Royal Festival Hall at Southbank

Very friendly staff, clean and very well kept. Over priced drinks, snacks and food. To be expected. If you’ve never been before it’s a bit confusing to find the right entrance. The ticket shows you the row letter but that doesn’t necessarily correspond to the right door. The auditorium itself is fairly cramped. Be prepared to get up to let people into their seats. If there were an emergency I would be surprised if it didn’t end up in a stampede crushing people. The place isn’t built to let out the large number of people it’s made to seat. If you have tall people in front of you, be prepared to compromise on view. Facilities in and around are outstanding.
Patrick Klaeren - a month ago

Beautiful hall with seats that are slightly more comfortable that the average theatre seats. Leg room isn't great for those that are taller though. We were sat in the balcony area J which is located on the 6th floor and we saw everything perfectly on the big screen and the orchestra area. It was exceptionally clean throughout the areas and ample toilets on most floor that cater for men, women and inclusive bathrooms. They also have a couple of cafes/restaurants on the ground floor and a couple of floors above that do hot drinks, cakes, sandwiches etc. Not bad pricing for London. 2 coffees and 2 brownies cost just over £16.
Sam Patterson - 3 weeks ago

I went there for a graduation service. It was stunning. We had a great view from row F. It was a little tight but we managed. The views of outside from floor 4 were stunning. The decor was impressive. We had tea and cake, it was a bit pricey but you don't go every day. The South Bank is my hot spot in London. I'll be back in the summer!
Christine Kwakwa - 3 months ago

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 - a month ago

A grand old place, but rather concrete. That said, alot is done, not to hide it, but blend it in. The decor inside and out is all vibrant and invigorating. It sits beautifully on the Thames in the South Bank area with lovely view ls all round. There are 6 levels, but some are kind of mezzanine. It has a few bars, lots of toilets, and lifts. The whole place is well laid out and fairly easily accessible, but can be awkward in a wheelchair to get from one side to another on certain floors. That said the staff are great and so helpful. The lift with a view to outside also makes a noise which turns out to be a song as you listen and then arrive on your floor so it rather entertaining. The building seems so look it between a blue side and a green side. This is because it is so big and so helps visitors find their way around easier. The hall itself is very big with great acoustics, but you really would hope for that in a place called the Festival Hall:) Nearest train station is Waterloo which is right across the road from it (you need to come out the main entrance, cross the road and go through the passage underneath the rail bridge... Then you are there. As you do that, if you need wheelchair access, look for the lift which is on the left side of the building as you look at it. Nearest tubes are Waterloo, Westminster and Embankment (if you arrive at Victoria). The London Eye and London Aquarium are right by it. The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the Mall leading to Trafalgar Square are just across the bridge. Enjoy
Chris Who - 5 months ago