Interested in books about the architecture and history of the Dakota, Friar Park, and Tittenhurst Park? I've written a bunch about them. You can find all of them on Amazon and elsewhere. Buying my books helps support my research and productions. Thank you! tinyurl.com/DakotaHistoryCardinal

The fact that George Harrison saw himself as the "caretaker" of this place rather than as its owner, and that he sunk so much of his life into its restoration and management... rolling up his own sleeves and doing so much of the work himself... really says something about his character. Sir Frankie Crisp would be proud.

@curioustalesandtours

11 ай бұрын

It is indeed me! What a beautifully created doc, so proud to be part of it youtube.com/@intermissiontours I've started doing live history tours in London, all from your inspiration!

@oldskool731

Ай бұрын

lol du really think he done it himself

Nicely put together, who is the narrator I wonder? I worked at Friar Park during 1979 - 1981 as part of my apprenticeship as a Carpenter & Joiner, building an observation platform from Douglas Fir and a large electronically operated back gate made from Oak, I was also part of the team making alterations and trunking for the mass of wires and cables for the recording studio. I was lucky enough to be taken on a boat ride by George from the lake through to the marvellous underground caves, which have to be seen to be believed.

@StrangeHistoryX

2 жыл бұрын

He is a friend of mine, actor Gerard Gilroy.

@jimoncken6936

2 жыл бұрын

You lucky lucky devil!!

@individualchoice9826

Жыл бұрын

Wow I bet it was incredible to see. Was George there anytime you worked there?

@paulmonkcom

Жыл бұрын

@@individualchoice9826 I got to know George and his brother quite well, during my time at Friar Park.

@Spartanm333

Жыл бұрын

You are in good company with the boat ride - George also tool Jeff Lynne on the same ride and Jeff was amazed, spoke about it many times afterwards in interviews. The two became close friends and musical colleagues. George build these quiet friendships with several people including Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and the late Gary Moore who he encouraged to play acoustic guitar and widen his outlook beyond the Les Paul / Marshall stack he was a genius with. I think George found peace and a little magic himself at Friar Park and wanted to pass that on to those he touched. You were blessed mate.

Thank heavens for George Harrison's determination to preserve these gardens. A remarkable achievement.

@karaamundson3964

11 ай бұрын

"George" in Greek = "gardener"

@janicestevens8469

11 ай бұрын

This property is amazing , whimsical and gorgeous! What fun George and his son must have had exploring grounds and secrets behind every corner. 💖

@Miriboheme

11 ай бұрын

it was mostly patty boyd.

@hermanhale9258

9 ай бұрын

I am amazed, I had heard that George bought an incredible country mansion and was a "gardener", I saw some of the music videos, but I never knew anything about all the rest of it.

@dout0rm942

8 ай бұрын

@@Miriboheme not really, no. George took gardening very seriously and explicitly bought the estate because of the landscape.

George was probably the only individual who could perserver to bring the house of 1970 with its rundown almost condemnable condition to the former 1895 gilded age glory. Good for him!❤

George was advised to purchase a large property for tax purposes and Patti found Friar Park after an extensive search. What a bargain at £150,000 some have said he bought it for less. It was in awful condition and needed a fortune spent on it. When Dani was very young he thought George was just one of the gardeners!

@donnawaldron3261

11 ай бұрын

Dhani thinking his dad was the gardener, how sweet. He's the spitting image of George.

@jeankowel3774

10 ай бұрын

140,000 he said in an intervue once

@melindawakley7859

10 ай бұрын

@mikewa2 Actually that isn’t quite what occurred. I read Patty Boyd’s autobiography and she said that the Kinfauns house in Esher was purchased as George’s 1st home for tax purposes. And he ended up buying Friar Park next because he’d had taken to meditating in the field near Kinfauns. And the owner of that field shouted at him one day to ‘get off his land’. She said George was so furious about this incident he told her to go and try and find a huge estate he could buy so could meditate in peace. She found Friar Park on a very cold foggy day. Took pictures and he Bought it. She said he ploughed a ridiculous amount of money into restoring Friar Park. And she spent days travelling to buy period tiles etc to help restore it accurately.

@davecostello560

10 ай бұрын

That's so funny, I've never heard that before.

I have just discovered this documentary and found it very interesting. I lived at Front Lodge from when I was born until the Convent closed and George Harrison bought the estate. I also went to the Convent School. It was a great place to grow up.

