<< Go Back up to Historic Theatre Photography main page
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 
. Advance reservations not required although recommended to ensure your chosen tour is not full.
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 . Please note that the Britannia Panopticon does not have disabled access (information correct as of July 2021).
Theatre tours are scheduled according to theatre availability. The current schedule is available on the theatre’s website . 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.
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 or telephone 01624 600555 for the most up-to-date information.
** Due to the Covid-19 pandemic theatre tours are on hiatus until further notice **
Sheffield Theatres offer backstage tours generally once per month however scheduling is subject to visiting companies and production requirements. Tours start 10am at the Crucible Box Office and run for two hours, with refreshments served after the tour. Tours visit the Crucible, Studio, and Lyceum Theatres (subject to availability) and conclude with a cream tea scone with jam and clotted cream and a pot of tea. Tickets £15. Information correct as of February 2020.
** Due to the Covid-19 pandemic theatre tours are on hiatus until further notice **
The Richmond Theatre offers regular tours although the twice-monthly schedule is dictated by visiting productions. Tours last 1hr 30mins and cost £12.50. A full tour schedule and online booking is available on the theatre’s website . For more information contact richmondcl@theambassadors.com .
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 .
The theatre sometimes participates in the annual Edinburgh Doors Open Day .
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 for further details and online booking.
The theatre has previously participated in the annual Bristol Open Doors event and may do so again in the future.
Public Tours are delivered on Saturday mornings throughout the year and can be booked online. The tour lasts up to 90 minutes and costs £10 per person. For tour availability check the theatre’s Tours page .
Private tours allow groups of up to 30 to visit the theatre and get a glimpse of life backstage at Theatre Royal. These tours are for groups and school visitors but also make an excellent gift for a celebratory experience for individuals, friends, family and smaller groups. Private tours can take place Tuesday – Friday (or on a Saturday morning when no public tour is scheduled) outside of rehearsal and performance times. Standard tours lasts up to 90 minutes but bespoke visit packages can be negotiated upon request, including extended visits and the addition of afternoon tea. Standard visits cost £84 per group. For private tour enquiries go to the theatre’s Tours page .
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 , or online at the theatre’s tour website , which also includes additional information about the tour.
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 , via the Eventim booking hotline on 0844 249 1000 , or in person at the theatre Box Office.
Photographs copyright © 2002-2023 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos unless otherwise noted.
Text copyright © 2017-2023 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos.
For photograph licensing and/or re-use contact me here .
| Follow Mike Hume’s Historic Theatre Photography: |  |
 |
 |
