There are many important and interesting places to visit in Liverpool with a connection to The Beatles. Beatles author David Bedford takes you through the key Beatles locations that you should see in Liverpool.
Liverpool City Centre
Mathew Street
Like most fans, the place to start in Liverpool is Mathew Street, where you will find The Cavern Club, a replica of the original which was demolished in 1973. Look out for the Wall of Fame, celebrating every artist who has played at the club since 1957.
There is also the Guinness World of Records, recording all of the #1s recorded by Liverpool artists; more than any other city. Naturally, most #1 records were by The Beatles, both as a group and solo.
The Cavern Club.
The Beatles made an approximate 292 appearances between 9th February 1961 and their final appearance on 3rd August 1963. The original was demolished in 1973. A replica was opened on the same site in 1984.
The Liverpool Beatles Museum
Opened in 2018 by original Beatles drummer Pete Best, his brother Roag, and Paul Parry from the Pete Best Band, this museum has many unique pieces of memorabilia owned by Pete from the Casbah, as well as his time with The Beatles in Liverpool and Hamburg. There are also many items given to Roag by his father, Neil Aspinall, the Beatles roadie, as well as other unique items loaned to the museum.
The Grapes Pub
Near to the museum is the Grapes Pub, one of the few original places here from the ‘60s. Go inside and see the photograph showing where John, Paul, George and Pete Best used to sit.
The White Star Pub
Around the corner from the Grapes is the White Star Pub, a traditional local pub named after the White Star Shipping Line, whose most famous ship was the Titanic. In the back room of the pub you will see where The Beatles used to meet up with Allan Williams and Bob Wooler.
If you continue down the street, you will see the Forever 21 store. This was the location of Brian Epstein’s shop, NEMS.
NEMS, Whitechapel
Currently a Forever 21 store, the shop that Brian Epstein managed, NEMS (North End Music Stores) was located here. Brian masterminded The Beatles career from the office on the first floor.
Hessy’s
If you turn to the left, head up Stanley Street, where you will find, just on the left, a blue plaque where Hessy’s Music store was located. Many Liverpool musicians, including The Beatles, purchased their instruments here.
Eleanor Rigby Statue
Further up Stanley Street on the right is a sculpture of Eleanor Rigby, sculpted by Tommy Steele, a former sailor who shot to fame in the 2Is Coffee Bar in Soho, London, becoming one of Britain’s first rock ‘n’ roll stars.
Liverpool Town Hall
On 10th July 1964, The Beatles were awarded a Civic Reception by the City of Liverpool to recognise their achievements. They were amazed when over 200,000 people turned out on the streets of their home town to welcome them.
4, Rodney Street
Situated on one of the finest roads in Liverpool, 4, Rodney Street was the private nursing home where The Beatles’ manager, Brian Samuel Epstein, was born on 19th September 1934.
It was also the very first US Consulate in the world, following the War of Independence. There are plaques on the wall to commemorate these key people.
Liverpool Lime Street Station, Lime Street
This station was vital for Brian Epstein, who made numerous trips between Liverpool and London in search of a record deal, with The Beatles waiting in the local Punch and Judy Cafe for news.
Liverpool College of Art
Located in Hope Street, the Liverpool College of Art was originally part of the Mechanics Institute (see Liverpool Institute). Stuart Sutcliffe joined in 1956 and became friends with Rod Murray. John Lennon enrolled at the Art College in the autumn of 1957, turning up in tight jeans and a long black jacket. He also met Cynthia Powell here in lettering class, as well as Helen Anderson.
In front of the building is a fabulous piece of art called ‘A Case History’, celebrating those who attended the Art College and Liverpool Institute. Here you can find the cases with the names of Paul McCartney, John and Yoko, Stuart Sutcliffe and George Harrison.
Liverpool Institute and Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts
The Liverpool Institute was a grammar school in Mount Street and adjacent to the Art College. It opened on 15 September 1837. In 1890, one-half of the facility became the Art College. The building is now the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA), which was set up by Sir Paul McCartney.
Paul and George were pupils here, along with Ivan Vaughan and Len Garry from The Quarrymen, as well as Tony Bramwell and Neil Aspinall who were crucial in the Beatles story.
LIPA
One of Paul McCartney’s long-time ambitions was fulfilled when his old school, The Liverpool Institute, was transformed and reopened as the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in 1996. He still takes a personal interest in the school, and comes back to award the degrees on graduation day.
Ye Cracke
Local pub where John, Stu, Rod Murray and Bill Harry would meet to put the world to rights!
