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Beatlesmania was
undoubtedly a worldwide phenomenon but it’s in the
birthplace of the Fab Four where it reached its ultimate
height. These days the Beatles' legacy lives on in Liverpool
through a wealth of attractions dedicated to the world’s
most famous boy band.
So if you’ve got a Ticket to Ride then this
guide to the best Beatles attractions in the city should
help you on your way to Here, There and Everywhere.
Whether you want to see where the Beatles played their
first gigs, discover John Lennon’s old haunts or
live on the Yellow Submarine, you can do it all
in Liverpool.
To relive the Beatles’ historic tale from the early
flickers of fame to their superstardom, get along to the Beatles Story Exhibition Experience [map] on the Albert Dock.
Day Trippers will begin their journey on the cobbled
streets of Hamburg, where the muffled strains of the Beatles
music can be heard from the nearby Star Club. Turn
the corner and you’re in Mathew Street, home of
the famous Cavern Club [map].
Take your seat near the tiny stage and the opening chords
of Twist and Shout will send a tingle down your
spine, just as they did for fans back in the 60s.
From there you’ll head out into the path of hundreds
of screaming, sobbing, hysterical fans desperate for a
glimpse of their favourite Beatle. Move on and the world
becomes more colourful, as you discover how 'flower power'
and Sgt Pepper influenced a whole new generation.
The exhibition also offers you the chance to live on the
Yellow Submarine and walk down Abbey Road, but it’s
the White Room that John Lennon fans will
not want to miss.
If you want to see the areas of Liverpool made famous
in the Beatles’ songs then ‘roll up-roll up’
because the Magical Mystery Tour ‘is waiting
to take you away’. This daily two hour tour, which
introduces you to the Beatles’ homes, schools, birthplaces
and landmarks, starts from The Beatles Story Exhibition
Experience and finishes at the world famous Cavern
Club.
The Liverpool Beatles Tour offers a very similar
service with the added luxury of tours at a time to suit
you and pick ups from the train station, airport or hotel.
So read on for a run down of the stops on the tours –
places that no Beatle fan should leave Liverpool without
visiting.
See how much life has changed from days of the barber,
banker, and fireman, with a trip to Penny Lane [map].
‘Beneath the blue suburban skies’ you’ll
see ordinary people rushing around and can enjoy a drink
or bite to eat in one of the many pubs and restaurants
dotted about the place. Among the eateries is Sgt Pepper’s
Bistro, which was ‘a shelter in the middle of
a roundabout’ in the 60s.
As the song suggests Strawberry Fields may well
be ‘forever’ because the place where John
Lennon spent his childhood days is still alive and well
in Liverpool. Situated on Beaconsfield Road [map],
not far from John’s old house, these days you can
only get as far as the red gate, as the area borders the
garden of a residential home.
Next on the list is Mathew Street, home to the world famous
Cavern Club, and now also the Beatles Shop [map] and Mathew Street Gallery.
The Cavern Club played host to more than 300 performances
by the Beatles and fans turn up in their droves to enjoy
a Hard Day’s Night in the club where Beatlesmania
began.
Nearby, the Beatles Shop sells an array of memorabilia,
while upstairs the Mathew Street Gallery specialises in
drawings by John Lennon and Beatles photography.
Mathew Street also plays host to Europe's largest free
city centre music festival, held every year over the August
bank holiday weekend. It began as a big Beatles celebration
with tribute bands playing on stages in the city centre,
but now it has broadened out to encompass tribute bands
for Elvis, Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and many more.
Situated on nearby Stanley Street, you’ll find the Eleanor Rigby statue, pop singer Tommy Steele’s
tribute to the Beatles and a gift for ‘all the lonely
people’ of Liverpool.
Of course, the Eleanor Rigby is a fictional character
dreamt up for the purpose of the band’s number one
hit. However you may be interested to learn that a grave
was found near St Peter's Church in Woolton, where Paul
met John, with the name Eleanor Rigby on it.
In addition to all this, the National Trust tour,
which operates from Speke Hall, gives you the chance to Get Back to the childhood homes of John and Paul.
Just an ordinary terraced house, 20 Forthlin Road was
the McCartney family home right through the Beatles’
early years and is where the band composed and rehearsed
their first songs.
Using the family’s personal collection of photographs,
the house has been sympathetically restored to how it
looked when they lived there, and the audio tour guides
you through the home with music and memories from Paul
himself.
Mendips, John’s childhood home, opened to
the public in March 2003 after being donated to the National
Trust by Yoko Ono Lennon, who had bought the three-bedroom
semi in 2002. Mendips, built in 1933 near the corner of
Menlove Avenue and Vale Road in Woolton, is where John
lived with his Aunt Mimi from 1945 to 1963. Visitors are
shown in through the back door to the kitchen, as this
is how most of John’s friends and family would have
entered the house.
Many of the 1950s features have been restored, including
the black and white tiled floor, sink unit, Formica worktops,
cooker and kitchen utensils.
Finally there is International Beatle Week, which
runs alongside the Mathew Street Festival in August
and provides forums, tours, art exhibitions, markets and
auctions for fans from around the world.
If you want to comment on our choices or recommend somewhere,
why not use our What
You Recommend form to let us know.
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