London's Beloved Iconic Building - Royal Albert Hall

When it comes to important performance venues in London, one cannot fail to mention the Royal Albert Hall. Famous singers and musicians such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Adele, Sa Dingding, Tan Jing, Lang Lang have held concerts or performances here. The annual Proms (BBC Proms) also make this hall highly prominent. Today, The London Pass will take you to visit this renowned London music venue.

In 1851, Prince Albert held the first Great Exhibition, showcasing the development and progress of culture and industry to the world for the first time. With the success of the exhibition, the Prince proposed establishing a permanent exhibition facility in London. On March 29, 1871, the Royal Albert Hall, designed by Captain Francis Fowke and Major General Henry Scott (Royal Engineers), and built by the Lucas Brothers, officially opened.

The design of the hall combines the architectural techniques of ancient amphitheaters and the V&A Museum. At the top of the building is a circular Mosaic Frieze, 800 feet long and covering an area of 5,200 square feet. The dark brown background with beige human figures records the contributions of various countries in art and science. Viewed counterclockwise from the north, the frieze depicts 16 themes including Music, Sculpture, Painting, Eminent Artists and Royalty, Agriculture, Astronomy, etc.

Since its opening, the hall has undergone countless renovations. The acoustic effects inside have been improved, and the building area has been continuously expanded. The auditorium, in terms of architectural features, artistic style, and lighting decoration, gives people a breathtaking feeling, deserving its status as one of the most famous stages in the world.

When visiting this magnificent building, you can check out the Royal Suite, get a glimpse of how luxurious and comfortable the Queen's private box is, and learn little-known historical stories about the hall from knowledgeable guides.

In addition to the Mosaic Frieze and the auditorium, the giant glass dome of the Royal Albert Hall is also very striking. Covering an area of over 20,000 square feet, this dome was the largest unsupported dome in the world at that time. During World War I and World War II, it was used by pilots as a landmark for orientation over London.

In 1871, the year the hall opened, only 36 performances were staged. Now, as it celebrates its 150th anniversary, the hall holds nearly 400 events each year. Many concerts by famous musicians, film premieres, and university graduation ceremonies are held at the Royal Albert Hall.

Address: Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP

Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday 10:30am - 4pm

Tickets: £15, free entry with The London Pass