is abbey road studios free to visit

Abbey Road Studios opens to the public this summer - here’s how to visit

From The Beatles to Pink Floyd , Kate Bush to Oasis , and Radiohead to Sam Smith - Abbey Road Studios has seen some musical legends pass through its doors.

And now the iconic hallowed halls can be visited by the general public, who have been offered the chance to step inside Studio Two.

Over two weekends, the world’s most famous recording studio will open its doors in a series of lectures titled “Step Inside Abbey Road Studios ” and superfans are being urged to be quick to snap up the last tour available.

Beatles bigwigs Kevin Ryan and Brian Kehew will host the series of exclusive talks. The pair - authors of “Recording the Beatles : The Studio Equipment and techniques used to Create Their Classic Albums,” will “delve into the past, present and future of the storied building” and tell some of the stories of what went on behind the scenes of recordings.

When are the Abbey Road Studios tours?

The tours are taking place across two weekends, on August 4, 5 and 6 and again on August 11, 12 and 13.

There are various times across these dates which sold out quickly, but this week - due to popular demand - the studio organisers have put on an additional session at midday on August 12.

Tickets available from here but are limited to only one date being available because of the high demand the event has seen.

Every single session is sold out, but the midday session on August 12 still has space, although it isn’t sure how long that will last. The session has been put on to try and make sure as many fans as possible can attend, with tickets costing £141.

50th Anniversary of The Beatles Abbey Road Album Cover

Who recorded in Studio Two at Abbey Road?

One of the most famous studios at Abbey Road, Studio Two was one of the facility’s original three studios and was initially principally used by big bands to record jazz and swing music.

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It later became known as the home of British rock’n’roll during that music explosion, led by such artists as Cliff Richard and the Shadows, and was immortalised by The Beatles recording in there as well as Pink Floyd .

Others to have recorded there include Kate Bush, Oasis, Adele, Ed Sheehan and Radiohead .

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Rock on! Abbey Road Studios is opening its doors to the public

The legendary recording studio is celebrating its ninetieth anniversary

It’s an age-old tradition, a rite of passage for Beatlemaniac Londoners. Get three mates, go down to Abbey Road, then hold up obscene amounts of traffic while trying to recreate The Beatles’ iconic 1969 zebra-crossing-straddling album cover.

But for a few very, very special days this week, music obsessives visiting Abbey Road will be able to do more than just infuriate local drivers. The legendary Abbey Road Studios , responsible for some of the greatest music recordings ever made, is opening its doors to the public. 

As many superlatives as I whip out, they don’t do Abbey Road justice. From The Beatles to Adele, Kanye West to Kate Bush, these studios, engineering booths and practice rooms have hosted music greats from across the generations and witnessed countless magical moments in pop and rock history.

And now, to celebrate the studios’ ninetieth anniversary, the public are being allowed inside. Ticket-holders will be treated to a 90-minute tour of the studios, including visits to the control rooms, three of its original recording rooms and the Studio Two Echo Chamber, learning about its history along the way.

Tickets are still available and can be bought from the Abbey Road: Open House website .

Abbey Road Studios, 3 Abbey R d, NW8 9AY. Aug 9-15. £100.

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• Ed Cunningham News Editor, Time Out UK and Time Out London

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Abbey Road to open its doors to the public this summer: your chance to take a tour of the legendary studios

A rare chance to go beyond the ‘no entry’ signs

OK, it’s not quite the same as recording there, but if you’ve ever dreamed of stepping inside the hallowed halls of Abbey Road Studios, this summer presents you with your opportunity.

From 9 to 15 August, Abbey Road is flinging open its doors and taking guests on a “specially curated journey through the studios’ history”. This forms part of Abbey Road’s 90th anniversary celebrations.

The so-called Abbey Road: Open House tour will enable you to explore all three of the famous recording rooms - which have hosted the likes of The Beatles , Pink Floyd, Oasis , Kanye West, Adele and Frank Ocean - and you’ll hear the stories that have helped to create the Abbey Road legend.

If you’re a musician, you’ll be keen to feast your eyes on the gear, too: the likes of the EMI TG MK3 recording console, used extensively on records since the late ‘60s; the iconic ‘Mrs Mills’ piano ; the REDD.17 mixing console; the BTR3 tape machine; and the recently acquired Mellotron.

