The Beatles inspire incredible levels of passion and love within their fans. So much so, many are compelled to make a pilgrimage to the many and varied places around the world that had a noteworthy impact on the band, and vice versa. But how easy is it to follow in the footsteps of the Fab Four (like in our featured image by oddsock), and are these storied spots really worth the effort visiting? Here’s the lowdown.
The Cavern Club – Liverpool, England
The Beatles connection
The Cavern Club is where The Beatles were “discovered”. This is the place where Brian Epstein first saw them perform and where the first occurrences of Beatlemania were documented. In all, between 1961 and 1962 the band appeared here 292 times, securing The Cavern international notoriety for eternity.
How to get there
Around a 15-minute walk from Liverpool Lime Street railway station in the centre of the city on Mathew Street.
What you can see and do
You can get a feel for what the original Cavern Club was like.
What you can’t experience
The Cavern Club as it was when The Beatles played it. In 1973, the original club closed and was filled in as part of underground rail engineering works. A replica was constructed on the opposite side of the street. According to the owners, three quarters of it stands on the footprint of the original site, and 15,000 of its bricks were salvaged from the legendary club.
Abbey Road Studios – London, England
The Beatles connection
The band recorded almost all their studio material here.
How to get there
Less than 5 minutes’ walk from St John’s Wood (Jubilee Line) and Maida Vale (Bakerloo Line) tube stops.
What you can see and do
The famous Abbey Road crossing that adorned the cover of the 1969 album Abbey Road is just down the street. As a public right of way there’s no stopping you from attempting to recreate the iconic image, other than impatient drivers, that is.
What you can’t experience
Home to three active, world-renowned recording studios, Abbey Road Studios aren’t open to the public (they once were). There are no official tours. Other than becoming a renowned recording artist and insisting on producing your music within Abbey Road’s hallowed halls, the only way in is to hire out the place privately.
3 Savile Row – London, England
The Beatles connection
This was once the address of the band’s Apple Records. The roof was the scene of the band’s last live performance on January 30 1969. After entertaining the crowd on the street below, the show was brought to an end by the police. They split soon afterwards.
How to get there
Less than 10 minutes walk from Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly Lines) and Oxford Circus (Bakerloo, Central and Victoria Lines) tube stops.
What you can see and do
Stand on the spot in the street where the concert crowd congregated.
What you can’t experience
Apple Records aren’t here anymore. Abercrombie & Fitch controversially opened a children’s store here in the summer of 2012 and there’s no access to the rooftop.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram – Rishikesh, India
The Beatles connection
In 1968 John, Paul, George and Ringo, along with assorted family members and friends, enrolled in a Transcendental Meditation training course with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at this ashram. Ringo left fairly quickly, but the other three remained faithful to the programme for a few more weeks. Along with their pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, the band wrote heaps of new material, much of which ended up on the White Album.
How to get there
Head downstream (south) from the town of Rishikesh on the same side of the river as The Trayambakeshwar Temple. Keep following the river for around 45-60 minutes (longer for those taking in the scenery). Follow the road as until you reach the point where the road, forest and river intersect. The entrance should be visible on the left. To enter, you’ll likely have to cross the palm of a “security guard” – read sadu (holy man) – with a fair few rupees (it varies). Technically, you’ll be trespassing on Forestry Authority land, but a blind eye will be turned.
What you can see and do
The site was abandoned completely in the late 1990s. The forest has begun to reclaim the space for itself, giving an ethereal air about the place. Many of the dome-shaped meditation cells, lecture halls and accommodations remain, but as slowly decaying shells. The mix of overgrown 1960s architecture will remind Lost fans of the Dharma Initiative. Turn up early enough, and you’ll have the site to yourself…well, apart from the monkeys.
What you can’t experience
There aren’t any tangible reminders of The Beatles’ stays here. The site really has been stripped bare.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
