Don’t wait for tomorrow to experience the film Yesterday in Britain

When struggling singer-songwriter Jack Malik wakes up to discover he’s the only person who remembers The Beatles, he realises his dreams of being a world-famous musician are finally within reach. From performing the Fab Four’s biggest hits to recording with Ed Sheeran, he’s catapulted into a world of global super stardom that mirrors the band’s own stratospheric rise to fame in the 1960s, with much comedy, action and romance along the way. Written by Richard Curtis and directed by Danny Boyle, Yesterday unfolds in a host of scenic spots across Britain that are the perfect place for music fans to explore. From the lush tranquillity of Strawberry Fields in Liverpool to the vibrant buzz of Latitude Festival in Suffolk, discover the filming locations from the hit film and get your very own taste of Yesterday today.

Liverpool

Cavern ClubThe birthplace of the Fab Four, Liverpool is synonymous with The Beatles and formed the backdrop of many of the scenes in Yesterday. If you’re arriving into the city, you can see where Jack is mobbed by fans at Liverpool John Lennon Airport or travel by train into Lime Street Station, which also features in the film. You could trace his footsteps and that of John, Paul, Ringo and George at Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, celebrated in songs of the same name. You could even visit the graveyard where Paul first met John and see the gravestone of Eleanor Rigby, who was immortalised on the B-Side of Yellow Submarine over 50 years ago, or visit the Cavern Club. Although not featured in the film, the venue’s rich Beatles heritage and live acts make it perfect for music fans. Alternatively, why not catch a gig at the 02 Academy, where Ed Sheeran was snapped during production and which plays host to top artists and bands year round, or make the most of your stay and book into the Liverpool Hotel, where several scenes from the movie were shot.

Liverpool

London

Abbey Road

From Liverpool to London, music and film fans on a trip to Britain shouldn’t miss Wembley Stadium. The backdrop to one Jack’s biggest concerts in Yesterday, it’s also home to live music and sports events throughout the year. While in the capital, you could also make a beeline for Abbey Road, the famous studio where the band recorded 190 out of their 210 songs. Immortalised on the cover of the Beatles album of the same name, the road also features on the official poster for Yesterday, as actor Himesh Patel recreates the iconic shot from the 1969 album.

London

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

It’s not just about the big cities – you can also follow the film’s progress through some of the prettiest locations in the east of England, including the scenic town of Clacton-on-Sea. A favourite spot for city dwellers looking for a seaside escape, the town is also home to the Moon and Starfish Pub where Jack and his friends enjoy a pint. And just a few miles up the coast lies Frinton-on-Sea, a sprawling golden-sand beach complete with traditional beach huts, which also features as a back drop to the musical epic and is one of the most attractive beaches on the Essex coastline, known affectionately by locals as the ‘Sunshine Coast’.

Clacton-on-Sea

Latitude Festival and Woodbridge, Suffolk

If you’re a fan of festivals you can follow in Jack’s footsteps and enjoy the chilled out vibes and musical delights of Latitude Festival in Suffolk, where key scenes from Yesterday were filmed. Taking place from 18-22 July 2019, this year the annual festival features of stellar line up of acts including Lana Del Rey, Snow Patrol and George Ezra. You can also enjoy delicious street food, check out the best stand up at the Comedy Arena or even enjoy a yoga class followed by a dip in the freshwater lake. If quiet country pubs are more your thing, the beer garden of The Ramsholt Arms in Woodbridge is the postcard-pretty backdrop to the pivotal scene where Jack first plays Yesterday and realises he is the only one who remembers The Beatles. Featured in the trailer, the scene sets the stage for the events that follow, and the pub is the perfect spot for fans of the film to sit back, relax and enjoy a taste of local hospitality as seen on screen.

Latitude Festival

Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk

Norfolk

With a cast of more than 5,000 extras, the beach at Gorleston-on-Sea was the buzzing backdrop to one of the film’s most memorable scenes when Jack puts his own twist on the classic Beatle’s song Help, performing a punk version on the roof of the Pier Hotel. Staying true to director Danny Boyle’s promise to highlight the lesser-known towns of England’s pretty east coast, the scene also captures the beauty of the Pier Gardens as well as the Ocean Room, one of the area’s most popular live music venues. The county is full of other beautfiul spots to explore, including Wells-Next-The-Sea, with its white-washed beach huts and sandy shores.

