The Mad Day Out: location five

After striking numerous poses on a traffic island in Old Street, north London, The Beatles travelled to St Pancras Old Church and Gardens near Regent’s Park, where some of the best-known photographs of the Mad Day Out were taken.

Firstly, photographer Don McCullin snapped the group as they stood on a small grass knoll to the left of the entrance steps and gates. A nearby flower bed was arranged in a circular array saying “1869 to 1968 NDFS”.

The second location was a bench to the north of the knoll, just south of the central monument marked on the map below. Mal Evans’ son Gary sat on the bench next to John Lennon and Ringo Starr, while Paul McCartney and George Harrison stood behind.

A little further along the path, south east of the monument, was a drinking fountain. The Beatles were photographed here spitting water at the camera lenses.

The fourth location was next to the mausoleum of architect Sir John Soane (1753–1837), which was situated at the eastern part of the gardens. They sat on the grass by the tomb, next to a sign stating: “Please keep off the grass”.

The Beatles' Mad Day Out, location five, 28 July 1968

North of Sir John’s grave was St Pancras Coroner’s Court, where they accompanied an elderly man reading a newspaper on a bench. Harrison and Starr sat next to him, and Lennon and McCartney stood behind, but the man appeared oblivious to The Beatles and the photographers capturing the moment.

The Beatles' Mad Day Out, location five, 28 July 1968

Location six in the gardens was in a flowerbed north of the monument, situated against the perimeter railings. The Beatles stood with St Pancras Hospital in the background, and were largely camouflaged by the towering hollyhocks.

The Beatles by Don McCullin, 28 July 1968

They then walked to a bench immediately to the north of the monument, directly opposite the bench in location two.

The eighth location was in the church’s imposing arched doorway, where formal portrait shots were taken. While this took place, a crowd of people stood and stared from behind the railings which separated the church from the gardens. Photographer Don McCullin directed The Beatles to mingle with the crowd, resulting in an image which was used in 1973 for the gatefold sleeve of the 1962-1966 (Red Album) and 1967-1970 (Blue Album) compilations.

Last updated: 11 May 2020
The Mad Day Out: location four
The Mad Day Out: location six
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