Abbey Road Crossing

The Beatles were photographed crossing this road on 8 August 1969 by Iain Macmillan, who had ten minutes on a stepladder while a policeman held traffic, and shot six frames; the fifth became the Abbey Road cover. The studios behind, opened by EMI in 1931, are where most of the Beatles catalogue was recorded along with a great deal of film music, and they remain a working studio closed to the public except for occasional events. The crossing was given Grade II listed status in 2010, unusual for road markings, on the grounds of cultural significance. It was moved a few metres during roadworks in the 1970s, so it is not quite in the 1969 position. A webcam has streamed it continuously since 2011.

What you actually see

• The crossing - a working zebra crossing, listed in 2010 for its cultural value.
• The studio wall - covered in graffiti and repainted regularly.
• The webcam - a continuous stream since 2011, so friends can watch remotely.
• The studios - a working building, not open to visitors.

When to go

Year-round; early mornings on weekdays are the only realistic time to get the crossing clear. The anniversary on 8 August draws a crowd. The studios are closed except for rare open days.

Honest expectations

This is a live road with real traffic, and drivers are entirely out of patience with people posing; stepping out repeatedly is dangerous and locally resented. The crossing is not in its exact 1969 position. There is nothing to see beyond the road and a graffitied wall.

Nearby

Lord's Cricket Ground is a short walk; Regent's Park lies southeast.