Abbey Road
The Basics
Having been at the center of the 1960s British Invasion and the Brit-pop explosion of the 1990s, London is a city steeped in 20th-century rock and pop history. Visitors can tap into Beatlemania during guided tours by bus and black cab. These tours make the rounds of London locales associated with the group, from Abbey Road to the site of their famous 1969 rooftop concert.
Alternatively, opt for a broader half- or full-day music history tour that goes to neighborhoods including Soho, Camden, and Notting Hill, and covers sites connected not only with the Beatles but also with other British musical legends, such as the Rolling Stones, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, The Clash, Queen, David Bowie, and Pink Floyd. Most music-themed tours focus on England’s capital, but it is possible to do a music-themed day tour of London and nearby Cambridgeshire.
Things to Know Before You Go
The recording studios are closed to the public, so visitors can only view the heritage-listed building from outside.
Graffiti messages paying homage to the Fab Four can be seen scrawled on the wall outside the studio.
The popular crossing can be very busy, so be careful when stepping out.
How to Get There
Abbey Road is in Saint John’s Wood, north London. To get there, take the tube to Saint John’s Wood (Jubilee line) or Maida Vale (Bakerloo line). Note that the Abbey Road DLR station in West Ham, east London, refers to a different Abbey Road and is nowhere near the crosswalk.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
If you want to get a photograph at the crossing, avoid congested weekday rush hours (around 7:30–9:30am, and 4:30–7pm). For those determined to get the perfect shot, try coming at 7am on a Sunday when traffic is quiet.
Tips for Getting the Perfect Photograph at Abbey Road
The Abbey Road zebra crossing is located in a heavily trafficked part of London, which can make getting the perfect shot difficult. Cars won’t hesitate to honk the horn at tourists taking too long to stage their shot. To speed up the process, make sure you have all your equipment set up and ready to go.
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