Liverpool Beatles Museum, Liverpool

As you walk along the narrow Mathew Street, look for a red-framed entrance with a large Beatles Museum sign above it. You'll find it at No. 23, on the opposite side of the street from the legendary Cavern Club, where The Beatles played hundreds of times during their early career.

The Liverpool Beatles Museum (originally known as the Magical Beatles Museum) occupies a historic listed Victorian building and was opened in July 2018 by Roag Best, the half-brother of Pete Best, The Beatles' original drummer. Roag's father was Neil Aspinall, a longtime associate of the band, while his mother, Mona Best, founded the Casbah Coffee Club, where the young Beatles played some of their earliest concerts.

Step inside, and you'll discover an extensive collection of authentic Beatles memorabilia arranged across three exhibition floors. The displays follow the band's story chronologically, so it's worth exploring them in order.

Start on the first floor, dedicated to the years 1959 to 1962, when The Beatles were finding their feet in Liverpool and Hamburg, Germany. Here, you'll see George Harrison's Futurama guitar, an instrument he played during that period. Nearby, other musical equipment includes Pete Best's Premier drum kit and Paul McCartney's original bass speaker.

Continue upstairs to the second exhibition floor, covering 1963 through 1966, the height of Beatlemania. Here, the focus shifts to the band's international success. Among the exhibits, you'll find the police records documenting their visit to New York, including the officers assigned to protect them. You can also see gifts presented to The Beatles by Elvis Presley during their famous meeting in 1965, along with memorabilia associated with their appearances and tours.

Head up to the third exhibition floor, which explores the band's more experimental period, from 1967 to 1970. Keep an eye out for John Lennon's custom-made egg chair and the medals associated with his Sergeant Pepper appearance. Another interesting exhibit is the doll featured in The Beatles' performance of "All You Need Is Love" during the BBC's worldwide Our World broadcast in 1967. Also, look for the white cello associated with their late-1960s recordings and film work.

As you move through the galleries, take some time to examine the personal letters, photographs, interviews, and rare footage. Unlike many Beatles exhibitions, this museum has particularly strong connections to people who knew the band personally.