The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden is one of the world's leading opera and ballet houses, home to both The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet. Behind its grand 1850s portico lies a sumptuous Victorian auditorium and, beyond it, the airy glass-roofed Paul Hamlyn Hall, a public space that anyone can wander into.
Why visit
Even if you are not seeing a performance, the building rewards a look: the soaring glass foyer, the terrace overlooking the Covent Garden piazza, and the sense of stepping into a great cultural institution. For a night out it offers world-class opera and ballet in a setting to match.
What to see and do
Performances run through most of the year, with daytime tours of the building and backstage areas available. The light-filled foyer and its cafe and terrace are open during the day for a coffee with a view over the piazza.
Visiting tips
Tickets span a wide range, with cheaper seats and day tickets often available; book well ahead for popular productions. Covent Garden Tube is steps away, alongside the London Transport Museum.