@StrangeHistoryX

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for checking it out, Elspeth. :)

@xenu-dark-tony

10 ай бұрын

That is very interesting indeed@@Alutiki . Did you, like me, hear near the beginning of the programme that Friar Park had no history of a religious nature? I either misheard or got confused. Anyway, it was one of the most interesting documentaries I've ever had the pleasure of watching, about a man of whom I thought so very highly. Am amazed that you lived there for so long, in that beautiful lodge, and that you went to the convent there. What a life you live!

@StrangeHistoryX

10 ай бұрын

Watch that part again. That's not what I said. What I said was that the name FRIAR PARK was not the result of their being a NUNNERY or MONASTERY on the property when it had that name prior to Frank Crisp acquiring the property. And even thereafter it never was. It was a SCHOOL. Only a few nuns lived on the property.

@xenu-dark-tony

10 ай бұрын

Thank you@@StrangeHistoryX ! It gives me an excuse to enjoy it again now so I might be able to figure out what was distracting me. Take care, Dave.

@lynnhubbard844

8 ай бұрын

@@StrangeHistoryX what became of Friar Park after George?

Could there have been anyone else to occupy Friar Park than George Harrison? I doubt it. Eclectic and enigmatic, playful and intriguing, timeless and whimsical. I smiled throughout imaging George tooling around with a wheel barrow full of well used tools and grafting away. Gardening is the Green Gym- best place for cleansing the mind and soul and for seeing the world through the eyes of nature. George is still missed and revered as a genuine and kind man. I think he's in a better place spiritually but his spirit also remains at Friar Park too- that must surely be the best mark to leave behind. Quirky as this composition doco was, it lifted my spirits no end. Thanks for making and posting.

When I see how whimsical and humorous these spaces are and read how much he treasured his time gardening, I think that this place was as fulfilling to George as his music.

So many interesting and clever details. This was meant for George to aquire.

@tulayamalavenapi4028

Жыл бұрын

Hare Krishna! 💜

Thanks for this wonderful film. As a young teen in the 70s I lived in one of the nearby villages called Medmenham and often passed by the famous carriage gates. I remember George Harrison explaining some of the lyrics from his 'Extra Texture' album to Annie Nightingale on a Radio 2 interview. So it's really cool to see these during the film.

It is so amazing to think that there are, and have been people who live their entire lives in such lavish manner, yet they would simply call it - home. Ya got to live somewhere... I can't even imagine having a walk through. You would never get me out! It is pure art, on a grand scale, and who better than George Harrison, should deserve to spend his years, in care of such a place.

Mindblowing docu.Love the clear,articulate voice of the narrator ! FAR ARDEN...good place to meet ( and record) for the SECOND COMING and have a FEAST OF FRIENDS...❤

Incredible to believe that, when George saw the property it was going to be taken apart and destroyed. He decided that wasn't going to happen and set out to restore and save it . Thank you, George . Now, I'd like to see Donovan's home in Ireland . From the little that I've seen from the 3 hour video he self hosted, "Sunshine Superman", it looked gorgeous .

great documentary. George must have seen he was on a gold mine wen he found it. I hop Dhani opens it to the public one day.

Thank you Scott, what a wonderful documentary on Friar Park. My Grandmother was Lady Crisps Companion / Maid and my Grandfather was Sir Franks Chauffeur at Friar Park. Granny would often talk about Friar Park and now I have seen some of what she described. Thanks.

@StrangeHistoryX

8 ай бұрын

Very cool. I wish I knew more about Sir Frank and Lady Crisp. What years were they working for them? Info about either is not too easy to come by. Even more so with Sir Percival and Lady David. Thankfully, at least there is some good info about that about the last owner. Some guy named George Harrison. :)

@user-xw3qo5io8q

8 ай бұрын

Not exactly sure of the year, obviously pre WW1. Once they were romantically involved one of them had to move and find a position elsewhere, as was the practice in those days.

This place is truly magical. George really did right to buy it and restore it.

Wow, beautiful narration about a beautiful place, love it.

The best video of Friar Park in my humble opinion. Thank you for all the work put into this video.

Amazingly detailed. I’d been searching for a Friar Park doc for a while. This shows up and is way more than I could’ve expected. What an amazing story.

Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynn used the studio in Friar Park to record some of the music on Roys Mystery Girl album . George helped with the making of that album ,

No wonder George loved his home❤️

One of the best documentaries I have ever seen. I have read so much about Friar Park and was an avid Beatle fan growing up in the 60's. I can't imagine anyone else having the sensitivity, understanding and vision to transform Friar Park back to its original state other than George Harrison himself. What an enchanting, magical place. How I would love to be able to walk its winding paths among ethereal gardens and towering pines. Magnificent writing by Scott Cardinal and exquisite narration by Gerard Gilroy. I will watch this masterpiece again and again. RIP George. You were always my favorite, even moreso now. Peace.

