Tourists hoping to recreate the iconic Beatles album cover at Abbey Road are finding themselves hilariously lost in an entirely different part of London, forcing a local station to take creative action.
The Wrong Abbey Road in East London
The source of the confusion is Abbey Road DLR station, located in the Borough of Newham in East London, just a short distance from West Ham station. This transport stop shares its name with the world-famous street in St John's Wood, North West London, where The Beatles were photographed on the zebra crossing for their 1969 album cover.
According to a report by MyLondon on 16 December 2025, camera-wielding visitors regularly arrive at this East London station only to be met with industrial scenery instead of the anticipated pilgrimage site.
A Sign with a Sense of Humour
To address the constant stream of puzzled tourists, authorities at Abbey Road DLR have erected a specially designed sign. It politely informs visitors of their mistake while cleverly using lyrics from the band's songs.
The sign reads: "Unfortunately you are the wrong Abbey Road. However, we can work it out and help you get back to the correct location. So, let's come together and take the DLR one stop to West Ham and change to a Jubilee line train to St John's Wood station. Passengers need a ticket to ride."
It also features the iconic photograph of The Beatles on the crossing and shows the road sign they should look for upon arriving at the correct location.
Navigating to the Famous Crossing
The sign provides clear instructions for the journey. The nearest Tube station to the actual Abbey Road crossing is St John's Wood on the Jubilee line, a world away from the DLR station in Newham.
This amusing situation highlights how London's complex geography and shared place names can easily trip up even the most enthusiastic visitor. While tourist crowds are expected in central hotspots like Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square, the residential areas of East London are less accustomed to such misplaced footfall.
So, if you see groups of tourists in Newham looking bewildered and holding cameras, you'll now know the likely reason. They've simply taken a wrong turn on the long and winding road to Beatles history.
