Mendips - John Lennon Home, Liverpool

Mendips, at 251 Menlove Avenue in Liverpool’s Woolton suburb, might look like an ordinary 1930s semi-detached house, but it played an important role in the early life of John Lennon, one of the founding members of The Beatles.

Built in 1933, the house belonged to Lennon’s aunt Mimi and her husband, George Smith. John moved in with them at the age of five, in 1946, and remained here until 1963. It was during these years that he developed his interest in music and began taking his first steps towards becoming a songwriter.

The house also witnessed some difficult moments in Lennon's life. In 1958, his mother, Julia, was struck and killed by a car nearby, a tragedy that deeply affected him and later influenced his songwriting. But Mendips also holds happier memories. Paul McCartney was a frequent visitor, and the two worked on some of their early songs here, including "Please Please Me" and "I'll Get You."

Over the years, the house changed hands, and its future as a Beatles landmark wasn't always certain. In 2000, during the filming of "In His Life: The John Lennon Story," parts of the building were altered, and around 150 bricks were reportedly removed and later sold as souvenirs.

Then, in 2002, Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, purchased Mendips to ensure its preservation. She donated it to the National Trust, which carefully restored the interior to reflect how the house would have looked during Lennon's teenage years. It opened to the public in 2003.

Today, Mendips is one of Liverpool's most important Beatles landmarks. From the street, you can recognize it by the blue English Heritage plaque on the front wall, commemorating Lennon's years here. On the anniversary of his death, the National Trust has also maintained the tradition of leaving a light on in his former bedroom.

In 2012, Mendips was officially listed in recognition of its historical importance. Along with Paul McCartney's childhood home at 20 Forthlin Road, it offers visitors a closer look at the everyday surroundings in which The Beatles' story began. If you'd like to see inside, the National Trust offers guided tours of both homes, which must be booked in advance.