John Bonham Landmarks: Visit His Childhood Home, Statue & Grave

Our first stop is the house where John Bonham spent his childhood, located on Hunt End Lane, Redditch. This is where he first started experimenting with the drums, long before the world discovered his raw power behind the kit.

In June 2017, the house received a blue plaque, a special historical recognition in the UK that highlights places connected to important figures in British culture and history. Gotta love how the Brits honor these things! 🙂

The plaque celebrates Bonham’s contribution to music. Snap a few pics in front of the façade and you’re done. Remember: it can only be seen from the outside, as it’s a private residence.

Our second stop takes us right into the heart of Redditch. You can easily park nearby in one of the public car parks around the area.

In 2018, coinciding with what would have been John Bonham’s 70th birthday, an impressive bronze statue was unveiled in Mercian Square, paying tribute to the legendary drummer.

The statue, created by sculptor Mark Richards, has quickly become one of the main attractions for Zeppelin fans and curious visitors strolling through the town center. It weighs several tons, so I doubt any crazy person’s gonna walk away with it… though, you never really know. 😉

The work is full of symbolism:

• The base is inspired by the iconic album cover of Houses of the Holy.
• It includes commemorative inscriptions and highlights from Bonham’s career.
• It’s coated with anti-graffiti paint to keep it looking spotless — yeah, thinking about those “brilliant minds” out there. 😏

On the back of the statue, you’ll find Bonham’s personal rune, inspired by “The Book of Signs” by Rudolf Koch, alongside an inscription honoring him as “the most exceptional and original drummer of his generation, whose popularity and influence still resonate through music and beyond.”

The whole project was driven mainly by Deborah Bonham, John’s sister, and was funded through donations from fans and local organizations.

Our third stop is John Bonham’s grave, located in the peaceful St. Michael’s Churchyard in Rushock, a small village about 10 km from Redditch.

After parking the car, we walked through the small gate in the iron fence and entered the grounds. The cemetery is actually the entire garden surrounding the little church, which gives it a calm, intimate vibe.

It didn’t take us long to spot Bonham’s resting place — the number of tributes, drumsticks, flowers, and personal offerings around the headstone make it stand out immediately.

Since his passing in 1980, this quiet spot has become a true pilgrimage site for thousands of fans from all over the world. The grave is often adorned with flowers, drumsticks, and small personal tributes left by those who come to honor his legacy.

We left our own tribute too — a drumstick. We paid our respects and, after a few moments of silence, we took some photos and a short video for our socials.

Then came the most emotional moment of the visit. We grabbed the phone, opened Spotify, and hit play on Led Zeppelin IV — starting, of course, with Stairway to Heaven.

I can’t put into words what it felt like to stand there, in silence, listening to Stairway to Heaven right in front of Bonham’s grave. We ended up playing three more songs, just soaking in the atmosphere.

Afterwards, we stepped inside the small church, signed the guestbook, and even pinned our hometown on a world map filled with marks from fans who’ve made this same journey.

If you’re a Led Zeppelin fan and want to visit all three spots in a single day, this is the most logical route:

• Childhood Home → Start at Hunt End Lane to see the blue plaque.
• Statue in Mercian Square → From the house, drive into Redditch town center.
• Grave in Rushock → Finish the route at St. Michael’s Church.

Tip: If you’re driving, set aside at least half a day to visit all three locations at a relaxed pace and really soak up the local atmosphere.

If you’re a Led Zeppelin fan, visiting these three spots is an absolute must. The childhood home connects you with Bonham’s origins, the statue celebrates his legend, and the grave gives you a chance to pay your personal tribute.

Three stops, one journey… and a unique opportunity to feel closer to the drummer who redefined rock forever. ⚡️