Sadler's Wells London
Sadler's Wells Tickets
About the Sadler's Wells
A theatre has stood on the site of Sadler's Wells in Angel, Islington since the late 1600s and has been rebuilt six times over the course of four centuries. In 1925 renowned theatre producer Lilian Baylis, who owned the Old Vic, set up a charitable foundation to purchase Sadler's Wells for the nation, specialising in dance and opera.
Sadler's Wells closed in 1995 and a £54 million building project commenced, largely funded by the National Lottery. Sadler's Wells moved to the Peacock Theatre until 1998, and this West End venue still hosts a programme of dance productions for the company today. The current Sadler's Wells Theatre opened in 1998 with a performance by Rambert Dance Company of Gilbert & Sullivan's Iolanthe. In 2004, Alistair Spalding became artistic director, transforming the venue into a contemporary dance house and introducing five associate artists who would develop new work at the theatre, these artists included Matthew Bourne, Akram Khan and BalletBoyz.
Notable productions at Sadler's Wells include the world premiere of Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake in 1995, The Most Incredible Thing with music by the Pet Shop Boys, and Jonathan Church's critically acclaimed production of Singin' in the Rain, which returned in 2021.
Plan Your Visit
The Sadler's Wells auditorium opens around 30 minutes before the show starts. The Sadler's Wells box office opens from 10am on Monday-Saturday.
There is no specific dress code at the National Theatre. Patrons should wear attire that is comfortable and appropriate for the occasion.
Yes, Sadler's Wells is fully air-conditioned.
Sadler’s Wells has cloakroom facilities for small items and coats. Please note, storage is not available for large bags, rucksacks or backpacks. The cloakroom is located on the basement level of the building.
Security staff will be completing bag checks upon entry to Sadler's Wells and a ticket check will occur on entry to the auditorium, so patrons are encouraged to arrive early to allow plenty of time.
Sadler's Wells is a great spot to soak up the pre-show atmosphere with a range of bars and cafes on-site. The Fox Garden Court Cafe serves up a range of salads, hot food and cakes, alongside a range of drink options. There are bars located on both levels of the circle, which serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, alongside bar snacks such as crisps, nuts and ice cream.
Sadler's Wells is located in Angel and only a five-minute walk from Upper Street, which is a bustling area packed with restaurants, cafes and pubs to eat before and after the show. If you're looking for fast-food, McDonald's is a 10-minute walk and Five Guys is a 15-minute walk from the venue. Alternatively, try some award-winning Indochinese cuisine at Banana Tree, which is less than a five-minute walk from Sadler's Wells.
The DoubleTree Hilton Angel Islington is just a five-minute walk from Sadler's Wells and offers a range of rooms at affordable prices. The hotel is well located for nearby transport links at Angel London Underground station. For an Apart-Hotel experience, try Citadines Islington, which is just a 15-minute stroll from the venue.
A theatre has occupied the site of Sadler's Wells since 1683 and has been rebuilt six times. The current building opened in 1998 following a £54 million funding grant from the National Lottery. The name Sadler's Wells comes from the original owner of the site, Richard Sadler, and the discovery of monastic springs, which still remain under the venue to this day. Sadler's Wells has a global reputation of being one of the world's leading dance venues.
Help Booking Tickets
Tickets can be collected on the day of your performance from the box office, which opens at 10am. Please ensure you bring along your confirmation email and a form of ID.
The Sadler's Wells box office opens from 10am-8pm on Monday-Saturday.
The Sadler's Wells box office can be contacted by email at tickets@sadlerswells.com.
STAR (Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers) are the industry body that regulates the sale of London theatre tickets. When booking from a company you can check their ticket seller database to see if they are registered and conforming to STAR practices. When buying online, you should also check for the padlock in your browser URL bar to ensure the connection is secure.
The auditorium, rehearsal spaces, private rooms and front-of-house areas at Sadler's Wells can be hired for private functions and corporate events. To find out prices and more information, please contact the venue using this online form.
