Paul McCartney shares his memories as we peek into UK's most fascinating homes

Apr 13 2008

Here at Right at Home we love peeking in your pads - and this week we're touring Britain to open the doors on some of the country's most interesting homes - with a little help from Sir Paul McCartney.

From castles to cubbyholes and farmhouses to flats, they're all in a new book out on Thursday.

The Beatles legend has written the introduction on coffee table tome UK At Home: A Celebration Of Where We Live And Love, to mark the 21st anniversary of IKEA's arrival in Britain.

Click here to see our gallery of pictures from the book.

It is a candid look at nearly 300 properties, with each resident asked to show what the word home means to them.

Some are shown simply making a cup of tea but others are a little more off-the-wall - from the pensioner who has turned her living room into a shrine to the Royal family to the bloke whose kitchen resembles a Star Trek spaceship.

Macca's daughter Mary - the eldest of his three children with late wife Linda - is one of the photographers.

He said: "For me the word 'home' is one that conjures up so many emotions.

"My own earliest memories are filled with a warmth and security that come from a good family environment. The word can also conjure up not-so pleasant memories - friction, arguments, the sadness of growing up and for parents, just trying to keep a family together. But these memories seem to fade as time goes by, leaving a positive feeling in their place.

"Home is a place to return to, set off om, tell your tales in, air grievances in, share joy in. It means different things to each of us but for me the warmth and strength of my home is always foremost no matter where I roam'.

"In this book, there are many examples of the meaning of the word home' and my particular connection to this book is via the photography work of my daughter Mary.

"When I think of home I naturally have memories of her from birth until now and it warms my heart to think of the many precious moments we've spent together and now she is following in the footsteps of her mum and taking beautiful pictures.

"I think this also validates the importance of home life. Although I know many people who were unlucky enough when they were growing up not to have a good home life, many of them have now made good homes for themselves and have escaped the trap which they so nearly succumbed to.

"In Liverpool, my formative years were filled with family, uncles, aunts and friends circulating through our house, making it into a very warm place to spend time in. Later when I travelled abroad, it was always very rewarding to come home and switch off, knowing my family would completely understand and welcome me back.

"I hope that your memories of home are good ones or that the meaning of the word in the future will become special and as reassuring as it can be.

Home is where the heart is. There's no place like home. Home sweet home, it's the best place to be."

You can watch a behind the scenes look at the making of one of the book's most memorable shots on our video player below.

PICTURES: Andy Hall, Zak Waters, David Modell, Roger Bamber, Cecilia Magill, Mike Goldwater, Thomas Brandi, Jo Broughton, Ivor Prickett, Richard Baker and Andrew Buurman/UK At Home: A Celebration of Where We Live and Love (Duncan Baird Publishers)