You cannot possibly come to Liverpool without doing a Beatles tour. My family grew up on the Beatles and I can still sing along to most of their songs. I still cannot believe that they were only stage performers for six years. Those six years will live forever.
Arriving into Liverpool it was sunny and a mild temperature and such a change from the weather we have experienced to date. The clouds did come over later in the day and the wind also picked up which quickly dropped the temperature but altogether a lovely day.
Chris was our tour guide and what he didn't know about the Beatles is probably not worth knowing. He filled us in on what we would be seeing and doing for the four and half hour tour. Mathew Street where the Beatles first sang in the Cavern Bar, Beatles Story that is an audio visual tour in one of the dock buildings, Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane and a drive by the houses the the Beatles lived in as kids. Whew! A lot to see and do….
First though it was Mathew Street tour. We actually started off in another street about a block away from Mathew Street and worked our way towards the street. First stop was at the bronze of Elinor Rigby. Elinor Rigby is a fictional character according to Paul McCartney but tells the story of a lonely lady.
Mathew Street is full of bars and clubs and lots of gift shops selling Beatles memorabilia. It would be amazing to visit at night when the music really rocked. Walking it in daylight hours it seems a little dingy.
However this was where the Beatles famously played at the Cavern Bar and where they developed their fan base. It is no longer opened as it became too dangerous being what is really an underground cave. But when we visited the Beatles Story there was a good replica of the Cavern where the Beatles played.
The Beatles Story was next on the agenda. This is housed in a building in the Dock area. As we entered we were handed headphones and an audio visual player to hang around our necks. They are an excellent idea because you can visit the individual displays at your own leisure. There are 24 displays in total so it takes a good while to get around them all. We were given an hour and half that was only just enough time. If you wanted to do it more thoroughly it would take much longer.
We had a bit of information overload after the Beatle Story so we wandered around the dock area for a little while. This has obviously been an area that has a complete restoration and is now a lovely place for families to come to eat and play.
Back on the bus and after a head count we were one short. The tour guide gave them five minutes and when they weren't back, we left. No idea who that person was or if they got back to the ship……
Our drive now took us to Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields. On the way our guide pointed out where Paul McCartney lived - the white house…..
and Ringo Starr…….
Ringo came from the poorer end of town but John Lennon was from a much wealthier suburb.
There really wasn't much to see in Penny Lane but we stopped to take a photo of the sign. No barber shop anymore but we did pass the site building that used to house the barber.
Strawberry Fields is a children's home owned by the Salvation Army and is close t0 where John Lennon lived. It is said that John Lennon found sanctuary here. The gates are quite ornate. I just wish someone would clean off all the graffiti...
By this time we were ready to head back to our ship so I will leave you with some photos that I took along the return journey.
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