I just found all your videos on Friar Park. I have visited Henley twice in 1988 and in 2008. Took my children and husband (who has now passed), just to see the outside of the estate, by the gate house, and then walked around and got another photo of the top, through the trees. Always had heard it was amazing inside, but It is just so wonderful that you have helped in the preservation and visualization of this wonderful place. Now everyone can see the beauty of it all. THANK YOU!

Among the most fascinating and informative documentaries on architecture and history that also illuminates the character of a Beatle in a vastly under appreciated way. For G Harrison to have taken on the management of this epic installation boggles the mind and hugely expands my appreciation and understanding of his character.

@StrangeHistoryX

10 ай бұрын

Thank you for that very kind complement. I am so happy that you enjoyed it.

@mattmichael6792

10 ай бұрын

@@StrangeHistoryX I’m curious about friar Park today. Is it accessible to the public at all?

@lynnhubbard844

8 ай бұрын

@@StrangeHistoryX so I watched your video on the Dakota yesterday and another one so I subscribed today when I found this. Did Paul and Ringo live in historic homes too or just monster mansions in CA? Is this project/purchase the reason he became SIR George?

So glad that George Harrison at least gets several honorable mentions for purchasing and restoring Friar Park in this video about Sir Frank Crisp and the extended history and time period evolving around his estate.

Dearest Scott, Thank you for this masterpiece. I've been there but only outside the gates. You have opened a beautiful door to a magical place. Now, Olivia is in charge of the Gardens I've heard? Peace & Love...

@judis6224

9 ай бұрын

Olivia is not at friends park,she's american,and has a house there.

I knew that george lived at Friar Park, but I did not know its history. Thankyou for this video it is truly an amazing place .

@StrangeHistoryX

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Thank you for creating this video! This is amazing! I love it! Feels like my spirit is right there enjoying it! So glad George acquired it and Olivia still cares for it 💜 it all was meant to be...

Beautiful. I feel like I've been there now. No wonder Keith Richards called George Harrison "Farmer George!"

@StrangeHistoryX

11 ай бұрын

I'm so glad you liked it.

What a beautiful and extremely well produced video. Thank you so much.

I've always wanted to visit and see it. I've driven past many times as I visit Henley regularly. Although, I've seen some pics I didn't realise how large and ornate the house was, or the estate, and the construction of the original gardens is mind-blowing. No wonder George kept busy in the garden and often worked into the night. I've worked on a 10-acre grounds surrounding a large house and that took a team of us - that's some legacy that Olivia and Dhani need to oversee and maintain. 😲

What an absolutely marvelous experience this was. I’d never seen the vine cave with those beautiful glass grape lights. Also was fun to see the light switches that were Friar faces with the switch as the nose! It was so nice to see those interior shots - they are so rare. Thank you Scott!

An enchanted world onto its own; brilliant.

Friar Park, the place I want to be. Thank you 😊

Absolute beauty.

What an absolutely amazing documentary. Loved every second of it! Exceptional quality.

@StrangeHistoryX

9 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you! I am glad you enjoyed it.

Well done! I've always been fascinated by this property. Thank you for sharing the story.

@StrangeHistoryX

2 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it I've written a handful of books about Friar Park, too. You might enjoy those.

@StrangeHistoryX

2 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it I've written a handful of books about Friar Park, too. You might enjoy those.

I was today years old when I realized what " the Ballad of Frankie Crisp" was all about. I thought it was just George being whimsical.

This documentary is superb! It should be screened on the BBC. It is so well presented.

@StrangeHistoryX

10 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you very much for saying that. I appreciate it.

@GBURGE55

8 ай бұрын

It's better than some BBC documentaries.

Very interesting,thanks for uploading It must have been a fabulous place to go to school

@lynnhubbard844

8 ай бұрын

I am a teacher...what a fabulous place to work it must have been

Taking us thru this magical place Friar Park truly is a legacy left for others to enjoy of which dearest George Harrison was custodian whilst on this earthly plain..a place to feel free to ponder the other elements of life that are forgotten by many..thankyou so much for posting a pleasure to be visiting via KZread ❤

@StrangeHistoryX

11 ай бұрын

You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I do believe this was the most enjoyable and satisfying documentary I have ever seen. The narration, pacing, script, photos, and subject are all perfect.

