Discover the Extraordinary Royal Hall

Frank Matcham

The Royal Hall is England’s last surviving Kursaal (Cure Hall) still used for its original purpose. Designed by theatre architect Frank Matcham and opened in 1903, it is one of Britain’s finest Edwardian entertainment venues of unparalleled architectural significance.

Opened in 1903, the Royal Hall has welcomed everyone from Edwardian spa visitors to The Beatles. Famous for it’s gold-leaf interiors, hand-painted ceilings, and beautiful architecture, today, our open days and guided tours reveal the grandeur, the stories, it’s remarkable restoration and it’s place in Harrogate’s history as one of the towns greatest pleasures.

Book your free place on one of our upcoming open days, tours and events Here.

The Royal Hall Restoration Trust exists to protect, champion and improve the Royal Hall. Through fundraising, conservation and public engagement, we help ensure this remarkable building can be enjoyed by future generations.

Did you know?

  • The Royal Hall boasts an astounding 112,500 sheets of 23.5-carat gold leaf.
  • Since its grand opening in 1903, visitors have been captivated by its timeless charm, standing as a symbol of architectural brilliance.
  • From the Beatles to Vaughan Williams, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to the Suffragette movement, The Royal Hall has played host to legendary events.
  • The Royal Hall has been meticulously restored to its former glory, ensuring its legacy lives on for generations to come.
  • This Grade II* listed building is a proud testament to heritage, welcoming curious explorers and history enthusiasts from all around the world.

Open Days & Tours

Open Days 2026

Wednesday 29th July 2026
Saturday 8th August 2026
Sunday 16th August 2026
Sunday 30th August 2026
Wednesday 2nd September 2026
Tuesday 29th September 2026
Monday 12th October 2026
Friday 23rd October 2026

Step into history at the Grade II* listed Royal Hall, a glittering palace of gold with a fascinating past.

Opening times are 10:00 – 16:00. Guided tours run at 11.00am and 2.00pm on the above days. Booking is highly recommended with a minimum suggestion donation of £3.00 per head on the day.

Imagine it is 1903 as you take a stroll with your knowledgeable guide along the ambulatories and round the rear terrace. Step into the Grand Hall and witness its beauty, with gold leaf and lapis lazuli adorning the dome. As you stand on the original sprung dance floor, one can’t help but wonder if the echoes of the past might reveal a few friendly ghosts!

You’ll learn why this remains a centrepiece of Harrogate’s popularity, discover the scandalous stories of its past and why the name changed from the Kursaal to the Royal Hall. Ranked sixth in Harrogate’s ‘things to do’ on TripAdvisor, your tour promises an unforgettable experience.

To request an amendment to or cancellation of an Open Day tour booking please email enquiries@rhrt.org.uk

Alternatively, if you would like to arrange a private guided tour of The Royal Hall please email enquiries@rhrt.org.uk

Please note that the Royal Hall is a working building and it is almost always impossible to access it at very short notice. To help us help you to avoid disappointment we need at least 10 days notice prior to the date requested to see if we can obtain access. The more notice you can provide the more likely we are to be able to find a suitable date. Thank you.

To book a tour select the date and time below and enter the number of visitors using the + key. Click Continue. Complete your details in the next screen. Click Confirm and Finish. An email will be issued confirming the booking.

History Of The Royal Hall

In September 2000 massive structural problems were discovered in the Royal Hall. Large areas of the 100 year-old concrete which made up much of the internal structure was found to be in a highly advanced state of decay. The situation was considered to be so dangerous that the Upper Balcony and some other parts of the building had to be immediately closed to the public. In November 2001, further structural problems were identified and these caused the building to be completely closed to public access.

The Royal Hall then remained closed until its re-opening in April 2008 following a major £10.7 million restoration project.

‘From time to time, we all need to be taken out of ourselves and uplifted in a place of beauty and inspiration. That is what restoring the Royal Hall is all about’. – Edward Fox, President of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust

The Problem

The original discovery of concrete corrosion turned out to be just one of a number of serious structural problems. The north-east section of the building was found to be suffering from subsidence and mortar cementing the foundation’s brickwork was decaying from the effects of salt corrosion.

Taken together, the structural problems affecting the Royal Hall would have been terminal. Without major restoration, the Royal Hall would have had to be closed and permanently boarded up. The only solution was a major restoration programme on both the interior and the foundations of the building.

The fundamental nature of the restoration work needed provided an unrepeatable opportunity to return this magnificent and historic building to its original splendour. All of the ‘temporary fixes’ and unco-ordinated alterations which had so disfigured the Royal Hall over the decades were removed, and the building was faithfully reinstated back to Matcham’s original vision, when it was described at its 1903 opening as “a palace of glittering gold”.

How You Can Support the Royal Hall Restoration Trust

Merchandise

The Royal Hall Restoration Trust is totally dependent on donated income. People like you have helped contribute more than £3m to ensure this building stands today. We need your donations to support the continued restoration of this venue now and in the future. All gifts big or small will make a difference.

The building is owned by North Yorkshire Council, managed by Harrogate Convention Centre and supported by the Royal Hall Restoration Trust.

Other Ways to Support Us

Every gift, no matter the size, will make a real difference to the preservation, restoration and maintenance of this building for our future generations. Thank you.

If you would like to talk to someone about this and other ways of supporting the RHRT please contact administrator@rhrt.org.uk

Sponsor a Seat

You can support us by mailing a donation, or sponsoring a seat or volunteering your time. One seat inscription is a £300 donation.

About Us: Preserving the Royal Hall’s Legacy

The Royal Hall Restoration Trust, formed in 2001, played a pivotal role in the multi-million pound restoration of Harrogate’s Royal Hall. With unwavering dedication and thanks to great public support, we contributed over £2.7m towards the £10.7m project, restoring the building to its former glory.

Since then, we’ve continued in our mission to steward, improve, champion, and enhance the Royal Hall. While many milestones have been achieved, ongoing capital projects and increasing public engagement remain essential goals.

The Royal Hall Restoration Trust is a registered charity governed by a dedicated Board of Trustees who meet regularly to ensure the organisation fulfills its aims and objectives.

The Trust acknowledges its deep gratitude for the late founding chair and trustees, including Lilian Mina MBE, Michael Hine, and Malcolm Neesam, as well as all who have contributed to the preservation of the Royal Hall’s legacy.

Contact Details

The Chairman
Royal Hall Restoration Trust
Royal House
110 Station Parade
Harrogate
HG1 1EP

e-mail:administrator@rhrt.org.uk

Since re-opening of the Royal Hall in April 2008, the Trust has contributed over £150,000 to carry out further improvements that were omitted from the major project on grounds of cost or timescale. These additional works included the provision of new ‘star’ dressing rooms; acoustic improvements to the stage, and further development of the Heritage Lounge.

Currently the Trust is fundraising in order to improve and enhance the lighting of the caryatids, ambulatories and facade of the Royal Hall.

Today the RHRT has a team of stewards and volunteers who help run regular open days and guided tours.

The Royal Hall is owned by North Yorkshire Council and operated by Harrogate Convention Centre.

Our TrusteesRole
Russell DavidsonChair
Monique PurdyTreasurer
Lynne MeeAdministrator
Colette Angela PickConducted Tours Co-ordinator
Gay SteelOpen day Co-ordinator
Lizzie Brewster
Catherine Wormald
John Harris CBE DL
Harry Satloka
Peter Syson
Heni Warwick
William Dutton