13 ESSENTIAL BEATLES SIGHTS IN LIVERPOOL

The Best Beatles Sights in Liverpool

You can’t go very far in Liverpool without coming across a bit of Beatles history. Not surprising really since every member of the band was born and raised there. I’ve been to most of the sights associated with them in the city but the 13 on my list are my favourites. If you have a car then you have a Ticket To Ride and you can visit them all in one day. I did!

Watch my 13 Essential Beatles Sights in Liverpool Travel Vlog (m s)

Paul McCartney’s Childhood Home, 20 Forthlin Road

The National Trust calls this house ‘the birthplace of The Beatles’. The band would rehearse their earliest hits here. Paul’s family lived in the house from 1955 until 1965. It is a Grade II listed building and you can visit but you need to book in advance.

John Lennon’s Childhood Home, Mendips, 251 Menlove Avenue

John lived here with his Aunt and Uncle from the age of 5 until he was 22. It was donated to the National Trust by Yoko Ono. You can visit the house on the same tour as Paul’s house but again you need to book in advance.

St. Peter’s Church, Woolton

 

John Lennon met Paul McCartney here at a church fete he was playing at with his band The Quarrymen. A couple of weeks later he invited Paul to join the group and the rest is history. The churchyard also contains the grave of Eleanor Rigby. It is on the left as you walk in through the main gate.

Ye Cracke Public House, Rice Street

One of John Lennon’s favourite pubs. He used to drink here a lot when he was an art student and even brought Cynthia (his first wife) here on a date. The decor hasn’t changed in over 100 years! It’s not far from the Anglican Cathedral.

The Casbah Coffee Club, Hayman’s Green, West Derby

Opened by Pete Best’s mum as a place where her son’s and their friends could hang out. Paul McCartney has said this is where it all started and that they regarded the place as their personal cIub. I’m not sure if it is still open though.  When we went, the lights were on but the doors were locked. 🙁

Mathew Street, Liverpool City Centre

Home of the original Cavern Club and the new one.  This street is packed with Beatles themed pubs, bars and shops.

The Grapes, Mathew Street

Like the sign says, The Beatles used to drink here before playing gigs at the Cavern Club across the street.

The Cavern Club, Mathew Street

This is the most famous Beatles place of all.  Shame it isn’t the original one!  The first Cavern closed in 1973 and was demolished.  This replica Cavern opened in 1984 and has the look and feel of the original.  It is busy any day of the week and they usually charge an entrance fee on the weekend, but they do have live music. Well worth checking out.

Liverpool Town Hall, Liverpool City Centre

The Beatles held the premier of A Hard Days Night here in 1964. Over 20,000 fans gathered outside to catch a glimpse.

Penny Lane, Mossley Hill

You might be a bit disappointed with Penny Lane if you are expecting anything like the song describes.  There isn’t a bank and the nearest fire station is a ten minute walk away! There is a small park and a nice mural half way down the Lane. The song seems to describe Smith Down Road (A562) which Penny Lane leads on to.  ‘The shelter in the middle of a roundabout’ used to be a tram stop. It was turned into Sgt Pepper’s Bistro but has been closed for quite a while.

Strawberry Field, Beaconsfield Road

There isn’t much to see here except for the replica gates to the Salvation Army children’s home that used to be here when the Beatles wrote the song. It is worth a quick visit though just so you can say you’ve been.

The Beatles Statue, Liverpool Waterfront

Donated to the city by the Cavern Club.  It is a great addition to the redeveloped waterfront which is also a UNESCO world heritage site.

The Beatles Story, Albert Dock

The largest permanent Beatles exhibition in the world. Worth checking out if you are a super fan. You can get discount tickets here. The Albert Dock is full of shops and restaurants as well the Tate Liverpool art gallery.

Adapted from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/beatles-landmarks-bucketlist-liverpool-11708380