Buy Syd Barrett's house

Syd Barrett's house has been put up for sale, with the description of the property offering an illuminating account of the last 20 years of his life.

The former Pink Floyd star died this summer, after spending many years living as a virtual recluse in the former home of his mother in Cambridge.

The house, which is valued at £300,000, has been put on the market by Cheffins, the auctioneers, who are also selling many of his final possessions.

Much of the background to the home has been written by Rosemary Breen (nee Barrett, Roger's sister), who explains that Syd moved into the property in 1981, with his mother, who had lived there since 1974.

Breen says that Syd "loved the peace and quiet of St Margarets Square, hearing the children in the road playing and enjoying cycling to the local shops.

"He put his stamp on the house with frequent redecoration, building his own furniture, changing doors etc. In the front room he did his drawing and painting and wrote at length about art history.

"In the back room he relaxed and enjoyed listening to jazz. Upstairs he slept in all the bedrooms deciding which one as the mood took him. He had plans to use the loft as an art studio but never quite got round to it."

She continues: "The only intrusion to his peace being the occasional visits from fans. He could never understand why strangers wanted his time as the reason for his fame was always a mystery to him.

"His neighbours were very protective regarding his fan base and would sometimes deny all knowledge of him or even say he lived in the next road."

Syd Barrett died in July at the age of 60.