Asking for recommendations and advice for Beatles tours in Liverpool. Have read a bit about the Magical Mystery Tour -- Do they play the songs while on the bus?
Any recommendations for additional Beatles tours or alternatives?
Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Delaware
1685 posts
Hi, tcgnj,
We were in Liverpool in September, and took several Beatles tours.
Overall, our favorite was the Magical Mystery Tour. And yes, they do play the songs on the bus. Just about everyone was singing along. At least, those near us! If you do take the tour, try to get a seat near the front of the bus. As there are stops where you have to get off and on the bus, the closer you are to the front the better. The primary stops where you get off the bus were Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, and George's childhood home. The MMT also provides you with free passes to the new Cavern, which normally has an admission fee.
We also took a walking tour with Liverpool Famous Walking Tours, which concentrated on the area around Mathew Street. It was highly enjoyable and informative, but no music.
In addition, we took the National Trust's tours of John and Paul's childhood homes. That was one of the highlights of our visit, as the homes have been maintained just as they were in the 1950s, when John and Paul lived there. Still can't figure out how Paul was able to climb through that bathroom window!
There are also a couple of good museums, including one on Mathew Street, which concentrates on the pre-Ringo Beatles, and another at Albert Dock, which is more of an audio visual tour - you are given headphones to wear.
While we were on Mathew Street, we were looking for somewhere to eat. We stumbled upon the site of the old Cavern, which now houses a really good mural, as well as statues of the lads, and a plaque honoring Father MacKenzie. There's also a decent cafe there, naturally called the Beatles Cafe. The old Cavern location is a couple of doors down from the new Cavern.
There are lots of Beatles' sites in the Mathew Street area, including statues of Brian Epstein and Eleanor Rigby. And of course the famous statues at Albert Dock, near the Gerry Marsden ferry terminal.
Have a wonderful time in Liverpool! There is a lot to see and do in addition to all of the Beatles' sites.
Best wishes,
Mike (Auchterless)
p.s.: You can also find private tours of Beatles' sites, which are more intimate than the group tours. They are owner-operator tours, and take you around in a car or minivan. They are considerably more expensive than the group tours.
Posted by
Washington
166 posts
I highly recommend visiting John Lennon and Paul McCartney's childhood homes. You need to book far far in advance via the National Trust but it is an amazing experience!
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
11303 posts
We were in Liverpool earlier this month. The highlight for me was the National Trust tour of John & Paul’s childhood homes. Being able to be inside and explore as we pleased for about 45 minutes in each house was very interesting and moving at the same time. We also enjoyed The Beatles Story and stopping into the Cavern Club afterwards for some live music, and the Magical Mystery Tour. As mentioned above, music was played on the bus. I would rate what we did as #1 J&P’s childhood homes, #2 The Beatles Story, #3 Cavern Club and #4 Magical Mystery Tour. It was raining when we did the Magical Mystery Tour and as far as George’s house you could only see the exterior. You couldn’t see Strawberry Fields, just a gate. It was more of a drive by places and getting out of the bus briefly for photos kind of tour. There’s nothing wrong with it but I just personally enjoyed the other things more.
Posted by
OP
121 posts
Thanks, all!
I ,mapped out a self-guided Beatles tour in Liverpool. May have to see it in two parts over two days. Can take city buses and do some walking. Looks very interesting.
Beatles Story Museum, Cavern Club, Strawberry Fields, Lennon House (outside), Eleanor Rigby gravesite, McCartney House (outside), Penny Lane, Ringo Starr house (outside) and mural.
Posted by
48 posts
My husband, daughter and I took the Fab4 Taxi tour. It wasn’t much more than each of paying for a bus tour and really great. Each tour guide is a London cabbie. The cars are song titles, ours was Penney Lane. Lot of info. And very fun.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
44 posts
Highly recommend adding in a Casbah Coffee House tour- the basement has been left pretty much as it was when the Beatles used to play there. It's a little far from downtown, if you won't have a car it's an easy taxi or Uber trip.
Posted by
Dixie
1460 posts
Thanks to all for this great thread, bookmarking this one!