Royal Albert Hall

Overview

The Royal Albert Hall is an iconic, beautifully circular concert venue sitting majestically in South Kensington. It is recognized globally as the prestigious home of the BBC Proms.

Highlights

• The Auditorium: The breathtakingly massive, cavernous red-and-gold circular auditorium featuring the famous acoustic "mushrooms" suspended from the ceiling.
• The Exterior Frieze: A detailed, intricate continuous terracotta mosaic frieze wrapping around the building's exterior, celebrating the advancement of arts and sciences.
• The Grand Organ: The massive Henry Willis organ dominating the rear of the stage, containing exactly 9,999 polished pipes.

History

Officially opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, it was built as a memorial to her beloved husband, Prince Albert, fulfilling his vision of a grand central hall to aggressively promote the arts and sciences.

Visitor Tips

• Tours: If you cannot attend a performance, book the excellent daytime Grand Tour to see the Queen's private box and retiring rooms.
• The Proms: If visiting during the summer, queue early for a cheap "Promming" ticket, allowing you to stand right in the central arena.
• Duration: 1 hour for a tour; 2–3 hours for a concert.