Music fans will soon be able to walk in the footsteps of a young David Bowie, as the London house where he spent his formative years is acquired for public restoration. The Heritage of London Trust has secured the late icon's former family home in Bromley, with plans to open it as a visitor attraction in late 2027.
From Railway Cottage to Landmark
The property is a modest "two up, two down" railway worker's cottage, a far cry from the glamorous stages Bowie would later command. He lived in the house from the age of eight until he was twenty, a period that saw his creative identity blossom. The restoration project will carefully return the interior to its early 1960s appearance, offering an authentic snapshot of the environment that shaped one of music's greatest innovators.
The Bedroom Where a Star Was Born
The centrepiece of the visitor experience will be Bowie's own small bedroom, measuring just 9ft by 10ft. It was within these humble walls that his love for music and his trailblazing creativity first took root. Crucially, this is the very room where he composed his breakthrough hit, "Space Oddity", the song that launched him into the stratosphere of rock stardom.
Ahead of the major restoration work, a special blue plaque has already been installed by the front door, commemorating Bowie's childhood years at the address. This marks the first step in preserving the legacy of the site for future generations of fans and music historians.
A Pilgrimage for Fans
The announcement confirms a long-held hope for many Bowie enthusiasts: the chance to connect with the artist's origins. The project, led by the Heritage of London Trust, represents a landmark acquisition, ensuring the preservation of a key piece of British cultural history. When it opens, the house will provide a unique, intimate contrast to the global superstar Bowie became, focusing on the personal space where his extraordinary journey began.
