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 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: Closed
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 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 out of 5
I went to a friend’s graduation ceremony here and it was a really great experience. The space is beautiful, well organized, and has an amazing atmosphere for special events. One of the highlights is the view — you can see the Big Ben and the London Eye, which makes the whole moment even more memorable. A fantastic venue in an iconic location.
Maria Paulino - a month ago
We visited Royal Festival Hall to watch Bluey’s Big Play, and it was a lovely experience for both kids and adults.
The venue is spacious, well organised, and very child-friendly. Staff were helpful, and everything felt smooth despite it being busy.
The show itself was fantastic — colourful, engaging, and perfectly paced for young children. My kids were completely mesmerised and so excited to see Bluey and Bingo on stage. Their smiles said it all 💙
A great family outing in a brilliant location. We’ll definitely return for more shows in the future.
Ms Chhetri - 2 months ago
I had an absolutely enchanting evening at the Royal Festival Hall at South Bank! The blend of culture, architecture, and food is simply unbeatable. First off, the Hall itself is stunning — grand yet welcoming, an atmosphere that’s both elegant and alive.
The food market has a veritable feast of flavours with vibrant street food stalls to artisanal treats, every bite was a delight. Whether you want something quick and fresh or craving something more indulgent, there’s a stall for it. The aromas, the colours, the buzz — it all adds such a lively contrast to the refined ambiance of the Hall.
Smita Patel - 5 months ago
What a great venue. Great staff, nice terrace bar for a drink before hand, and awesome acoustics in the venue itself.
Booked the cheapest seat and still had a great view and great sound.
Ed Lock - a month ago
Adekunle Gold and his London Phil. orchestra performed to a packed house!
Such a fun evening, and my first time seeing Gold. I like the RFH, and was curious to see the fusion of Nigerian 'Fuji' music and AfroBeat sounds from multiple albums played with classical instruments.
Even nicer, his daughter introduced him to the stage.
It was the perfect Sunday evening outing... 🎶 🎤 🎻 🎹
Bella Central - 3 months ago
Directions
| Tube Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Northern, Bakerloo and Jubilee Lines | Waterloo Station | 5 Minutes |
| Circle and District Lines | Embankment Station | 5 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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Photo Gallery
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Concert inside the Royal Festival Hall cc licensed photo by Ezhar/Ingmar
