This was published 4 years ago
Ten of the best Beatles locations in Liverpool, England
By Steve McKenna
John Lennon immortalised Strawberry Field, a former children's home in Liverpool, in the hit Strawberry Fields Forever.
PIER HEAD
Imagine if the Beatles never existed. That was the concept behind Danny Boyle's latest movie, Yesterday. But in truth, it's hard to fathom a world without the band and its melodic tunes, especially when you're in their home city of Liverpool. Fans from across the globe pose for photos beside the life-size bronze statues of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr on Pier Head on Liverpool's magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed waterfront.See visitliverpool.com
THE BEATLES STORY
This compelling and occasionally spine-tingling attraction charts the band's rise and legacy using a mix of artefacts, audio-visuals, interactive displays and recreations of key locations from the band's career, such as London's Abbey Road studios. The Beatles Story is housed in one of the giant converted Victorian warehouses on Albert Dock, a 10-minute walk south of Pier Head. See beatlesstory.com
THE CAVERN CLUB
The Cavern Wall of Fame shows all the bands and singers that have appeared at the famous Cavern Club. The club is where The Beatles had their first performance on 9 February 1961. Photo: iStock
This atmospheric club is a replica of the intimate basement bar in which the Beatles used to play. Its resident Liverpudlian bands look, dress and sound quite like the Fab Four in their pomp, and will have you singing along to their renditions of Hey Jude and All You Need is Love. You'll find the club in the Cavern Quarter, a vibrant city-centre zone that's akin to an open-air Beatles theme park, jammed with cafes, bars, gift stores and live music venues with Fab Four song titles and connections.See cavernclub.com
MAGICAL BEATLES MUSEUM
The Cavern Quarter's newest attraction looms next to The Grapes pub (where the Beatles would often have a pre-gig drink). Lennon's Sergeant Pepper medals, Harrison's Futurama guitar and the cello used in I Am The Walrus are among the 300-plus exhibits on show. The museum's founder is Roag Best, whose brother, Pete, was the Beatles' drummer from 1960 to 1962 before Starr replaced him. Their mother, Mona Best, ran the now-defunct Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool, where the band practiced and performed.See magicalbeatlesmuseum.com
HARD DAYS NIGHT HOTEL
Around the corner from the Cavern Club, this swish hotel is adorned with Beatles-inspired artwork, like band portraits and paintings of yellow submarines. There are 110 rooms, including the McCartney and Lennon suites. The latter sports a white piano like the one in the video of Lennon's Imagine. Enjoy modern British cuisine at the hotel's restaurant, Blakes, named after Sir Peter Blake, designer of the album sleeve for Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.See harddaysnighthotel.com
PENNY LANE
Immortalised in the song, this south Liverpool street lures pilgrims, with a street sign to snap and lyrics etched above The Penny Lane, a trendy wine bar-restaurant. Look around and you'll see things mentioned in the tune, including a barber shop, the old bus shelter on the roundabout and, if you're lucky, blue suburban skies. Take bus 75 or 86 from the city centre (stop at the corner of Penny Lane and Smithdown Road) - or visit as part of the guided Magical Mystery Tour or Fab Four Taxi Tour.See fab4tours.co.uk
STRAWBERRY FIELD
Lennon used to play and hang out here, growing up, but for years the grounds of this Salvation Army site were overgrown, its iconic red gates closed to the public. The gardens are now spruced up and there's a sleek new visitor centre with a cafe and multi-media exhibition that explores how this place became a cherished retreat for Lennon, influencing the 1967 hit, Strawberry Fields Forever (a double-A side single with Penny Lane). Bus 76 drops you nearby.See strawberryfieldliverpool.com
CHILDHOOD HOMES
Close to Strawberry Field, at 251 Menlove Avenue, is Mendips, the semi-detached house in which Lennon lived with his Aunt Mimi from 1946 to 1963. It was acquired by the National Trust, which offers guided tours of this and 20 Forthlin Road, Allerton - McCartney's terraced childhood abode. The childhood homes of Harrison (12 Arnold Grove, Wavertree) and Starr (10 Admiral Grove, Toxteth) are not open to the public.See nationaltrust.org.uk/
WOOLTON VILLAGE
It was in this quaint, leafy suburb, on July 6, 1957, that Lennon first met McCartney. Lennon was playing with his band, the Quarrymen, at the garden fete at Woolton's St Peter's Church. The pair quickly hit it off and McCartney was soon invited to join an outfit that evolved into the Beatles. In St Peter's churchyard, you'll find the grave of one Eleanor Rigby (take a left when you walk through the gates and it's in the third row to your right). Buses 75 and 76 both go to Woolton.See stpeters-woolton.org.uk
PHILHARMONIC DINING ROOMS
Nicknamed "The Phil", this ornate pub in the city-centre's lovely Georgian Quarter was one of Lennon's favourites. McCartney played an impromptu gig here last year in James Corden's Carpool Karaoke when they took in some of his old Liverpool haunts. If you haven't seen the episode, do. It's on YouTube and it's wonderful.See nicholsonspubs.co.uk/
Steve McKenna's trip was supported by Visit Britain (see visitbritain.com) and Visit Liverpool (visitliverpool.com).
Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.