The Beatles Story

About the museum

The Beatles Story opened on 1 May 1990 at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool. It was devised and created by Mike and Bernadette Byrne and followed earlier Beatles visitor attractions in the city, Cavern Mecca (1981 to 1984) and Beatles City (1984 to 1986). Today the museum is run by Mersey Ferries, part of the public transport body Merseytravel.

The exhibition leads visitors through the lives and music of the Beatles in a series of recreated settings, among them Hamburg, the Casbah Coffee Club, the Cavern Club and Abbey Road Studios. Displays include original objects such as John Lennon's glasses and George Harrison's first guitar, and the story continues with the British Invasion and the four members' solo careers. A multimedia audio guide in 12 languages is included in the ticket.

The museum is split across two sites. The main exhibition, the Discovery Zone for children, a Fab4 Café and a Fab4 Store are in Britannia Vaults at the Royal Albert Dock, and a second Fab4 Café and Store are in the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal at Pier Head. It also offers education sessions, events and venue hire.

Highlights

• John Lennon's glasses and piano
• George Harrison's first guitar
• Recreated Cavern Club, Casbah Coffee Club and Abbey Road Studios
• Multimedia audio guide in 12 languages
• Discovery Zone for children with a floor piano and workshops
• Fab4 Cafés with free Wi-Fi and Fab4 Stores

Permanent exhibitions

• The Beatles Story – The main exhibition follows the Beatles from Liverpool to Hamburg, the Cavern Club and Abbey Road, with original objects and recreated settings.
• The Discovery Zone – An interactive area for families with a giant floor piano, a record store, a mini stage and craft activities.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Merseytravel (Mersey Ferries)

Admission & discounts

The ticket includes the main exhibition, a multimedia audio guide in 12 languages, the Discovery Zone (weekends, bank holidays and school holidays) and the Fab4 Cafés and Stores. Tickets should be bought in advance online for a timed slot; people who arrive without a ticket can buy the next available slot at card-only kiosks, and cash is not accepted at the admission desk. Blue Light Card and Defence Discount Service members get a 20% online discount, Blue Peter badge holders enter free, and Tesco Clubcard reward codes are accepted for standard tickets. Prices are subject to change.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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 entrance lift is currently out of order, so the exhibition can only be reached by 19 shallow steps; the museum is working on a replacement lift but has not given a date. Visitors should check the lift status online and call 0151 705 6621 about wheelchair access, because the lift has size limits and only a limited number of wheelchairs are allowed in the exhibition at a time. Toilets, including accessible toilets and baby changing, are in the Cavern Club area about 10 minutes into the tour and in the Fab4 Café and Discovery Zone areas. Hearing loops and large print guides are available on request, and sensory bags are offered. Only service dogs are allowed. The Fab4 Store at the Royal Albert Dock and the café and store at Pier Head are wheelchair accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The Discovery Zone has interactive activities such as a giant floor piano and an interactive timeline, a replica record store, a mini Cavern stage, arts and crafts, and free workshops. It is included in the ticket and open at weekends, on bank holidays and in school holidays. Baby changing is available in the Fab4 Café and Discovery Zone areas.

Getting there & parking

Sat nav postcode L3 4AD. The museum is on Gower Street at the Royal Albert Dock.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Two Fab4 Cafés (Royal Albert Dock and Pier Head) and two Fab4 Stores. The cafés offer free Wi-Fi. There is no cloakroom at the museum; luggage storage can be pre-booked through a third-party service at the neighbouring Premier Inn.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Corporate events, family celebrations and private tours; the replica Cavern Club is a main event space. An events manager organises each booking.

Plan your visit