Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of going on a National Trust tour of the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

These two properties are now owned and maintained by the National Trust and access to them can only be gained by going on the National Trust tour.

Last year I went on the Magical Mystery Tour and visited the Cavern Club and The Beatles Story and whilst the tour took in the childhood homes of all four Beatles we weren’t able to go inside. Click here to read about my Beatles Pilgrimage.

Actually going inside the childhood homes of John and Paul was interesting, poignant and thought provoking in ways I hadn’t anticipated. In typical National Trust style they’ve restored the homes to look as close as possible to what they looked like when John and Paul were living there and so it’s a fascinating insight into their lives before they became the icons they are today.

Paul McCartney’s teenage bedroom

It’s the sheer ordinariness, the nostalgic flashback to homes in the 1950s, the far simpler way of life that hit me the most. The guides in each house were very interesting and very well versed, the tour party was just 12 people so there was no jostling get get a good view and both houses contained a wealth of Beatles memorabilia.

I even got to play a few notes on the McCartney family piano.

I fully recommend the tour, it’s worth every penny of the cost whether you’re a National Trust member or not. Don’t expect glitz and gloss, just enjoy the privilege of being taken back in time and getting a glimpse of what life was like for the young John and Paul – and by extension for millions across the UK at the time.

Click here to visit the National Trust’s Beatles’ Childhood Homes website

The deckchair in the garden at Forthlin Road – the tour guide explained it’s significance so I won’t spoil the story for those going on the Tour