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19th century concert hall and home to the Proms.
An ongoing programme of renovation and redevelopment has transformed this iconic music venue from one beset with niggling problems into an internationally renowned concert hall offering a wide variety of entertainment. Classical music, rock, pop and jazz, sporting events, galas, banquets and balls and the world-famous Proms series all take place within its iconic oval walls. One of London's most versatile venues, it is a favourite of performers from Jose Carreras to Kylie Minogue. The Hall also plays host to the Seniors’ tennis circuit. The likes of Becker and McEnroe can be seen bouncing balls off the famous mushrooms on the ceiling. The brainchild of Prince Albert, inspired by the success of the Great Exhibition, the hall first opened in 1871, ten years after the Prince’s death. Heavily influenced by ancient amphitheatres and notions of the “Empire” and the arts, the oval structure’s terracotta walls are decorated on the outside with a frieze dedicated to "The Triumph of Arts and Sciences" – make sure you take a look when you visit. Gas lighting, poor acoustics and old pipe organs have been replaced over the years and the awe-inspiring venue now exists as a testimony to both the architectural and aesthetic achievements of the past and the technological developments of the present – it now features the largest pipe organ in the British Isles. A Grade I listed building, the hall has a capacity of 8000 and is most consistently packed out during the summer when the Promenade concerts take over. First held here in 1941 when their original venue – the Queen’s Hall – was bombed, the Proms are fantastically popular. Queue up on the day and pick up some cheap tickets to stand right in front of the orchestra or book in advance and take over a whole box. This season of classical music traditionally climaxes in an ebullient, flag-waving crowd belting out the National Anthem. This populist ethos is reflected in the Hall’s mix of traditional, contemporary and experimental concerts. Whatever the event, this is one of the most iconic and atmospheric music venues around. Only a short walk from Kensington Gardens, the Albert Memorial, the V & A Museum, it’s a great way to end a spot of sightseeing in “Albertopolis”.
For information about guided tours of the hall call 020 7838 3105.
Best for:
Prince Albert, pipe organs, pop and the Proms.
Did you know?
Queen Victoria was too overcome to speak at the official opening ceremony in 1871. Instead, Edward, Prince of Wales, pronounced: "The Queen declares this Hall is now open". |
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Local
Entertainment Near Royal Albert Hall |
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7 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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9 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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Local
Event Near Royal Albert Hall |
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| London Event |
| The Proms 2008 |
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Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore,
Westminster,
London,
SW7
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0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| The most popular season of classical music in England goes from strength-to-strength each year. A varied but accessible programme regularly draws huge audiences, concluding on...More...
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| London Event |
| The First Night of the Proms |
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Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore,
Westminster,
London,
SW7
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0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| If the First Night of the Proms is intended to set the mood for the whole season, then the flag-waving Classic FM crowd are in...More...
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| London Event |
| Prom 2: Nigel Kennedy |
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Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore,
Westminster,
London,
SW7
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0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| A concert of British music that perfectly sums up the Proms philosophy of mixing the popular with the unjustly overlooked and supporting British music at...More...
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| London Event |
| Proms Folk Day |
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Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Gardens, Kensington Gore,
Westminster,
London,
SW7
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0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| For the first time ever you can attend The Proms free of charge. Proving there's more to folk music than Morris dancing and The Fairport Convention, this full day of free concerts, dancing and family activities explores traditional music from throughout the British Isles. Kids...More...
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| London Event |
| Prom 7: Rossini, Haydn, Elgar |
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Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore,
Westminster,
London,
SW7
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0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| Sir Roger Norrington returns to the UK at the head of his great German orchestra for this year's first Prom to feature entirely mainstream classical...More...
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| London Event |
| Prom 12: Thomas Ades |
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Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore,
Westminster,
London,
SW7
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0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| Thomas Ades, Britain's most celebrated young(ish) composer conducts the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in a selection of the grand Russian music that has inspired him throughout...More...
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| London Event |
| Prom 13: Doctor Who Prom |
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Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore,
Westminster,
London,
SW7
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0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| The Proms' family concert is a great way to get kids into classical music. This year's show has a Doctor Who theme, featuring music from...More...
