Where to Experience The Beatles in London

Where to Experience The Beatles in London

Travelers to London are generally lovers of The Beatles, or Harry Potter fanatics. The city has a plethora of attractions dedicated to both, and Beatles fans might even be lucky enough to enjoy a tribute evening or two at various times of the year.

The following are the top spots for Beatles lovers to connect to this very significant musical era while visiting London:

Beatles Coffee Shop in London

The Beatles Coffee Shop has absolutely no connection to the band or the history itself; the owners are simply Beatles obsessed and have put a lot on effort into making this a space where co-lovers can come together for a cup of coffee.

You’ll find little information about this spot available on the internet. It was actually formerly known as the Abbey Road Cafe, and only later changed to the Beatles Coffee Shop.

All you need to know is that it is situated right outside the St. John’s Wood metro station. The same station you would use if you were to visit the Abbey Road Studios where the musical magic was made years ago.

Beatles Coffee Shop in London – by Beatles Coffee Shop – Sourced from their Facebook

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Various

ADDRESS: St. John’s Wood Underground Station, Finchley Rd

London, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: St. John’s Wood

London Beatles Store in London

The neighborhoods between Hyde Park and Regents Park are wonderfully authentic British suburbs with much to do and see; guided walking tours are common here.

The London Beatles Store calls this area home, and has been delivering new and used 1960s Beatles merchandise to the public for decades. They source, buy and sell any kinds of tribute memorabilia you can think of, including rare vinyl and collectable autographs from the band themselves.

Beatles fans who visit the London Beatles Store maintain that it is one of the most important excursions for anyone with a love for the band. The nearest stores with as good of a selection after this one would be all the way in Liverpool.

London Beatles Store in London – by Rept0n1x – Wikimedia Commons

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 10am to 6:30pm

ADDRESS: 231-233 Baker St, Marylebone, London NW1 6XE, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: Baker Street

Abbey Road Crossing in London

The most obvious but nonetheless important attraction will always be the Abbey Road zebra crossing that featured as the cover on their album ‘Abbey Road’.

This is definitely a bucket list experience for more people around the world than we probably realize. They come from far and wide just to replicate that iconic image of the four band members taking wide strides right across the street.

How to find the exact crossing? It’s the one just outside the Abbey Road Studios. Once you exit the St. John’s Wood station you can’t miss either of them.

Don’t worry about going alone and there being no one to take your picture; there is always someone at the Abbey Road crossing. It’s one of the most photographed cross walks in the world.

Abbey Road Crossing in London – by Josephenus P. Riley – Wikimedia Commons

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 3 Abbey Rd, St John’s Wood, London NW8 9AY, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: St. John’s Wood

Hard Rock Cafe in London

Right between Hyde Park Corner and Buckingham Palace once can visit the famous Hard Rock Cafe of London. These eateries around the world are known to be sort of “free museums” for the memorabilia of rockstars past and present.

At this branch in London you can of course expect to find some Beatles treasures. In the Vault they hold a piano that belonged to John Lennon, handwritten lyrics and even a pair of his glasses.

If you want to eat here during your visit (and you should), you’ll have to book in advance for evening service, especially on the weekends.

Hard Rock Cafe in London – by Hard Rock Cafe – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 11am to 12:30am

ADDRESS: 150 Old Park Ln, Mayfair, London W1K 1QZ, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: Hyde Park Corner

7 Cavendish Avenue in London

While you’re trotting around the Abbey Road Studios, drinking coffee in the shop or strutting over the zebra crossing, make some time to walk by number 7 Cavendish Avenue just round the corner.

This is Paul McCartney’s London home that he purchased back in 1963 and still owns to this day. He actually stays here when in London, so give a wave and perhaps he’ll see you from within, who knows?

The British Library in London

The British Library is one of the best free things to do in London (that isn’t a guided walking tour). It should be high on every traveler’s list, Beatles fan or not.

A very significant portion of this museum is dedicated to the preservation of the Beatles legacy. They have collections of napkins used to jot song lyrics, fan club membership cards, original album covers, collections of photographs through the ages and even a spot to listen to every song they ever made.

The best part is that no photography is allowed inside the museum space; so you’ll only ever see what this museum has to offer by physically going there.

The British Library in London – by The British Library – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 9:30am to 5pm

ADDRESS: 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: London King’s Cross

Black Taxi Beatles Tour in London

The Black Taxi tours in London are doing big things for fans of both the Beatles and Harry Potter. They take travelers on three hour long excursions dedicated to either subject, showcasing all of the most important London based attractions for each.

Their Beatles tour is widely popular and will show you every single significant spot that was relevant to the band’s history. You’ll even see where their manager Brian Epstein died, and where John Lennon was busted for drug possession at one stage.

Tours begin at Sloan Square Station and end in Soho. Booking in advance is essential.

Black Taxi Beatles Tour – by Black Taxi Beatles Tour – Sourced from their website

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: Sloane Square Station

METRO STATION: Sloane Square Station