The Bernard Herrmann Society

Cumberland Terrace is a part of the so-called "Nash Terraces" around Regent's Park. When architect John Nash created Regent's Park in the early 19th century he also created three "terraces" in the east, south and west of the park. Cumberland is the eastern terrace. They suffered damage during World War II and had to be restored.

Herrmann moved to flat 11 of Cumberland Terrace in 1961 where he lived until 1970. During that period he lived half the year in London and for the rest in Hollywood (after his divorce with Lucy Anderson he made an arrangement to share Bluebell in Los Angeles with her). He lived alone in Cumberland Terrace until he married Norma Shepherd in 1967. The entrance pictured above is used by flats 10 to 16.

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Chester Close North is just around the corner from Cumberland Terrace, is far different in the whole ambience. It is a very small enclosure that hasn't changed since the 1950ies, except for the cars.

As the English quarantine laws were reduced from 12 months to 6 and Norma was fed up with Los Angeles Herrmann decided to move permanently to London in 1971 and take his dog "Twi" with them. The dog didn't survive it, sadly. He lived with Norma in the flat in the middle of the picture until his death in 1975. The flat belonged once to Christine Keeler, who became infamous during the Profumo affair, that ended the Government of Harold Macmillan. (Filmed as "Scandal" with Joanne Whalley).

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The park was originally the king's hunting ground, until King Charles was forced to sell it due to financial difficulties. The area was basically designed by John Nash in the early 19th Century. It is easy to see why this was Herrmann's favourite park where he spent hours just walking and relaxing. The picture above shows "Cumberland Gate", the entrance closest to his two homes. The last picture below shows the bandstand where brass band concerts are performed regularly on weekends.


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Many famous marriages were made at the Westminster Register Office (formerly known as the Marylebone Register Office) inside the Westminster Council House (the former Marylebone Town Hall). Certainly no couple were as famous as Bernard and Norma Herrmann, who got married there on November 27, 1967. Bernard was 56 and Norma just 27. Amongst the not so famous couples were Paul & Linda McCartney, Ringo Starr & Barbara Bach and more recently Liam Gallagher & Patsy Kensit.

[streetmap] [Westminster City Council]

At this famous London store Herrmann shopped quite often. In 1966 he met a perfume saleswoman who introduced him to Norma Shepherd at her next party, who was to become the third Mrs. Herrmann.

[streetmap] [Fortnum and Mason]

The white building is one of the most exclusive private (all-male) clubs in the world. Herrmann became a member in 1960. Other famous composer members of the time included: William Alwyn, Malcolm Arnold, John Scott and William Walton. There he became friendly with Malcolm Arnold. The relationship to John Scott on the other hand was strained. Herrmann rarely visited the club in later years, the act of belonging was enough.

[streetmap] [The Savile Club]