The exhibition will also feature unseen images, film and artefacts, and cover Abbey Road’s history of technological innovation. You’ll learn more about the many film scores that have been recorded there, too.

Isabel Garvey, Managing Director at Abbey Road Studios says: “Celebrating 90 years of Abbey Road by inviting the public beyond the ‘no entry’ signs is a really exciting way for us to share the magic of the building.

“Abbey Road: Open House is a rare and fascinating opportunity to discover the stories behind some of the greatest music that has been the soundtrack to our lives, in the very rooms where it was made.”

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Jack Franklin, Head of Events at Abbey Road Studios, adds: “As a working studio, the doors to Abbey Road are normally closed, so being able to share a rare glimpse inside our very special building is something we’re all really excited about.

“With a project like this, the major challenge is selecting which bits of the story to tell - there is so much history here that editing it down to a 90-minute experience is all part of the fun of the job. I still remember the magic of stepping inside the building for the first time, so we want to give our guests that very same experience this Summer.”

For details of the tour and to buy tickets - which cost £100 per person - head to the Abbey Road Studios website.

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it. 

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Abbey Road Studios

The Harmonic Legacy of Abbey Road Studios: A Landmark of British Cultural Heritage.

Foundational Notes: Establishing Abbey Road Studios

The birth of a sound revolution, a studio iconised by the beatles, pioneers of sound engineering, a cinematic symphony: film scoring at abbey road, the 21st century: adaptation and survival, educating the next generation: abbey road institute, conclusion: an enduring legacy.

• Abbey Road Studios en.wikipedia.org

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Abbey Road

Abbey road ultimate guide.

Abbey road was originally nothing more than a thoroughfare along Northwest London that most people used just to reach the Lord’s Cricket Ground. However, in 1969, when one of Britain’s most famous rock bands The Beatles shot one of their album artworks there, the place became a significant symbol/monument. Now, people from all over the world stop by this location to take pictures of themselves imitating the famous artwork where the four band members are walking straight across the crossing, one of them (Paul) barefoot.

Just ahead of the crossing is the famous Abbey Road studios where The Beatles recorded most of the music they created from 1962 to 1970 at. In addition, The Beatles named the last album they ever recorded after the road in front of their studio, Abbey Roads, hence the artwork they took at the same location. Taking this into appreciation, initially named EMI studios, the studio changed its name to Abbey Road studios that has now become the landmark for producing so many legendary music by artists such as Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga and so on.

Nowadays Abbey Road is a busy spot for music fans and there are many free walking tours in London covering this pop culture landmark. If you want to see Abbey Road during your next trip to London, take a look at this guide to make the most of your trip!

Abbey Road Highlights

The highlight of Abbey Road is definitely the famous crossing. There are many stories that circulate behind this artwork as does anything involving The Beatles does. However, there is one interesting story that many guides running free Beatles tours share, and it articulates how the band was close to breaking up. According to that story, even in the process of recording The Beatles could not  stand each other’s presence that they simply decided to name the album after their recording  studio and take the photo for the artwork in the road in front of the studio.

The accuracy of this story is still unknown but when you reach Abbey Road, you feel the spirit of the Beatles still alive in the spot. Afterall, the Beatles were not just a rock band that produced music. They were an iconic figure of the century, leaving their marks on changing the definition of music itself not to mention also fashion, politics and society. Why not step into the shoes of your own favorite Beatles member for a day by standing along his part in the Abbey Road?

Besides getting your photo taken at the crossing, there is also an Abbey Road shop right next to the studio where fans can find souvenirs that can only be purchased there. The products on sale here are not only Beatles related, but also allow you to learn more about the many musicians who were involved in creating the legacy that Abbey Road studio is famous for today.

Special Tips

Getting There

Visiting abbey road.

When you’re visiting Abbey Road, do try to go in the mornings when there are less people, groups in free tours, and mobile cars. Don’t forget, it is just a side walk but it is “The Beatles’ sidewalk”. For Beatles fans, this is definitely the holy land. In the afternoon, the place will be filled with tourists and fans all aiming for the same shot. On the other hand, we cannot forget that this is a road still in use.

Nothing is worse than getting ‘your moment’ photobombed by an unfamiliar truck or getting scolded at by impatient drivers. This is why I repeatedly stress to go in the mornings!

