The Top 10 Theatre Tours in London

We all love a night at the theatre, but what about a bit of backstage drama? Backstage tours are a great way to step behind the scenes of the capital’s most famous theatres and learn more about what happens before the curtain goes up for a show. Sometimes, you can even tread the boards yourself! From scandalous secrets to technical magic, we’ve ranked the top 10 theatre tours London based on what’s included, how much it costs, and overall value for money.

1. National Theatre: Inside the Workings of an Iconic Venue

Who could we give the top spot to other than this concrete temple to theatre? Stars like Laurence Olivier and Judi Dench have performed here, and King Charles famously compared it to a nuclear power station. But how does the National Theatre work? Led by an expert guide with plenty of fun anecdotes, this backstage tour includes a peek inside the carpentry, props and scenic painting workshops to see how shows are brought to life. You’ll learn about the building’s infamous Brutalist design, including the Olivier Theatre and Lyttelton Theatre auditoriums, and how the idea of a national theatre institution began. Once you’re done, you can also enjoy 10% off in the shop, which sells playtexts, theatre craft and history books, as well as fun souvenirs and stationery. 

The National gets bonus points for running several other tours including LGBTQ theatre history, architecture, and Archive Unboxed at their National Theatre Archive building on The Cut.

Length: 75 minutes

Price: £19.50

2. Royal Opera House: A Fascinating Peek Behind the Velvet Curtain

This huge building has fascinating nuggets of history round every corner, and the behind the scenes tour takes you to areas that are normally off-limits to Royal Opera House audiences. You can look inside rehearsal studios, where pirouettes and pliés are perfected; see costumes worn by the stars; and visit production workshops where shows are brought to life. While you wander, the knowledgeable tour guides will fill you in on the three – yes, three! – theatres that have stood on the site, and how the building has transformed over the years. We think it’s worth the ticket price even if you’ve never seen a ballet or opera.

Feeling hungry once the tour’s finished? Good news, because your ticket gives you 10% off at the Royal Opera House cafe on the day of your visit. You also get 10% off the shop and an email link for one month of the theatre’s online streaming service for just £1. Bargain!

Length: 75 minutes

Price: £22

3. Royal Albert Hall: Step Inside a Victorian Palace of Curiosities

Best known for hosting The Proms, Royal Albert Hall is much more than a massive concert hall. Built as a monument to Queen Victoria’s late husband, the Grade I listed Hall has welcomed seances, circus shows and even criminals onto its stage! On their guided tour, you’re introduced to 150+ years of history, from the venue’s inception and building – a huge feat of engineering for its time – as well as curious stories of what and who have walked through its doors. This is a great way to see some of the royal parts of the Hall, wander around and marvel at its size, and enjoy a glimpse of the impressive auditorium before the crowds get in. 

You may have noticed that we don’t mention backstage areas, so good news: the Royal Albert Hall offers a Behind the Scenes tour – booked separately – which includes access under the stage, inside dressing rooms and into the busy loading bay, which is deep underground. 

Tours at Royal Albert Hall give you 10% off the shop and cafe, so you can stay in this must-visit building for a bit longer with a bite to eat.

Length: 60 minutes

Price: £20

4. Shaftesbury Theatre: West End Theatre History on a Budget

The West End has a few theatre tours, and we’d recommend all of them for different reasons. However, the Shaftesbury Theatre ranks highest for us because of its excellent value for money. The tour guides try to get groups onto the stage for a walkaround (subject to building activity), and you can also pop into one of their dressing rooms. It’s a great opportunity to go backstage at a big central London venue and hear some weird and wonderful stories about the building’s history. Tours are currently limited and mostly run on Thursdays, but if you’re in town midweek, we definitely recommend giving it a go. 

Length: 60 minutes

Price: £15

5. Almeida Theatre: Backstage Stories & Secrets in Islington

The Almeida Theatre in Islington is a powerhouse that’s premiered some of the biggest West End shows of the last 20 years – and its history is as colourful as any theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. On their backstage tour, you can explore behind the scenes areas including wardrobe and technical, to see how shows are prepared for paying audiences. You’ll also get a comprehensive history of the venue, which has enjoyed many identities including lecture room, music hall and carnival novelties factory! As the cheapest theatre tour on our list and despite being a bit out of the way compared to the West End options, we really do recommend giving this one a go. Dates are released periodically and tend to fill up quickly.

Length: 60 minutes

Price: £10

6. Theatre Royal Drury Lane: Stars and Scandals in the West End

Theatre Royal Drury Lane is the oldest West End theatre, and the team do a great job at bringing its very colourful history to life in their guided tour. For the majority of the time, you’re in the front of house areas, but this is no bad thing. The building is huge, with lots of history tucked into its many corners that is brought to life in a really engaging way. Friendly guides give you an overview of important figures who’ve been involved in Drury Lane, both on stage and off, and you can go into the auditorium – although not on stage – to learn more about why it’s a theatre of two halves… 

Their really unique selling point is the underground access tunnels, which reveal a bit of theatre history and also house a rather controversial artefact: Hitler’s chair, which was removed from the Berlin Reich Chancellery after WW2. It’s a curious thing to see in a theatre, but undeniably memorable.

Length: 75 minutes

Price: £22.50

7. Royal Court Theatre: The History of a New Writing Powerhouse

The Royal Court Theatre is slightly off the beaten track, over in Sloane Square, but it’s actually one of the most important buildings in British theatre history. Did you know that John Osbourne’s Look Back in Anger and Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls both premiered here? You could find that out from a quick web search, but the venue’s tour offers a rich, immersive history for a really good price. The exact itinerary isn’t confirmed in advance, because working theatres may need to move things around, but expect to see some backstage areas, hear thrilling stories of artistic freedom and innovation, and enjoy walking in the footsteps of theatrical movers and shakers.

