“The Gates of Heaven”: Inside Rod Stewart’s Essex Manor and the Secret Home of His Priceless Trains
Sir Rod Stewart, the flamboyant British rock legend, has officially anchored his life back in the English countryside, moving into a magnificent estate that houses his family and, notably, his massive, decades-long project: a sprawling model train collection that he vows will never be sold.
The shift back to the UK—marked by listing his long-time Los Angeles mansion for sale in 2023—highlights the importance of his British sanctuary and his lifelong hobby.
The Current Family Residence: Durrington House, Essex
Sir Rod, 80, lives with his third wife, Penny Lancaster-Stewart, and their two sons, Alastair and Aiden, in a stately, Grade II-listed manor on the Hertfordshire and Essex border, near the village of Sawbridgeworth.
| Feature | Detail and Significance |
| Property Name | Often referred to as his Sawbridgeworth mansion (or Durrington House in some older reports). |
| Acquisition Data | Purchased in 2013 for an estimated £4.6 million; moved into the property in 2016 after extensive renovations. |
| Architecture | Classic 18th-century property dating back to 1712. |
| Size & Land | Sprawling 10-bedroom estate set on 46 acres of land and woodland. |
| Amenities | Includes a full-size football pitch, a swimming pool, a croquet lawn, and self-contained cottages. |
| Context | The move back cemented his UK focus, as he listed his 28,000 sq ft Beverly Park mansion in Los Angeles for sale in 2023 for $70 million (later priced at $80 million). |
“My Biggest Love is My Trains”: The Priceless Collection
The most unique feature of Stewart’s Essex manor is the special space dedicated to his elaborate model train collection, which he considers his artistic masterpiece and has publicly declared will remain in the family.
- Collection Name: “Grand Street and Three Rivers City.”
- Scale and Scope: The enormous layout, which took 23 years to build (starting in 1993), is based on a gritty, heavily industrialized American city in the 1940s, representing a fusion of post-war New York and Chicago. The model spans over 1,500 square feet (156 sq meters).
- Artistic Detail: Stewart, who does nearly 90% of the construction himself, told Railway Modeller magazine that “Attention to detail, extreme detail, is paramount.” The layout includes towering skyscrapers, bridges, sound effects (like screaming kids in a schoolyard and rush-hour traffic), and intricate landscapes.
- Notable Event: The entire gargantuan layout was transported and reconstructed from the attic of his former Los Angeles home to the secret wing (or workshop) of his Essex manor, allowing him to continue his hobby in the UK. Stewart calls his workshop “The gates of heaven,” finding a tranquil balance between his flamboyant stage life and his meticulous, private hobby.
Why You Cannot “Visit the House”
Sir Rod Stewart’s manor on the Essex/Hertfordshire border is a Grade II-listed private residence located within a substantial, gated 46-acre estate. Like most high-profile celebrities, his home is not open to the public, as the privacy is essential for his family life with Penny Lancaster-Stewart and their two sons.
