Northwest of central London is what is probably the most famous zebra crossing in the world!
This zebra crossing is like any other and there is nothing special about it. But its fame is due to the fact that a photograph of the Beatles crossing it was used as the cover of one of their albums.
The zebra crossing is located just outside the Abbey Road recording studio headquarters. This studio is one of the most legendary in the world of music and many internationally famous singers have recorded there and the music for very successful films such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy and several of the Star Wars saga has also been recorded or produced.
The Beatles recorded almost all of their albums in this studio. And the last album the Beatles recorded together was named after the studio: Abbey Road.
For the album cover, a photo of the 4 members of the famous British group crossing the zebra crossing was used. The photo was taken right in the middle of a recording session and was taken by Scottish photographer Ian MacMillan on August 8, 1969 a little before noon.
In the photo you can see the 4 musicians crossing the zebra crossing from left to right, with John Lennon leading the group and followed by Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
This photo is today one of the most famous images in the world and has also been widely copied – and parodied – in popular culture.
Since the album’s release, this zebra crossing has become one of London’s biggest tourist attractions. Thousands of Beatles fans come to London every year and try to have their photo taken at the same zebra crossing and imitating the same position as the members of the Beatles.
This Thursday, August 8, 2019 marks 50 years since the iconic photograph was taken.
¿How to get to the Beatles zebra crossing in London?
If you come to visit London and want to visit the Beatles’ famous zebra crossing, the closest tube station is St. John’s Wood, which is served by the gray line (Jubilee).
When leaving the station walk along Grove End Road and about 500 meters further you will reach the intersection with Abbey Road. The zebra crossing is on Abbey Road, very close to the corner (intersection) and the recording studio is after the zebra crossing on the sidewalk on the left.
If you can’t come to London and you want to see the zebra crossing, there is a camera installed there, which shows the zebra crossing and the tourists taking photos there for 24 hours live. On this website you can access the webcam