If you want to see more attractions, you can take a look at the free tours in London that depart every day.

Free Tours in Your Language

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• Home Entertainment

Take a tour of Abbey Road Studios

A tour around the historic, epic, and incredible Abbey Road Studios.

On a recent trip to London, I got a chance to tour storied speaker company B&W's factory. They asked if I'd also like to tour Abbey Road Studios .

Yes. Yes I would.

And I did. It was awesome and I have pictures.

This is the first of three behind-the-scenes tours I did on my recent UK trip. Also check out storied speaker company B&W's factory , and electronics and speaker manufacturer Meridian Audio .

Abbey Road is probably the most famous recording studio in the world. The artists who've recorded there reads like a who's who of the great acts of the 20th and 21st centuries: The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Adele, Queen, Oasis, Radiohead, and many more. The zebra crossing in front was immortalized by Iain Macmillan for the cover of the Beatles album that gave the studio its name.

Abbey Road Studios Tour (pictures)

What's shocking, perhaps, is that for a building with such an incredible musical history, it doesn't look like much from the outside. In fact, it looks like a pretty boring and basic house, which of course it was originally.

It is amusingly bigger on the inside, extending back throughout the lot. Inside is one of the largest recording spaces in the world (Studio One), along with the iconic Studio Two (where the Beatles recorded most of their catalog), and the smaller but no less important Studio Three (Pink Floyd's home for "Dark Side of the Moon" and others).

Narrow corridors, stairwells, and tiny rooms fill out the interstitial spaces, and in many, magic happened as well as artists pushing the boundaries of what was technically possible, used every space they could to get the sound in their head, onto the rolling magnetic tape.

Check out the gallery for the full tour.

My thanks to B&W for setting this up, and to David Allen for his fantastic and informative tour.

As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of  cool museums and locations around the world , including  nuclear submarines ,  massive aircraft carriers ,  medieval castles , epic  10,000 mile road trips , and more. Check out  Tech Treks  for all his tours and adventures.

He wrote a  bestselling sci-fi novel  about city-size submarines, along with a  sequel . You can follow his adventures on  Instagram  and his  YouTube channel .

Take an Interactive Virtual Tour of Abbey Road Studios

• By Daniel Kreps

Daniel Kreps

Abbey Road Studios is among the most famous recording studios in music history, and while music fans are no doubt familiar with the albums that came out of Abbey Road – the Beatles catalog, Dark Side of the Moon ,  The Bends , among many others – not many have actually seen the inside of the storied London studio itself. That is, until now.

For Inside Abbey Road , Google has teamed with the studio to present an in-depth, multimedia guided tour through the famed studios by combining the search engine’s Google Maps technology with YouTube videos, interactive exhibits and more.

“ Abbey Road Studios has been a hive of creativity and source of world-class recordings for more than 80 years,” Giles Martin, producer and the son of longtime Beatles collaborator George Martin, said in a statement. “The artists using the studios have sold countless millions of records and have helped create popular culture as we know it today. It’s an inspirational place and an honour for me to work there today. This collaboration with Google gives the outside world a great insight into the everyday workings of the studio and allows anyone to glimpse the magic that goes on inside the world’s most famous recording studio.”

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Upon “entering” Abbey Road Studios, virtual tourists are guided through the venue’s three main rooms – Studio One, Two and Three – with each stop punctuated by videos and audio of some of the music that has been created in each room. For example, a visit to Studio Two allows users to play around with vocal effects like the flanger and phaser or watch a video of Oasis recording Dig Out Your Soul in the same space, while Studio Three features performances by Sam Smith and a “Body and Soul” duet between Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse. Even Abbey Road’s “mirror room,” where drummers lay down their tracks, is represented.

“We’re always looking at how we can use technology to bring people closer to cultural icons and institutions around the world,” said Tom Seymour, the project lead from Google’s Creative Lab. “With Inside Abbey Road, we wanted to open the doors to the iconic music studio for anyone in the world to step inside and experience the stories, the sounds, the people and the equipment that make Abbey Road Studios what it is today.”

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• London City Tours >

Beatles & Abbey Road London Tour - 2.5 Hours

Join our Beatles Tour of London and discover the most famous Fab 4 sites in the city. Get ready for the ultimate Fab 4 experience on this small coach tour which visits over 50 Beatles London locations, including the world famous Abbey Road crossing! You’ll spend 2.5 hours exploring the city that made the Beatles with live commentary by an expert guide. Highlights include seeing where John met Yoko, the only apartment where the Beatles lived together, the only Soho basement club where the ‘Fab’s’ played and more!

