First Person Report: Loyal Beatles fans since we first saw the Fab Four 51 years ago on a small, black-and-white TV screen. It was on that February 9th night when they performed live on the Ed Sullivan TV Show.

Several years ago, on a visit to London, we took the journey north to see the city where the mop-haired quartet got their start. It’s a two-hour train ride from London Euston Station to Liverpool Lime Street Station. A highlight was the tour of the boyhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, now operated by Britain's National Trust. We actually got to to walk through the kitchens, bedrooms and other living areas.

Liverpool is an industrial city of nearly half a million people, and not much has changed since the Beatles left. We did the two-hour Magical Mystery Tour, and saw many sites featured in Beatles songs. We also visited the tiny Cavern Club, where they played early gigs.

The Holiday Inn Merseyside is conveniently next to the Lime Street Station, one of several Holiday Inns in and around the city. Room rates are from about $120. If you’re a Beatles fan and plan a trip to England, add Liverpool to your plans. visitliverpool.com