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POINT OF INTEREST

Abbey Road

London, Greater London

Pop pilgrims flock to this black-and-white-striped crosswalk in North London for the ultimate photo opportunity. Day in and day out, Beatles fans can be seen trying to recreate the iconic 1969 “Abbey Road” album cover photo at this now-iconic pedestrian crossing. Nearby lies Abbey Road Studios, the famous recording studio where the Beatles recorded many of their hits.

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 John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, from Abbey Road to the site of the Beatles' 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. You'll see sites connected with the Beatles, and also with other British musical legends like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, 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.

  • Abbey Road's famous studios are closed to the public, so visitors can only view the heritage-listed building from outside.

  • Look out for graffiti messages paying homage to the Fab Four on the wall outside the studio.

  • The popular crossing can be very busy, so be careful when stepping out.

  • You don't need to book Abbey Road tickets to see the landmark—it's free for all to visit.

The Abbey Road crossing is in St John's Wood, North London, NW8 9AY. To get there, take the tube to Saint John's Wood (Jubilee line) or Maida Vale (Bakerloo line). Note that the Abbey Road London DLR station in West Ham refers to a different Abbey Road and is nowhere near the crosswalk.

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.

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.

Yes, you can visit the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing featured on the Beatles' album cover of the same name. You can stop by the outside of the Abbey Road recording studios. The nearest underground station is At. John's Wood, on the Jubilee underground line.

For fewer people in your pictures of the iconic crossing, the best time to visit Abbey Road is early in the morning—the road is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so try to arrive as soon after daylight to increase your chances of capturing a crowd-free photo.

The Abbey Road crossing is a regular feature of music tours of London, which are always a good idea to book in advance. If you want to take a tour of the Abbey Road studios on the rare days it opens its doors, advance booking is a must as this is a very popular attraction.

Yes, you can book a tour inside the Abbey Road studios, but only on select dates. It's only open over two weekends in August in 2023, which tend to sell out months in advance. The only other way you can access the studios is if you want to rent them to record music.

Yes, you can get your picture taken at the Abbey Road crossing and outside of the Abbey Road studios, where the Beatles recorded the famous album. You can also leave your mark on the graffiti wall or browse for souvenirs in the gift shop.

Yes, you can see yourself on the webcam at Abbey Road. There's a webcam overlooking the crossing, so if you tell your friends and family what time you'll be visiting the landmark, they'll be able to watch you live from anywhere in the world.

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