Be A Tourist In Your Own City: The Beatles Story At The Royal Albert Dock
Living in Liverpool, you can be forgiven for forgetting that you’re in one of the most famous music cities in the world.
The Magical Mystery tour buses, the throngs of day-trippers clutching their tickets can rush past you in a psychedelic whirl this time of year.
Whilst walking past the mural of Ringo in Toxteth, for the 8th time this week, I thought why not stop, join them and rediscover the world conquering magic on our doorstep.
For me, that meant a long-overdue return to The Beatles Story at the Royal Albert Dock. As a card-carrying Fab Four fan since childhood, my mum got me hooked with vinyl albums and having a dance to her Mop Top favourites in the living room.
So I remember visiting not long after it opened in 1990. Back then and throughout the 90s, during the renaissance of the Anthology releases, I was working for my dad as a journalist at Mercury Press and could score the odd free ticket.
It was the perfect excuse to play tour guide for visiting relatives or unsuspecting mates, shepherding them through the Cavern, NEMS, and Hamburg, all lovingly recreated in immersive detail.
Fast-forward more than 20 years, and stepping back inside was like opening a time capsule.
Much of the exhibition remains unchanged, a comforting slice of nostalgia – yet the updates add a fresh spark.
The audio tour is slick, rich with anecdotes and interviews, while the video clips pull you into the whirlwind of Beatlemania in a way that still feels electric.
If you’re pushed for time, this museum is a whistle-stop journey through the Fab Four’s early years is essential for any Liverpool tourist.
From the sweaty Cavern Club to the neon glow of Hamburg’s Reeperbahn, you’re transported to the stages where the boys sharpened their craft.
And for families, it’s a joy to see the next generation discover the magic anew. My own lads, aged 7 and 12, were wide-eyed and belting out the choruses like seasoned pros by the end.
The Beatles Story is a timely reminder of why Liverpool is forever linked with four lads who changed the world. Take a day, be a tourist in your own city, and let it all wash over you.
While you’re down here you’ll find plenty of amazing places to eat and drink at the Royal Albert Dock too so you can really make a day of it.
The Beatles Story
Britannia Vaults, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AD
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
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