What you should know before visiting the Royal Festival Hall

One of London’s top concert venues, the Royal Festival Hall is well-known for its superb orchestral and classical performances. Situated in one of the liveliest parts of the city, the Southbank Centre complex on the south bank of the Thames, is home to the Grade I listed hall. Before or after shows, patrons can visit the complex’s many eateries and stores. The hall is well-known for its 7,866-pipe organ, which was constructed in Durham by Harrison & Harrison between 1950 and 1954. It was fully repaired in 2014 after deteriorating in the 2000s.

History

In 1951, the Royal Festival Hall was constructed to commemorate the nation’s post-World War II recovery. The pavilion was constructed as a focal point for cultural and artistic events as part of the Festival of Britain. At first, the Greater London Council and the London County Council were in charge of running it. It evolved into a stand-alone arts group after a few years. To improve its functionality and safety, the structure received significant repairs in 1964 and 2005.

Notable productions

The Royal Festival Hall https://znaki.fm/places/royal-festival-hall/
is renowned for its classical orchestral performances. The London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Chineke! and Aurora are resident orchestras at the Royal Festival Hall. In addition to musical performances, the Royal Festival Hall also hosts literary events, lectures, debates, and visual arts exhibitions. Notable performances include Verdi’s Requiem conducted by Santtu, The Multi-Storey Orchestra: Too Deep, and The Cinematic Orchestra.

Accessibility

Those wishing to avoid stairs are advised to use the Southbank Centre doors to access the Royal Festival Hall from Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road, which branches off Belvedere Road. There is a lift here.

There are specially designated parking spaces marked in blue on Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road and in the National Theatre car park.

Wheelchairs: There are also designated wheelchair spaces in the auditorium. Please inform the auditorium of your needs in advance. There are handrails in the room to help you get to your seat. Guide dogs are allowed in the room.

Due to these rules

Before visiting the Royal Festival Hall, you should familiarize yourself with and adhere to the following rules:

  • Cashless lounge: the lounge operates on a card-only basis and does not accept cash.
  • Food and beverage policy: Food and non-alcoholic beverages brought from outside are permitted in the lobby. However, alcoholic beverages may only be purchased in the lounge and may not be brought in from outside.
  • Accessibility needs: Visitors who require assistance are advised to notify the theater in advance of their needs, including the need for an assistance dog.
  • Recommended dress code: There is no official dress code at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Smart casual attire is recommended.
  • Rules for recording: Photography, recording, and the use of mobile phones in the theater are prohibited.
  • Smoking: Smoking or using electronic cigarettes is prohibited indoors.
  • Children: Infants and children under the age of seven are not permitted to attend certain classical music concerts.