We aim to make your visit to the Hall as comfortable as possible. Please use the tabs below to find out more about our services and facilities.
Layout & Seating
The Hall has many stepped entrances at Ground level. Ramped access is located at Doors 1, 3, 8, 9 and 12.
Public lifts are located at Doors 1 and 8 and serve all levels from Basement to Gallery. The Arena Foyer bars can be accessed via a platform lift from the Basement level at Door 1.
Building Overview
The Hall is a large building in the style of a Roman amphitheatre. The seating configuration may change for different performances and some areas may not be available for certain events. For a general guide to each floor, please refer to our Access Guide: download the Access Guide in PDF format or download the Access Guide in Word format.
Wheelchair Spaces
Fourteen wheelchair spaces with adjacent companion seats are situated in the Stalls at Ground floor level. We have a limited number of chairs that can be elevated which may be used by customers seated at the back of the Stalls platforms who are able to transfer from their wheelchair. If you are interested in this facility, please speak to a Steward on arrival.
There are also six wheelchair spaces in the Circle at sections P, R, V and X and four spaces within the unreserved standing area of the Gallery. Please note that due to the physical limitations of the circular shape of the auditorium, the spaces in the Circle are more suitable for customers with good upper body mobility.
Facilities
The Hall has a number of services and facilities available which can be requested and reserved in advance of your visit. These include a monthly programme guide in alternative formats, assisted hearing facilities, wheelchairs, a programme reading service and caring for assistance dogs. For further information on these services or to make a specific request, please use our Accessibility Request form.
Toilets
Unisex wheelchair accessible toilets are located on Ground, Arena Foyer, Grand Tier and Circle levels.
Telephone
A public telephone is located on the Ground floor near Door 4 and is fitted with an induction loop system which can be used by adjusting your hearing aid to the 'T' setting.
First Aid
Fully trained medical staff are available during all performances. Stewards are positioned throughout the Hall should you require assistance. The First Aid Room is located on the Ground floor opposite Door 11.
Food & Drink
All restaurants and bars are accessible to wheelchair users. Please be aware that the Cloudy Bay Wine Bar has high tables and stools so may be inappropriate for some guests with immobility. For more information, please visit our Food & Drink pages.
Parking & Transport
Ten free parking spaces are available adjacent to the Hall for disabled customers. This car park usually opens two hours before the start of an event and the entrance is located opposite Door 8 which has ramped access to the building. If you wish to reserve a parking space in this car park for disabled visitors, please phone the Box Office on 020 7070 4410.
General parking is also available at the Imperial College campus, which is approximately 5 minutes walk away. Entrances to this car park are located on Prince Consort Road (evenings only) and Exhibition Road (evenings and matinees). Spaces must be booked in advance. Please select your event in the What's On and Buy Tickets section of this website and then add parking to your booking.
Strict parking controls are in operation on all public roads around the Hall, so please read all parking signs very carefully. There are a number of bays on Exhibition Road and Kensington Gore that have been allocated solely for use by Blue Badge holders. Further information can be found on the Westminster Council website.
Arrival and Setting-down points
For arrival by car, taxi, minibus or Dial-a-Ride, the most convenient set-down point is at Door 1, which is at the rear of the building.
Public Transport
South Kensington and High Street Kensington are the closest underground stations to the Hall. It takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to walk from both stations.
Buses 9, 10, 52, 70, 360 and 452 all stop very close to the Hall. For further information about public transport links or to plan your journey, please visit www.tfl.gov.uk
Taxis
Black cabs can usually be hailed from Kensington Gore, outside the front of the building. Alternatively you could order a minicab to collect you, but please be aware that we are only able to give approximate timings for the end of each event.
Accessible Events
Events Guide
Our monthly Events Guide contains details about public performances at the Royal Albert Hall and is freely available inside the building. To request a copy of the guide in large print format or as an audio CD, please use our Accessibility Request form. Alternatively, download it here:
January/February 2015:
Download the large print calendar
Download audio guide calendar
Booking tickets
To help us provide you with the best possible service and to ensure the best choice of suitable seats, we advise you to book your tickets in advance. Please advise the Box Office of your access requirements when you book so that we can find you the most suitable seats and add your details to the Access List if you wish. Two tickets for the price of one are available for disabled people who require an assistant companion (limited availability). Accessible seating and car parking may be booked in person at the Box Office, located at Door 12*, or by phone on 020 7838 3110 between 9am and 9pm daily. To send an online ticket request, please first select your event in the What's On and Buy Tickets section of this website.
Audio Described Performances
Audio description captures the visual elements of theatre for blind and partially sighted customers. The description is delivered live through a headset by professional describers. Prior to an event, the Hall will post the programme notes to customers in audio format and large print programmes, and headsets are available on the day. Touch tours are occasionally scheduled alongside audio described performances. For details of forthcoming audio described performances, please check our Events Calendar.
Radio 3 commentary BBC Proms
Customers attending the BBC Proms (July – September) are welcome to listen to the live BBC Radio 3 broadcast whilst attending the concert. To request a free headset, please use our Accessibility Request form.
Large Print Programmes
The Royal Albert Hall encourages event promoters to produce large print programmes for visually impaired customers. Please submit your request at least 10 working days in advance of the performance that you will be attending. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that promoters will always offer this service. You can request a programme through our Accessibility Request form.
FAQ
Q. How do I book accessible seating and parking?
A. To make an accessible seating request, please first select your event in the What's On and Buy Tickets section of this website and then select the 'Buy accessible tickets' link. Alternatively, you can book in person at the Box Office which is located at Door 12 and is open daily from 9am to 9pm, or you can call the Box Office Access line on 020 7070 4410.
Q. What is the Access List and how do I join?
A. The Access List aims to offer disabled customers an easier and better service when booking tickets and attending performances. If you would like to join the Access List, please call the Access Line on 020 7070 4410 or download the postal application form.
Q. What is your discount policy for disabled customers?
A. The Hall has a limited number of free tickets for companions seated within our wheelchair accessible platforms. Some promoters have also extended this offer to other areas of the auditorium. Please ask the Box Office for further details.
Q. Where can disabled customers park?
A. Ten free parking spaces are available adjacent to the Hall for disabled customers. This car park usually opens two hours before the start of an event and the entrance is located opposite Door 8 which has ramped access to the building. If you wish to reserve a parking space in this car park for disabled visitors, please phone the Access line on 020 7070 4410. Strict parking controls are in operation on all public roads around the Hall. Further information on parking for blue badge holders is available from the Westminster City Council website.
Q. Are boxes accessible to wheelchair users?
A. Box doors on the Grand Tier are generally 66 cm wide but some have widths up to 140 cm, so wheelchair users can generally access the back row of the box. Boxes on Loggia and Second Tier are not wheelchair accessible.
Q. Where are your accessible toilets located?
A. Unisex wheelchair accessible toilets are located on Ground, Arena Foyer, Grand Tier and Circle levels. Please see the above maps for exact locations.
Q. I am arriving by taxi. Where is the best point to be dropped off?
A. For arrival by car, taxi, minibus or Dial-a-Ride, the most convenient set-down point is at Door 1, which is at the rear of the building.
Q. Where are your lifts located?
A. Public lifts are located at Doors 1 and 8 and serve all levels from Basement to Gallery. The Arena Foyer bars can be accessed via a platform lift from the Basement level at Door 1.
Q. Do you have hearing enhancement facilities?
A. The auditorium has an infra-red system with a number of personal headsets for use with or without hearing aids. To reserve a headset, please use our Accessibility Request form.