From lesser-known country highlights to the bustling hubs of Edinburgh and Leeds, why not check out some of these other musical hotspots on your next trip to Britain?

Gorleston-on-Sea

Edinburgh

Royal Mile

The Scottish capital might not feature in the film, but its rich musical heritage made it a fitting choice for the launch of Yesterday at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. The Beatles first played the city in 1964 at the ABC Cinema and while the venue is no more, Edinburgh is still jam packed with live-music venues to explore. From the grandeur of Queen’s Hall, a renovated church turned 900-capacity music venue, to the chilled out speakeasy vibe of The Jazz Bar – formerly Scotland’s Music Venue of the Year, there’s something to satisfy every music lover. If you’re visiting the Scottish capital, why not grab a bite to eat and check out some of the city’s finest jazz, blues and Americana at The Voodoo Rooms, discover ghostly goings along with nightly live music in the underground vault that is Whistle Binkies, or experience unbeatable acoustics at Usher Hall, which will host artists as diverse as Nick Cave, The Flaming Lips and Ocean Colour Scene in 2019.

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Glasgow

A UNESCO City of Music since 2008, Glasgow has been a well-known destination for up-and-coming and established musicians for decades and was graced by the Fab Four multiple times during the 1960s. Today, music fans on a trip to the city can catch a wide range of live acts at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. The legendary venue where Alan McGee first signed Oasis in 1993 has acted as the spring board for acts including Florence & the Machine, Paloma Faith and Coldplay, and is one of the hottest places to catch new artists. Alternatively, why not check out the Barrowland Ballroom, the setting for performances by musical legends including the Foo Fighters and U2, head over to Broadcast, a bar and club space offering an eclectic mix of weekly gigs, or enjoy Glasgow Royal Concert Halls’ calendar of music and theatre events.

Glasgow

Manchester

Manchester

As the home of Oasis, The Stone Roses and Take That, not to mention the setting for more than 16 Beatles gigs throughout their career, Manchester is no stranger to great music! If you’re on a musical pilgrimage to the city the Royal Albert Hall is well worth a visit. A Grade II-listed chapel turned performance venue, the hall has hosted artists as diverse as Sam Smith, the Spice Girls and Tame Impala, not to mention club nights with Fatboy Slim and La Discotheque, to name but a few. If you’re on the lookout for a fab night out, The Warehouse Project runs a packed calendar of club nights featuring live acts at memorable venues throughout the city, while the Castle Hotel offers a more intimate experience, with its 80-capacity venue and weekly calendar of music, comedy, film and theatre.

Manchester

Bristol

Bristol

Best known as the home of street artist Banksy, Bristol has a thriving cultural scene and is a great spot for music lovers. The setting for many a gig by The Beatles, today Colston Hall is the city’s largest concert venue and the perfect place to catch all manner of music, from rock to classical. The Louisiana is always a good bet for live music, while Full Moon and Attic Bar offers a great line up in the heart of Stokes Croft, the city’s cultural quarter.  The award-winning Theckla, an old cargo ship moored in the city’s Floating Harbour - hosts a varied line up of music, art and cultural events, while The Exchange is a community-owned coffee shop, kitchen and live music space with an eclectic mix of gigs throughout the week.

Bristol

Leeds

Leeds

The backdrop to four of The Beatles legendary gigs, the university city of Leeds is the perfect place to catch up-and-coming bands before they hit the big time, with independent venues including Brudenell Social Club and Wharf Chambers offering a diverse range of concerts and events. The 13,000 capacity First Direct Arena has mind-blowing views from every seat thanks to its fan-shaped architecture, while the 450-capacity venue The Wardrobe boast great food and drink in addition to its annual calendar of more than 250 events.

Leeds
27 Mar 2020(last updated)