Length: 60 minutes

Price: £15

8. Shakespeare’s Globe: Bards, Buildings and Backstage Fun

The Globe Theatre guided tour is the most expensive on our list, but a very unique venue to learn about. With over 400 years of history attached to the building (which is, admittedly, not that old – this accurate replica of the original opened in the ‘90s), there’s a lot to get through, and the tour starts with a trip downstairs to the Globe’s very own museum. The exhibition is full of interesting displays and information about Shakespeare’s London and the creation of the current Globe building and company. You’re then taken into the Wooden O itself for a walk around the Yard and a sit down on the benches, while being regaled with tales of actors, writers, intrigue and construction! 

While not at the top of our list, and on the top end of the price scale, the Globe is an iconic London venue with an interesting history, and the guides are friendly and entertaining. They also run tours of the indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, a premium guided tour that lets you step on stage (current cost £65!), and show-specific tours that weave the history of individual plays into the experience. 

Length: 50-60 minutes

Price: £27

9. Lyceum Theatre: Discover the Home of The Lion King

You hear all about the circle of life in The Lion King, but how about the amazing life of the theatre it’s performed in? The Lyceum Theatre West End venue tour runs on Saturday mornings – great for fitting in before a matinee – and invites you to see and hear things the average theatregoer wouldn’t. Highlights include facts about the building’s origins and history, as well as its architecture and design. The tour is led by very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides who’ll take you around the building for about an hour. It’s a fun way to find out a bit more about one of the West End’s most recognisable theatres.

Length: 60 minutes

Price: £17.50

10. Barbican Centre: Brilliant Brutalist History (With a Side of Theatre)

We love the Barbican and would highly recommend their tour, but it ranks last on our list because it isn’t technically a theatre tour. Covering the Barbican Centre as a whole (which is home to a housing estate, cinema, gardens and library) this is one for the architecture lovers who want to get up close and personal with concrete. For the entry price, you’ll be taken around the outside and inside public areas of the centre, learning about how it was built and how it’s become a cultural landmark. Theatre fans rejoice: you’ll still hear lots of fun facts about the Barbican’s performance history, from Les Mis and the RSC to James Bond and Harry Styles! A lot of this tour is outside, so make sure you have appropriate clothing (and umbrellas) in case it rains. 

Length: 90 minutes

Price: £18

How Much Do Theatre Tours Cost?

Ticket prices for the tours above are from £10 – £27, and if you want to judge purely on numbers, we’ve created a cost per minute comparison below.

Cost per minute isn’t the only way to decide which tour to book for, but there are some interesting insights:

Shaftesbury Theatre is technically the best value West End tour, costing £0.25 per minute. However, all three West End theatre tours are similar value for money.

Shakespeare’s Globe has the highest cost per minute, but this doesn’t mean it’s not worth booking. The museum element is very interesting, and it’s one of London’s most unique theatres.

The most famous theatres are the most expensive. Royal Albert Hall, Royal Opera House, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe – a tour of these prestigious venues costs 47% more, on average, than tours elsewhere.

…but they also tend to offer more than one tour. With the exception of Drury Lane, the prestigious theatres have at least two different tours you can go on. This won’t save you money, because you have to pay for each tour individually, but it does give you more ways to explore theatre history.

Off West End theatre tours are fascinating, and cheap. The Almeida Theatre and Royal Court Theatre tours are two of the cheapest options – and ones you shouldn’t overlook. These theatres have just as much history as the big venues, at up to half the price.

How Long Are Theatre Tours?

Tours are usually 60-75 minutes long. On our list, the shortest is the Globe Guided Tour at 50 minutes, and the longest is the Barbican Centre’s Architecture Tour at 90 minutes.

Can You Stand on the Stage at a Backstage Tour?

It’s what everyone thinks about when you say “backstage tour”. After all, who wouldn’t want to tread the boards? However, not all theatre tours are backstage tours, and not all backstage tours offer entry onto the stage. There are a few reasons for this, including safety and other activity in the building. Sometimes it simply isn’t possible to get tour groups on stage when actors are warming up and tech teams are prepping for that day’s performances. 

If you really want to tread the boards and perhaps get a photo looking out at the auditorium, we recommend booking the Royal Opera House’s On Stage Tour which runs on selected dates throughout the year.

Can You Do a Tour and Show on the Same Day?

Yes! Most theatres plan their tours so that you can fit them in before or after a performance (especially matinees). Many start mid-morning, between 10am and 11am, and others run in the afternoon, between 2pm-4pm. This gives you plenty of time to grab a drink and have some food between activities. 

If you’re interested in more pre-show entertainment, check out our guide to 20 theatres to get to early.

More Ways to Explore London Theatre History

While we’ve focused on tours offered by theatres, there are plenty of other ways to peek behind the curtain and learn more about London theatre history.

• The V&A Museum in South Kensington is home to a Theatre & Performance Collection that covers all areas of UK performance history. Free entry.
• V&A East Storehouse, in East London, is open for browsing, visiting the David Bowie Centre, or pre-ordering items from their collection to look at up-close. Free entry.
• Fancy a solo tour? Voice Map has a self-guided Theatreland Walking Tour, narrated by Ian McKellen. Free download.
• The Actors Church in Covent Garden has strong connections to the West End with memorials for theatre figures like Charlie Chaplin, Noel Coward and Barbara Windsor. Free entry.

There are several festivals that offer the chance to see or learn about historic buildings in the city, which may include theatres. Check out the London Festival of Architecture in June or Open House and Heritage Open Days in September.

Been Backstage? Share Your London Theatre Tour Tips

Have you been on any of the backstage tours we’ve mentioned? What did you think – or have we missed one off that’s a must-do? Share your tips for exploring more theatre in the capital below.