Newmarket Holidays : Liverpool - Beatles & Merseybeat, A Musical Adventure on Merseyside

Travel Highlights : 

A MUSICAL ADVENTURE ON MERSEYSIDE

Follow – or dance – in the footsteps of John, Paul, George and Ringo on this magical musical tour of Liverpool, home of the Beatles, one of the most influential bands of all time. Benefit from a more intimate experience (30 people maximum on each tour), which creates the perfect environment for storytelling.

Travel back in time as your expert guide brings to life the places that inspired the ‘Fab Four’, including Strawberry Field, Penny Lane and their childhood homes. Visit the place where it all began, the legendary Casbah Club, for an unforgettable evening of live music in a venue that is quite literally decorated in history.  

That’s not all either: enjoy a ride on the Mersey Ferry, a fascinating full-day excursion to nearby historic Chester, the chance to see Liverpool’s wonderful art collection and free time to explore the city under your own steam.     

Tour Highlights : 

• Make your own way to Liverpool, and spend four days in one of the UK’s most cultural cities
• Follow in the footsteps of the Beatles as you uncover their fascinating history
• A trip on the Mersey Ferry and visit to Port Sunlight Village
• Evening visit to the Casbah Club, with complimentary drink
• Discover the nearby historic city of Chester
• Orientation walking tour of the Waterfront area
• Optional art and culture collection tour and visit to the Hard Days Night Hotel
• The chance to visit the Cavern Club, where the Beatles hit the bigtime
• Free time to explore the Beatles Story Museum

 WHAT DOES THIS PRICE INCLUDE?

• A full-day Beatles-themed tour of Liverpool, including a ride on the Mersey Ferry
• Full day excursion to the charming Roman city of Chester
• Evening visit to the Casbah Club, with complimentary drink
• Orientation walking tour of the Waterfront area
• Four nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Staycity Aparthotels Liverpool Waterfront
• The services of a friendly, experienced tour manager

Accommodation : Staycity Aparthotels - Liverpool Waterfront

This chic three-star apartment hotel is set in a revered city centre building, near Liverpool’s famous Royal Albert Dock, with its many restaurants and bars. Inside, the sleek studios feature Wi-Fi, TV and kitchenettes. James Street train station is just a 3-minute walk away, with the Beatles Story Museum just over 10 minutes on foot. Private on-site parking is also available. 

Day 1 : Arrival and Orientation

Make your own way to your chic apartment hotel, located in Liverpool’s city centre, near the famous Royal Albert Dock. With a host of cafés, restaurants and attractions (including the Cavern Club) right on your doorstep, you’ll be well-positioned to make the most of your break in Liverpool. 

If you’re arriving by train, James Street station is just a 3-minute walk away, and boasts regular connections to Liverpool Lime Street station. Alternatively, If you’re driving, private parking is available at the hotel.  

Unpack and unwind, as you look forward to a fabulous few days on Merseyside. Your accommodation will be in chic serviced apartments, equipped with kitchenettes, allowing you more space, flexibility and privacy. 

Please note, due to current COVID restrictions buffet breakfast will not be served and rooms will be cleaned upon request. Basic items, including bread, butter, jam, orange juice, eggs, tea, milk and coffee will be supplied in kitchenettes. 

Later on, enjoy a guided orientation walk of the area, taking in the nearby Waterfront, with its Beatles statue and Titanic memorial, as your tour guide brings Liverpool’s rich history to life, whetting your appetite for a fascinating trip ahead. 

Day 2 : Mersey Ferry, Beatles trail and Casbah Club

Meet your Beatles-mad tour manager and head to the Mersey Ferry, which will take you across the languid Mersey. Ringo Starr used to work on the Mersey Ferry and the Beatles famously played a gig onboard a Mersey Ferry called the Royal Iris. 

Continue on coach to Port Sunlight. Founded in the 19th century to house factory workers, today Port Sunlight is a peaceful and picturesque village of Victorian-era houses, well-manicured gardens and cosy tea rooms. It was at Port Sunlight that the Beatles first played with Ringo Starr in the band, at Hulme Hall, which has since been converted into a wedding venue.

