
57 Wimpole Street (Paul McCartney's former residence), London
It’s the swinging London of 1963: Beatlemania is turning up to 11, and Paul McCartney moves into a posh townhouse at 57 Wimpole Street, courtesy of his girlfriend Jane Asher’s well-to-do family. Not a bad gig for a 21-year-old rock star. He was set up in the top-back room—a cozy, near-apartment setup with all the essentials: bed, chair, record player, and yes, a piano for those 3 a.m. strokes of genius.
And genius did strike. While dating the then-18-year-old Jane, Paul turned that upper room—and the family’s music room downstairs—into a creative goldmine. In fact, the melody for “Yesterday” reportedly came to him in a dream. He stumbled out of bed, hit the piano, and boom—legend was born. That song would go on to be the most covered track in recording history. Meanwhile, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, their first U.S. number one, was born in the basement, where Mrs. Asher’s music room proved a pretty solid recording lab (with no screaming fans to interrupt).
But like all classic love ballads, this one hit a sour note. In 1968, Jane returned from an American tour to find Paul rehearsing a different kind of duet—with another woman. The engagement ended, the headlines wrote themselves, and Paul soon moved on with photographer Linda Eastman, who would become his wife and partner through decades of music, love, and... animal rights campaigns.
And just a year after this romantic remix, The Beatles called it quits. Coincidence? Well, we’ll let you decide.
And genius did strike. While dating the then-18-year-old Jane, Paul turned that upper room—and the family’s music room downstairs—into a creative goldmine. In fact, the melody for “Yesterday” reportedly came to him in a dream. He stumbled out of bed, hit the piano, and boom—legend was born. That song would go on to be the most covered track in recording history. Meanwhile, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, their first U.S. number one, was born in the basement, where Mrs. Asher’s music room proved a pretty solid recording lab (with no screaming fans to interrupt).
But like all classic love ballads, this one hit a sour note. In 1968, Jane returned from an American tour to find Paul rehearsing a different kind of duet—with another woman. The engagement ended, the headlines wrote themselves, and Paul soon moved on with photographer Linda Eastman, who would become his wife and partner through decades of music, love, and... animal rights campaigns.
And just a year after this romantic remix, The Beatles called it quits. Coincidence? Well, we’ll let you decide.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ϳԹ: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
57 Wimpole Street (Paul McCartney's former residence) on Map
Sight Name: 57 Wimpole Street (Paul McCartney's former residence)
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Jane Austen’s London
The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham’s elopement in “Pride & Prejudice.”
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Jack the Ripper Walking Tour
Jack the Ripper, an unidentified serial killer who terrorized the British capital in 1888, became notorious for the series of brutal and gruesome murders that he carried out in the East End of London. The primary setting for the Jack the Ripper attacks was Whitechapel, at the time a poverty-stricken and crime-ridden district, known for its dark alleys and narrow streets.
The name "Jack the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
The name "Jack the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
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