Queen Elizabeth Hall

The Queen Elizabeth Hall, opened in 1967 as part of the Southbank Centre, is a modernist concert hall renowned for its distinctive brutalist architecture and intimate atmosphere. A Grade II* listed building, it is celebrated for its architectural significance and excellent acoustics. It hosts a diverse programme of classical, contemporary, and popular music, alongside dance and spoken word events.

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Seating

Front Stalls

You're right in the thick of it in the Front Stalls, the lower half of the auditorium, spanning 11 rows from A to L (omitting I). Divided into left, centre, and right by two vertical walkways, these seats offer an intimate, close-quarters experience, rising on a gentle slope from stage level.

The relatively low stage lip puts you right in the action from the front. The absolute sweet spot?

Centre seats 14 to 26 in Rows C through G, offering an ideal balance of acoustic clarity and eye-level visuals without neck strain. A word of caution for Rows A and B: the very front edge of the stage platform can slightly obscure the floor level.

This won't impact musical concerts, but may cause minor lower-body sightline restrictions for contemporary dance or physical theatre.

Rear Stalls

Just behind the main cross-aisle, the Rear Stalls span from Row AA to RR, built on a steep, stadium-style rake. This dramatic rise ensures you'll effortlessly see over the heads of the audience ahead.

For a superb, panoramic, and slightly elevated view—ideal for appreciating complex choreographies and full lighting designs—aim for Rows AA through FF in the Centre section. A note on the outer edges: these rows curve gently inward, meaning seats on the far outer edges face the stage at a diagonal angle rather than head-on.

The furthest rear rows (MM to RR) are quite a distance from the stage. While the acoustics remain pristine, making these excellent value for orchestral concerts, the physical distance can make it challenging to read facial expressions or catch small details during a play.

See the view from your seat

SeatPlan has photographs taken from individual seats at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, alongside a full seating plan and reviews from people who sat there. Worth a look before you commit to a restricted-view seat.

View seat photos and plan

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Staying nearby

The nearest hotels to the Queen Elizabeth Hall, for anyone travelling in for a show rather than heading home after it.

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Facilities

Toilets

Accessible gender-neutral toilets are available in the Foyer. Separate male and female toilets are also located in the Foyer. Unisex accessible toilets can be found on the ground floor by the Artists' Entrance and off the foyer.

Bars

2

Cloakroom

£1

Main foyer

First-come, first-served.

Stage door

Artists' Entrance on the Queen Elizabeth Hall slip road (Level 1), located between the Royal Festival Hall and the Hayward Gallery, off Belvedere Road.

Location

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Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX

Getting there

nearest first

  • 5–10 min

    Waterloo

    BakerlooJubileeNorthernWaterloo & City
  • 10–15 min

    Embankment

    BakerlooCircleDistrictNorthern
Step-by-step walking directions

The Queen Elizabeth Hall is located within the Southbank Centre complex. The nearest Tube stations are Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, and Waterloo & City lines) and Embankment (Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Northern lines). From Waterloo, exit towards the South Bank and follow signs for the Southbank Centre, a 5-10 minute walk. From Embankment, cross Hungerford Bridge (pedestrian bridge) to the South Bank, then turn left, a 10-15 minute walk. The nearest Overground station is Waterloo East, which is directly connected to Waterloo station.

At this venue