Fabulous job Scott! I’m slowing going through all of your video! This was excellent. I love the part that you wrote in the beginning about how Harrison considered himself to be Friar Park’s care taker. I’d love to see these gardens and explore everything about them. Thanks Scott. Well done!!!

Absolutely incredible!! I'm in love and awe of the beauty and creativity 💕 Sir Frank created Epoch before Disney! Melinda Lawley

What an interesting documentary! Thank you so much for sharing ♥️🌲

@StrangeHistoryX

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking it out. I am glad you enjoyed it.

So much inspiration for a garden ...

Read Chris O'Dell's book to find out what it was like staying there when George and Patti lived there. Wow

living in the material world

Friar Park Stories 1 was done beautifully! I sat and listened to the entire story and it was amazing. I’m going to listen again tonight , I know I’ve read about all the stories before it was always separately, this was an entire story of Sir Franks Museum of Gardens . I am always amazed at the stories of FP but this being done all together and the stories of Sir Frank and how he amazingly had such great thoughts on what to put in the gardens . I’m in awe at the whole story put together by you Scott , not surprised because I know your work and how perfect it always is , this was a FPStory very well done as always and I applaud you on all the subscribers you have , you earned every bit of it my friend, I love all your work and this one , in my opinion, is fascinating and intriguing and I’m always learning thanks to you Scott ! Keep on going , I know you never stop anyway , you’re the best !!!!

Architecture and music have some things in common for example mathematics and I really enjoyed the video thank you George Harrison should be enjoying his beautiful residence and the many fruits of his achievements have a good day.😊

Wish there was a bit more of Jeorge and his thoughts of place 🏡

Wow!!! Thank you for making this documentary. I have a book on Friar Park, but this helps it come alive. Thank God George bought it and preserved this amazing estate.

@StrangeHistoryX

11 ай бұрын

You're very welcome. Which Friar Park book do you have? I wrote all of them.

So many interesting facts, I can't pick my favorite! Thanks for putting this all in one video, perfect for watching on a snowy winter day, wishing I were in a cool shady spot at Friar Park in the summertime.

Spirit World ✨🌍

What a great documentary, and what a magnificent place… Would be anybody’s dream to live there!

@StrangeHistoryX

10 ай бұрын

Thank you. It amazed me that no one had ever made a documentary about it before, so I figured I would. I am so glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks so kindly for this intimate and loving look into this wonderful world of revelry. Enjoyed every moment.

What an absolutely amazing history about Friar Park I was totally drawn into it right from the beginning, and had no idea how vast the property and grounds are. Thank God that George Harrison bought it, I hate to think that if it was anyone else they might be tempted to sell of the land gradually to property developers then the property itself. It should have some kind of historical marker placed next to the property. A beautifully well researched and brilliant documentary.

@StrangeHistoryX

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind words. It was a lot of work but it just seemed like someone needed to make a documentary about Friar Park since no one ever had before. Thank you so much for watching it. I am glad you enjoyed it.

@dinshawpocha4882

Жыл бұрын

@@StrangeHistoryX I enjoyed the documentary so much that I sent it to my relatives via WhatsApp on my phone, I was wondering have you thought about showing it to Olivia Harrison I know the credits show that she supplied some of the photographs that were used, maybe an endorsement from her might help you release it to the general public? What are your thoughts about this?

Wonderful story and vision! I WISH I could visit it in person. Marvellous nature and buildings! It's like a magic

Thank you for an incredible video and so well done! I would have liked Friar Park even if George never bought it! I love interesting architecture and this entire house and gardens are beyond amazing. Glad I stumbled onto this video! Thanks again!

❤I'm every blade of grass, in every drop of water Sir Crisp AND RAJ GEORGE ❤🙏🕉

Fascinating. The upkeep must be astonishing

Absolutely enchantment. Love every moment of this

thank you for showing this, i loved every second of the video tour. it was well done

An absolutely wonderful and beautiful story... thanks for the tour 💞

Enchanting! So well done!

Amazing work Scott! Thank you so much for this valuable details and smooth story telling.

Amazing true life story! Thanks so much for sharing

A fascinating look at a wonderful place and I loved the message of kindness at the end. V

Sir Frank. Crisp had a vision as he created that vision he had another vision. I see friar Park as a constant whimsical work of art. It is amazing that such a wealthy and well traveled man created frier park with a sense of whimsy. It is so amazing that George and Olivia and Danny continue to keep up this amazing work of art. I am sure it’s not easy and I am sure it is very expensive. What they continue to do it, hopefully, with the wry smile on their face.