Our Beatles tour of London is available every day (except Saturday), departing at 6pm and finishing at approximately 8.30pm. Book your ‘Ticket to Ride’ today and join us on the ultimate Beatlemania experience!

Beatles Tour of London – Highlights

Our Beatles Tour of London visits over 50 locations in the city linked to the life and work of the Fab 4. There will be lots of stops and photo opportunities as you travel around London with a specialist Beatles guide on a small coach. Highlights include:

• See where the Beatles lived over the years. This includes the only apartment where the Beatles lived together for a while, John & Yoko’s apartment, Paul McCartney’s house of more than 40 years and Ringo Starr’s flat
• See the art gallery where John met Yoko, and where the band met the Maharishi Yogi
• See where the Beatles performed in London. This includes the only Soho basement club where the ‘Fab’s’ played, historic early gig locations and the final live ‘performance’ roof-top concert site
• See the film locations from Hard Day’s Night, Help! and Magical Mystery Tour as well as famous photo locations used for album covers and publicity shots
• See where Paul McCartney wrote ‘Yesterday’ and where he worked on ‘Eleanor Rigby’, as well as recording studios, gig locations and Apple locations
• Visit the Abbey Road Crossing, where you’ll have the opportunity to walk across the iconic zebra crossing!
• Enjoy live commentary on board the coach from an entertaining Beatles Guide. You’ll hear Beatles stories, along with music, memorabilia and photos

Abbey Road 

Abbey Road Crossing on our Beatles Tour of London

You’ll get to visit the most famous street crossing in London, located next to Abbey Road Studios. Millions of Beatles fans have made the pilgrimage, paying their respects to the band.

• You’ll get to walk the most iconic zebra crossing in the world, made famous by the 1969 Beatles album. Released on 26 September 1969, this was the final Beatles album to be recorded but not their last to be released
• Next to the crossing lies the legendary Graffiti Wall – feel free to write a message on the front wall!
• You’ll also see the Studio Building, and get to snap a selfie in front of the legendary house and entrance

Beatles tour – more details:

• Departure is at 6.00pm from Duke of York Column Monument, Carlton House Terrace, St. James’s, London SW1Y 5AJ
• The tour ends at around 8.30pm back at the Duke of York Column Monument
• Tour includes a professional guide and transportation in a small coach
• Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure

Tour Booking

Terms and conditions, you might also be interested.

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

Tour of The Beatles' London

This post is a self-guided tour of Beatles London sights as well as a list of guided tour options.

From recording studios to concert venues, shops to roof-top performances, London is filled with hot spots for fans of the Fab Four.

Let's rock n roll! 

• List of Beatles Sights
• Guided Tours
• Abbey Road Crosswalk
• London Rock N Roll Tour
• Things to Do in London
• Free Tours by Foot

BEATLES SIGHTS IN LONDON

These sights are organized by neighborhood so that if you are exploring London one neighborhood at a time so that you can check out a few significant Beatles locales during your outing.

You can, of course, visit all the sights in one day.

This will take you about a half-day depending on how much time you’d like to spend at each location and mode of travel.

You will likely be taking the London Underground or public bus, so we suggest you read our guide on using the London Underground and which Oyster Card to buy .

Chances are you will be spending some time in SoHo on your visit to London. You might find our post on  things to do in Soho  helpful.

It's a great neighborhood with lots of rock and roll history. So naturally, we make several of the below Beatles' locales during our  pay-what-you-wish   Rock N Roll London Tour .

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club -  47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT (map)

A legend on the London music scene, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club sits in the heart of Soho.

It was Ronnie Scott who played the saxophone solo on the Beatles hit 'Lady Madonna.'

This is a stop on our pay-what-you-wish   Rock N Roll London Tour .

Bag O’Nails - 9 Kingley Street ( map )

Number 9 Kingley Street is a private member’s club known as The Bag O’Nails. Opened originally in 1965, this was a hot-spot for musicians to meet and play until the club closed its doors to the public in 1968.

Paul McCartney was a frequent visitor of The Bag O’Nails (he actually had his own private table!) and on the 15th of May in 1967 it was here that he met his future wife, Linda.

