Here we take a look at Beatles locations in London and Liverpool. The boys were Liverpudlian’s but they left their mark all over the capital. Here we look at all the top Beatles related locations in London and Liverpool so you can walk in the footsteps of the fab four.
Beatles Locations in London
Starting down south we look at all the top locations that draw in the tourists and some lesser known locations.
Abbey Road – Zebra crossing
Abbey Road was the eleventh studio album the Beatles recorded in 1969 at the north London EMI Studios on Abbey Road. The London police blocked the road for 10 minutes, enough time for photographer, Ian Macmillan stood on a stepladder to capture the iconic image. Arguable one of the the most famous zebra crossing in the world. It is great for photo opportunities much to the annoyance of local drivers. However it is just a crosswalk and unless you are a die hard Beatles fan, this area and road crossing might leave you disappointed.
The website link below shows a live stream of the Abbey Road Crossing:
Abbey Road Studio
The Abbey Roads Studio is still a working studio and now sometimes open it up to the public for tours and lectures. You can find it 3 Abbey Rd, London, NW8 9AY.
The British Library
The British Library houses a fantastic collection of memorabilia including old photographs of the original band members Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe. Other items on display include newspaper headlines, birthday cards, original lyrics lyrics quickly written on napkins. A real treat for fans are the 3 manuscripts hand written by John Lennon which include the lyrics to “Strawberry Fields Forever.” It’s quite a treat and definitely worth a visit. The Library is free to enter and can be found on 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB.
34 Montagu Square
34 Montagu Square is a 5 storty townhouse that Ringo Star bought in 1965. He rented out the ground floor and basement. Paul McCartney and Jimi Hendrix moved and in 1968 John Lennon and Yoko Ono moved in. During this time Lennon was working on the White Album as well as colabs with Yoko. Famously the flat was raided by police who found traces of cannabis.
On 18 October 1968 at 11.30am police raided the flat John and Yoko rented. The police found traces of cannabis. The police marched Lennon and Ono through the crowds of photographers to the police car. At Paddington Green police station they were charged with possession, 10 days later they were were convicted for possession of the drug.
In 2010, Ono installed a blue plaque on the front of the building, commemorating it as a “building of historical interest. The address is 34 Montagu Square, Marylebone, W1H 2LJ.
London Palladium Theatre
The London Palladium Theatre is where the Beatles played on 13th October in 1963. Their appearance on Sunday Night at the London Palladium cause quite a stir. The daily mail coined the tern ‘Beatlemania’ because if the reaction of fans. You can see a video of the lads trying to leave the theater being pursued by fans:
3 Savile Row
The last public performance was famously performed on the roof of the building where their offices were. On January 30, 1969 they performed on the roof and due to noise complaints the police got called. The address is 3 Savile Row, Mayfair, W1S 3PB.
Beatles Filming Locations London
Beatles film locations are also great places for fans of the Beatles to visit. A Hard Day’s Night was the Beatles first feature movie and released in 1964. It was filmed in London and surrounding areas. A British comedy-musical film which opens with with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr running to the train station being followed by a mob of fans. This location is Boston Place on the east side of Marylebone station in London NW1.
The scene where the lads give Norm the slip out of a fire exit can be found at the back of the Hammersmith Odeon in W6.
There is a great page which shows all of the pages which can be found here: https://www.reelstreets.com/films/hard-days-night-a/
The second film the Beatles starred in was Help! A 1965 British musical comedy-adventure film. The story sees the boys struggle to record their new album while trying to protect Ringo from a sinister cult and a pair of mad scientists who are obsessed with trying to get one of his rings.
The filming locations of the boys house in the film can be found at 5, 7, 9 and 11 Ailsa Avenue in Twickenham, Greater London, TW1 1NF. The jewellers where Ringo tries to get the ring removed can be found on 165-169 New Bond Street, W1.
The ‘Rajahama’ Indian restaurant was the long-gone Dolphin Restaurant, now redeveloped as Daylesford Organic Farm Deli, 8 Blandford Street, W1, at Marylebone High Street.
Beatles Walking Tour London
If you want to see all the top famous Beatles locations on a guided walking tour, why not join other fans on the UK’s premier music tour company Brit Music Tours. You will be guided by an expert guide to all the pivotal places in London which were part of their journey. Where they recorded, played and met the people who help shape their lives and career.
There are a number of lesser-known locations the tour takes you past. A studio where they made of their biggest hits and the location where John Lennon first met Yoko Ono.
Click here to book the Beatles Walking Tour London.
Beatles Bus Tour London
Brit Music Tours also offers a Beatles bus tour in London. On tour with other like-minded fans you will learn where Paul McCartney recorded an early demo of Eleanor Rigby. See the location where George Martin lived during the Beatles years. Along the way you will pass by Paul McCartney’s London home. You can recreate the front cover of Abbey Road by crossing the famous zebra crossing. On tour you will hear insights you wouldn’t otherwise learn. The professional tour guides have snippets ff info which is not in the public arena. So if you want a fully conclusive London Beatles bus tour follow the link below:
Click her to book the Beatles Bus Tour London
These are just some of the many London locations associated with The Beatles. Our tour guides can take you to lesser known locations and share tit-bits of fascinating information.
