A HARD DAY'S NIGHT

This one might be a tad indulgent but hey, there needs to be a musical entry at some point. You would be correct in assuming that I am a huge fan of the Beatles. I visited Abbey Road on my first full day in the city - and made subsequent visits. Now I know what you're thinking - the Beatles are musicians not actors, and they are primarily associated with a different UK city - Liverpool. 

Now the latter might be correct, but the Beatles have an intriguing film history.  Their acting repertoire might not be as infamous as Elvis's expansive film catalogue, but what they do have is a film entry into the pop culture zeitgeist which remains surprisingly timeless. 
And before you ask - no I am not talking about Paul McCartney's cameo in Pirates of the Caribbean. Released in 1964 (that’s 55 years ago) and directed by Richard Lester, A Hard Day's Night is the narrative of a day in the life for the mop topped quartet just gets better with subsequent viewings. The Beatles went on to feature in other films such as Help!, Yellow Submarine, Magical Mystery Tour and of course countless documentaries, musicals and biopics. George Harrison was the reason Monty Python and the Holy Grail came to fruition (complete with cameo), and John Lennon even had a solo turn in How I Won The War (1967).  

But it is their first film, completely in black and white, during the height of Beatlemania that remains to be admired - before the fights, before the drugs, before the cynicism of fame; it is simply four Liverpool lads travelling to London and causing mayhem wherever they go.

So this one is for the music fans as well as the film ones - why not cross over the two whilst you explore the city? You may recognise the following locations, and if not - you can still see where the Fab Four went about all those years ago.

MARYLEBONE STATION

The opening sequence and one of the most memorable in the film takes place at Marylebone station. Disguising itself as Liverpool's Lime Street Station, the hysteria follows the boys to the train. After a hilarious journey (complete with an impromptu song of course) the boys end up in…Marylebone Station. A different side of course, using movie magic at its finest. The journey in between was shot in locations such as Paddington and Devon.

London Marylebone Station

It is in Marylebone Station that we see the Beatles arrive and make their escape from crowds of hysterical girls.

Tips and Tricks: Marylebone Station is located near Baker Street and Regent's Park. 

Easy to get to on the Baker Line, it also has trains travelling to Midlands amongst other areas. It is a five minute walk from Baker Street Station (and the Sherlock Holmes museum).

WHERE TO GO: Marylebone Station, Great Central House, Melcombe Place, London NW1 6JJ

TIMES: The general station is open early until late, with the ticketing office open Monday to Saturday from 6:30am to 10:10pm, and Sundays 7:30am-9:40pm 

LES AMBASSADEURS CLUB

There is a sequence in the film where Paul's "clean" grandfather skips out with Ringo's invitation to the 'Circle' club to go gambling. There is an entire scene in the film where the fab four must retrieve him - this was filmed and takes place in the posh Les Ambassadeurs Club in Mayfair. There is also a dance sequence featuring some iconic 1960's moves and outfits which was filmed in the club's Garrison Room. Located behind the Hilton Hotel, the club is still a functioning business today. Not one but two British pop culture icons have been spotted (hello Sean Connery as a certain Mr Bond in Dr No) so you know this place is one of a kind. 

Still of Paul's Grandfather gambling

Tips and Tricks: This venue is one of the most luxurious and exclusive gambling clubs in the world. Open 24/7 this gaming floor is for very high market people - I'm talking membership only and a fee of 25,000 pounds annually. If you are a secret millionaire - go ahead and enjoy! However, if like me, you are not - best to admire with a walk by. 

Located in between Hyde Park and Green Park, the quickest way to get here is via Hyde Park Corner Underground station.

WHERE TO GO: 5 Hamilton Place, Mayfair, London W1J 7ED

TIMES: 24/7

PRICE: $$$$$

NOTTING HILL GATE/RIVER THAMES

There is a portion of the film where Ringo leaves for a little R&R from the craziness. Feeling rejected, Ringo walks along the edge of the River Thames, in addition to taking photos of milk bottles and stopping in a pub for a sandwich. Long story short: Ringo ends up in the police station, leaves, the other three boys go back to get him and end up in a comical police chase around Notting Hill before making it back to the studio for their final run through.

Tips and Tricks: There are a few places to visit here so I'll describe the route that Ringo takes in the film. Firstly, Ringo and his character can be spotted down Lancaster Road. Chased by screaming girls, he takes refuge in a costume shop (now a lingerie store at number 20 All Saints Road). Moving along, Ringo comes to the Thames South Bank near Kew Gardens. The pub Ringo enters next, The Turks Head, is still there to this day - you can visit at 28 Winchester Road in Twickenham. The police station and subsequent chase sequence is back in Notting Hill Gate, with the police station at 83 Clarendon Road (unfortunately it has since been demolished). 

WHERE TO GO: Notting Hill Gate, Twickenham, South Bank of the Thames in West London

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

There are some small locations which feature in the film which are still standing today - if you have extra time you could go and see:

• Previously the Scala Theatre, where the BBC studio in the film was recorded, now stands Scala House as the theatre has since been demolished. However, across from the old theatre remains the unscathed 'Charlotte Mews', where we see the fab four emerge through the alleyway for the final TV concert.
• One of the highlights of the film is when the Beatles escape their hotel room and run amuck outside to 'Can't Buy Me Love'. The iron staircase they used is located behind the London Apollo Hammersmith on Queen Caroline Street.
• The latter half of the 'Can't Buy Me Love' sequence was filmed on the helicopter pad at Gatwick Airport.
• Technically not in the film but one simply cannot be a Beatles fan in London without visiting Abbey Road and the studios gift shop. SO GOOD - I loved it, my wallet did not. 

  

  The moment my bank account had a heart attack

  
  

  

  Avoiding the traffic at night ✌️

There are SO many Beatles references I could use to end this post but I thought I would spare you so - instead I will leave you to the link of the full film (good quality) somebody kindly uploaded to youtube so ENJOY! 

I've attached a link to the map below ⇓

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1o3Kj2RMukXLUlJpilGcCXFcbTC38Jafg&usp=sharing