You don’t need a ticket to ride — or to enter.
At Penny Lane: The Ultimate Beatles Museum in downtown Dunedin, it is absolutely free to peruse the very large collection of Beatles memorabilia. The museum houses many extremely rare and highly collectible mementos from signed guitars to Yellow Submarine paraphernalia to Beatles puppets and pins from a serape once owned by Ringo Starr.
There are even strands of the musicians’ hair on display.
So, while strolling the small museum on the second floor of Stirling Commons and in the back of a local art gallery, you can see plenty of memorabilia, while Beatles tunes fill your ears.
Got a good reason?
The Penny Lane Beatles Museum is as good as any reason to take a daytrip to Dunedin.
The museum was created by longtime Dunedin resident and humanitarian Dr. Robert Entel, who founded it in January 2017. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum was co-founded by Colin Bissett, who grew up in Liverpool and went to school with Pete Best’s brother (Beatles first drummer). He attended many performances at the Cavern Club and Casbah in the early ’60s before the band became a worldwide phenomenon known as The Beatles.
Throughout the museum, collections are spread out through their albums and the eras the band experienced. There are sections dedicated to the British Invasion to Yellow Submarine, to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, to Abbey Road and their final album, Let It Be, released in 1970 a month after the band broke up.
Several signed instruments also are on display, as are the band’s gold records.
And just when you think some sort of trinket or toy was never made of The Beatles, well, Penny Lane will prove you wrong.
Also, one of the museum’s volunteers will be glad to give a tour, dispense more Beatles knowledge and trivia and even answer questions.
Such as if that is actually Lucy in the sky with diamonds.
Come Together
To be fair, enjoying Penny Lane will not take up a whole day. While it is a very impressive collection and a fun attraction, you might find yourself done quicker than expected.
Not to fear — you’ll already be in downtown Dunedin, with its several restaurants and craft beer breweries, its many shops and parks, too. Check out the pier at Josiah Cephas Weaver Park, the fine arts district, or a minor league baseball game at TD Ballpark. Or, if you’re still feeling cheeky from The Beatles, there’s Rosie’s Tavern. It has a British Pub feel to it and is right downstairs from Penny Lane.
Eight Days a Week
Sadly, that is not the case for Penny Lane and its availability. It’s open just Thursdays through Sundays, but as mentioned previously, admission is completely free. The museum’s purpose is to engage and teach longtime fans or even just the casual ones more about arguably the most influential band of all time. It’s also a great place to celebrate the legacy of John, Paul, George and Ringo.
So, get back and go yesterday, if you can. Because for the museum and its memorabilia, there’s nowhere else it can be that isn’t where it’s meant to be.
Penny Lane: The Ultimate Beatles Museum
Where: 730 Broadway, Second Floor, Dunedin
When: Open Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: A permanent collection with hundreds of rare Beatles memorabilia, from signed guitars, posters, pictures, toys, merchandise and even strands of the musicians’ hair.
Info: Visit PennyLaneBeatlesMuseum.com, or call 727-281-8130, or email .
Published November 23, 2022