Also a stop on our pay-what-you-wish   Rock N Roll London Tour

MPL Communications - 1 Soho Square ( map )

MPL Communications is the name of Paul McCartney’s music publishing company. Their headquarters are here at Number 1 Soho Square.

Founded in 1970 by McCartney himself, MPL Communications not only manages work by Paul but also owns copyrights for dozens of artists, including huge names like Buddy Holly.

Former Blue Gardenia Club  -   20 St. Anne's Court ( map )

Tucked away in a small Soho alley is the location of the former Blue Gardenia Club.

Although no longer standing, legend has it that this is where the Beatles held their first-ever London performance.

According to the story, the concert was impromptu (their van driver that evening knew the club would still be open late into the night and might have an empty stage that needed filling), and not all four Beatles were present – George Harrison was at home with the flu!

If true, this would make it the first performance in London for the Fab Four, but it is said that they earned absolutely no money that evening - since in December of 1961 they were still completely unknown! 

Trident Recording Studios   - 17 St. Anne's Court ( map )

In this unassuming building sits recording studios where numerous hits were put down on vinyl.

The Beatles recorded various songs here including Hey Jude, Martha My Dear, Dear Prudence, Honey Pie, Savoy Truffle, I Want You (She’s so Heavy).

Separately, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney all recorded music here in their respective solo careers.

Read more about Trident Recording Studios .

The Prince of Wales Theatre - Coventry Street ( map )

At the 1963 Royal Variety Show – with both Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret in the audience – the Beatles performed a number of their recent hits.

But, more famous than the concert, was the introduction of their final number Twist and Shout by John Lennon, who took to the stage and announced, “For our last number, I’d like to ask your help.

For the people in the cheaper seats, clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you’d just rattle your jewelry.”

After giving a cheeky grin and a thumbs-up sign, cameras swiftly moved to the Queen Mother who, on her feet, was seen laughing and waving.

This gesture demonstrated the Beatles' ability to transcend politics, finance, and international barriers in their rise to the top of musical history. 

Today, you can see some of the best shows at The Prince of Wales Theatre , like The Book of Mormon!

The London Pavillion - 1 Piccadilly Circus ( map )

Today an entertainment venue, the London Pavilion saw the premieres of four of five Beatles films: A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, Yellow Submarine, and Let it Be .

Find out more about London's famous  Piccadilly Circus .

The London Palladium Theatre - 8 Argyll Street ( map ) 

In 1963, the Beatles gave a concert here that coined the term “Beatlemania.”

The theatre was packed with thousands of fans and it’s estimated that 15 million people tuned in to watch the performance.

The crowds quickly swarmed to the backstage door of the theatre, hoping to see the group as they left but the Beatles were one step ahead and left through the front!

NEMS Offices - 5-6 Argyll Street ( map )

Standing for North End Music Stores, the NEMS organization was run by Brian Epstein – sometimes referred to as the “fifth Beatle.”

Ironically, today the location is a Five Guys fast food restaurant!

Epstein was the Beatles’ manager and his headquarters here is where all of the behind-the-scenes work going into the success of the Beatles took place.

Notably, it was at this location that John Lennon, in an interview with the Evening Standard in 1966, commented that the Beatles were “bigger than Jesus.”

Dougie Millings & Son - 63 Old Compton Street ( map )

Millings & Son, master tailors, were known the world over as “The Beatles’ Tailor.” They no longer operate, instead, you will find a restaurant, Cafe Espana.

It was at this shop here in Old Compton Street that John Lennon asked the tailor for "something different".

What he got was one of the most distinctive items in the Beatles' wardrobe - the collarless suits the Beatles became known for.

The link between the tailor at the Fab Four was so strong that crowds would often gather outside, hoping to get a glimpse of the Beatles coming in to collect their clothes.

It is possible to spot Dougie Millings in A Hard Day’s Night where he has a small part, appropriately, as a frustrated tailor!  Read his obituary in the NY Times .

ST JOHN'S WOOD

Abbey road studios and crossing - 3 abbey road ( map ).

Abbey Road Studios, a recording venue that has seen some of the biggest names in music come through the doors.

The Beatles recorded nearly all of their albums and singles dating from 1962 to 1970 here.

For more information,  read our in-depth post on the crossing and the studio.   

