Skip to content

Inside the childhood homes of the Beatles

The facade of Paul McCartney's childhood home, 20 Forthlin Road, Liverpool
The facade of Paul McCartney's childhood home, 20 Forthlin Road, Liverpool | © National Trust Images/Dennis Gilbert

Walk in the footsteps of Beatles legends John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney as you explore their childhood homes in suburban Liverpool. These houses provide a real insight into John and Sir Paul's humble beginnings and are a must-see for Beatles fans of all ages.

Guided tour

Join a guided tour and explore the childhood homes of the Beatles. Here is a snippet of what you can expect to learn as well as a National Trust Podcast episode where we join Trust curator James Grasby on a tour.

See inside the special places where: 

  • John and Paul grew up 

  • The Beatles were born 

  • The Quarrymen and the Beatles practised some of their earliest songs 

  • ‘Please Please Me’, ‘I Call Your Name’, ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ and ‘She Loves You’ were written 

  • Mike McCartney took acclaimed family photographs 

Mendips 

Mendips, the childhood home of John Lennon, is a fine example of 1950s semi-detached housing. More luxurious and higher status than 20 Forthlin Road, it was lovingly maintained by John's Aunt Mimi. You can still see the house and garden as it was when they lived here. Neat and tidy, yet still cosy. It’s a real home. 

Kitchen, Mendips, Liverpool, John Lennon's childhood home
The kitchen at 'Mendips' in Liverpool, John Lennon's childhood home | © ©National Trust Images/Dennis Gilbert

20 Forthlin Road 

A typical example of post-war terraced council housing, 20 Forthlin Road is smaller and more basic than Mendips. Sir Paul's mother, Mary, tragically died when he and his brother, Mike, were in their teens. Their father, Jim, brought them up alone after that. 

The McCartney men weren't as houseproud as John’s Aunt Mimi and money was tight, so expect to see mismatched wallpaper, clutter and threadbare sofas. 

National Trust Podcast: Backstage at the Beatles’ Childhood Homes 

Join National Trust curator James Grasby as he steps inside the childhood homes of John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney. 

Kitchen, Mendips, Liverpool, John Lennon's childhood home

Book your visit

Please note you need to book tickets for a combined tour of the Beatles' Childhood Homes in advance.

You might also be interested in

Five visitors outside the brick front of Paul McCartney's childhood home, of 20 Forthlin Road, Liverpool.
Article
Article

Planning your visit to the Beatles' Childhood Homes 

Book a tour of the childhood homes of Lennon and McCartney. Lots of other tours will take you to look at the outside but this is the only way to see inside the places where John and Paul grew up and the Beatles were born. Find out more and plan your visit.

The winners of The Forthlin Sessions outside 20 Forthlin Road
News
News

Bringing live music back to the birthplace of the Beatles 

20 Forthlin Road is where the Beatles were born. Discover the winners of The Forthlin Sessions and find out how we're bringing live music back to this remarkable house.

View of the front of the castle with two Christmas trees at Sizergh Castle, Cumbria

Houses and buildings 

Historic buildings are a treasure trove of stories, art and collections. Learn more about their past and plan your next visit.

Visitors in the garden at Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire: a child stands on railings with the house in the background

Houses and buildings in Liverpool and Lancashire 

From the Elizabethan architecture of Gawthorpe Hall to the homes that were the birthplace of the Beatles, there's plenty to discover inside the buildings we look after in Liverpool and Lancashire.