been considering a move to somewhere quieter and more reflective of their evolving lifestyle.
The Flood That Changed Everything
“It wasn’t the first time we talked about leaving London,” Dobson admitted. But the tipping point came in July 2021 when a torrential downpour caused their basement to flood, damaging priceless personal items. Treasured photographs, Dobson’s acting memorabilia, and May’s rare collection of handwritten lyrics and guitar riffs were lost or severely damaged.
“The flood was the push we needed,” Dobson said. Faced with costly repairs and the emotional toll of the cleanup, the couple decided it was time to turn the page and find a new chapter beyond the city’s relentless pace.
Finding Peace in Surrey
Their new home is a Georgian farmhouse nestled in Windlesham, a picturesque village about an hour southwest of London. Surrounded by rolling fields and ancient woods, May and Dobson have found the peace and space they longed for.
“I’ve never been happier,” May confided in a recent interview. Freed from the noise of traffic and the ceaseless urban rush, he has rekindled his passion for late-night songwriting, accompanied by birdsong rather than car horns.
Dobson, famed for her role as Angie Watts in EastEnders, has embraced country living with open arms. “I can finally grow the roses I’ve always dreamed of,” she laughed, tending to heirloom roses and herbs in her new garden. With their 25th wedding anniversary approaching, the couple is enjoying shared hobbies—from May’s stargazing through his telescope to Dobson’s amateur painting—within their spacious new surroundings.
A New Chapter Rooted in Reflection
While their Kensington home was pivotal to both their personal and professional lives, May and Dobson see the move as an evolution, not a goodbye. “We’ll always be Londoners at heart,” Dobson noted, “but sometimes a change of scenery helps you see what really matters.”
As the golden autumn leaves settle over Surrey, Brian May and Anita Dobson are embracing a slower, gentler rhythm—marked by quiet mornings, creative afternoons, and the gentle reminder that sometimes life’s biggest transformations begin with the smallest floods.
