Royal Opera House Tours

There are frequent tours of the Royal Opera House which take in all aspects of the Opera House and the community in which it sits. Check here for a list of what's on, bearing in mind that timings and what you can see very much depends on what is currently showing at the Opera house. All tours meet on the ground floor near the “Royal Opera House Café” with headphones provided with wireless devices so you can hear the guide regardless of how far you are away from them and even if they talk quietly.

The “ROH Tour” is described as “Explore our stunning building, learn about its colourful history and what it takes to stage a production in one of the world’s leading theatres” (see here for further details). The tour is approximately an hour (the web site says 1 hour and 15 minutes but in reality, much of this is getting people organized before and after the tour) and takes in all public areas of the building. So, if you want to see the backstage, you won't on this tour though you may be allowed inside the auditorium (based on whether it is being used or not) though you will not be allowed to take pictures there.

The tour starts at the main entrance of the auditorium with a visit to the “Stalls Gallery” where original set designs can be seen along with posters and pictures from ROH history.

Next, the tour goes up a grand staircase to the “Crush Room” restaurant (above the main entrance) and it's small “Dorfman Conservatory” bar.

Next, the tour takes in the beautiful “Floral Hall” with it's new central “Paul Hamlyn Hall” bar and light-meal restaurant. The tour guide pointed out the former police station through the glass on the opposite side of the street.

Most people are not aware that most restaurants and bars are open to the public throughout the week though some such as the “Crush Room” and “Paul Hamlyn Hall” serve food only during performances so are accessible only to ticket holders.

Up the large escalator running along side the “Floral Hall” (between it and the private practice halls) there is the “Balconies Restaurant” and bar area with a terrace that overlooks Covent Garden.

The tour ends with a visit to the upper circle (if allowed) and a talk on the costumes used by the performers, including having a close-up view.