Thank you, for such a wonderful journey through Firar Park😊😊

What an amazing place ! Wow !

That was a captivating from beginning to end. Thanks so much for producing and sharing.

Breathtaking video, perfect harmony amazingly portrayed

Thank you all for watching the videos and a HUGE THANK YOU for those who support the channel as a KZread Members and especially on Patreon. Just as little as $5 a month helps the channel tremendously!!! Please click here: www.patreon.com/StrangeHistory Thank you! 🙂

@007KayElleKay

8 ай бұрын

Were you given access to Friar Park or did you construct this documentary from old maps , films and Sir Frank’s own memoir of it ? There is no real indication of what it looks like now ? Did lots of the statuary survive Friar Park’s days of being a convent school ? How much of the original vision of Sir Frank was inherited and maintained by the Harrison family ? Seems there’s not much from “now” ?

@mikeomaly

6 ай бұрын

These videos are really cool! Thank you!

An absolutley equsite place! Such beauty of Mother Nature and the equsite design's. A true master piece! Bet the Harrison's, really enjoyed it, there. WOW! Thank you for sharing this. A wonderful, 'arm chair' trip, indeed!

Thank you, Scott! A wonderful telling of an amazing story.

@StrangeHistoryX

10 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the video and found the story amazing. It means a lot to me!

Excellent. Thanks you for this documentary.

Absolutely incredible. Every detail is amazing.

I couldn't imagine keeping such a property such as this going.

Seems like Heaven on Earth to me. I would never want to leave it's grounds...Sir Frank was a man of great vision. I hope all people who own this property see their first job as a conservator. Absolutely amazing. I've heard people tell stories of it and recall memories of the time they had spent there...good Lord...wish I had first hand experience of being there even for a few days and nights. I can't imagine the change of seasons and the beauty of such a place. Excellent. Thank you for making such a detailed video. I bet a fully detailed video would be many many many more hours...I would love to watch that hehe. Would be nice if the owners opened it up for a full documentary and I vote (as if I had one! lol) for you Mr. Cardinal to get the honors!

What a place, absolutely fascinating.

Absolutely fascinating.

Just sublime!

It is nice to mention the place was in a terrible state when George and Patti bought it from the nuns. It must have been a very basic way of living during the first pre-renovation years.

43:20 "My only friends are the garden gnomes."

Magnificent ! Thank you

@StrangeHistoryX

11 ай бұрын

Many thanks!

Excelent video. So rich in detail.

Great stuff. Thanks for sharing this wonderful history.

Absolutely amazing. This place looks like a great place to live. It's good to be rich.

Delightful, thank you.

@StrangeHistoryX

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Such a wonderful documentary! A quick escape to a beautiful place I'll never be able to visit. What irony the Alpine garden an the little Matterhorn. I think that's about all Switzerland has to offer besides of tourism, these days...😅 Okay, Grindelwald, that place I have to visit ✔️

I really enjoyed this very interesting documentary, thank you for producing it. I understand that it's primarily about the gardens, however I would have liked to see the stained glass windows in more detail. Will have to search online!

Finally. Been waiting for a tour of Friar Park for years.

@StrangeHistoryX

10 ай бұрын

I a so glad you enjoyed it. Kindly check out my other Friar Park videos. I hope you enjoy them.

These buildings are beautiful and i bet Tartarian...

Beautiful.

Crazy but incredible. I can only imagine the yearly cost of all the workers to keep it up. But why wasnt his home secured when that guy broke in and tried to get him???

Fantastic...... interesting & informative ...👍

That was super interesting and very well documented. The voiceover was calming and soothing to listen to. THANK YOU for posting this...I am an admirer of buildings and houses that were built from 1800 to about 1910. I would love to see the interior of Friar Park. I did get to see the inside of The Dakota in NYC...the craftsmanship is incredible and well done.

@StrangeHistoryX

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! I do have quite a number of photos of the interior, and the floor plans, but of course I wish I had a lot more photos.

@flashflame4952

Жыл бұрын

@@StrangeHistoryX I enjoyed it so much I sent it to 5 of my friends...YES they will enjoy it, I know them well lol...The little bits of the inside the outside world has gotten to see is so minimal! But you did an incredible job tracing back Sir Frankie's history. What a colorful character he was.

Marvelously well produced.