Royal Festival Hall at Southbank

The Royal Festival Hall is more than just a great performing arts venue, it is also a popular place to just hang out and enjoy the view and other amenities that are on site

The Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank
The Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank cc licensed photo by garryknight

The Royal Festival Hall was opened in 1951 at Southbank Centre in conjunction with the Festival of Britain. The Royal Festival Hall is both a popular gathering place a leading entertainment venue with modernist architectural styling consisting of a 2900 seat auditorium, the Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre Shop, several restaurants and the Siason Poetry Library.

Entrance to Southbank Centre and all the buildings is free, so you can explore the venue and its many amenities without charge. There is usually a lot of stuff happening here, both inside and out, as this is a popular gathering spot and home to some popular festivals too. Of course there is a charge to attend certain events inside the venues which include concerts, dances and talks. The centre is open daily from 10am until 11pm. The hall is the regular home to the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Royal Festival Hall was reopened in 2007 after being closed for extensive renovations which took 2 years to complete. The hall now benefits from a cutting-edge stage, behind the scenes areas and equipage while retaining several of the original features. It is now licensed for weddings and also hosts conferences and graduation ceremonies.

For more information about the Royal Festival Hall as well as shows and schedules visit their official website link below.

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: No except for concerts and events.

Royal Festival Hall Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Address: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX, UK

Phone: 020 3879 9555

Official Website: Royal Festival Hall

Royal Festival Hall Reviews

Rated 4.6 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating Had been at Royal Festival Hall to attend my daughter's Convocation . The magnificence and the ambience were captivating. All the staffs were so attentive and caring that it made us feel so welcome & comfortable.
Amaresh Raman - a week ago

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5 Star Rating First time at the Royal Festival Hall, and we found it an amazing venue. Very modern and a beautiful open space. We attended Ara Malikian concert and it was an excellent too.
Elena Marco - in the last week

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4 Star Rating Went here as P&O guests for the 2024 BAFTA Awards ceremony. Venue has pluses and minutes. Lots of steps and lifts not operational did not help. Nice outdoor spaces (used for the red carpet and photos). We were in the balcony that offered a good view of the proceedings but the screens need to be bigger. The seats were comfortable but the access steps without handrails are not for the fainthearted. The skylon were exceptional but the security and ushers need more customer skills. We had a warm welcome when entering the Sylon Restaurant. It has lots of vantage points, seating, drinks stations and wonderful food. A good not great venue.
Gov Mandora - 4 months ago

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5 Star Rating The Royal Festival Hall is a landmark concert hall in London, offering a superb experience for music lovers. The iconic Grade I listed building boasts excellent acoustics and comfortable seating, ensuring an immersive experience for any performance. The venue presents a wide range of classical, contemporary, and world music concerts by renowned artists and orchestras. While undergoing refurbishment, the Southbank Centre complex where it's located offers a variety of restaurants and bars, making it a great destination for a night out. The staff is si lovely and professional. I love this place
Hatim Zriouil - 3 months ago

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Directions

Tube Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Northern, Bakerloo and Jubilee LinesWaterloo Station5 Minutes
Circle and District LinesEmbankment Station5 Minutes

How to get to Royal Festival Hall by Tube

The Royal Festival hall is just northwest of the main exit from Waterloo Station. Exit onto Waterloo Road and go to you left (north). Stay left at the BFI Imax Theatre and bear left again onto Concert Hall Approach.

From Embankment Station on the Northbank simply walk across the Hungerford bridge. The hall is on the far side of the bridge to your right.

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