Wetherby Mansions, Earl’s Court Square, South Kensington, London where Syd shared a flat with artist Duggie Fields from December 1968 to mid 1970.

 

Fields: "It was strange. I knew he’d be lying in bed doing nothing and I knew he’d be lying there thinking that, while he was lying there, he had the potential to do anything in the world. But the minute he got up he limited his potential, and he kept inhibiting himself by that, so he did nothing in the end."

Egerton Court, off Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London where Syd lived in late 1967, the period of his alienation from Pink Floyd.

Jenny Fabian, later author of ‘Groupie’: "Syd was so beautiful. His violet eyes. I only sort of lay beside him, nothing more could be accomplished. Then he had a breakdown and was gone. He hardly spoke. He only tolerated me there because I was so overpowered, so in awe that I didn’t really speak either… I knew Syd was wonderful because he wrote such wonderful songs."

Chelsea Cloisters, off King’s Road, Chelsea, London. Syd’s home for most of the mid to late 70s, and finally in 1982. Also the last address of Roberto Calvi of Banco Ambrosiano, just before his mysterious death.

Doorman Ronnie Salmon: ‘He used to drink in The Marlborough just around the corner… When I used to go round for a few beers with my mates, we’d see him sitting over in the corner as if in a dream. He was on his own all the time… always on his own. I’d try to get him to talk about his music, but he just wasn’t interested.’

Sound Techniques Studio, where ‘Arnold Layne’ was recorded on 29th January 1967. Produced by Joe Boyd, who organised several highlights of the Underground scene in 66/67.

Boyd: ‘In the murky glow, it was hard to pick out personalities, but if there was a centre of attention, it was Syd Barrett, with his impish girl-magnet looks, the screams of his slide guitar and the offhand way he sang his oddly melodic songs.’

The world-famous boutique of the Swinging Sixties, at 488 King's Road, is surprisingly small. Of all the relics I tried to find, this was the most difficult to locate. A charming old lady finally hinted me here, and the address was later confirmed by the interesting book of Max Decharne.

For some reason, this place made me sad.

The Pollo Bar, Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1. Close to Syd's attic bedsit at 2, Earlham Street (since demolished and rebuilt) which he shared with Lindsay Korner in the same house as Peter Wynne Wilson and Susie Gawler-Wright.

Manager Peter Jenner: 'The most creative person I've ever known. It was extraordinary - in those few months at Earlham Street, he wrote nearly all his songs for the Floyd and his solo albums. It was all very casual, done off the top of the head. No tortured genius, sweating through his pain, as far as I could see.'

Bar Italia, 22 Frith Street, Soho.
They have a website.

Bar Bruno, Wardour Street, Soho.
It is featured in two websites I love: EBCB and Classic Cafés. Everyone speaks Italian here, and their bubble and squeak is delicious.

E. Pellicci, 332 Bethnal Green Road. A very cute caff, Grade II listed. Unfortunately it was closed at the time of my visit.

Lorelei, Bateman Street, Soho.
So well conserved that it's difficult to believe!