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Beatles history in Liverpool

  • Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)

  • Bucket List Experience

Last updated: 26 March, 2024

Formed in Liverpool around 1960 and based around the ying-yang songwriting partnership of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, The Beatles are the world’s most successful ever band.

They are the best-selling music act of all time and hold the record for most number-one albums on the UK Albums Chart. After their breakthrough 1962 hit, Love Me Do, they went onto conquer America and spark Beatlemania, the hysteria that would later be associated with boy bands.

These days Liverpool is synonymous with the Fab Four – their faces smile down over the city from street-art facades; cafes, bars and even hotels play on the Beatles theme. Indeed, they’re now Liverpool’s primary visitor attraction, pulling in tourism from around the world.

Thankfully, their remarkable story lives on at various sites across the city.

Who to go with: tour operators

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20 Forthlin Road

  • Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)

The front of Paul McCartney's childhood home, 20 Forthlin Road, Liverpool

Experience

A visit to Forthlin Road, the McCartney’s family home from 1955 to 1964, highlights the stories from Paul’s teenage years and illustrates how his gentler character complemented John’s humour and spikiness to form the ultimate songwriting partnership. The guided tours also include a visit to Mendips, former childhood home of John Lennon.

Adult price: 29

Good for age: 18+

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  • Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)

  • Bucket List Experience

White room and white piano

Experience

Beatles Story

This popular museum, located in the Albert Dock, traces the Beatles’ journey from The Cavern, via the dizzy heights of Beatlemania, to the final days. Colourful and engaging with lots of pop trivia, it’s one for curious and serious fans alike.

Adult price: 18

Good for age: 13+

The Cavern Club

  • Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)

Underground room with the Beatle's drumkit, showing where they would play

Experience

Heart of the Mathew Street Cavern Quarter, home to Beatles-themed bars, shops and the Hard Days Night Hotel, this cellar-like music venue is where The Beatles played their first gig at a lunchtime session in 1961. It hosts live music to this day.

Min age 18

Good for age: 18+

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Liverpool Beatles Museum

  • Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)

Liverpool Beatles Museum

Experience

This museum in the Cavern Quarter, run by the local Best family, focuses on the early years, notably The Quarrymen, the late Fifties skiffle band featuring a young Lennon, McCartney and Harrison. Pete Best, the owner’s brother, was the band’s first drummer before Ringo.

Adult price: 15

Good for age: 13+

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Mendips

  • Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)

Exterior of the house

Experience

The leafy South Liverpool suburb of Woolton is home to the childhood houses of Lennon and McCartney, both now owned by the National Trust. Lennon’s home, preserved in its 1950s heyday, include his teenage bedroom, where he first wrote Please, Please Me.

Adult price: 29

Good for age: 18+

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Strawberry Field

  • Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)

Close up of a bright red gate

Experience

The former Salvation Army children’s home, made famous by the 1967 song Strawberry Fields Forever, is now an exhibition about Lennon’s early life. The site first opened in 1936 and the young John would play in the gardens while living nearby with his aunt Mimi.

Adult price: 11

Good for age: 18+

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Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The Liverpool City Region Tourist Guides Association are an association of professional, registered Blue and Green Badge tourist guides. They offer specialist Beatles-themed tours of the key sites with walking- and coach-tour options, plus talks and events for Beatles’ fans.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Beatles Magical Mystery Tour

  • Liverpool

This is the original and longest running Beatles sightseeing coach tour. Our qualified Beatles guides offer an entertaining informative tour to immerse you in the story of the Beatles. The only tour include Cavern entry for free plus an exclusive postcard souvenir at the end and 15% discount on food in The Cavern Restaurant.

Price £20

Min age 0

Rating 4.87 / 5 [2045 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private 3-Hour Guided Beatles Classic Tour of Liverpool

  • Liverpool

If you’re a Beatles fan and find yourself in Liverpool, then treat yourself to a tour of the sites linked to the Fab Four. The hometown of the popular 1960’s rock band, Liverpool boasts Beatles landmarks all over the city, but it’s tough work finding them if you’re new to town. On this tour, you’ll explore Liverpool with a private guide in your own taxi, getting straight to sites such as Penny Lane, Eleanor Rigby’s grave, and more.

Price £199

Min age 0

Rating 4.97 / 5 [632 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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The Ultimate Beatles Tour Experience in Liverpool.

  • Liverpool

Discovering the world of the Beatles and the city of Liverpool. Ride in a replica of John Lennon’s Rolls Royce Phantom. Step out and explore designated points along the route and take a closer look.

Price £70

Min age 2

Rating 4.67 / 5 [590 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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The Beatles Famous Walking Tour Of Liverpool- Fully Guided

  • Liverpool

Liverpool is forever entwined in The Beatles story. This walking tour is perfect for music and Beatles fans alike. Our experienced and expert local guides are passionate about their city, music and of course the Fab Four. Our guides want to make each tour fun, interesting and memorable for everyone. They will share with you, personal stories and fascinating stories, that will really bring to life the history and musical culture of Liverpool. We also have this tour that departs at 10am from the Cruise Terminal- to book see tour "Beatles Famous Walking Tour Of Liverpool-From the Cruise Terminal Product code: 314426P6 "

Price £21

Min age 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [291 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Liverpool & The Beatles Rail Day Trip from London

  • London

Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields - visit these famous Liverpool sights your own way on an independent day trip from London. Everything's arranged for you: return rail tickets, entry to the Beatles Story, a Magical Mystery Tour and a Liverpool city map and information booklet. The rest is up to you!

Price £192

Min age 0

Rating 4.34 / 5 [257 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

  • Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)

Close up of top of the building

Destination guide

Liverpool

Home of the world’s most successful ever-band and one of the world’s top football clubs, the reborn city is also a cultural powerhouse, with top-notch museums, rich maritime heritage and cultural events galore.