Saturday, August 16th
Hosted by John Swanson and Zane Karlina
The Royal Albert Hall is one of London’s landmark buildings, a spectacular structure built largely of red brick and heavily decorated with terracotta sculptures. It’s surrounded by other grand buildings, including the Royal College of Music, the Royal College of Organists (who are no longer resident there), and the buildings of Imperial College.
Over the road is the Albert Memorial, a fine example of Victorian excess, and beyond that, Hyde Park, so the area provides richly varied opportunities to draw buildings, sculptures, people, and park life.
Please note this is a change from the location posted earlier and replaces the visit to Bayswater.
Key times and meeting points for the day:
11 am: Meet in the open space beneath the Albert Monument on the south side of the Hall, above Price Consort Road.
Prince Consort Rd. South Kensington, London SW7 2BB.
1 pm: Meet in the same place for the first throwdown.
3.30 pm: Meet in the same place for the second throwdown.
If it’s wet, we can shelter under the canopy around the hall.
For those who would like to stay on, we will go to the Queen’s Arms in Queen’s Gate Mews, a short walk from the meeting point.
Opportunities to draw
The Royal Albert Hall and southern Hyde Park form one of London’s most iconic and culturally layered landscapes. The Royal Albert Hall itself, opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria, was named in memory of her late husband, Prince Albert. It was part of the grand vision of “Albertopolis” – a cultural and educational district meant to celebrate the arts and sciences. The Hall is known not only for its distinctive circular architecture and vast domed roof, but also for its rich legacy as a venue for everything from classical concerts and rock legends to the annual Proms.
Just across Kensington Gore, the elaborately sculpted Albert Memorial stands sentinel in Kensington Gardens – a striking tribute completed in 1875. Hyde Park was originally acquired by Henry VIII in 1536 as a royal hunting ground and opened to the public in the 17th century.
Sketchers can capture the architectural detail of the Hall, the Gothic grandeur of the Albert Memorial, walk a short distance to the Serpentine Gallery and Serpentine Pavilion 2025: A Capsule in Time, designed by Marina Tabassum, the lush greenery of the parklands, or the quiet elegance of Victorian townhouses lining Queen’s Gate. Whether your interest lies in trees, statues, people, or buildings, this area offers a rich variety of subject matter, anchored in history and alive with visual drama.
Just across the road from the Royal Albert Hall is the Royal College of Music, one of the world’s leading conservatoires, which was founded in 1882 by royal charter under the patronage of the then-Prince of Wales (later Edward VII). The area is a treasure trove for sketchers who love historic architecture, contrasting styles, and a rich urban tapestry steeped in culture and creativity.
Practical Information
Getting there
The nearest Underground Station is South Kensington, on the Piccadilly, Circle, and District Lines. From there, it’s a 13-minute walk up Exhibition Road, or you can take the 360 or 70 bus from outside the station. There are hire bicycles just about everywhere.
Alternatively, bus routes 9, 10, 52, and 452 run past the Hall on Kensington Gore.
Toilets
There are toilets inside the Hall. Go in by the Verdi Restaurant / Café and Bar entrance on the south side, walk past the gift shop, and turn left. You’re likely to have your bags searched when you enter.
There are also toilets in the park, near the Mount Gate (20p charge, cashless only) and in the Serpentine Gallery.
Refreshments
In addition to the café in the hall, there are kiosks and cafés in the park.
