The Royal Albert Hall is one of the most iconic cultural institutions in London, with a rich history and a reputation for hosting some of the world’s most prestigious events. Located in the heart of South Kensington, the Royal Albert Hall is a distinctive and striking building, with a distinctive circular design and a distinctive domed roof.
The Royal Albert Hall was built in the late 19th century, as a memorial to Prince Albert, who had died in 1861. The idea for the hall was conceived by Henry Cole, a civil servant who had worked closely with Prince Albert. Cole wanted to create a space that would celebrate the arts and sciences, and that would provide a home for the cultural life of the nation.
The Royal Albert Hall was designed by the architect Francis Fowke, who had previously designed the Natural History Museum in London. Fowke’s design for the hall was inspired by the Roman amphitheatres of antiquity, and featured a circular auditorium with a seating capacity of over 5,200.
The Royal Albert Hall was officially opened in 1871, and over the years, it has become one of the most popular venues in London for concerts, opera, ballet, and other cultural events. Some of the most famous events to have taken place at the Royal Albert Hall include the annual BBC Proms concerts, the BAFTA film awards, and the Royal Variety Performance.
One of the unique features of the Royal Albert Hall is its distinctive organ, which is one of the largest pipe organs in the world. The organ was designed by Henry Willis, one of the most celebrated organ builders of the 19th century, and was installed in the hall in 1871. The organ has over 9,000 pipes and is capable of producing an incredible range of sounds, from the softest whisper to the loudest roar.
Over the years, the Royal Albert Hall has played host to some of the world’s most famous performers, including classical musicians, rock stars, and pop icons. Some of the most famous artists to have performed at the Royal Albert Hall include the Beatles, Adele, Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, and the Rolling Stones.
In addition to its rich musical history, the Royal Albert Hall has also played host to a wide range of other events and activities. The hall has been used for political rallies, sporting events, and even circus performances. It has also been used as a venue for film screenings and television broadcasts, and has been featured in a number of famous movies and television shows, including “The Italian Job” and “Doctor Who.”
One of the most famous events to take place at the Royal Albert Hall is the annual BBC Proms concerts. The Proms have been held at the hall since 1941, and are one of the most popular and prestigious classical music events in the world. The Proms feature a wide range of classical music, from symphonies and concertos to choral works and operas.
The Royal Albert Hall is also home to a range of educational programs and initiatives, designed to promote the arts and sciences to young people. The hall offers a range of workshops, lectures, and educational activities, aimed at inspiring and engaging young people in the cultural life of the nation.
In addition to its cultural and educational activities, the Royal Albert Hall is also committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The hall has implemented a range of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including the installation of solar panels and the use of sustainable materials in its construction and maintenance.
The Royal Albert Hall has received numerous awards and accolades over the years, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the cultural life of the nation. In 2004, the hall was designated as a Grade I listed building, reflecting its historic and architectural significance.
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FAQ's
What are the entry requirements?
There are no longer any Covid status entry requirements at the Hall. You can enter Door 12, our Café Bar, and Italian restaurant Verdi without a ticket to a show. To enter the rest of the building you will need to have your ticket ready to be scanned.
Do I need to wear a face covering?
There is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering at the Hall, but please feel free to wear a face covering for your protection and the safety of others.
Is it safe to visit the Hall?
The health and safety of everyone who visits the Hall is of utmost importance to us. Hand sanitising stations are located throughout the building, and we are now a cashless venue to help keep everyone safe. We have completed a £900k project to upgrade our ventilation system, enhancing air quality inside the Hall. Security and your safety are paramount for us, so please be patient when coming into the building. Not all of our security measures will be visible to the public, but one thing you will notice on your visit will be bag searchers operating at all doors. To assist with these arrangements, we ask that you please avoid bringing large bags to the Hall and try to arrive a little earlier than usual to allow time for these searches. All our staff members have been briefed to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour and attend regular security training and briefings to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest threat information and security practices. Please cooperate fully with our staff who are there to keep us all safe and sound, and if you see anything suspicious or that doesn’t look right on your visit then please inform one of our stewards as soon as possible.
Can I get a refund if I test positive for Covid-19?
