A Day in the Life of the Beatles

Liverpool is synonymous with the Fab Four, and lucky for you, there are plenty of ways to get your Beatlemania fix here.

In 1960, a band called the Beatles was formed. John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison started playing in clubs across Liverpool (and Hamburg) with various musicians until they eventually recruited Ringo Starr, completing the quartet we now know and love as the Fab Four. Their first song, ‘Love Me Do’, in 1962 was a hit and soon Beatlemania had spread across the UK and then the rest of the world. The rest was history and today, the Beatles are considered to be one of the most influential and famous bands that ever existed. While the boys went on to become international superstars, they never forgot their Liverpudlian roots – just like their hometown never forgot them. Here are the best ways to see the Beatles in Liverpool.

Come Together: The Beatles Story

Even if you’re not a diehard Beatles fan, it’s well worth a trip to The Beatles Story museum in Albert Dock. This permanent exhibition lets you follow in the footsteps of John, Paul, George and Ringo as they make their move from Liverpool clubs to the world stage. Put several hours aside when you come to visit The Beatles Story as there is so much to see and do. Relive the times and lives of the Fab Four with replicas of their favourite locations, such as the Cavern Club and Abbey Road Studios. You can see their memorabilia including John Lennon’s glasses and George Harrison’s first guitar, and also watch interviews with the Beatles as well as their close family and friends. The Beatles Story also extends over to Pier Head, where you can see the British Invasion exhibition, browse unseen Beatles tour photos and take part in the Fab4D Experience, an interactive cinema with animation and special effects. The Beatles museum in Liverpool is a must for any music lover!

Drive My Car: The Magical Mystery Tour

One of the best Liverpool Beatles tours is the Magical Mystery Tour, a two-hour bus trip which takes you past some iconic Beatles locations, including the birthplaces and childhood homes of John, Paul, George and Ringo; St Peter’s Church Hall, where John and Paul met for the very first time; and the places that inspired some of their favourite songs like Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever. The tour ends at the legendary Cavern Club where you’ll be given free entry to watch a local gig or Beatles cover band.

Day Tripper: Beatles Walk

If you’re looking for a Beatles walking tour in Liverpool, there are several options – whether you’re wanting to do it on your own, or go with a tour guide who will tell you all the back-stories behind these famous landmarks. Most walks will take you past Mendips (John Lennon’s home) and 20 Forthlin Road (Paul McCartney’s family home), which have both been converted into museums; the grave of Eleanor Rigby and the John Lennon Peace Memorial; the Cavern Quarter; and the boys’ schools, the Liverpool College of Art and the Liverpool Institute.

A Hard Day’s Night: The Cavern Club

The place where it all began, the Cavern Club, is located at 10 Mathew Street and is a mecca for Beatles fans. This is where John, Paul, George and former drummer Pete Best first met their soon-to-be manager Brian Epstein. The band made their first appearance here in 1961 and went on to play at the Cavern 292 times in just over two years. The original club was demolished in 1973 but reopened in 1984 and is now known for its great live music acts, cover bands and kitsch Beatles memorabilia.