During the time of The Beatles, the Studios were owned by EMI. Today it is a property of Universal Music.

The building itself is still used for recordings but it is also a protected building, holding English Heritage Grade II Listed status.

This means the building will now always be preserved from major alterations and changed in recognition of its’ musical historical impact.

Paul McCartney's Current London Home -  7 Cavendish Avenue ( map )

Since 1966 this lavish mansion has belonged to Paul McCartney. Owing to the proximity to the Abbey Road studios, the Beatles frequently used this house as a meeting place before and after recordings.

As he owns many properties over the world, he is not here all of the time, but it is not unusual to see him in the shops and pubs on the nearby St. John’s Wood high street.

After his divorce from Heather Mills, the paparazzi were camped outside of this house for weeks and occasionally one may find a Beatles fan or two camped outside the imposing brick walls.

Beatles Coffee Shop -  St. John’s Wood Station ( map )

Located at St. John’s Wood Underground Station is the Beatles Coffee shop, a great place to grab a drink or a small bite to eat.

The shop also boasts a variety of Beatles merchandise to pick up and bring back home for your fab-four-loving-friends.

Apple Records  - 3 Savile Row ( map ) 

This was the headquarters for the Beatles' record label. In the basement, part of the film Let it Be was shot.

But it is the rooftop that is practically a shrine to the Beatles. In January 1969, the Beatles gave their last live performance, memorialized on film ( watch here ).

The band played for 45 minutes until the police came and stopped the impromptu gig.

Before the police cleared them away, John Lennon said, “I hope we passed the audition.”  

Naturally, this near-sacred sight is a stop on our pay-what-you-wish   Rock N Roll London Tour .

One cannot imagine not stopping here to see one of the most significant places in rock history!

The Dorchester - 45 Park Lane ( map )

The Beatles celebrated the premieres of both A Hard Day’s Night and Help! here.

This posh hotel on London’s luxury Park Lane, the Dorchester can be visited by members of the public who wish to come in for afternoon tea, or a drink at the bar.

Mason’s Yard Art Gallery (where John Lennon met Yoko Ono)  - 6 Mason’s Yard ( map )

Formerly the site of the Indica Gallery, 6 Mason’s Yard was the location of an exhibition that began on the 9th of November in 1966 by Yoko Ono.

John Lennon had been told that the exhibition was worth visiting, and when he arrived at this location, he met his future wife!

(We stop here on our  pay-what-you-wish   Rock N Roll London Tour ).

John was reported, “expecting an orgy, you know…” but arrived instead to find a quiet room where Yoko was drifting around, rearranging objects as part of her art piece.

One of the pieces was a wooden board with a hammer and nails nearby – John asked if he could hammer in one of the nails and was told no by Yoko herself.

The gallery manager panicked that Ono may have offended John, convinced her to allow him to do it.

According to Lennon himself, Yoko said he could do it if he paid five shillings. His response? “Well, I’ll give you an imaginary five shillings and hammer an imaginary nail in.”

John stated that this was the moment he and Yoko really “met” changing the course of both their lives forever.

Marylebone Station - Location in  A Hard Day’s Night - Marylebone Rail Station ( map )

Fans of the Fab Four will recognize it as the setting for the opening scenes of A Hard Day’s Night .

It's here that they arrive in London to a mob of screaming girls and must run to escape the chaos!

If you want to truly walk in the footsteps of John, George, and Ringo, head to nearby Boston Place (along the right side of the Station).

This is the street the three are running down at the beginning of the film.

Former EMI Headquarters - 20 Manchester Square ( map )

From 1960 – 1995, 20 Manchester Square was the address of EMI, a multinational music recording, and publishing company.

This was the company that introduced the Beatles on an international level and also provided promotional materials of the group.

The stairwell which is featured on the cover of the Please Please Me album was located inside this building and photographs of the group taken inside the offices here were used in The Red Album and The Blue Album .

Inside the building, the Beatles received several awards from EMI owing to their record-breaking sales which means the doorways here have seen the footsteps of the Beatles dozens of times.

John and Yoko's Flat - 34 Montagu Square ( map )

The basement flat in 34 Montagu Square was occupied by Ringo Starr briefly in 1965 before he moved out and leased the flat to his friends – including Jimi Hendrix.

