The Royal Albert Hall was built to fulfil the vision of Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's consort) of a 'Central Hall' that would be used to promote understanding and appreciation of the Arts and Sciences and would stand at the heart of the South Kensington estate, surrounded by museums and places of learning. Developed on land purchased with the profits of the 1851 Great Exhibition, the Hall is a Grade I Listed building; and has been in continuous use since it was opened in March 1871. It was always conceived as a multipurpose building to host not only concerts of music but also exhibitions, public meetings, scientific conversations and award ceremonies. It is a registered charity held in trust for the nation but is financially self sufficient: it receives no funding from central or local government.

Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, died of typhoid fever aged 42.  Soon after his death it was determined that a national memorial be created to recognise the British public's deep sense of loss.  Officially titled the Prince Consort National Memorial, it celebrates Victorian achievement and Prince Albert's passions and interests and was influenced by the series of 13thC Eleanor Crosses (Charing Cross perhaps being the most famous).  This is one of the grandest high-Victorian gothic extravagances anywhere.

We will leave the local area from 8am and arrive in Kensington mid-late morning.  You will have around 2 1/2 hours to spend as you please before we meet up for the guided tours at 2pm guided tours.  The two tours take 90 minutes in total, but we will stop for afternoon tea (included) part way through the visit. Leaving Kensington at 4.30pm, we arrive back in the local area around 7.30pm