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Local
Hotels Near Royal Albert Hall |
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| London Hotels |
| The Gore |
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190
Queen's Gate,
Westminster,
London,
SW7
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3 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| A mellow, off-the-wall charm is the key to the success of this pleasantly eccentric boutique hotel located between the Royal Albert Hall and Harrod's, and ...More...
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| London Hotels |
| Citadines South Kensington |
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35a
Gloucester Road,
SW7
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8 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| These popular apartments offer a luxurious home from home environment that is so unique to the capital. With flexible living spaces and fully fitted ...More...
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Local
Event Near Royal Albert Hall |
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| London Event |
| London Skate |
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Hyde Park Bandstand,
Near Serpentine,
Westminster,
London,
W1J
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27 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| Organised in association with Skatefresh, this free Wednesday night skate kicks off in Hyde Park and takes in all the major sights of London and ...More...
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| London Event |
| Death Disco |
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Notting Hill Arts Club,
19
Notting Hill Gate,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
W11
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21 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| Creation Records' Alan McGee and Danny Watson are joined by live bands for Notting Hill Arts Club's defiantly unfashionable punk night. Nothing clever, nothing trendy, ...More...
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Local
Sights and Attractions Near Royal Albert Hall |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Albert Memorial |
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Kensington Gardens (opposite Royal Albert Hall),
Westminster,
London,
W2
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2 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| 180ft Victorian bronze gilt statue in Kensington Gardens.
This tribute to Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert was erected following his death through typhoid at the age ...More...
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Science Museum |
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Exhibition Road,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
SW7
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7 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| Home to one of the world's most magnificent collections of science, industry, technology and medicine, the Science Museum is one of London's most hands-on and ...More...
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Local
Shopping Near Royal Albert Hall |
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| London Shopping |
| Little Stinkies |
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15
Victoria Grove,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
W8
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8 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| Don’t let the name put you off. It’s an incredibly pretty shop in one of the more sweet-smelling parts of London. Famous for ...More...
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| London Shopping |
| Few and Far |
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242
Brompton Road,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
SW3
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11 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| A knack for knowing what people want - and retailing it in an appealing way - is clearly in the Conran blood. Priscilla Carluccio - ...More...
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Local
Dining Near Royal Albert Hall |
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| London Dining |
| L'Etranger |
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36
Gloucester Road,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
SW7
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8 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| Classy, minimalist Franco-Asian cooking from Head Chef, Jerome Tauvron.
Marrying the French traditions acquired whilst studying under triple Michelin-starred Pierre Gagnaire with the best elements of ...More...
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| London Dining |
| Launceston Place |
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1A
Launceston Place,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
W8
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9 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| Part of the D & D group of restaurants (formerly Conran's empire), Launceston Place has been given a new impetus thanks to the appointment of ...More...
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Local
Education Near Royal Albert Hall |
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| London Education |
| Royal College of Art |
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Kensington Gore,
Westminster,
London,
SW7
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1 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| This is one of London's most prestigious art colleges and the world's only wholly postgraduate university of art and design. You will need at least ...More...
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| London Education |
| The London School of Painting and Drawing |
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23
Kensington Square,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
W8
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14 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| Evening and weekend classes in life drawing and painting, taught by tutors from the Slade School of Fine Art and the Royal Society of British ...More...
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Local
Leisure Near Royal Albert Hall |
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| London Leisure |
| The Serpentine Lido |
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Hyde Park,
Westminster,
London,
W2
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6 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| A hugely popular swimming venue, every summer Hyde Park's lovely lake invites London folk to plunge into its watery depths. It's a great option ...More...
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| London Leisure |
| London Archers |
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Perks Field,
Kensington Palace,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
W8
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12 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| An excellent members archery club that shoots in the grounds of Kensington Palace in summer and in Pimlico in winter. Archery is a totally satisfying ...More...
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Local
Nightlife Near Royal Albert Hall |
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| London Nightlife |
| Boujis |
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43
Thurloe Street,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
SW7
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11 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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| Private members club with a regular pack of paparazzi parked outside waiting for royals to exit after one too many vodka red bulls. Its popularity ...More...
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Local
Business Near Royal Albert Hall |
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| London Business |
| Royal College of Art |
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Kensington Gore,
Westminster,
London,
SW7
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1 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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