Royal Opera House

The Basics

Anyone wandering Covent Garden can admire the classical-style pillared facade of the opera house. The exterior can also be seen in passing on sightseeing tours of central London, both on bike and on foot.

To explore the interior of the ROH, travelers have two options. Book a ticket to a performance in the 2,256-seat auditorium or join a guided tour. Backstage tours last 75 minutes and showcase front of house as well as behind the scenes; participants may even get to see Royal Ballet dancers in class. The 45-minute Velvet, Gilt, and Glamour tour focuses on the architecture and history of the theater.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The ROH is a must-see for culture vultures.

• No dress code is enforced, so wear whatever is comfortable.

• Avoid bringing large bags to the venue as security restrictions apply.

• The opera house has two bars and three restaurants, including a champagne bar and restaurant in the spectacular glass-vaulted Paul Hamlyn Hall (formerly Floral Hall).

• The ROH is wheelchair accessible, and 19 spaces are available for wheelchair users in the main auditorium.

How to Get There

The ROH is situated on Bow Street in central London and is best accessed by public transport. Take the Piccadilly tube line to Covent Garden station, or one of many city buses that stop at the nearby Aldwych Theatre.

When to Get There

Tours are very popular so book well in advance to ensure a spot. Performance ticket holders should arrive about 30 minutes before curtain; latecomers are not permitted to enter until a suitable break in the performance.

The History of London’s Royal Opera House

Fires destroyed the original ROH and its replacement in the 19th century. Though today’s facade, foyer, and auditorium date from 1858, much of the rest of the complex is the result of an extensive reconstruction project that took place in the late 1990s. A claim to fame of the opera house: In 1839, it became the first indoor theater in the world to use limelight, a kind of spotlight created by adding lime to a flame produced by an oxyhydrogen blowpipe, creating a very bright white light.

Ways to explore

Anyone wandering through Covent Garden can stop to admire the classical-style pillared facade of the Royal Opera House. The exterior can also be seen in passing during sightseeing tours of central London, whether by bike or on foot.

To explore the interior of the ROH, you can book a ticket to a performance or join a guided tour. Backstage tours last 75 minutes and showcase both the front of house and behind-the-scenes areas; participants may even get to see Royal Ballet dancers in rehearsal. Many other themed tours are available, including tours focused on the Main Stage, costume design, or the building’s architecture—check its online calendar for what’s on.

Accessibility

The Royal Opera House is wheelchair accessible, with step-free access via the Piazza entrance or the Bow Street entrance. Accessible performances are available, including relaxed performances, sensory-adapted performances, and assisted listening performances with closed captions and British Sign Language.

Age limits

Children must be aged 5 years or above for most performances. However, some shows aimed at younger children are hosted throughout the year. The ROH also hosts many family-friendly events without age limits.

What to pack

Credit or debit card (the facility is cashless), water bottle, phone to show your e-ticket (download in advance)

What to wear

There are no requirements—save for wearing shoes and arriving fully clothed—although many attendees dress up for performances.

Not allowed

Audio or video recording, luggage, strollers, e-scooters, glass bottles, use of phones during performances, outside food and drink

Amenities

Restrooms, cloakrooms, water refill stations, ice cream stands, restaurants, bars, café, gift shop

Address

The Royal Opera House is within central London’s Covent Garden, and is close to many of the city’s most famous landmarks and museums. It’s easy to reach via public transport, whether by tube or bus.

Driving

Driving in central London isn’t advised, as not only are the roads very busy, but you’ll need to pay the Congestion Charge and, potentially, the ULEZ charge, too. If you must drive, you can find parking garages at Drury Lane and Shelton Street.

Public transportation

A number of tube stations are within easy walking distance: Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Holborn, and Tottenham Court Road. Multiple bus routes also serve the area, including the 9, 15, 26, 59, and 188.

Best times to visit

You can take your seats for a show from 30 minutes ahead of the start time, but it’s worth arriving earlier to admire the building’s interior or grab a drink at the rooftop bar. You can also book pre-show dinners at its restaurants.

Best days to visit

The best day to visit depends on whether you’d like to see a show—availability is often best on weekdays, but many performances sell out. The venue is open daily from 12pm.

Best months to visit

The Royal Opera House hosts performances year-round, so visit whenever suits your itinerary, and you can secure tickets for a show or tour.

Special events

The Royal Opera House offers many special programs for children, including Family Sundays and kid-friendly performances.