The Royal Albert Hall, London. Charges apply. Box office open daily 9am to 9pm. Other times for events.
Details
Accessibility:
The Royal Albert Hall has tried to make the building and performances accessible to everyone. Certain services and facilities can be booked in advance, including wheelchairs, audio descriptions, a programme reading service and caring for assistance dogs.
Ramped access at doors 1, 3, 8, 9 & 12. Accessible toilets. Lifts to all levels near doors 1 and 8. All restaurants and bars are accessible.
They have a very comprehensive access guide on their website including venue plan, please see:. https://www.royalalberthall.com/your-visit/accessibility/
There are only a very few on-street blue badge disability parking spaces near the Hall. Two Blue badge parking bays exist to the West of the Hall on Kensington Gore near to the former Royal College of Organists building with a pre-paid maximum 4 hour stay (please see our photographs).
Ten accessible parking spaces in the West Car Park for customers attending events in the main auditorium. For some events these spaces are unavailable. The entrance is located outside Door 8, (west side facing Kensington Gardens) which has ramped access to the building. Spaces must be booked in advance. Telephone:020 7070 4410.
Parking available at Imperial College car park about 5 min walk, not available for weekday matinees, for more information see: https://www.royalalberthall.com/your-visit/getting-here/parking/
There are two NCP car parks nearby: https://www.ncp.co.uk/parking-solutions/leisure-parking/royal-albert-hall-parking
Brief Description:
Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone for The Royal Albert Hall on 20th May 1867. She wished it to be named after Prince Albert who died in 1861. It was officially opened in 1871.
The building was designed by architect Major-General Scott of the Royal Engineers in the style of a Roman Amphitheatre, it has a huge (20,000sq ft) domed, glazed iron framed roof and an 800ft frieze mosaic encircling the building. See their website for the wording around the top of the frieze: https://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/our-history/explore-our-history/building/mosaic-frieze/ and for more about the building: https://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/our-history/explore-our-history/building/
The Royal Choral Society was founded here and they held their first concert in 1872. They have performed Handel's Messiah on every Good Friday since 1878. Possibly the Hall is best known for 'The BBC Proms' which has been held here since 1941. https://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/2015/july/12-july-1941-the-first-ever-prom-at-the-royal-albert-hall/
The Hall primarily hosts concerts, musical events and shows but is also used for exhibitions, talks and conferences, corporate events and private functions. It can seat over 5000 people. Apart from the main auditorium, various rooms and the gallery overlooking the auditorium can be privately hired. Guided tours available for individuals and groups.
To see 'what's on' https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/
For a comprehensive and interesting history of The Royal Albert Hall see:
https://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/our-history/
Address:
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
Email:
Contact form on their website: https://www.royalalberthall.com/your-visit/contact-us/
Telephone:
General Enquiries: 020 7589 3203
Box office: 020 7589 8212
Website:
https://www.royalalberthall.com/
Opening Times:
Box office opens at 9am to 9pm at Door 12.
Tours start at 9.30am.
Other times depending on event
Admission:
Free. Charges apply for shows and events.
Directions:
Situated in Kensington, on the south side of Kensington Gardens opposite the Albert Memorial. Surrounded by Imperial College, Royal College of Art and Royal College of Music. OS TQ 265 796
Transport:
The London Congestion Charge Zone ( https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge/congestion-charge-zone) runs from Monday to Friday and motorists have ample signage to alert them to the entry points; only vehicles that are registered by the DVLA as ‘Disabled Tax-Exempt’ are NOT liable to the Charge. Disabled Tax-Exempt drivers can also use the Dartford Crossing without charge, which is a river crossing to the east of London which links the north and south of the M25 orbital motorway. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) automatically identifies the registration number plate of these vehicles so that their owners do not need to take any additional action.
The Royal Albert Hall is outside the Congestion Zone area but If travelling by car, for specific directions it is best to use a satnav, but please be aware that the route may take you in and out of the Central London Congestion Charge zone. It is best to approach Central London using the excellent public transport.
For their guide on public transport see: https://www.royalalberthall.com/your-visit/getting-here/ and Westminster City Council: https://www.westminster.gov.uk/visitor-parking
Nearest Stations:
Underground: High Street Kensington: Circle and District line, about 10 min walk.
Overground: Victoria and Paddington both about 30 min walk both have tube and bus connections.
Buses stop outside.
For more information on buses, trains, tube, cycle hire, airports and river traffic please contact Transport For London on 0343 222 1234 (Textphone 0800 112 3456). For further details on accessible services please see the website: https://tfl.gov.uk/
Amenities:
A variety of restaurants and bars on site. The majority are open two hours before a performance. Verdi - Italian Kitchen is open to non-ticket holders and has free live music on certain days. Box ticket holders can order food to be delivered to their box.
https://www.royalalberthall.com/your-visit/food-and-drink/
Gift shop open 9am to 9pm. Show related merchandise on sale.
Travel Information
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
NB London ULTRA-LOW EMISSION ZONE
This started on 8 April 2019 in the Central London Congestion Charge Zone, and will extend to the whole of the London area within the
M25 Motorway from 25 October 2021.
For more details please see:
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle-35896
Vehicles registered with a 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicles' tax class will benefit from a grace period after the ULEZ starts until 26 October 2025 as long as their vehicle doesn't change tax class, and this also applies to a 'disabled' vehicle registered outside the UK.
Location
Nearest Venues
Prince Albert Memorial, Kensington, London
126 metres*
Royal College of Music, Kensington, London
169 metres*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.