But, for Fab Four Fans, this flat is better known as the home of John Lennon and Yoko who lived here in 1968. 

It was in October of that year that the police raided the flat and John and Yoko were charged with possession of cannabis. Shortly thereafter, Ringo felt enough pressure to sell the flat. 

It’s also of note that Paul McCartney himself said that this flat at Montagu Square was where he wrote Eleanor Rigby.

Jane Asher's Home - 57 Wimpole St ( map )

In the early 1960s, Paul McCartney dated Jane Asher and lived with her for a time. 

In this house is where Paul and John wrote I Want to Hold Your Hand.

Marylebone Register Office - 97-113 Marylebone Rd ( map )

In this architecturally lovely building, Paul McCartney exchanged vows with Linda Eastman here on March 12, 1969, breaking millions of hearts in the process.

Forty years later, McCartney married his third wife, Nancy Shevell. Ringo Starr married his second wife Barbara Bach here in 1981. 

Other famous nuptials that took place here include Sean Bean and Georgina Sutcliffe, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas, and Oasis' frontman Liam Gallagher to his first wife, Patsy Kensit in 1997 and then his second wife Nicole Appleton in 2008.

The Beatles Store  -   231-233 Baker Street ( map )

The absolute top-notch Beatles memorabilia store in London.

From regular trinkets like key chains, shot glasses and clothing to serious collector's items like rare records and out-of-print magazines – this shop has it all!

WESTMINSTER

Buckingham palace  ( map ).

An unexpected stop on a Beatles tour of London is Buckingham Palace! In June 1965, Queen Elizabeth II appointed all four members of the Beatles Members of the Orders of the British Empire (MBEs).

The Fab Four had been nominated by Prime Minister Harold Wilson and the ceremony took place inside the Palace, sparking a bit of controversy by those who felt that MBE recipients should be limited to civic leaders and military veterans.

Many MBE recipients actually returned their insignia in protest!

Hard Rock Café - 150 Old Park Lane ( map ) 

For Beatles fans, a visit to the Hard Rock Café doesn’t necessarily need to involve any food or drink!

Underneath the shop is a vault that contains musical memorabilia including John Lennon’s original handwritten lyrics for songs like ‘Imagine’ as well as a pair of his glasses.

Also of note is the gold record which was gifted to the group when their album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band reached $1 million in the United States.

Tours of the vault are available!

Brian Epstein's Final Home - 24 Chapel St. ( map )

In January 1965, Brian Epstein moved into this house in the exclusive London neighbourhood of Belgravia.

It was here that the release party for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band took place.

Sadly, it was also here that Brian Epstein died of a drug overdose on 27th August 1967.

KNIGHTSBRIDGE

Whaddon house  - william mews ( map ).

Here are the former residences of George, Ringo and Brian Epstein. In late 1963, Brian Epstein moved into the top floor apartment here.

Not long after, George Harrison and Ringo Starr shared an apartment on the second floor of the very same building and it was here that the Fab Four met before traveling to Buckingham Palace to receive their MBEs.

George and Ringo moved out in 1965 but the building remained famous owing to a legendary party hosted by Epstein in 1964.

Reportedly in August of that year, an event took place that was attended by all four Beatles as well as Judy Garland, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

See what it looks like today . You can rent an apartment for just...£5,417 a month!

SOMERS TOWN

The british library -  96 euston road ( map ).

When thinking of the Beatles, the British Library isn’t a naturally linked location. 

However, the British Library houses some exceptionally rare Beatles artifacts that are on display and that can be viewed.

This includes six manuscripts penned by John Lennon including lyric sheets in his own hand for In My Life, Strawberry Fields Forever and She Said She Said.

There is also a letter to Lennon’s friend, former Beatle Stuart Sutcliffe, and an original Beatles Fan Club membership card.

Best of all, this collection is FREE to enjoy!  Click here for more information .

GUIDED TOURS

If you would prefer a guided tour, you are in luck, as there are several walking and bus tours available for purchase.

Of course, you should check out our free Rock N Roll London Tour , which takes place on Thursdays and Saturdays at 15:00 (3 pm).  

You can also take this tour any time you wish with our GPS-led audio tour app . Here's a sample.

Central London Beatles Walking Tour

Every day at 1 pm, take a guided walking tour of central London Beatles sights. £15/adult, £10/child, £12/senior/student.

