<< Go Back up to Historic Theatre Photography main page

 in the United Kingdom

Theatre Tours in the United Kingdom

This theatre tour guide features all the information we have on theatre tours in the United Kingdom. The guide covers theatres featured on this website so you may wish to check local listings for any additional theatre tours available in the United Kingdom. Enjoy your tour!



Select a different region: Show All | Canada | Los Angeles and the L.A. Metro area | Pacific Northwest | U.S. Midwest | U.S. Northeast | U.S. South | U.S. Southeast | U.S. West outside of the L.A. Metro area


Bristol Hippodrome

As of January 2023, tours take place according to theatre availability and visiting productions. Tours last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. Tours do not include show ticket and are subject to availability. Routes may change and involve a number of stairs. Backstage access is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. If you have any access needs, please do get in touch before your visit via email.

Private tours can also be arranged upon request. Please contact BristolCreativeLearning@theambassadors.com.

For more details see the Bristol Hippodrome’s Theatre Tour website Link opens in new window. Advance reservations not required although recommended to ensure your chosen tour is not full.



Britannia Panopticon, Glasgow

The Britannia Panopticon is open for free general viewing Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to 5pm. For additional details of events, or questions about visiting, see the Britannia Panopticon’s What’s On page Link opens in new window. Please note that the Britannia Panopticon does not have disabled access (information correct as of July 2021).



Edinburgh Playhouse

Backstage Tours last approximately 60 – 90 minutes. Tour schedule depends on productions and theatre availability so check the theatre’s Backstage Tour website page Link opens in new window for the current schedule.

Tours do not include a show ticket. Backstage & stage and backstage access is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Tours may be cancelled last minute due to company rehearsals. Routes may change and involve a number of stairs. If you have any access needs, please do get in touch Link opens in new window before your visit.



Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Theatre tours are scheduled according to theatre availability. The current schedule is available on the theatre’s website Link opens in new window. Tours cost £10 per person (£8 for Friends) and run for 60-90 minutes. Note: Backstage access is dependent on the visiting company’s theatre operations on the day of your tour and is not guaranteed.



Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man

Tours run every Saturday at 10am, Easter through October. Tour duration 2hrs 15mins. Adults £8.50, Children (16 and under) £4.50, Family £19 (2 adults & 2 children). Private tours can be made by arrangement and further tours may be available during July and August. Note that due to the original features of the theatre, many parts of the tour are inaccessible for people with mobility related disabilities. Information correct as of January 2020. Check the Villa Gaiety website Link opens in new window or telephone 01624 600555 Link opens in new window for the most up-to-date information.



Grand Opera House, Belfast

Led by one of the theatre’s knowledgeable Customer Experience Assistants, a tour gives you the chance to see the incredible results of the restoration of this iconic building, and explore the fascinating story of the Grand Opera House’s rich and colourful history from 1895 to the present day. Follow in the footsteps of Charlie Chaplin, Luciano Pavarotti and Darcey Bussell by walking out onto the iconic stage; see what happens behind the scenes during a show, and explore the symbolism and meaning of the gods, elephants, stars and other stunning architectural features inside Frank Matcham’s auditorium.

Theatre Tours last for between 45 minutes and an hour, and tour participants also have exclusive access to the heritage exhibition for 30 minutes before their tour start time. For current tour availability and booking, check out the theatre’s Tour Link opens in new window page.



His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

Regular tours of the 116-year-old Edwardian theatre, designed by the legendary theatre architect Frank Matcham, are 90 minutes long and are led by our enthusiastic volunteers. The tour explores the new and old sections of the city centre landmark, providing an opportunity to get onstage and see His Majesty’s from the eyes of a performer in one of the most beautiful theatres in Scotland. For current tour schedule click here Link opens in new window.

Duration: 90 minutes. Tickets: £12.50. For access enquiries email hello@aberdeenperformingarts.com Link opens in new window.



King’s Theatre, Glasgow

Like most Ambassador Theatre Group Link opens in new window theatres, the King’s runs tours as production schedules allow. Check out the theatre’s Backstage Tour Link opens in new window page for the current schedule. Tickets are generally £10 and tours last about one hour.



Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

Theatre tours are offered as schedules permit. Check the Sheffield Theatres website Link opens in new window for latest tour information. Tours give you access to many areas of the Crucible, Lyceum, and Playhouse theatres, including the backstage and cast areas, but are of course subject to daily operations. Each tour is unique and varies depending upon what is available on the day. Plans may be altered at short notice so we cannot guarantee in advance which areas you will visit.



Richmond Theatre, London

The Richmond Theatre offers regular tours although the schedule is dictated by visiting productions. Tours last 1-1.5hrs and cost £15. A full tour schedule and online booking is available on the tour page of the theatre’s website Link opens in new window. For more information or to book a private tour for a small group, contact richmondboxoffice@theambassadors.com Link opens in new window.



Royal Albert Hall, London

Together with a friendly guide, you’ll take a peek at the royal areas of the Hall, see the breath-taking auditorium, and the stage that’s hosted some of the world’s biggest change-makers, history-shapers and stars – from Arctic Monkeys to Muhammad Ali, BBC Proms to Beyoncé, Cirque du Soleil to Winston Churchill, and Albert Einstein to Ed Sheeran. You’ll discover how the building was founded 150 years ago, the royal love story that made it happen, and how we solved one of the UK’s most enduring engineering challenges – the Royal Albert Hall echo. You might even be lucky enough to hear an artist in soundcheck!

Tours run most days every 30 mins, however check the hall’s Tour website Link opens in new window for current schedule. Tours take approximately 60 minutes. Out of consideration for artists in rehearsal, we recommend that children attending tours are aged 5 and over. Tickets £18.50 (Adult), £16.50 (Concessions), £10.50 (Children). Book online at the hall’s Tour website Link opens in new window.



Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh

The Lyceum runs tours (60 mins) backstage at the theatre, and at their theatre workshop and stores (offsite) for groups between 10 and 20 in size. Further details are available on The Lyceum’s website Link opens in new window.

The theatre sometimes participates in the annual Edinburgh Doors Open Day Link opens in new window.



Theatre Royal, Bristol

The theatre runs regular tours, generally Thursday and Saturday mornings, which last one hour and during current Covid restriction costs £50 for a group of up to 6. Spaces regularly included on the tour: the new Bristol Old Vic foyer; the Georgian Auditorium, Stage, Gallery, and Pit passages; the Paintshop and Paint Frame; the Weston Studio; and Coopers’ Hall. Access is subject to theatre operations at the time of your tour and some areas may be restricted. Check the theatre’s website Link opens in new window for further details and online booking.

The theatre has previously participated in the annual Bristol Open Doors Link opens in new window event and may do so again in the future.



Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London

Guided Tours are given in English and last approximately 1 hour. There are 20 spaces available per tour. Tours meet in the main foyer/lobby. Theatre Royal Drury Lane is a working theatre, so no two tours are the same. Sometimes the route will need to change due to other events taking place in the building. This is a walking tour with numerous steps and backstage areas so comfortable shoes are recommended.

Tour schedule: Wed & Fri: 10:30am, 12pm, 2:30pm. Thu & Sat: 10:30am, 12pm. Sun: 10:30am. Tickets £18.50 (no booking fee).

Booking line 020 7087 7748 Link opens in new window, or online at the theatre’s tour website Link opens in new window, which also includes additional information about the tour.



Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle upon Tyne

The one hour tour of the building explores all areas, including the understage, backstage, and many other secret areas never seen on a normal visit. Your tour guide will reveal the theatre’s fascinating history, and highlight tales of its stars, its shows and even its ghosts. Tours cost £6. Maximum of 25 people per tour. Visitors with restricted mobility will have limited access as the tour includes lots of steps. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Bookings can be made online here Link opens in new window, via the Eventim booking hotline on 0844 249 1000 Link opens in new window, or in person at the theatre Box Office.



Photographs copyright © 2002-2024 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos unless otherwise noted.

Text copyright © 2017-2024 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos.

For photograph licensing and/or re-use contact me here Contact Us.



Follow Mike Hume’s Historic Theatre Photography: Follow Historic Theatre Photos on Instagram Follow Historic Theatre Photos on Facebook