Royal Opera House

What is it?

The Royal Opera House is secure in its status as one of the world's great opera houses, pulling in crowds and plaudits each evening. It benefited from a massively ambitious 1999 refurb, which extended and opened out its premises to include the restored Floral Hall (an elegant Victorian iron and glass structure) and a new studio space, the Linbury. Subsequent updates have turned the front of house areas around its massive auditorium into gleaming white, luxurious restaurants and bars where opera buffs and balletomanes alike can scoff a cucumber sandwich or two. 

There's been a theatre on the ROH's current site since 1728, when audiences flocked to Covent Garden to hear new works by Handel. The current Royal Opera House is its third incarnation; it opened in 1858, with an imposing Neoclassical facade that mimicked the design of its predecessors. Its horseshoe-shaped, 2,256-seater auditorium is one of the West End's largest, and offers a traditional, imposing setting for both operas and ballet spectacles (although the sightlines from the cheap gallery seats might leave you admiring the dancers' legs and not much more).

Why go?

The venue truly is one of London’s most dazzling: it is a Grade-I-listed building, with beautiful modern additions. And, if you want to see a world class production of an opera or ballet, there's no better place to do it than the ROH. 

As well as housing The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, the ROH regularly invites visiting companies such as The Bolshoi. Meanwhile the venue’s smaller spaces offer a sporadic line-up of experimental and independent dance and music works.

Don't miss:

The behind-the-scenes tour that gives ticket holders access to areas that are normally off limits to the public. You'll see inside workshop spaces and costume cupboards. And, who knows? You might even get to see a rehearsal in action.

When to visit:

The ROH is open from 12pm-10pm every day except Sunday when it shuts at 6pm.

Ticket info:

Ticket prices for events vary and are available from the Royal Opera House website.

Time Out tip:

If you're an opera or ballet fan between the age of 16-25, we'd encourage you to sign up to the ROH's Young RBO Scheme. You'll get £30 tickets to shows on the main stage, invitations to exclusive events and even get access to the Royal Ballet and Opera Stream where you can watch over 100 productions for free. What's not to like?