Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is both an architectural icon and a famous London concert hall

The Royal Albert Hall was opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria. It is one of the most renowned architectural buildings in the United Kingdom and is indeed well recognized throughout the world. The hall also houses the 2nd largest pipe organ in the UK.
The hall was first proposed by the Queen's husband Prince Albert as a permanent facility for exhibitions and arts and concerts. Unfortunately he died ten years before his dream was completed. For that reason the proposed name was changed from The Central Hall of Arts and Sciences to the Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences.
Since opening the Royal Albert Hall has been home to over 150,000 events. The extremely popular BBC Proms concert series has been hosted there every summer since 1941. Today the hall is a venue to over 350 performances each year ranging from classical concerts to rock and roll, pop concerts, opera, ballet, tennis matches, awards ceremonies, school and community events and banquets. The hall was designed with a capacity of 8000 guests, but is now limited to 5544 people due to modern safety regulations. Whether or not you are attending a concert or event, you won't want to miss seeing this spectacular hall, even if just from the outside during your London vacation.
For more information about the Royal Albert Hall and to book tickets for upcoming events visit their official website linked above.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes. Varies by event. Visit the official website to see upcoming shows.Royal Albert Hall Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Address: Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP, UK
Phone: 020 7589 8212
Official Website: Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall Reviews
Rated
Magical Night at the Royal Albert Hall: Dance Music Meets Orchestra
Visiting the Royal Albert Hall for the very first time was nothing short of amazing. While it might raise eyebrows among traditionalists, I’m convinced that this iconic venue has always embraced boundary-pushing performances throughout its history — and this night was no exception.
To attend with my son, sharing one of my favourite music genres, and to hear deep, heavy basslines paired with the soaring power of a full orchestra was an unforgettable experience. Surrounded by thousands of like-minded individuals — all regaining a sense of their youth while standing shoulder to shoulder with the next generation of music lovers — was a true joy.
This was Fabio & Grooverider at their absolute finest, commanding the stage with their signature energy, joined by incredible guest artists who each added something special to the night. It was a seamless fusion of past and present, beats and strings, rave culture and classical grandeur.
This wasn’t just a concert; it was a celebration of how far dance music has come. It brought back vivid memories of the 90s rave and dance events held in music halls up and down the country. That same spirit of euphoria and unity filled the space, proving once again that great music knows no age limits.
To say it was magical and inspiring feels like an understatement. I sincerely hope this won’t be a one-off — because nights like this are a reminder of the power of music to connect generations. More of this, please.
Richard Rochester - a month ago
Impressive, from all perspectives. Firstly, people are extremely polite and supportive being present at any time you need. Secondly, the building itself is amazing and has a very aristocratic aesthetic. Everywhere you look you can find details about its long history and artists who have performed here. Thirdly, the show we attended, Mike and the Mechanics, was a good show with a lot of beautiful songs and a vibrant atmosphere.
Marius CHIRITA - a week ago
great venue, not far from the tube station. subway tunnel is usually closed by the time the performance is over though so have to walk to the open entrance. crowds aren’t too bad when leaving and performances ended at a reasonable time so i actually had a chance to use the toilets without fearing missing the last train home. the actual venue is beautiful, great sound and atmosphere. i’ve sat up in the rausing circle and down in the stalls. the stall seats can be angled to face the centre or the stage, depending on performance which is a game changer for sufferers of back or neck pain. the view from the stalls were great and unobstructed, even from the people standing in the arena. the rausing circle seats we had however had a restricted view, this was warned before we bought the tickets, but restricted undersells it. when sitting in your seat, you can only actually see a small sliver of the stage. that show wasn’t massively visual, more of an audio experience (the christmas performance) so it wasn’t too bad, just be prepared to basically not see the stage if you are getting restricted view seats, unless you heavily lean or stand.
Erin Swift - a week ago
Cathedral of music. Acoustics is wonderful, the building is magnificent. The concerts are always world class. One of the best places there is for classical music. However, I found it very upsetting that the RAH is selling extremely restricted view tickets for a category A price ( seat 5 in the boxes at the rousing circle). Why? Because they can... And this is why I gave 4 stars and not 5.
Guy Avni - a week ago
The **Royal Albert Hall** is one of London's most iconic and prestigious concert venues, renowned for its stunning architecture and rich history. Located in **Kensington**, it was opened in **1871** and named in honor of **Prince Albert**, the consort of Queen Victoria, who envisioned the hall as a place for promoting the arts and culture.
The hall’s design is a striking example of **Victorian architecture**, with a massive, domed roof and a seating capacity of around 5,000. The building is famous for its **elliptical shape** and **acoustic excellence**, making it a popular venue for a wide variety of events, including **classical music concerts**, **rock and pop performances**, **ballet**, **opera**, **awards ceremonies**, and even **cinema screenings**.
One of the most famous events held at the Royal Albert Hall is the **BBC Proms**, an annual summer season of classical music concerts. The venue is also home to the **Royal College of Music** and has hosted numerous **world-class musicians**, **composers**, and **performers** over its long history.
Beyond music, the hall is a cultural landmark and a symbol of Britain's dedication to the arts. Visitors to the Royal Albert Hall can explore its rich history through guided tours or experience its stunning acoustics and atmosphere by attending a concert. It remains one of the most visited and beloved cultural venues in London.
Anthony M - 3 weeks ago
Directions
Tube Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
---|---|---|
District, Circle and Piccadilly Lines | South Kensington | 10 MInutes |
District and Circle Lines | High Street Kensington | 10 Minutes |
How to get to Royal Albert Hall by Tube
Royal Albert hall is about a 10 minute walk from either of the above tube stations.
From South Kensington Station exit onto Thurloe Place. and go right to Exhibition Road. Go left (north) on Exhibition Road, then left on Prince Consort Road, then right onto Kensington Gore. The Royal Albert Hall is straight ahead.
From Kensington High Street Station exit onto Kensington High Street and go right (east) until you get to the hall.
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Photo Gallery
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Inside the Royal Albert Hall during a BBC summer Proms concert cc licensed photo by amandabhslater -
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