The Royal Hall is England’s last surviving ‘Kursaal’ (Cure Hall) still used for its original purpose. The interior, masterfully crafted by Frank Matcham, stands as a listed building of unparalleled architectural and historical significance.

Step into a world of glittering gold: Discover upcoming open days, tours and events, joining the thousands of visitors each year who arrive from across the world to be captivated by the stories that have shaped its history.

Discover upcoming open days, tours and events Here.

Legendary Performances and Spellbound Audiences: Trace the legacy of legendary performances that graced the Royal Hall’s stage, leaving audiences spellbound throughout the years.

Preserving Heritage for Generations: Our mission is to ensure this cultural gem endures for generations to come. Explore its lovingly restored grandeur and support our cause.   

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 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.

The Restoration Project

In September 2000 Harrogate Borough Council embarked on a Development Study to provide a detailed restoration plan for the Royal Hall. The £800,000 cost of the Study was jointly met by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Council.

In September 2003 the results of the Study were submitted to HLF for grant approval. Unfortunately, the full restoration project was costed at £13.7 million whereas there was only £8 million immediately available – £6 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £2 million matching funds from the Council.

In July 2004 the Council’s project management team embarked on a second, supplemental study to determine exactly what was achievable within the available funding. After a three month study, the team recommended that a phased programme could be achieved with an initial phase costing £8 million. The initial phase would carry out the necessary structural repairs; enable public access and usage, and provide a basis for future restoration work as and when further funds became available. However, there was no funding available under the core scheme to provide a theatre bar; new dressing rooms; new soft furnishings such as carpets and drapes and, very importantly, to restore the interior décor which, at this stage, had become extremely dilapidated. Another major shortcoming of the core programme was that it was envisaged that no restorative work would be carried out to the Dress Circle with the result that the capacity of the Royal Hall would be reduced by some 250 seats – an obvious problem from the standpoint of operational and financial viability. A major requirement was that the work should be undertaken in such a way as to contain the risk and possibility of the contract costs over-running.

Following the appointment of the main contractor (HBG Construction Ltd) in October 2005, restoration work started in June 2006 to carry out the core building works. This was a 61 week contract which was due to be completed on 27th June 2007. However, the success of the Trust’s fund-raising campaign meant that additional works were reinstated as additional funds became available and the contract end-date was extended to 28th January 2008. The entire restoration programme was completed on budget and on time – so much so it can justly be described to be an exemplar for this type of project.

The Royal Hall was formally opened by the Trust’s Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, on 22nd January 2008. There then followed a ten week period for fitting-out and commissioning and the building re-opened to the public on 27th April 2008 with a Gala Concert by the Hallé Orchestra followed by a grand banquet for 500 VIPs and supporters of the fund-raising effort.

The Trust’s initial target was to raise £1.8 million but the support was so overwhelming that £2.7 million was eventually raised. This enabled the full restoration to be completed, something few thought possible at the outset of the project. The Trust’s additional funding enabled the following crucial works to be included in the restoration:

But, our work didn’t stop there. Since 2001 the Trust has continued to lobby, safeguard, create open access to, protect, raise funds and improve the Royal Hall. All whilst preserving its incredible history.

Most recently, in 2025 and 2026, this has included replacing external poster boards and internal ‘coming up’ boards, installing graphic panels to give a glimpse of the old ‘Kursaal Tea Room’, and installing new panelling in the Rear Bar area.