London - Royal Albert Hall of Arts & Sciences

This large concert hall, also used for public meetings, balls and other events, was built in 1867-71. Its full name is the Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences, and it is a memorial to Queen Victoria's Prince Consort, who had originally proposed its construction. The hall, designed by Captain Francis Fowke and General Scott, is oval in plan, with a circumference of 198m/650ft. It was hailed by contemporaries as a noble building, worthy of Rome in its golden age - a judgment not wholly confirmed by later generations. Although originally noted for its poor acoustics - a defect which was later put right - this huge amphitheater with its great glass dome has developed over the years into one of London's most popular concert halls both for