A Fabulous Time Learning About the Fab Four in Liverpool and More
When someone mentions Liverpool, England, most people associate this coastal city with the Fab Four and the British Invasion of the early 1960s. Honestly, that’s what attracted us to this city of nearly 500,000.
But as we quickly discovered, this seaport has much more to offer beyond its vibrant music scene. There’s plenty to do in Liverpool, but let’s start with those lads from Liverpool—the Beatles.
Our Fab Four Liverpool City Tour
Since we didn’t have a car, it was an easy decision to book a guided tour for our Liverpool Beatles tour. Planning your fab four Liverpool adventure should begin with a visit to very helpful Visit Liverpool website. That’s where we did much of our research and found several highly rated tour operators that matched what we were looking for.
There are two main approaches to Beatles tours in Liverpool. It really comes down to personal preference: a less expensive group bus tour or a more costly but customized private tour. In our case, we found that while a private black cab tour was more expensive, the price difference wasn’t significant—and the ability to tailor the experience to our interests made it well worth it.
If you opt for a group tour, we recommend those offered by the Cavern Club—the legendary venue where the Beatles rose to fame. Their Magical Mystery Tour covers many Beatles highlights and is often cited as the best Beatles tour in Liverpool. We had originally booked this tour, but due to a rail strike in Great Britain at the time, we had to change our plans at the last minute.
Instead, we chose a private three-hour Beatles tour in a black cab—and we didn’t regret it. Our driver, Paul, picked us up at Lime Street Station, and we were off to the races, exploring the city. Paul was fantastic to work with and even offered to show us more of Liverpool beyond the Beatles landmarks.
Highlights for Beatles fans included stops at the childhood homes of Paul, George, Ringo, and John. There were plenty of photo opportunities at each location. Paul and John’s homes are managed by the National Trust, while George and Ringo’s houses remain private residences.
Perhaps our favorite part of the tour was our time on and around Penny Lane Liverpool. Our first stop was the iconic Penny Lane sign, where we learned about the neighborhood and the history behind the song. From there, we visited the roundabout featured in the lyrics. While much has changed in the 50+ years since the song was written, many of the original storefronts and landmarks remain—including the barber shop that inspired one of the song’s most memorable lines.
One of the most memorable stops on our Fab Four tour was the cemetery at St. Peter’s Church Liverpool, where you’ll find the Eleanor Rigby grave. We enjoy walking through old cemeteries, so this was a special moment for us. Just across the street is the hall where John and Paul met for the very first time—a pivotal moment in music history.
Another highlight was Strawberry Fields Liverpool. Our guide shared the story behind the song and explained its significance to the local community. A photo at the iconic red gates is a must for any visitor. We also highly recommend stopping by the on-site gift shop. Not only is it a convenient place for a restroom break, but it’s also a unique shop with meaningful souvenirs. Now owned by the Salvation Army, Strawberry Fields uses proceeds from the gift shop to support local charitable efforts—making it a great way to take home a piece of Liverpool while giving back.
If you’ve had your fill of Beatles history, Liverpool offers plenty more to explore—starting with its rich cultural diversity. One standout is Liverpool’s Chinatown, located just south of the city center. It’s the oldest Chinatown in Europe and home to a vibrant community. You’ll find a variety of restaurants, markets, and businesses to check out, making it a great spot to experience a different side of the city.
If you’re not in the mood for Chinese food, consider checking out one of Liverpool’s many pubs. We were recommended a specific one by our London tour guide—oddly enough, because of its restrooms! The Philharmonic Dining Rooms Liverpool is famous for the ornate urinals in the men’s restroom, but the food was quite good too.
However, the real reason we mention this pub isn’t the food or the facilities—it’s the history. The Philharmonic Dining Rooms was featured in James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke segment with the legendary Paul McCartney. In 2018, McCartney toured around Liverpool, sharing stories and surprising patrons with an impromptu concert at the pub. It’s a must-see moment—definitely worth looking up.
Other highlights around town include the entire waterfront area. The newly refurbished Royal Albert Dock is perfect for a leisurely stroll, with shops, museums, and restaurants lining the water. While you’re there, be sure to visit the Titanic Memorial, a moving tribute to the lives lost in the tragedy, many of whom had ties to Liverpool.
In the heart of downtown Liverpool, you’ll find two stunning cathedrals worth visiting. At one end of Hope Street stands the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, a striking modern structure. At the other end is the Liverpool Cathedral, the largest Anglican cathedral in the UK. Both are free to tour and offer unique architectural and spiritual experiences.
While you can fly into Liverpool, we highly recommend arriving by rail. England’s rail system is efficient and easy to navigate, making travel between cities a breeze. We visited Liverpool as a day trip from London—just about two hours by train—and it worked out perfectly.
We originally came for the Beatles history, but we found so much more. One of the best parts of our visit was meeting the people of Liverpool—friendly, relaxed, and welcoming (especially compared to our friends in London!).
Have you been to Liverpool? We’d love to compare notes on what you enjoyed most. Planning a trip? Check out some of our other UK trip reviews for inspiration.
