Source: Wikimedia Commons
You can't go on a 'Beatles tour' of London and not go to Abbey Road! This is practically the most iconic place in the whole city that's even remotely related to the group. What makes this place so intrinsic to them is because they recorded a lot of their music here. In fact, it was they who made this studio the prestigious musical site that it is today. And of course, their iconic "Abbey Road" album cover where they pose walking on the now-famous pelican-crossing in front of the studio. Just about any Beatles fan, bout tourist and local, have tried to pose the same way!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
"Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes," sang The Beatles back in 1967. And since then, this quaint little corner in London has welcomed millions of tourists each year, checking to see if what was described in the famous song lyrics are accurate. You can still see barbershop there, actually. And no less than Paul McCartney himself visited it when he did "Carpool Karaoke" with James Corden on "The Late Late Show." Additionally, the plaque that labels the street was also signed by the music legend himself. Now, it's become a custom for Beatles fans to take a selfie with it when they're in London.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Beyond the places the band sang about and featured on their album covers, there are also the sites where they lived. Up on Cavendish Avenue, one of the more residential neighborhoods of London, the number 7 house where Paul McCartney used to live still stands. Well, some say that he still lives there, but only when he's in London. Having bought the house in 1963, when the band was still rising in popularity, it has since become quite the hotspot for Beatles fans. In the decades that followed, more and more of McCartney's admirers visited, took a picture, and even camped out by the gate of the house.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Up on Montagu Square, on the other hand, Ringo Star also bought a place in the big city. Though he didn't live in it a lot, his fellow bandmates did, particularly McCartney and John Lennon. At a time, Lennon even stayed here with his girlfriend at the time, Yoko Ono. While McCartney often used the place as a makeshift studio when he was writing songs. It's often said that it was here where he made "Eleanor Rigby," one of the band's most beloved hits. Though the place no longer belongs to Starr, fans still flock to it to try and relive the music history that transpired in the area.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Unbeknownst to many, The Beatles actually starred in a good number of featured films. 1964's “A Hard Day’s Night" was their first of five movie projects. In the opening scene, George Harisson trips and falls down right in front of Marylebone Station, ripping his suit in the process. Though comical, the moment was actually a true-life incident caught on camera and still ended up in the final release of the movie. And because of that scene, the said station is now part of any Beatles fan tour of London. Many have stood in the actual spot—and not just because people use public transport in this city— where the late great icon ripped his suit after tripping from running away from crazy fans.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Saville Row is famous for a lot of reasons, especially for those who need a tailored suit. But for Beatles fans, it's mostly because the address is where the beloved group held their final public concert for fans. On January 30, 1969, up on the roof of 3 Saville Row, the band played together for the last time. They played a medley of their hits, enchanting people who quickly flocked to the area upon hearing about their impromptu concert. It was one of those spontaneous moments where musicians just felt the need to play for their fans, no matter where they were at the time. A year later, in 1970, The Beatles officially disbanded.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
You're probably going to the famous London Palladium Theatre anyway, even if you're not going to see a show. This historic venue has hosted many music icons' shows, from the likes of Elton John and The Rolling Stones to the Spice Girls and Adele. And, of course, The Beatles too. In fact, it was at this very theatre where their careers actually started. The foursome got their first shot at fame when they performed here back in 1963. At the time, the place filled up with teenagers screaming hysterically, beginning what was eventually called "Beatlemania." And the rest, as they say, is history!
Source: The London Palladium Theatre
When you're done traveling to the many places The Beatles actually stepped foot on, learn more about the iconic group at The British Library. This London institution houses some of the most important artifacts integral to the legacy of the band. They include notes, letters, and sheets wherein the band wrote their famous songs. It also displays some postcards the band sent to fans and admirers alike, off photos from before they were famous and their iconic album covers. Everything you need to learn about this historic group are here, all for your viewing pleasure!
Source: The British Library
After researching about The Beatles, you can stop by The Beatles Coffee Shop at St John's Wood station and take a load off. Here, you can listen to the band's best hits again and again while sipping a nice cup of coffee and even a pastry or two. The place doesn't have anything to do with the band other than it's a modern monument built just for them. It's a nice and chill hangout place for fans to relax, enjoy a nice break from sightseeing and simply listen to the songs that made them fall in love with the group in the first place.
Source: Flickr.com/ Satish Krishnamurthy
You're not a true Beatles fan if you don't stop by and see any or all of these historic places in London, It's here where the fabulous four lived, worked and basically made "Beatlemania" possible.
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