Strawberry Field - Liverpool

Overview

Each visitor will enter into a world where ‘nothing is real’ plunging into the 1860's era where Strawberry Field began as a Victorian house, before it transformed into a safe place where The Salvation Army supported and homed some of Liverpool’s vulnerable youth. Visitors can then experience through archival footage, photographs and timelines and our specialist media guides the world where John Lennon played as a child and what happened behind the famous red gates.

Through immersive multimedia, interviews and memorabilia, this exhibition will give unprecedented insight into John Lennon’s childhood and the inspiration behind one of the Beatles’ most iconic songs, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever.’ This intimate look at Lennon’s time at Strawberry Field, as never seen before, is a must-see for any Beatles fan.

The gardens are at the heart of the visitor experience that includes the exhibition, which weaves together the history of The Salvation Army, Strawberry Field and John Lennon. Exploring the landscaped area is an opportunity to walk in the same steps as John Lennon in his childhood as well as the opportunity to take time for personal reflection, spirituality and retreat from the busyness of life.

NEW: The Sir George & Lady Judy Martin Rose Garden, celebrating the legendary Beatles producer and his wife.
The rose garden is the first of its kind celebrating to the legendary producer. At its heart, a striking wall features a biography of his career engraved in Portland stone alongside 30 discs commemorating the No.1 UK hit singles produced by Sir George Martin during his celebrated career.
Designed as a place of peace and reflection, the 95 square metre accessible garden includes a calming water feature, and a circular raised rose bed with welcoming seating areas, offering a beautiful and contemplative space within the historic Strawberry Field grounds.

The Strawberry Field site was donated to The Salvation Army in 1936, its large Victorian house was a home for the city’s most vulnerable children. The gardens at Strawberry Field were a place of peace and refuge for the children where they could escape and enjoy themselves away from a turbulent world.

It was in these gardens that John Lennon as a child found a quiet spot where he could play with friends, climb trees and reflect. Lennon loved the gardens and Strawberry Field so much he used his memories to create the famous Beatles’ song, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’.

The world-famous piano that John Lennon used to compose and record one of the great peace anthems of the 20th century, ‘Imagine’, is on loan to Liverpool’s Strawberry Field exhibition, courtesy of the estate of the late George Michael.

George Michael, a huge fan of The Beatles and John Lennon, composed on and played the piano which can be heard on the title song of his Patience album.

The piano, which was toured globally by George Michael as a symbol of peace in the early 2000s, has never before been placed in a location so steeped in John Lennon history.

Strawberry Field is unique in that it has wellbeing, community and ‘responsible tourism’ at the heart of its story and mission.
Under the care of The Salvation Army since the 1930s, the site was originally a children’s home that provided a place of sanctuary for vulnerable young people. This legacy continues to this day, with all profits going towards the ‘Steps at Strawberry Field’ initiative.
Every visit helps fund 'Steps at Strawberry Field', supporting local adults with learning disabilities and other barriers to employment through training, work experience, and pathways into paid work.

Also on site is the Imagine More café, which includes indoor and outdoor seating and serves locally sourced food. The shop sells exclusively designed gifts and merchandise.


The exhibition and garden tour contains over 4.5 hours of meaningful and inspiring content, however most visitors spend around 1.5 hours on their first visit.


Strawberry Field opening times
Strawberry Field is open to visitors 7 days a week
Monday to Sunday 10:00am - 5.00pm

Opening hours are subject to change in the event of special events, group booking or by special request.



Photo credit: Ant Clausen - John Lennon Imagine piano courtesy of the Estate of George Michael on long loan at Strawberry Field visitor exhibition