Take A Magical Mystery Tour of London's Beatles Locations
Beatles mural by Mr Brainwash. Photo by peckhamryecrow.
They might've come from Liverpool, but The Beatles certainly left their mark all over London. Here are some of our favourite London locations connected to the band: take a trip around the sights, and indulge in your very own Magical Mystery Tour of the capital.
1. Dodge the cars at Abbey Road Studios and crossing
Start your day at what's probably the most famous London Beatles landmark: Abbey Road.
Abbey Road Studios. Photo by Mike T.
The Fab Four didn't just record their Abbey Road album here; this was the location the band recorded nearly all their albums and singles from 1962 to 1970 at this famous address.
Take care if you stop for photos on that iconic pelican crossing: cars don't like stopping for the inevitable hoards of tourists all doing exactly the same thing...
Careful on that crossing... Photo by Stuart Spicer
2. Sample the delights at the Beatles Coffee Shop
If you've successfully swerved the traffic in the name of Instagram perfection, celebrate with a cup of coffee from The Beatles Coffee Shop at St John's Wood station.
Photo by Satish Krishnamurthy.
No, it hasn't got anything in particular to do with the band, but you can't blame them for trying...
3. Wave to Paul at 7 Cavendish Avenue
This is Paul McCartney's London home, which he purchased in 1963 for £40,000. He still lives there when he's in London.
Photo from beatlesbible.com.
Time to hop on the tube at St. Johns Wood and take the Jubilee line to Baker Street.
4. Pick up a souvenir at the London Beatles Store
This place is a pretty good bet for buying your Beatles merch in London.
Photo by Clara On The Road.
They've got everything from the usual keyrings, posters, postcards and clothing to top-notch collectors' items such as rare recordings, and out-of-print magazines. It also happens to be right next to the Sherlock Holmes Museum, if you want to do a double dose of tourist-ing.
5. Run around Marylebone Station
Relive the opening scenes of A Hard Day's Night with a trip to Marylebone Station.
You can step in the Fab Four's footsteps down the nearby Boston Place on the eastern side of the station.
6. Nod to Ringo at 34 Montagu Square
Nod to Ringo Starr's one-time home at this five-storey townhouse in Marylebone. Ringo had the lease on the ground-floor and basement flat for several years in the mid 1960s, but only lived there briefly.
Instead, both Paul and John (with Yoko) rented the flat from Starr at various times, as did Jimi Hendrix and his manager, Chas Chandler, with their girlfriends.
Paul McCartney recorded several demos here, including I'm Looking Through You, and worked on various compositions, including Eleanor Rigby.
Montagu Square. Photo by Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
In 2010, Ono unveiled a blue marker plaque at the site, making it a 'building of historical interest'.
7. Reminisce at 94 Baker Street
The Beatles' Apple Corps opened up The Apple Boutique for eight short months from December 1967 to July 1968 at 94 Baker Street. The aim, as described by Paul McCartney, was to create "a beautiful place where beautiful people can buy beautiful things".
The short-lived Apple Boutique. Photo from beatlesbible.com.
At the time, the building was painted in amazing psychedelic colours and images. Following complaints the mural was removed in May 1968.
The store was a complete financial disaster; looting and theft were rife amongst staff and customers. The project lost about £200,000 and the shop closed on 30 July 1968.
8. Get inspired at 57 Wimpole Street
This was the home of Paul's then-girlfriend Jane Asher's family in the 1960s. It was while Paul was staying on the top floor that he famously woke up from a dream with the tune of "Yesterday" in his head.
He wrote it down using the lyrics "Scrambled eggs, oh my baby how I love your legs..." as a kind of lyrical placeholder.
9. Scream like an original superfan at the London Palladium
Next stop: Soho and the London Palladium, where Beatlemania was born.
The London Palladium.
On 13 October, 1963, the band appeared on the famous Sunday Night at the London Palladium show. Later, the Daily Mail diagnosed the band's screaming fans as suffering from 'Beatlemania'.
Don't miss Sutherland House next door to the Palladium; the former offices of Brian Epstein’s NEMS organisation.
Sutherland House, once the offices of Brian Epstein’s NEMS organisation.
It was here that John Lennon made his 'bigger than Jesus' remark to Maureen Cleve of the Evening Standard in 1966. The comment caused uproar; an anti-Beatles backlash in the USA; and ultimately can be seen to leading the band to give up playing live.
10. Rattle yer jewellery at the Prince of Wales Theatre
The Prince of Wales Theatre, off Leicester Square, is where John Lennon made his famous introduction to Twist and Shout at the 1963 Royal Variety Show in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon.
'We need a bit of help with the next number. Those of you in the cheaper seats clap your hands... the rest of you, just rattle yer jewellery.'
11. Say your goodbyes at 3 Savile Row
Close your Beatles tour of London at the location of their last 'public' performance.
It was on 30 January 1969, on the roof of The Beatles' Apple Corps offices at 3 Savile Row.
3 Savile Row. Photo by Luis Paz.
John Lennon concluded the show, saying: 'I would like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we've passed the audition.'
Beatles Memorabilia in London
You can see a piano, handwritten lyrics and a pair of John Lennon's glasses for free at the Hard Rock Cafe on Old Park Lane. It's part of the exhibition in the Vault, packed full of rock memorabilia from across the decades.
Hard Rock Cafe, Old Park Lane.
And don't forget that the British Library holds some very important Beatles memorabilia, such as six manuscripts penned by John Lennon including lyric sheets in his own hand for In My Life, Strawberry Fields Forever and She Said She Said.
You can see them anytime for free in The Sir John Ritblat: Treasures Gallery of the Library.
Photo by Andy Teo.
These are just some of the many London locations associated with The Beatles.
Others you might like to visit include 9 Kingly Street, which used to be Bag O'Nails Club, where Paul first met Linda; 9 Mason's Yard, the art gallery where John first met Yoko; 63 Old Compton Street, where those famous collarless suits were made; and 17 St Anne’s Court, the Trident recording studios where The Beatles recorded many songs including Hey Jude.
There are more... if we've missed your favourite, please list it in the comments below.