Former Led Zeppelin Holiday Home Becomes World’s Newest Micronation; Exclusive Video Tour Released
In an unexpected blend of rock history and political novelty, a former holiday retreat once frequented by Led Zeppelin has declared itself the world’s newest micronation. Nestled in the remote valleys of North Wales, “Zeppelia” — as its founders call it — is turning heads with its mix of classic rock nostalgia, tongue-in-cheek sovereignty, and stunning landscape.
The estate, a sprawling stone manor known locally as Bron Yr Aur (meaning “golden hill” in Welsh), was famously used by Led Zeppelin in the early 1970s. It’s where Robert Plant and Jimmy Page wrote several songs, including parts of the iconic Stairway to Heaven. Now, over 50 years later, the site has been revived by a group of eccentric fans and preservationists into a functioning micronation — complete with its own flag, anthem, and a governing “council of riff.”
A newly released video tour offers a glimpse into the quirky new state. Viewers are guided through the manor’s rustic rooms, which still bear vintage recording gear, Zeppelin memorabilia, and walls echoing with musical history. Outside, rolling green hills serve as borders for what’s now officially (according to its founders) “The Sovereign Republic of Zeppelia.”
The brainchild behind the initiative is rock historian and artist Dylan McCray, who acquired the property in 2023 with a small collective. “We didn’t just want to preserve history,” McCray explains in the video, “we wanted to live inside it. And so Zeppelia was born — not just as a tribute to Zeppelin, but as a space where creativity and freedom rule.”
According to the founders, Zeppelia issues its own passports, has a functioning online currency called “ZepCoin,” and operates under a constitution that prioritizes music, art, and environmental conservation. Visitors can book overnight stays, participate in songwriting retreats, or apply for honorary citizenship — which reportedly includes a mandatory air guitar oath.
Legal experts have weighed in, noting that while micronations like Zeppelia have no official recognition from governments, they are often treated as artistic or cultural statements. “These are more performative than political,” says Professor Anwen Hughes of Cardiff University. “But they do raise interesting questions about sovereignty, community, and cultural memory.”
The video tour, now trending on YouTube and shared by several music blogs, has sparked excitement across the globe. Zeppelin fans and travel enthusiasts alike are eager to get a taste of the microstate. One commenter called it “the most rock ‘n’ roll thing to happen to a hill since Woodstock.”
As for Led Zeppelin themselves, neither Robert Plant nor Jimmy Page have publicly commented, though insiders say the two are “amused and flattered” by the tribute.
Whether Zeppelia becomes a global curiosity or a lasting cultural haven remains to be seen. But for now, the world’s newest micronation is rocking on — one power chord at a time.
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