Abbey Road, London: Beatles Crossing and Studios

What is Abbey Road? 

Abbey Road refers to both The Beatles’ 11th studio album and the street in north London where its cover was shot. Near Lord's Cricket Ground, the otherwise quiet residential street is home to The Beatles' zebra crossing – one of the most recognisable images in music history. 

Today, it’s a pilgrimage spot for fans from all over the world, offering the chance to step into pop culture and recreate the famous album cover. Just a few steps away from the crossing are the former EMI Studios, now Abbey Road Studios, which are still used by famous contemporary and legendary artists, including The Rolling Stones, Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga. 

Why you should visit Abbey Road 

In April 1969, The Beatles arrived at Abbey Road Studios to record their final album. It’s also the only album where the band's name didn't feature on the cover. Both the studios and the famous zebra crossing are now Grade II listed and are still regarded as British music icons to this day. 

• Cross the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing: Follow in the footsteps of The Beatles by recreating their legendary album cover photo at the original location. 
• Stand outside the legendary studios: Abbey Road Studios is still actively used by renowned artists today. Fans often linger outside in the hope of spotting who might be recording inside.  
• See the iconic graffiti wall: A pilgrimage site for music lovers. check out the surround wall that is covered with messages and tributes from visitors across the globe. 
• Don’t miss the gift shop: Located next to the studios and accessible via a little alleyway, the gift shop is worth a visit, with a complete timeline of the studios and plenty of memorabilia to browse through.  

Top things to do there

Abbey Road crossing

Many visitors come to recreate the historic album cover, which features the Fab Four walking across the zebra crossing. Although, road traffic then was nothing compared to today, the band only had a limited amount of time to get it right. Only six photos were taken, making it one of the quickest album cover shoots in the band's history. Many Beatles and music-themed walking tours stop by this landmark, including the Beatles walking tour of either Marylebone or Mayfair, which often ends at the Abbey Road crossing. This gives you the opportunity to visit one of London's best music memorabilia shops, which has a large collection of books, vinyl, and plenty of Beatles-themed souvenirs. 

Abbey Road Studios

Abbey Road Studios is a working recording studio with no regular public access, as the space is usually reserved for artists, musicians, studio operators and engineers. The studios occasionally open for special events and workshops as part of their educational and musical programmes, but these are usually ticketed, so check the studios' website for details.  

Keeping up with the times, the studios have continued to push creative boundaries, welcoming a new generation of artists. 

• Studio One accommodates large orchestras for film-score mastering. This includes work on the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings film series, as well as more recently the Black Panther films and Wicked.  
• Studio Two is one of the most famous recording spaces at Abbey Road Studios. Its unique design features an isolation booth and warm acoustics. The Beatles not only used the studio for recording, but also experimented with new sounds and techniques here. The studio itself is an instrument, encouraging creative collaboration, as can be seen in the Get Back documentary. 

Insider tips for visiting Abbey Road 

Visiting Abbey Road is about more than just the photo – it's a chance to experience a key London music landmark. Here are a few tips to make the most of your visit:

• Go early: Visit early (before 8am) or midweek to avoid crowds and traffic. Check the live webcam (see below) before travelling to discover how busy it is. 
• Find the original street sign: Scout out the street sign featured on the back cover of the Beatles' Abbey Road album, found at the junction of Abbey Road and Grove End Road. 
• Looking for something different? Stop by the Helterskelter coffee shop outside St John’s Wood Underground station, where you can buy Beatles souvenirs, including a Beatles Rubik's Cube. 
• Join a Beatles walking tour: Discover what's included, from the filming locations of legendary songs to the famous crossing on Abbey Road. 

How to get the Abbey Road photo

• Get the perfect shot: You’ll need a friend for this one (given that it's a busy road, tripods are a no-go). Get them to stand on the side of the road closest to the studios while you get into position on the crossing.  
• Walk, don't pose: It's best to take a few steps back and forth rather than standing still. Be mindful not to pose for too long, as others will want their turn and drivers can get frustrated at peak times. 
• Use burst mode on your camera/phone: This allows you to take multiple shots in record time, increasing your chances of getting the best shot without holding up traffic for too long. 

Best time to visit

Remember that Abbey Road is a public road, so expect traffic and crowds. At peak times, the crossing can become busy with both pedestrians walking across it and vehicles passing through. For the best experience, visit on a weekday, ideally in the early morning. At this time, the area is generally quieter, making it easier to take photos. Afternoons and weekends tend to be much busier, with queues forming for photos and drivers waiting for the road to clear. 

Where is Abbey Road in London? 

The Abbey Road Studios location is on Abbey Road in St John’s Wood – across the road from the famous Beatles' Abbey Road crossing. 

How to get there 

The nearest station to Abbey Road is St John’s Wood Tube station, which is on the Northern line. When you exit the station, head west along Grove End Road for around 500 metres (550 yards) and turn right onto Abbey Road. Alternatively, take the 139 or 189 buses, which stop along the road. 

Please note: Abbey Road DLR station is in east London, therefore it is not near Abbey Road in north-west London. 

Abbey Road webcam in London 

Watch the famous zebra crossing at Abbey Road Studios, where one of the most-imitated events in pop music history occurred. See the live view of where The Beatles shot their iconic album cover and give a wave to the camera when replicating it yourself. You can check out your Abbey Road picture on its website later!

Nearby things to do 

The Beatles Abbey Road location is close to several top London attractions, so make a day of it by planning other landmarks to visit.  

Some Beatles-themed walking tours start in central London, with Abbey Road featuring as the final stop before the end of the tour (just a short Tube journey away). This gives you the freedom to linger around Abbey Road and visit other London attractions.  

Lord's Cricket Ground, one of London's most historic sports venues and the home of cricket, is a 10-minute walk away. You can join a stadium tour and visit the on-site museum.  

Regent's Park, one of London's most beloved Royal Parks and home to the rose garden, is about 15–20 minutes' walk away. It is also home to the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, which hosts an award-winning theatre programme every year, including plays, musicals, dance performances and family-friendly shows. The theatre is open from May to September.  

You can also walk through Regent's Park to reach London Zoo or Madame Tussauds.