The Royal Albert Hall - London - Places of Interest

The Royal Albert Hall is one of the most recognisable music venues in Britain. Located in Kensington Gore on the south side of Hyde Park,opposite the Albert Memorial, it opened in 1871 and is generally known as a classical music venue but just about every kind of music has been played there and also a lot of non-music events have taken place inside.

It was built in honour of Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert and the design gives the feel of a Roman amphitheatre and can hold around 8,000 people. The hall is oval shaped inside and measures 83m x 72m. The building is Grade 1 listed, meaning its of exceptional interest and any work carried out must be done under strict conditions.

The most famous annual event to take place in the Albert Hall are the Proms or the Sir Henry Wood Promenade Concerts which are classical music concerts that happen over a number of weeks in the summer, which include the famous Last Night of the Proms when the audience wrap themselves in the Union Jack, release loads of ballons and sing patriotic songs like Land of Hope and Glory.

It’s not just classical music that takes place there though, the only time The Beatles and the Rolling Stones shared a bill was at the Albert Hall in 1963, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan have played there, Cream’s farewell gig was also there. Major rock acts will regularly play at the Albert Hall and it holds comedy shows, tennis tournaments and even circus events.

You can take a tour of the Royal Albert Hall from 10am -3.30pm Fri-Tues. Tickets cost £6 and are conducted in English, the tour lasts for about 45 minutes and departs from inside the South Porch at door 12.