Rock star opens gardens to public including luxury cars worth £50m

The celebrity couple once again opened the gardens at Middlewick House in Corsham on Saturday and Sunday (June 3 and 4) for charity.

The annual event returned to raise funds for the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, of which Mrs Mason is a vice-patron, and for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Crowds surround the rare Ferrari 250 GTO reputed to be worth £40 million. Photo: Trevor Porter 69911-4 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Last year’s event raised a record £84,000 and organisers were hoping to match or top that this year.

Jennie Shaw, director of the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, said: “I can already confirm we have beaten last year's record both in income and visitors. But it's too early to confirm actual figures. The weather was with us too.

"But most importantly, enormous thanks to everyone living on or near Middlewick Lane and their support by relocating their cars from the lane over the weekend, it made the lane safer for visitors.

Some of the cars owned by Nick Mason displayed at the front of the Grade II listed Middlewick House. Photo: Trevor Porter 69911-6 (Image: Trevor Porter)

"Also, thanks to Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Council for supporting the traffic management plan. Lastly, but not least, to Gist Environmental who once again provided all the waste management.

"This one event will keep a Bobby Van operator on the road for one year. That is about 600  households over 60 safer in Wiltshire, and about five people who have experienced a major injury will be quickly and safely transported to hospital."

Large crowds visited on both days, which were blessed by bright and sunny weather, and a visit by 100 classic cars brought by their owners from all over the country.

The rare 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, one of only 36 made and recognised as ‘a work of art' by an Italian court. Photo: Trevor Porter 69911-5 (Image: Trevor Porter)

These were lined up on a field overlooked by the house, while Mr Mason once again displayed his magnificent collection of supercars worth in excess of £56.3 million.

One of the most expensive cars on display was a Ferrari 250 GTO now worth an estimated £40 million.

Only 36 cars of that model were built at Ferrari in 1962 and Mr Mason’s has been rated as a ‘work of art’ by Italian officials.

The 1931 Bentley Vanden Plas tourer owned by Nick Mason’s father Bill was the catalyst for his entire collection. Photo: Trevor Porter 69911-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Mr Mason revealed that a 1931 Bentley Vanden Plas Tourer bought by his father Bill in 1947 acted as the catalyst of his entire collection of cars.

This car was on show at the front of the Grade II listed Georgian mansion that he purchased from Camilla Parker Bowles following her 1995 divorce from her first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles.

Pink Floyd music fans queue to have their music and book memorabilia signed by Nick Mason. Photo: Trevor Porter 69911-7 (Image: Trevor Porter)