There are countless historical UK landmarks that all music lovers should see at least once, and we’ve collected some of our favorites to tick off our bucket list.
The Cavern Club, Liverpool
This small music venue was where it all began for The Beatles.
In 1973, it was sadly demolished for railway development, but in 1984 it reopened.
The Beatles in The Cavern Club
The Beatles in The Cavern Club. Picture: Getty
It now occupies 75% of the old site, using 15,000 of its original bricks, which had been saved from demolition.
Any day trip to Liverpool wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Cavern.
Abbey Road, London
Another Beatles hotspot, cars have constantly waited for people to walk across and pose on the world’s most famous crossing.
Abbey Road Studios was renamed as such in 1970 after the Beatles album had made it famous. Iain Macmillan took the album’s iconic photograph outside the studios, and in December 2010, the zebra crossing was given a Grade II listed status.
Framlingham Castle, Suffolk
Framlingham Castle
This is a must if you want a more scenic countryside trip.
Ed Sheeran was raised in the Framlington area and dedicated his song ‘Castle on the Hill’ to his hometown and this particular landmark. The music and video are almost a tourist advert for the county, and the 12th-century fortress is heavily featured.
Rockfield Studios, Wales
If you’ve seen Bohemian Rhapsody, you’ll know about this famous recording studio.
This purpose-built recording studio is situated just outside the village of Rockfield, Monmouthshire, near Monmouth in Wales. It’s in a beautiful location.
It was used to record ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and many other Queen classics, as well as countless other bands over the years. You can actually visit the studio and even book it as a place to stay.
Hergest Ridge, Herefordshire/Powys
Mike Oldfield
Hergest Ridge is a long hill on the English and Welsh border, between Kington in Herefordshire and Glades in Powys.
The path along the top is called Offa’s Dyke, and this is where a young Mike Oldfield set up his studio to avoid any publicity following the success of his debut album Tubular Bells.
It’s a gorgeous place to visit for a walk, and his prog-rock landscapes are perfect for a soundtrack.
The Leadmill, Sheffield
This former flour mill is one of Yorkshire’s most iconic music venues.
Opened in 1980, it helped start the careers of Sheffield acts such as the Human League, ABC, Heaven 17, Pulp, and Arctic Monkeys.
23 Heddon Street, London
You can recreate David Bowie’s iconic Ziggy Stardust album cover by heading to this street in London.
In January 1972, our photographer, Mick Rock, shot Bowie on a doorstep for The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars album cover.
David Bowie
After Bowie’s’ death in 2016, fans have often traveled worldwide to pay tribute to the legendary performer.
This small venue became iconic after it featured on the sleeve of The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths in 1986, and also in the videos for ”I Started Something I Couldn’t’ Finish” and ”There Is A Light That Never Goes Out”.
Morrissey fans (including David Cameron) have flocked here to pose outside, and it remains a youth center.
