Fleetwood Mac singer Christine McVie, who was behind many of the band's hits, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 30th, in the company of her family, aged 79. The singer wrote several of Fleetwood Mac's biggest songs, including Everywhere, Little Lies, Say You Love Me, and Songbird.
During her time with the band, Christine McVie visited Mick Fleetwood’s nineteenth-century stately home, named Benifold – which at first glance – does not appear to have much in common with the world of rock music. However, the home is surprisingly fundamental to the industry.
This 11-bedroom property, which qualifies as one of the world's best homes, is located on a tree-lined road in affluent East Hampshire and was the former home of music icon Mick Fleetwood and his wife (and sister-in-law to George Harrison), Jenny Boyd.
Mick Fleetwood and Jenny indulged in Benifold's historic grandeur for four years, between 1970 and 1974, before they left the UK for the golden shores of California, where Fleetwood Mac achieved global success.
After a legendary career in music, which included their album Rumours, one of the best-selling albums of all time, Mick wrote an autobiography, Play On, in 2015. In this book, the singer penned his unwavering admiration for Benifold – the home where the band created four albums.
A luxe jewel hidden amid seven acres of leafy gardens and greenery – the home epitomizes late Victorian grandeur throughout its 10,000 sq feet, which stretch over three floors. The vast space plays host to a magnificent reception hall, a large country kitchen, and a multitude of lounging areas that epitomize country living room ideas.
The master bedroom suite is similarly overflowing with timeless charm – complete with an elegant dressing room and large ensuite bathroom.
Remnants of Benifold's rich heritage are exhibited in graceful pockets around the interior, from its sweeping statement staircase to its signature high ceilings.
However, the house also showcases contemporary luxuries following an extensive renovation. These amenities include a new swimming pool, sauna, and shower room; for the mornings, you don’t have time to enjoy the sophistication of the free-standing tub.
Beyond the glossy black door of the home, the charm continues to flow through its exteriors – with its floral utopian orchid house, tennis court, and kitchen garden for the evenings, the sun blesses England’s southern east coast country. Perfect garden landscaping ideas are seen through its mature trees and lush lawn, which are beloved assets of the property.
Though, despite its raw rural surroundings, Benifold is within a stone’s throw of the best of the country’s city, beach, and country destinations. The quintessentially British village of Headley is less than a mile away, while the center of London is only one hour by rail. The port and beach city of Southampton is also only one hour away.
We’d be telling lies, sweet little lies, if we said we Benifold wasn’t in our Dreams tonight.
Where does Mick Fleetwood live now?
Mick Fleetwood now lives in the US and has a property near Napili Bay in Maui, where he lives part-time. He is also reportedly the owner of a restaurant in Lahaina.
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