Gambier Terrace
Stuart and John shared Flat 3, Hillary Mansions, with Rod Murray. Gambier Terrace with its Georgian façade is in the shadow of the Anglican Cathedral.
The Blue Angel (Wyvern Club)
Formerly known as the Wyvern Club, this was Allan Williams’ establishment at the top of Seel Street.
The Jacaranda
This former Coffee Club was opened by Allan Williams, who became The Beatles first manager in May 1960. Williams got them their gigs in Hamburg.
St. George’s Hall
This neoclassical building dominates this section of Liverpool. Designed by Harvey Lonsdale Elmes. In a bid to recreate the Chelsea Ball, Allan Williams rented St. George’s Hall for a party. He arranged for Stuart and John to create a few floats for the ball with some help from Paul and George. They created a magnificent guitar-shaped float, which was customarily destroyed at the end of the evening.
In 1964 Astrid Kirchherr, the Hamburg photographer and friend of The Beatles, together with Max Scheler, travelled from Hamburg to London to photograph The Beatles on the set of A Hard Day’s Night and in their London homes. They then came to Liverpool to photograph The Beatles’ haunts, other Liverpool groups and to record lunchtime sessions at The Cavern Club. Astrid also photographed as many Liverpool bands as possible on the steps of St. George’s Plateau.
In 1980 on the plateau in front of St. George’s Hall, an estimated 25,000 people congregated after the death of John Lennon, organised by Beatles promoter Sam Leach. There was a link-up between New York and Liverpool as they held a candlelit vigil. Fans also gathered here after the announcement that George had died in 2001. In the gardens behind St. George’s Hall you can find a tree dedicated to John, and one to George too.
Opposite St. George’s Hall on William Brown Street is the Walker Art Gallery, where you can see one of Stuart Sutcliffe’s paintings.
Cunard Building, Pier Head
This was the former Headquarters of the Cunard Shipping line until 1960. Cunard, and its rival White Star Line, ran the regular Liverpool-New York route.
Outside of the Cunard Building, on the Strand, you can see those Cunard Yanks celebrated on benches.
Must-See Visitor Attractions
While at the Pier Head:
Take a trip on the “Ferry ‘cross The Mersey”
Be photographed in front of the Beatles Statues
Go up the Liver Building
Visit the Museum of Liverpool
Visit the British Music Experience, which is located in the Cunard Building.
Royal Albert Dock
A visit to the Royal Albert Dock is a must, with these historic buildings now a selection of shops, restaurants and museums, including the Maritime Museum and:
The Beatles Story Experience
Around the rest of The Beatles Liverpool
For the rest of the important places, you will need to travel. We always recommend a professional Beatles tour, so that you see as many places as possible. The places are divided by suburb.
The Dingle
The Dingle is an area within Toxteth synonymous with Ringo Starr.
He was born at:
9, Madryn Street
He then lived in:
10, Admiral Grove
Ringo lived here from the age of five until The Beatles left for London in 1963.
At the top of Admiral Grove is the:
Empress Pub
This celebrates Liverpool’s seafaring heritage. The picture of this pub was used for Ringo’s first solo album, Sentimental Journey.
Aigburth
By Sefton Park Lake is the:
Sefton Park Hotel at 37, Aigburth Drive.
The ground floor of this building was rented by Beatles bass player Stuart Sutcliffe’s family.
Across the road from the hotel is:
Sefton Park lake
This is where John Lennon’s parents, Alf and Julia, met. Alf, as a merchant seaman, made the regular journey from Liverpool to New York, and he went AWOL there, spent some time on Ellis Island, before sailing around the world trying to get home.
Allerton, Mossley Hill and Wavertree
Penny Lane
Most of the song of “Penny Lane” is not on the road of Penny Lane, but on the roundabout at the top, called Smithdown Place, known locally as the “Penny Lane roundabout”. The local area is also called the “Penny Lane” area, as three Liverpool suburbs; Mossley Hill, Wavertree and Allerton all meet here too.
9, Newcastle Road
John lived here, within the Penny Lane area, with his mother Julia.
Dovedale School
When Mimi enrolled him into Dovedale School on Herondale Road, he would take the bus from “Mendips” to Penny Lane every day. So until he was 11 years old, John was constantly visiting Penny Lane.
George Harrison lived up the road at 12, Arnold Grove, and would walk through Penny Lane to get to Dovedale School. When he was seven, the Harrisons moved to Speke, so George was getting the bus to Penny Lane every day. Like John, Penny Lane was in the ears and in the eyes of George throughout his childhood.
