The Salvation Army’s Strawberry Field has officially unveiled a beautiful new rose garden dedicated to the late Beatles producer Sir George Martin CBE, and his wife, Lady Judy Martin, a devoted long-term patron of the Liverpool charity center.
The Sir George and Lady Judy Martin Rose Garden represents the first public tribute of its kind dedicated to the legendary music producer. At the center of the 95-square-meter accessible space sits a curved brick wall featuring an engraved Portland stone celebrating his historic career. This is accompanied by 30 metallic discs marking the UK number-one singles he produced for era-defining artists including The Beatles, Cilla Black, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Elton John.
As a dedicated patron of Strawberry Field, Lady Martin originally envisioned the space as a peaceful sanctuary where visitors could sit and reflect while looking across to the famous Strawberry Field gates. Sourced from David Austin Roses, the red and pink flowers were chosen specifically for their vivid colors and rich fragrances so that the environment could be fully enjoyed by all visitors, including those with limited sight.
The garden was officially opened today by the couple’s children, Giles Martin and Lucie Kitchener. The opening ceremony drew several notable attendees, including John Lennon’s sister and honorary president of Strawberry Field, Julia Baird, alongside Sir Paul McCartney’s younger brother, Mike McCartney. The project was funded and donated by Cliff Cooper, CEO of Orange Amps, who previously gifted the site's Sgt. Pepper-inspired bandstand.
To mark the opening, the Martin family and Mike McCartney have shared a selection of exclusive, unseen photographs from their personal archives. The display offers fresh insights into the Martins' relationship with Strawberry Field and will remain on view throughout the summer.
The attraction is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Donations made at the garden directly support the Steps to Work program, an initiative helping neurodivergent young adults and those with learning differences overcome barriers to employment and transition into meaningful paid work.
