Bron-Yr-Aur

The Bron-Yr-Aur cottage in 2004. andy (Creative Commons)

On the outskirts of the quaint Welsh town of Machynlleth stands Bron-Yr-Aur, an 18th-century cottage famous for its associations with Led Zeppelin.

The cottage was used as a holiday home during the 1950s by the family of young Robert Plant, who would become the band’s lead singer and lyricist. Despite its lack of running water or electricity, Plant eventually returned to the cottage with his bandmates in 1970. The retreat was designed as a respite after the band’s North American mega tour. They continued to stay at Bron-Yr-Aur to write and record songs for their third album, Led Zeppelin III, including one titled “Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp.”

Plant’s wife and then-18-month-old daughter, along with Jimmy Page’s girlfriend Charlotte Martin, also spent time at the cottage. Legendary songs such as “Immigrant Song” and “Stairway to Heaven” were composed inside.

The band’s sixth studio album released in 1975 features an instrumental track titled “Bron-Yr-Aur.” It goes without saying that Led Zeppelin was heavily inspired by this cottage and its breathtaking surroundings. It has become a dream destination for fans of the band, although the building is a private domestic residence today.

Know Before You Go

As stated above, the cottage is a private residence, and access is pretty limited as the land surrounding the cottage is owned by others. Bron-Yr-Aur offers VIP retreats through private arrangements, so if you want to visit, be sure to contact the owner in advance.