Beatles Locations in Liverpool
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Star all grew up in Liverpool. This is the English town that fans flock to. The town is now famous worldwide and often the first place fans want to visit. Fans want to visit the locations in Beatles songs and flock to Liverpool and walk in the footsteps of the fab 4. Below are the most famous Beatles locations in Liverpool.
The Cavern Club
The Cavern Club is where the Beatles gave their first ever performance on 9th February 1961. The legendary club is where Brian Epstein saw them play just a year later and became their manager. The Cavern is possibly one of the worlds most famous clubs. It has seen a lot of changes over the years including a different entrance. The club still features live music and houses plenty of memorabilia. It has a great atmosphere and is a must visit for Beatles fans. The Cavern club is a top Beatles location that cane be found on 10 Mathew St, Liverpool L2 6RE:
The Beatles Story Museum
A trip visiting Beatles locations in Liverpool wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Beatles Story Museum. The Beatles Story is a museum dedicated to the Fab Four which is situated on the Albert Dock. It takes visitors on a unique immersive journey telling the story of The Beatles’ rise to fame. You can learn how the group gained popularity in Liverpool before going on to conquer the world.
You can walk around the museum at your own pace with a hand and headset giving out information about all the exhibits as you walk past. It is an award winning exhibition and another must visit location for Beatles fans.
Penny Lane
Most of the Beatles songs were inspired by their surroundings and childhood experiences. In 1967 they released a double A side with ‘Penny Lane’ and ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. John and Paul used to meet on Penny Lane where they would get the bus into town. Penny Lane can be found on the A562 which is a road which runs from Liverpool to Warrington. The map below is where the famous sign can be found.
The Original Barber Shop
In the Penny Lane area you can find the barbers that Paul sang about in the iconic ‘Penny Lane’ song. However in reality it was not on Penny Lane itself, but on Smithdown Place, overlooking the ‘roundabout’ with the bus shelter. Today its called Tony Slavin. You can see pictures on the wall and have your hair cut in the same place and experience a real piece of Beatles history. Be aware that there are a number of barbers in the Penny Lane area trying to tempt tourists to visit. experience a real piece of Beatles history.
Strawberry Fields
This iconic site immortalised by John Lennon in the hit, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ is now open to the public. Fans used to peer over the gates, but today its been transformed into an interactive visitor exhibition where they run programs for young adults with learning and other life difficulties. With a cafe, shop and garden spaces it is a great place to explore and unwind. The address is Beaconsfield Rd, Woolton, Liverpool, Merseyside, L25 6DA:
Casbah Coffee Club
The Casbah Coffee Club is the former music venue which was started by Mona Best who was the mother of early Beatles drummer, Pete Best. She started the club in her basement. When the the Quarrymen (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ken Brown) asked for a booking. Mona agreed if they helped finish painting the club first. They agreed and painted the walls with spiders, dragons, rainbows and stars. The cellar with its original decoration still exists and it’s possible to visit the club for an authentic Beatles experience.
In 2006 the building was given a Grade II listed building status and a blue plaque. It was then opened as a tour, after being recommended by English Heritage. It was opened as a tourist attraction in Liverpool, along with Paul McCartney and Paul Lennon’s previous homes.
20 Forthlin Road
20 Forthlin Road is now a National Trust property. The house is where Paul McCartney lived for several years as a young man. It is now labelled by the National Trust as “the birthplace of the Beatles”.
251 Menlove Avenue
251 Menlove Avenue is the childhood home of the Beatles’ John Lennon. Located in the Woolton suburb of Liverpool, it is nicknamed Mendips after the Mendip Hills. This is another building which is now a Grade II listed building preserved by the National Trust.
Beatles Childhood Homes Tour
Here at Fab 4 Taxi Tours we offer a comprehensive Beatles Childhood Homes Tour. It is a 2-hour tour which takes a close look at the events and people that helped shape the Beatles and their songs.
The expert driver guide will let you immerse yourself into the worlds of John, Paul, George and Ringo. This tour would make an excellent gift if bought as a voucher. Vouchers are valid for 12 months and each taxi can take up to 6.
60 Years On
The Beatles were a ground-breaking band which became one of Britain’s best musical exports. They stormed the UK charts in the early 60’s and had 16 UK No. 1’s. The bands popularity grew rapidly as more and more catchy songs were released. In total, they spent 65 weeks at the top of the UK charts. Fans worshiped them almost deity like. They would scream through concerts and it was pure mania and hysteria wherever they went. The press called all the commotion Beatlemania.
Around the time the band was a breath of fresh air and brought Pop and Rock and Roll to the fore front. Many believe they were the very first true pop group. Before the Beatles the two biggest Bands in the US were the The Four Seasons and the Beach Boys who enjoyed all chart success. The Beatles made their presence known in the US in 1964 when they took the top five best-selling singles Billboard chart. Something that had never been done before.
60 years later The Beatles still remain one of the world’s most popular music groups of all time. The Beatles helped to put Liverpool, England on the world map.
Us Brits are extremely proud of the music born of this country. We believe the UK has produced some of the greatest rock and pop bands of all time and we like to celebrate this. Queen, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Oasis, and The Beatles are just a handful of bands this country is proud off.
We hope you have found this guide helpful and you have a fantastic time touring Beatles locations.