St. Barnabas Church
Paul McCartney was travelling here to sing in the choir of St. Barnabas on the roundabout.
On the roundabout, from the song, is:
The Barber Shop
It used to be called Bioletti’s. but is now called Tony Slavin. It is the same location, just a different owner.
The Bank
There were three banks on the roundabout in the 60s. The most likely one is now Penny Lane Surgery, where the banker with the motor car didn’t need his “mac in the pouring rain” because he walked out of the bank, and into his car, driving home. No wonder the “children laughed at him behind his back.”
The Fireman
The fireman could be at Penny Lane, though the fire station is just under a mile away. Paul passed it every day on his bus trip, which took him through Penny Lane on the way to school. The station is now closed.
The Shelter in the middle of the Roundabout
The shelter is still used as a bus terminal, though the building has been closed for years. “The Pretty nurse is selling poppies from a tray” is a reference to Beth Davidson, the girlfriend of John’s best friend Pete Shotton; Pete married Beth. So John put his best friend’s wife in a Beatles song, and nobody knew.
Wavertree
12, Arnold Grove
The birthplace of George Harrison.
Allerton
20, Forthlin Road
The seventh home that Paul McCartney had lived in. He moved here in 1955.
Quarry Bank School
Now called Calderstones School, the former Quarry Bank School was where John Lennon and his friends formed The Quarrymen.
Old Swan
The Morgue
Site of Rory Storm’s house and where he set up The Morgue, the first rock ‘n’ roll club in Liverpool.
West Derby
The Casbah Coffee Club, 8, Haymans Green
The birthplace of The Beatles, which has an incredible history and is a must-see. Private tours can be arranged either directly, or with your private Beatles tour.
Woolton
Strawberry Field, Beaconsfield Road
One of the most-requested locations for fans to visit is Strawberry Field. A brand new visitor centre opened in September 2019 by the Salvation Army, allowing fans to walk around the grounds, as well as study the history of the place that was so special to John Lennon.
When John was younger, he and his friends climbed over the wall on Vale Road at the back of Strawberry Field grounds, and played among the trees of the Salvation Army orphanage. When he climbed that wall, he left behind all that real, and entered his imaginary playground where “Nothing is real”.
St Peter’s Church, Church Road
The church where John met Paul
Eleanor Rigby
The graveyard alongside the church is the location of the grave of Eleanor Rigby. The lady died in 1939, and lived in the village. She was not famous, so none of them would have known about her. So, is it a coincidence? Or did Paul see the gravestone? Paul says that he got the name Eleanor from his actress friend Eleanor Bron, and Rigby from a wine merchant in Bristol called Rigby and Evans. He put the two names together and got Eleanor Rigby.
However, it is too much of a coincidence for Paul not to have seen the grave. After all, when anyone walks into a graveyard, we naturally start reading the names on the graves. The story of Eleanor Rigby is also about a lady who was “buried along with her name” as Father McKenzie “wipes the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave.”
Paul must have seen the name, but forgotten about it. All those years later, when he put the Eleanor and Rigby together, the reason it sounded right to him was that his subconscious was telling him that he had seen it years before.
Speke
The new Speke housing estate was where the McCartney family moved in 1947, to be joined by the Harrison family in 1950. Living on the same estate, and catching the same bus to school, Paul and George became friends.
Speke Airport
The former Speke Airport is now a hotel and industrial estate. The airport moved to a new site and is now Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Julia Lennon’s partner, John Dykins, worked at the airport restaurant, and helped John get a job here.
72 Western Avenue
The McCartney family moved here in 1947, with Mary now a district nurse and midwife.
12, Ardwick Road
The McCartneys then moved to 12, Ardwick Road in 1950 where they stayed for 5 years before moving to 20, Forthlin Road.
25 Upton Green
The Harrison family moved onto the same housing estate as the McCartneys in 1950, when George was coming up for his 7th birthday.
The Wirral
Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight
This is where Ringo made his debut with The Beatles on 18th August 1962.
Barnston Women’s Institute
Small hall in Barnston where The Beatles made their first appearance in new suits
Grosvenor Ballroom, Wallasey
Home of legendary appearances by the Silver Beatles and Ronnie “the Ted”.
Tower Ballroom, New Brighton
Sam Leach’s Operation Big Beat concerts at the Tower were the greatest ever seen on Merseyside, with The Beatles joined by the other top groups on Merseyside.
