Liverpool Beatles Museum

About the museum

Liverpool Beatles Museum stands on Mathew Street, close to the site of the Cavern Club, in a Grade II listed former warehouse. It opened in 2018 under the name Magical Beatles Museum and was created by Roag Best, whose family was closely tied to the early Beatles. His father Neil Aspinall was the band's road manager and later head of Apple Corps, his mother Mona Best founded the Casbah Coffee Club where the group played, and his half-brother Pete Best was their drummer from 1960 to 1962.

The collection brings together instruments, stage clothes, letters, photographs and personal belongings that Roag Best gathered through family connections and over more than thirty years of collecting. Items on show include early guitars and drums from the Liverpool and Hamburg period, Paul McCartney's amplifier, a cello used in a Magical Mystery Tour film, the medals worn by John Lennon on the Sgt Pepper cover and seats from Shea Stadium.

The displays follow a timeline, with one floor each for the early years from 1959 to 1962, the Beatlemania years from 1963 to 1966 and the studio years from 1966 to 1970. A permanent Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame has been added to the visit to celebrate other people from the city's creative life. The museum is run by Glass Onion Exhibitions Ltd, offers educational programmes for school and university groups, and its event space below Mathew Street can be hired.

Highlights

• More than 1,000 original Beatles items across three floors
• Instruments from the Liverpool and Hamburg years, including Pete Best's drum kit
• Medals worn by John Lennon on the Sgt Pepper cover
• Seats from the front row of Shea Stadium
• Floor-by-floor timeline from 1959 to 1970
• Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame

Permanent exhibitions

• The Beatles collection – More than 1,000 original items arranged by period over three floors, covering 1959 to 1962, 1963 to 1966 and 1966 to 1970.
• Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame – A permanent exhibition celebrating people connected with Liverpool who shaped the city's culture in music, film, sport and the performing arts.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Glass Onion Exhibitions Ltd

Admission & discounts

Tickets are sold online and at the museum; optional audioguides in several languages cost an additional £1 per person. The Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame is included in the ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Grade II listed building has no lift, and the displays on four floors are connected by three staircases, so upper floors are not reachable for wheelchair users. Rest areas are at the start of each floor and exit stairs can be made available on request. Carers are admitted free. Guide and companion animals, including dogs and cats, are welcome throughout. Free audioguides are offered to visitors with partial sight, and staff at reception can arrange other help.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Free children's activity sheets (Beatles Explorer treasure hunt worksheets) are available, and school groups can join guided tours with a sing-along at the end. The museum is on several floors connected only by stairs, which makes pushchair access difficult.

Getting there & parking

Taxis can be found on North John Street, 1 minute on foot.

Amenities & dining

Gift vouchers can be bought on the website.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

After-hours hire of the event space beneath Mathew Street, with a stage and mural, and of the three main floors, for corporate events, launches, drinks receptions and live music; bespoke packages including catering and entertainment.

Plan your visit