Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore, Westminster,  London,  SW7 2AP
Telephone: 020 7589 8212
 
Location Map of Royal Albert Hall
 
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".
 
What's On at Royal Albert Hall
 
The Proms 2008
18th July 2008 - 13th September 2008
The most popular season of classical music in England goes...
The First Night of the Proms
18th July 2008 - 18th July 2008
If the First Night of the Proms is intended to...
Prom 2: Nigel Kennedy
19th July 2008 - 19th July 2008
A concert of British music that perfectly sums up the...
Proms Folk Day
20th July 2008 - 20th July 2008
For the first time ever you can attend The Proms...
Prom 7: Rossini, Haydn, Elgar
22nd July 2008 - 22nd July 2008
Sir Roger Norrington returns to the UK at the head...
Prom 12: Thomas Ades
26th July 2008 - 26th July 2008
Thomas Ades, Britain's most celebrated young(ish) composer conducts the Birmingham...
Prom 13: Doctor Who Prom
27th July 2008 - 27th July 2008
The Proms' family concert is a great way to get...
Prom 18: The Coronation of Poppaea
31st July 2008 - 31st July 2008
Glyndebourne Festival Opera and the Orchestra of the Age of...
Prom 15: Beethoven's Fifth
31st July 2008 - 31st July 2008
It was 200 years ago at Vienna's Theater an der...
Last Night of the Proms
13th September 2008 - 13th September 2008
The popular pinnacle of the classical calendar, the Last Night...
Ballroom Dancing Championships
7th October 2008 - 9th October 2008
The Royal Albert Hall welcomes a select group of 360...
Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance
8th November 2008 - 8th November 2008
Two moving events held annually at the Albert Hall in...
The BlackRock Masters Tennis
5th December 2008 - 10th December 2008
The highlight of the seniors' tennis circuit is definitely this...
Katherine Jenkins
9th December 2008 - 9th December 2008
The implausibly attractive soprano's UK tour is well-timed to coincide...
Royal Albert Hall Christmas Carol Sing-Along 2008
14th December 2008 - 24th December 2008
Get involved and help raise the roof at this annual,...
Visiting Royal Albert Hall
 
 
Opening Times
Tours run daily (except Wed) 10:30-15:30 | Times may vary - check with box office
 
Ticket Prices
Tours: £8 (Adults), £7 (Concs), £5 (Disabled)
 
Travel
 
Underground Stations
South Kensington Tube (12 minutes)
Gloucester Road Tube (12 minutes)
Railway Stations
Paddington Railway Station (26 minutes)
West Brompton Railway Station (29 minutes)
 
 
 
Car Parking
 
Q-Park Kingston House (7 minutes)
Union Car Parks (7 minutes)
 
 
Local Entertainment Near Royal Albert Hall
 
 
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
 
 
London Event
The Proms 2008
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Westminster,  London,  SW7
0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Event
The First Night of the Proms
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Westminster,  London,  SW7
0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Event
Prom 2: Nigel Kennedy
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Westminster,  London,  SW7
0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Event
Proms Folk Day
Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Gardens, Kensington Gore, Westminster,  London,  SW7
0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Event
Prom 7: Rossini, Haydn, Elgar
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Westminster,  London,  SW7
0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Event
Prom 12: Thomas Ades
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Westminster,  London,  SW7
0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Event
Prom 13: Doctor Who Prom
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Westminster,  London,  SW7
0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
 
Local Hotels Near Royal Albert Hall
 
 
London Hotels
The Gore
190 Queen's Gate, Westminster,  London,  SW7
3 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Hotels
Citadines South Kensington
35a Gloucester Road,  SW7
8 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
 
Local Event Near Royal Albert Hall
 
 
London Event
London Skate
Hyde Park Bandstand,  Near Serpentine, Westminster,  London,  W1J
27 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Event
Death Disco
Notting Hill Arts Club,  19 Notting Hill Gate, Kensington and Chelsea,  London,  W11
21 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
 
Local Sights and Attractions Near Royal Albert Hall
 
 
London Sights and Attractions
Albert Memorial
Kensington Gardens (opposite Royal Albert Hall), Westminster,  London,  W2
2 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Sights and Attractions
Science Museum
Exhibition Road, Kensington and Chelsea,  London,  SW7
7 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
 
Local Shopping Near Royal Albert Hall
 
 
London Shopping
Little Stinkies
15 Victoria Grove, Kensington and Chelsea,  London,  W8
8 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Shopping
Few and Far
242 Brompton Road, Kensington and Chelsea,  London,  SW3
11 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
A knack for knowing what people want - and retailing it in an appealing way - is clearly in the Conran blood. Priscilla Carluccio - ...More...
 
 
Local Dining Near Royal Albert Hall
 
 
London Dining
L'Etranger
36 Gloucester Road, Kensington and Chelsea,  London,  SW7
8 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Dining
Launceston Place
1A Launceston Place, Kensington and Chelsea,  London,  W8
9 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
 
Local Education Near Royal Albert Hall
 
 
London Education
Royal College of Art
Kensington Gore, Westminster,  London,  SW7
1 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Education
The London School of Painting and Drawing
23 Kensington Square, Kensington and Chelsea,  London,  W8
14 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
 
Local Leisure Near Royal Albert Hall
 
 
London Leisure
The Serpentine Lido
Hyde Park, Westminster,  London,  W2
6 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
London Leisure
London Archers
Perks Field,  Kensington Palace, Kensington and Chelsea,  London,  W8
12 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
 
Local Nightlife Near Royal Albert Hall
 
 
London Nightlife
Boujis
43 Thurloe Street, Kensington and Chelsea,  London,  SW7
11 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
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...
 
 
Local Business Near Royal Albert Hall
 
 
London Business
Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore, Westminster,  London,  SW7
0 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
...More...
 
London Business
Royal College of Art
Kensington Gore, Westminster,  London,  SW7
1 minutes distance from Royal Albert Hall
...More...