The tour continues by coach and picks up the Beatles trail back in Liverpool. Drift back through time as you visit the Penny Lane Development Trust, with its colourful Beatles mural, and then the Strawberry Field Visitor Centre – both names etched in the consciousness of Beatles fans forever. Stop for a drink or a bite to eat (payable locally), before the tour continues past the childhood homes of John, Paul and Ringo, and their schools and colleges. You’ll pass the birthplaces of John Lennon and Brian Epstein – the Beatles’ legendary manager – before paying a visit to Liverpool Cathedral, the world’s fifth-largest and where Paul McCartney once auditioned for the local choir!

Later today, enjoy an included visit to the Casbah Club, a former members-only club, widely regarded as the birthplace of the Merseybeat genre, that was run by Mona Best, mother of Beatles’ original drummer Pete Best. It was here that the young Beatles – then known as the Quarrymen – first performed, before they were signed – and refined – by Brian Epstein. Soak up the history as your tour guide regales you with early Beatles tales, and enjoy an hour of live music with an included drink in a club that was even decorated by the ‘Fab Four’ – look out for a silhouette of John Lennon on the wall painted by his first wife, Cynthia.      

Transfer back to your apartment at the end of a magical musical day, no doubt singing your favourite Beatles tune (either in your head or out loud!). 

Day 3 : Chester excursion and optional evening at the Cavern Club

After breakfast, board the coach for the drive to the nearby Roman city of Chester. Known for its historic ruins and charm, Chester also boasts several lesser-known links to the Beatles: a cottage on the banks on the River Dee, near Grosvenor Bridge, simply called ‘Nowhere’ served as Lennon’s inspiration for the song, Nowhere, Man. Lennon’s grandmother was also born in a Chester pub (the Bear and Billet), whilst the band famously played at the Riverpark Ballroom in 1962, on the same day that John and Cynthia got married.  

The tour will also take in the city’s main sights, including Chester Cathedral, Eastgate Clock, the Roman gardens and the city walls, made by the Romans out of local red sandstone. The old city is known for its two-level arcades and Tudor-style half-timbered buildings. Just outside the city walls, there is a Roman amphitheatre that is currently being excavated. Some free time this afternoon brings ample opportunities for a leisurely lunch and more exploration under your own steam, before the coach returns to Liverpool. 

This evening is at your leisure, providing the perfect opportunity to visit the legendary Cavern Club for some live music, which is just a short walk away. The Cavern Club is where Brian Epstein first saw the Beatles perform live. Epstein signed them, and the rest, as they say, is history!  

Day 4 : Free time to explore the Beatles Story or Optional Liverpool art collection tour

Today, you can choose between exploring Liverpool under your own steam, or joining the optional tour to the Liverpool art and culture collection, which includes entry to the Walker Art Gallery and the World Museum. 

The Walker Art Gallery houses an impressive collection of Pre-Raphaelite works, together with a Rembrandt and paintings by 20th-century watercolourists including Lucian Freud and David Hockney. Equally as impressive is the 19th-century World Museum, which features fascinating displays and exhibitions on astronomy and space, along with human and natural history. The museum is home to a 62-seater planetarium and an aquarium.    

Alternatively, the award-winning Beatles Story, just a short walk away from your accommodation, is a must-see for any Beatles fan. The museum (entrance payable locally) is the world’s largest Beatles permanent exhibition, and tells the in-depth story of the band’s origins through several interesting mediums, and includes replicas of the Casbah and Cavern clubs.    

However you chose to spend your final day, you can enjoy an optional high tea at the Hard Days Night Hotel – the world’s only Beatles-inspired hotel and a fitting way to round off the final day of your Beatles tour! The hotel is located a short walk from your accommodation, on the same street as the Cavern Club. 

Day 5 : Departure

After breakfast, make your own way home at the end of a wonderful music journey on Merseyside!

Prices listed are per person in Great British Pound, based on twin occupancy, rates for single occupancy may differ, Rates offered are including all discounts unless otherwise stated. All bookings are subject to availability. Other travel periods may be available. Some block out dates may apply. Rates may alter depending upon the dates requested and surcharges if applicable. Final booking confirmation only provided once payment has been processed. Contact our travel team for more details. Our Holiday Centre reserves the right to withdraw this promotion without notice at any time. Flights are not included. Pricing correct as at 4th Jan 2022