If you or someone in your party tests positive for Covid-19 and you booked your tickets on or before 14 February 2022, you can exchange your tickets for a credit voucher. You will need to provide us with evidence to support your request via this form by 10am on the day of your event.
Will latecomers be admitted?
This will depend on the performance. To limit any interruptions to the show, there may be a significant wait before you are admitted.
How do I get to the Hall?
We strongly encourage you to plan your journey in advance and allow plenty of extra time to get into the venue. There are many ways to get to us, and you should pick the one that suits you best. If you’re using public transport, we recommend checking TFL to find the best route. Please note that the Piccadilly line will not stop at South Kensington until Spring 2022. There are currently roadworks taking place outside the building, which may increase your journey into the venue. Read more here. Find out more about how to get to us, including information on bicycle access and parking here.
Will the cloakroom be open?
Yes, you'll be able to leave your belongings in our cloakroom if you so wish. However, please avoid bringing large bags as we might not be able to store them
Will there be security searches?
Yes, your bag will be searched by members of our Security team. This will be a condition of entry and we advise you to bring as few items as possible.
How is air circulated in your old Victorian building?
We might be old but our air isn’t, thank you very much. Our air handling system is fed by filtered fresh air. Used air is extracted to the outside and is not recirculated. Filters are changed as part of regular, routine maintenance and we have full control over the air system – both fan speed and temperature – throughout the auditorium. While the Hall was closed to the public, we successfully raised £900,000 for our major ventilation project to enhance the Hall's air quality. Thanks to donations from our audiences, Members and Major Donors, we have been able to complete this project in good time for the Hall's reopening.
Will I be able to use a hearing device?
Yes. You will be able to make use of our Sennheiser hearing loop system and you can enquire about this at Door 6 on the ground floor. All equipment will be thoroughly sterilised before and after each use.
Are there provisions for people with access needs and wheelchair users?
Yes, we have accessible tickets, facilities and services. You can find information on this and our downloadable access guide here.
Have you gone cashless?
Yes, we have moved to cashless payments only throughout the building. By which we mean contactless or card. If you arrive with three-penny bits (pronounced 'thripenny'), six-pences, shillings, florins, half-crowns or crowns, your offer will certainly be considered (mostly by our archivists) but will inevitably be declined.
What cleaning regime is in place?
The Hall has a rigorous cleaning regime in place, using hospital-grade virucidal products. The venue is cleaned throughout the day, between every show, and we clean the seats before and after every performance. We will also regularly spray the seats and other parts of the venue with the same industry-leading virucide that is used by TFL and other major institutions. viral fogging in the auditorium
Will you be providing hand sanitiser?
There are contactless hand sanitising stations throughout the building. We encourage everyone to wash and/or sanitise their hands wherever possible during their visit. Contactless hand sanitising station
What social distancing measures are in place?
There are no longer any social distancing measures in place at the Hall, in line with current government guidance.
Will I be able to re-enter the auditorium during the performance?
This will depend on the performance. If you have any concerns please speak to one of our Stewarding team on the day. Please also be mindful that we would like to minimise the number of times that audience members have to pass by other parties in their seating row.
Do I need to wear a face covering?
There is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering at the Hall, but please feel free to wear a face covering for your protection and the safety of others.
Can we eat and drink at the Hall?
We have a variety of dining spaces and bars across all levels, open to ticket holders and the general public. Check the Food & Drink section of our website to find out more. If you have tickets, you will also receive an email prior to your visit with information on our restaurants and bars.
Can I buy a programme or visit the shop?
You'll be able to purchase programmes for some of our events, and our shop will be open and stocked full. If you’d like to check out the shop beforehand, head here.
The toilet question
We really couldn’t avoid this one. Yes, you will be able to use the toilet at the Hall (which hopefully doesn't come as a surprise...). Toilets will be cleaned throughout the day, before, during and after shows. We understand that some people have invisible disabilities that mean they have special requirements. Accessible toilets can be found on every level, please speak to a member of staff.
Can I stay at the Hall in between shows?
We will ask all audience members to leave straight away after seeing a show, even if they have a ticket for a performance later in the day, but you can spend the time in between shows in our Café Bar or Italian restaurant, Verdi.
