Strawberry Field Liverpool
- Jennifer Kozyra
- Sep 11
- 5 min read
For Beatles fans, Strawberry Field, is one of Liverpool’s most iconic and inspiring landmarks. Nestled in the heart of Woolton, this peaceful site was once a Salvation Army children’s home and later immortalized by John Lennon and The Beatles in their 1967 hit “Strawberry Fields Forever"
Today, Strawberry Field is more than just a museum it’s a living landmark where John Lennon’s past is preserved in stories, music, and memory. Visitors can explore interactive exhibitions about Lennon’s early life, enjoy the tranquil gardens that once sparked his imagination, and discover the site’s continuing legacy as a centre for training and support for young people.
Beyond the iconic red gates, visitors can find Lennon’s piano, birth certificate and stories of his childhood in a clever media tour of the museum.
Top Info
📅 Open daily
⏰ 10.00am - 5.00pm
⏰ Allow 2 hours
🎧 Interactive media guide
🎹 The Imagine piano, famously owned by Lennon
☕ Imagine More Cafe
🎶 Beatles gift shop
🔴 The Red Gates: an iconic Beatles landmark
🏠 Just a short walk from John Lennon’s childhood home
🚻 Toilets
♿ Inclusive and accessible
♿ Wheelchair friendly
🚗 Free onsite parking
🐕 Only guide dogs allowed
🌎 Beaconsfield Road, Woolton, Liverpool, UK
💰 10% off when you book tickets 24 hours in advance.
Immersive Museum
The museum itself is designed to immerse you fully in the story. Each visitor is given an iPad and headphones that act as a personal guide, leading you through a series of interactive screens and information boards. The technology is very clever and easy to use, making the experience really engaging rather than just standing there reading the information. As you move from one display to the next, the guide offers music, voices, and history that bring the exhibits vividly to life.
Media Museum Guide
It is one of the best interactive museum guides I’ve experienced, clear, engaging, and made it deeply moving. Walking through the exhibition feels personal with the videos playing just in your ears as Lennon’s world unfolds step by step. The combination of sound, story, and setting makes the experience all the more poignant, leaving us with not just an understanding of Lennon’s connection to Strawberry Field, but a lasting sense of its significance today.
Lennon's Piano
What struck me most were the objects that brought Lennon’s story to life. A personal highlight for me was seeing the “Imagine” piano, on which Lennon wrote and recorded the legendary song. It actually gave me goosebumps as the ipad started playing Imagine to me as i stood there before the piano, as though I was in the presence of something sacred.
Then there are more details that make the connection even more human, like seeing John Lennon’s birth certificate and watching a video of his sister talking about what influenced her brother to go into music.
On a Personal Note
Now, i know of the Beatles, i mean who couldn't know who they are but what was truly special about our visit was that i took my mum and dad along. My mum grew up working in Liverpool, spending her evenings in the Cavern watching the Beatles in their heyday. She was a super fan back then, and that passion for the iconic band never left her. She found the museum fascinating and even as a big fan she found out new information and new stories about the band member. It was lovely to see how much she enjoyed the visit.
The Gardens
Outside, in Strawberry Field’s gardens it was actually took my by surprise how calming the area was. With more stories and information from the ipad the gardens become a place for self reflection and meditation on your visit. You can almost imagine a young Lennon dreaming away the hours here. It’s a gentle reminder that even world-changing ideas often begin in quiet, hidden corners.
More Than a Museum
What makes Strawberry Field different from other Beatles attractions is its purpose. This isn’t just a shrine to the past but a project for the future. Every ticket, coffee, and souvenir supports the Salvation Army’s “Steps at Strawberry Field” programme, which helps young adults with learning difficulties or barriers to employment gain skills and confidence. Lennon’s sanctuary has become a sanctuary for others, carrying forward his legacy of hope and imagination.
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Field isn’t flashy. It doesn’t need to be. It’s heartfelt, purposeful, and deeply tied to both John Lennon’s personal history and to Liverpool’s present. If you’re a Beatles fan, it’s an essential stop. If you’re not, it’s still worth visiting, for the gardens, for the story, and for the way it reminds us that places can hold memories.
Imagine More Cafe
No visit to Strawberry Field is complete without a visit to Imagine More Café. Bright and airy, with windows looking out over the gardens Lennon once wandered. This award winning cafe serves breakfast, lunch, homemade cakes and afternoon teas all lovelying made in house.
The menu is proudly full of locally sourced ingredients and you cant get more local than using produce grown in their very own garden.
But what makes Imagine More Café special isn’t only the food. It’s the mission behind it. Many of the staff are trainees from the Steps at Strawberry Field programme, gaining real-world hospitality experience as they build confidence and skills. Every cappuccino and slice of Victoria sponge is part of something bigger, helping young adults with learning difficulties or barriers to work step into brighter futures.
It’s no wonder the café has been recognised as Café/Bistro of the Year in Liverpool. I enjoyed sitting there, sipping my cappuccino with a chocolate John Lennon sat on the foam, and savouring my Bury Black Pudding with sautéed green beans from the Strawberry fields gardens, braided red cabbage, and hash brown.
Friendly Staff
Another accent Strawberry Fields have is there incredible staff. They made our visit lovely by just being so helpful and friendly, i chatted with the cafe manager about when they won the award and could see how much it meant to them.
A Short Walk to John Lennon’s Home
There’s a lovely little extra stop you can add to your Beatles day out. Just a short walk away, along quiet Woolton streets, is John Lennon’s childhood home.
The house at 251 Menlove Avenue, where John lived with his Aunt Mimi, is now cared for by the National Trust and preserved almost exactly as it was when he grew up there. Even if you don’t go inside (tours need to be pre-booked), standing outside the front gate feels like stepping into Beatles history.
The walk from Strawberry Field takes around 15–20 minutes and is a peaceful way to take in the area John knew so well. It’s a simple addition to your visit, but one that makes the experience feel more complete – turning a trip to Strawberry Field into a mini Beatles walking tour.
Press Visit Sept 2025