A Trip to Abbey Road

A Trip to Abbey Road

For countless Beatlemaniacs and baby boomers, No. 3 Abbey Road is one of the most beloved spots in London. Here, outside the legendary Abbey Road Studios, is the most famous zebra crossing in the world, immortalized on the Beatles' 1969 Abbey Road album. This footpath became a mod monument when, on August 8 of that year, John, Paul, George, and Ringo posed -- walking symbolically away from the recording facility -- for photographer Iain Macmillan for the famous cover shot. In fact, the recording facility's Studio 2 is where the Beatles recorded their entire output, from "Love Me Do" onward, including Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (early 1967).

The studios are closed to the public, but tourists like to Beatle-ize themselves by taking the same sort of photo. It's tempting to try to re-create "the" photo, but be careful: rushing cars make Abbey Road a dangerous intersection. One of the best -- and safer -- ways Beatle-lovers can enjoy the history of the group is to take one of the smashing walking tours offered by the Original London Walks (020/7624-3978. www.walks.com), including"The Beatles In-My-Life Walk" (11:20 AM at the Baker Street Underground on Saturday and Tuesday) and "The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour" (10:55 AM at Underground Exit 3, Tottenham Court Road, on Sunday and Thursday), which cover nostalgic landmark Beatles spots in the city.

Abbey Road is in the elegant neighborhood of St. John's Wood, a 10-minute ride on the Tube from central London. Take the Jubilee Line to the St. John's Wood Tube stop, head southwest three blocks down Grove End Road, and be prepared for a heart-stopping vista right out of Memory Lane.