Last Updated on 21 June, 2023
If you a concertgoer or lover of classical music, you will no doubt know about the Royal Albert Hall. But, how much do you really know about this historical venue?
You think you know all about the Royal Albert Hall? Do you know any of these cool facts about the Royal Albert Hall. From concerts held at the hall to when and why it was built and who has performed here and more
If you are visiting Kensington and Chelsea, this is among the most beautiful places to visit in Kensington.
When Was The Royal Albert Hall built?
The Royal Albert Hall was built in 1871 as a concert venue, theater, and sports arena. The venue is still used for all these functions today. It has hosted many famous performers and events, including Michael Jackson’s memorial service in 2009.
The hall was designed by Henry Young, Darracott Scott, and Francis Fowke. It was designed by two civil engineers, Francis Fowke and Henry Y.D. Scott of the Royal Engineers, and built by the Lucas Brothers. The amphitheaters of Ancient Rome influenced the designers.
Artists Who Have Performed at Royal Albert
The Royal Albert Hall has been a host to many famous performers over the years, namely,
- Classical musicians such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Yehudi Menuhin, and Vladimir Ashkenazy
- Jazz artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, and Billie Holiday
- Pop groups like The Beatles
- Rock bands like Jimi Hendrix
- Punk bands like Sex Pistols
- Folk singers like Bob Dylan
- Classical dancers like Mikhail Baryshnikov
- Comedians like Peter Sellers
- Movie stars like Elizabeth Taylor
- Sports stars like Muhammad Ali and Serena Williams
- Television celebrities such as Paul McCartney’s wife Heather Mills (who married him at the venue)
- Royal figures such as Prince Charles’ children, Prince William.
Royal Albert Hall Size and Capacity
It is a concert hall in London, England, hosting many events yearly and has been home to the Proms since 1941. The Royal Albert Hall is located on Kensington Gore, near the South Kensington underground station.
It is situated on a site once occupied by a farm called Hyde Farm. The name Hyde Farm was later changed to Kensington Gore.
The Hall’s capacity is 7,272 seats when the stage is set up for opera and ballet performances. When it is set up for concerts, the capacity can be 8,000 people. The largest concert ever held at the hall was attended by over 10,000 people.
Royal Albert Hall Architect
The architect of the Royal Albert Hall was Captain Francis Fowke and Major-General Henry Y. D. Scott. The building, located in Kensington and Chelsea, London, was designed by the architecture firm Royal Engineers, who won a competition to design it.
The original design called for a concert hall that could accommodate 5,000 people, but plans were changed, and the new incarnation had a capacity of 10,000.
The project began in 1867 and took four years to complete. It had an estimated cost of £200,000 to build. Today, it hosts concerts, operas, ballet performances, plays, and other events.
Royal Albert Hall Events
The Royal Albert Hall can host any event imaginable, including concerts, conferences, and gala dinners. It is also used for sporting events such as boxing and wrestling matches.
The venue has an impressive history – it was built by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert after she gave him the land as a wedding gift. He wanted to create a place where people could gather for lectures or performances to help them learn about science and culture.
Royal Albert Hall has been used for many notable performances, from Madonna’s debut concert to Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th birthday celebration performance by Elton John and David Bowie (both of whom were knighted for their contribution to music).
Other Notable events at Royal Albert Hall include:
- The first public meeting of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) was held here in 1884.
- In 1925, it was the venue for a meeting between Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin and King George V regarding the abdication crisis.
- On May 31, 1940, Winston Churchill addressed crowds at a fundraising event for the Ministry of Information and Home Security in what became known as “The Battle of Britain Speech.”
Things To Do Near The Royal Albert Hall
There are various things to do near the Royal Albert Hall, making your trip memorable, from festivals to shows.
- Grab A Pint At A Pub Nearby
There are many pubs near Royal Albert Hall. If you are seeing a show, there are plenty of pubs and restaurants to dine and grab a pin during intermission or even before and after the show.
- Visit the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of London’s most famous museums and is right next to Hyde Park. You can visit the museum on your own or participate in one of the guided tours they offer.
The museum exhibits over 70 million specimens, including plants and animals worldwide. You can also see fossils, minerals, and meteorites at this museum. If you want to learn more about natural history, you should visit this museum during your trip to London!
- Visit the Science Museum
The Science Museum is another great place for nature enthusiasts who want to learn more about animals and plants worldwide. This museum offers many exhibits that focus on technology and science!
There are also interactive displays where you can learn things like wind power machines or how electricity works through static electricity generators! You’ll have fun exploring all these areas while learning something new along the way!
- Walk around Hyde Park
The Royal Albert Hall is next to Hyde Park, one of London’s largest parks. This beautiful area has plenty of green space and scenic views, making it difficult for you to tear yourself away from them! You can also walk around Kensington Gardens, another beautiful park nearby.
- Visit Buckingham Palace
While there aren’t any tours available at Buckingham Palace anymore (they stopped them because they didn’t want tourists crowding around), it’s still worth stopping by to see this famous landmark up close!
It is located across from Hyde Park on Constitution Hill Road – follow signs for The Mall until you see it! You can also walk through St. James.
- Guided Tours in Royal Albert Hall
Guided tours of Royal Albert Hall are available for visitors to London. The tour lasts about an hour and takes you through the auditorium, halls, and backstage rooms.
You’ll learn about the history of a building and hear stories from the current staff members. You can also visit the box office and gift shop during your visit.
Getting to the Albert Hall / Nearest Tube to Royal Albert Hall
The nearest tube station to the Royal Albert Hall is Kensington. It’s a short walk from the station to the venue, so you won’t need to transfer lines. You can use the Circle, District, and Hammersmith & City lines to get there if you’re coming from further away.
Address
The Royal Albert Hall is located at Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP.
Also see:
- Best Restaurants Near Royal Albert Hall
- Top Italian Restaurants Near Royal Albert Hall
- The Coolest Pubs Near Royal Albert Hall
- 12 Best Bars Near Royal Albert Hall