1967 – Magical Mystery Tour Beatles Stay

The Atlantic Hotel is extremly proud of its glorious history, and none more so than when the hotel played host to the world’s most famous band ‘The Beatle’s for 3 nights during the filming of The Magical Mystery Tour, in September 1967.

Their stay was part of the iconic Magical Mystery Tour movie, based on a tour around Britain, and brought with it hysteria to the streets of Newquay as Liverpool’s most famous sons arrived to hoards of adoring fans.

It was September 1967, and a few months earlier The Beatles had released their iconic Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, considered by many to be the greatest of all time.

The hotel was mobbed by thousands of fans as the band made their way to the main building for meals. The Atlantic was hit by “Beatlemania” with thousands of fans desperate for a glimpse of their idols.

The tour is believed to have been Paul McCartney’s idea. Driven by a desire for The Beatles to shoot their own television spectacular, he accredited its style to home movies he had been making.

A very lucky few holidaymakers and locals even got a chance to star in the movie, with several locations in and around the hotel featuring in the movie.

In The Complete Beatles Chronicle, author Mark Lewisohn noted that the band originally intended to stop in Newquay for only one night. He wrote: “After considerable private discussion, in which they weighed up the merits of either moving on to a new hotel each day or staying put in one location and using it as a base, they opted for the latter alternative and decided to remain at the Atlantic for three nights: Tuesday to Thursday.”

In the wake of their iconic stay, magical stories from locals began to surface. Speaking in 2002, Doris Freeth, who danced with Paul McCartney in the Atlantic Hotel ballroom, said that it had all been like a dream – even though he was not the best dancer in the world. Chris Parkin said that he sneaked into the hotel with a friend by pretending to be a waiter. They met Paul and Ringo in the hotel cocktail bar, and Chris ended up playing billiards with Ringo for much of the evening.

Today guests to The Atlantic Hotel can retrace the famous fours steps and iconic locations they visited including the pool that was used for the above shot, the front garden where Paul Mccartney spent time engaging with fans, the Huers Hut, and the iconic back garden steps where the now-famous group shot was taken.

Are you or someone you know a huge Beatles fan? Why not book yourself a stay and retrace the footsteps of the world’s most famous band. Call the hotel today on 01637 872244 or email info@atlantichotelnewquay.co.uk.