If you are considering purchasing a hop-on-hop-off bus tour ticket while in London, be aware that these tickets are included for free with the purchase of an Original Tour London bus ticket.

It's also included for free with the London Pass , a tourist attraction concession pass that includes free entry to dozens of London's most popular attractions.

London Rock Music Tour  

A 3.5-hour mini-coach tour that covers the history of rock music and visits SoHo, Camden Town all the way to Abbey Road.

Prices start at £46/adult, £29/child (ages 3-16). Select days at 13:00 (1 pm).

Let Mark (the taxi driver in the video at the top of this page) take you on a tour. Check out his Facebook page .

Richard Porter's Beatles Walks  

• Beatles 'In My Life' - 11 am every Tuesday and Saturday
• Magical Mystery Tour - 11 am every Thursday and Sunday and 2 pm every Wednesday
• Rock and Roll London - 2 pm every Friday

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Abbey Road Studios Sets Third Annual Music Photography Awards

The third annual Abbey Road Music Photography Awards — which honors the art of music photography and highlights talent from around the globe — will take place at the legendary London studio on October 3, with submissions now open for a handful of categories.

Photographers may submit entries via MPAs’ website  in six open-entry categories: Undiscovered Photographer of the Year, Music Moment of the Year, Live Music Award, Underground Scenes Award, Making Music Award, and Jazz: The Rebirth of Cool. The judging panel will determine the nominees in three more invited categories: Portrait, Editorial, and ICON.

More from Rolling Stone

Abbey Road Studios Announces Music Photography Awards 2023

Mary McCartney on That Time Her Parents Brought a Pony to Abbey Road

Elton John, Paul McCartney Talk 'Sacred' Abbey Road Studios in Documentary Trailer

“At Abbey Road Studios, we are dedicated to the artistry and impact of music photography,” Sally Davies, Managing Director at Abbey Road Studio, said in a statement. “Through hosting the annual Music Photography Awards, we celebrate this vibrant art form and the talented individuals behind the lens. Our mission is not only to showcase their incredible work, but also to nurture and create meaningful opportunities for emerging photographers. We are proud to support this creative community, helping to bring their unique visions and voices to the forefront of the music industry.”

This year’s panel of judges includes founding MPAs photographer Rankin, Abbey Road’s first-ever Artist in Residence Jordan Rakei, musicians like Gossip’s Beth Ditto, Sleaford Mods’ Jason Williamson, Moses Boyd, and Bimini, photographers Raven B Varona, Pooneh Ghana Ashley Verse, and Sam Rockman, and more.

“Now in our third year, I’m incredibly excited to see what we can expect from the 2024 entrants,” Rankin said in a statement. “The quality of photography from last year’s entrants was extremely impressive, and I’m sure that this year will raise the bar even higher. We want to find and recognize the emerging, undiscovered and established talent that exists in music photography, as well as shine a light on photographers of all backgrounds. Once again, I will be giving one photographer the opportunity to win a day’s mentorship with me on a shoot.”

Ahead of the judging day, a shortlist is created by a committee of photography experts, including Rolling Stone Deputy Photo Editor Sacha Lecca, photographers Charlotte Patmore, Katy Cummings, Phoebe Fox, and Anthony Pham, the winner of Music Moment Of The Year Award at the 2023 MPAs.

The MPAs is a free-to-enter competition, with submissions open now through July 18 at the MPA website. Prizes include mentoring with industry experts including Rankin and Lecca, exhibitions and practical photo shoot opportunities. The 2023 MPAs drew over 16,000 submissions from 30 countries, with an exhibit featuring some of the work attracting 1.5 million visitors to London’s Outernet.

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The Studios

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Legendary spaces.

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We want all our clients to enjoy the best experience at Abbey Road, so our bookings team work with you to get the most out of your time in the studio. From independent artists to record labels, artist management and Hollywood studios, we want everyone to feel part of the Abbey Road family. Beyond the studios and their lounges, our facilities include a restaurant, bar and private garden – places to relax and meet other creatives when taking time out from your session.

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Sign up for the latest production advice, insights and 'how to' content for artists and producers from abbey road studios., we'd love to welcome you to abbey road, so please contact us to talk through your project and for a bespoke quote tailored to your needs..

Kayla Hopkins

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3 Abbey Road London NW8 9AY UK