North West England

Paul McCartney's former Liverpool home, where he spent his teenage years with his father, Jim, and his brother, Mike. This is where Paul and John went when they 'slagged off' from school to play the guitar and compose, later joined by George Harrison. Several of the Beatles' hits were written at Forthlin Road, including 'I Saw Her Standing There'. The house been restored back with incredible attention to detail to how it was when Paul and Mike McCartney lived in it and includes several of Mike's photos of 'the boys' on the walls.

Entry into 20 Forthlin Road is only possible by booking a minibus tour with the National Trust. This also takes in John Lennon's former home in Menlove Avenue. Knowledgeable guides greet you at both properties. You can also view 20 Forthlin Road from the outside - many do - though bear in mind this is a residential area and respect the privacy of those that live nearby.

Acorn Bank offers an attractive garden and partially open 17th century red sandstone manor house. The estate at Acorn Bank dates back to the medieval order of the Knights Hospitaller. The main attraction now is the 17th century walled garden, with its fascinating medicinal and culinary herbs, pretty formal area, traditional orchard, woodland walks and industrial past complete with restored working watermill dating from the 16th century.

Arnside was a tiny fishing village until it grew as a holiday destination in Victorian times. It is located on the estuary of the River Kent on the north-eastern corner of Morecambe Bay, within the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is predominantly residential. There's a small pier, a collection of shops and cafes, a couple of pubs and easy walks along a modest promenade with lovely views of the Cumbrian mountains. The tides at Arnside go out a long way, and turn very quickly creating a tidal bore when the water floods back. It is also highly dangerous to venture onto the sands. Nearby Arnside Knott, a limestone hill, provides woodland and open hillside walks and is famous for its views over Morecambe Bay - and its butterflies and flowers. On the Silverdale side of Arnside Knott is Arnside Tower, a Pele tower built as a defence against border (Scottish) raiders. The railway (Furness Line) between Lancaster and Carlisle via Barrow-in-Furness crosses the River Kent via the Arnside viaduct.

A museum that, literally, tells the story of the Beatles - from childhood, to when Paul met John, the early days in Hamburg, the Cavern, meeting Brian Epstein, George Martin, worldwide success, messy divorce and solo life afterwards. The Beatles Story claims to be the biggest permanent exhibition dedicated to the Fab Four. In any event, it is excellently done, with walk-through life-like displays, fascinating exhibits and plenty of music - an absolute must for any fan of John, Paul, George and Ringo - or anyone wanting to know about the world's greatest rock 'n' roll pop band.

Memorial statue by Tom Murphy to Billy Fury, born Ronald Wycherley in 1940, died 1983, and one of the top pop stars of the early 1960s. The statue was unveiled in 2003 and is close to the Piermaster's House - address approximate.