The veteran musician resides peacefully in the Sussex countryside, having made the region his home for over half a century.

At 82 years old, he remains best known as the co-founder and principal singer of rock band The Who, recognised for his distinctive vocals and energetic performances.

His career has earned him recognition among the most celebrated figures in rock music history.

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Roger Daltrey’s quiet life in the Sussex countryside

The musician was born in East Acton, London during an air raid in the Second World War.

He received his early education at Victoria Primary School and Acton County Grammar School in West London, institutions that would later be attended by fellow band members Pete Townshend and John Entwistle.

In 1957, he constructed his initial guitar, subsequently becoming vocalist for a skiffle ensemble named the Detours after being instructed to provide his own instrument. His father purchased him an Epiphone guitar two years later, and he took on the role of lead guitarist within the group.

During 1964, they learned another ensemble was performing under the Detours name, prompting discussions about rebranding, eventually selecting The Who as their new identity.

He has been married on two occasions, first to Jacqueline Rickman between 1964 and 1968, then to Heather Taylor from 1971 onwards.

During the early 1970s, he acquired a farm at Holmshurst Manor, a property dating from the Jacobean period situated close to Burwash in East Sussex.

In 1981, he established Lakedown Trout Fishery, personally designing its quartet of spring-fed reservoirs, and the operation is presently overseen by his son Jamie.

Sir Roger Daltrey at his trout lake in Sussex in 1983 (Image: Nigel Holland)

Speaking to Sussex Life, Roger reflected on the moment he and Heather first viewed Holmshurst.

He described the hallway as being pitch black with damp, and noted the kitchen was in poor condition. He mentioned that upon walking up to the front room, he saw the view. He noted the house sits on a hill looking across the valleys and villages of the High Weald of East Sussex. He described being able to see for miles and miles and miles. He said he stood open-mouthed and knew he had to live there. He noted they moved into the place that would be their home for the rest of their lives on June 26, 1971. He described Holmshurst as a very special house that grounded him. He noted it was built for a Quaker. He stated there was nothing fancy about it and that it is a simple, functional place that suits him.

He noted that a decade was required to bring the property up to standard, encompassing painting, scrubbing and manual labour, with assistance from Herbert, son of the landlord at the local establishment called The Kicking Donkey, to help with restoring the lake.

Roger Daltrey was knighted for his services to music and charity (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

He continued that he ended up with four interconnected lakes and could invite all his old workmates from the sheet metal factory to come fishing. He noted they would sit there by the water and tell him it was criminal, Rog, to keep all this to himself. He acknowledged that of course they were right. He explained that he opened Lakedown Trout Fishery to the public and met lots of people who were more interested in fish than rock star Roger.

Roger went on to say that nature is now a sanctuary for him, having spent his early childhood living with his parents, younger sisters, uncle, aunt and cousins in rented rooms in Shepherd’s Bush, west London.

He continued that he loves walking on the Sussex Weald and likes the ruggedness, the reality about East Sussex. He described it as being rough round the edges, a rough diamond. He noted some of the architecture in St Leonards and Hastings is to die for. He expressed confusion about how it is not protected.

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