Blackheath Halls is a performance venue presenting a diverse programme of events throughout the year.

A registered charity since 1983, our beautiful historic building sits at the heart of our local South East London community.

As well as the live events programme we also run an outstanding popular community engagement programme for people of all ages including a youth choir, orchestra and gospel chorus as well as one of the biggest annual projects, the annual Blackheath Halls Community Opera.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, Blackheath Halls also provide a regular base for large scale student rehearsals and performances, and is also available to hire for performances, rehearsals, filming and private events.

Our ambition is to build a reputation as a distinctive multi art-form organisation; a successful community venue with cutting edge artistic standards, inspired by – and serving – our local communities.

History

Built in 1895 thanks to the vision of William Webster and other local enthusiasts, Blackheath Halls is part of the oldest surviving purpose-built cultural complex in London. Blackheath Halls played host to some of the most famous musical performers and public speakers of the early 20th century, including Dame Clara Butt, Sir Ernest Shackleton, George Bernard Shaw as well as Suffragette rallies.

The building was commandeered by the Royal Army Pay Corps during the First World War and again taken over by the Ministry of Works in 1939. After many years of being used for other purposes, it was saved from demolition and reopened in 1985 as a performance venue, due to the efforts of dedicated local residents.

In 2004 it was acquired by Trinity College of Music as a performance and rehearsal space for their students, and for professional and community groups.

Blackheath Halls underwent a major refurbishment in 2019 thanks to The Hearn Foundation, Arts Council England, The Friends of Blackheath Halls and other generous donors, and now welcomes over 40,000 visitors a year.

Read more about the History of Blackheath Halls

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Blackheath Halls Exterior 1
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Performance Spaces

The magnificent Great Hall boasts a ceiling which provides some of the best acoustics in the United Kingdom for large scale orchestral performances. Blackheath Halls regularly welcomes world-renowned orchestras and ensembles for recordings and rehearsals including the English National Opera | London Philharmonic Orchestra | Philharmonia Orchestra | Britten Sinfonia | Aurora Orchestra | Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

The Hearn Recital Room is an excellent venue for smaller scale performances such as chamber music, acoustic sets, folk and children’s theatre.

Both spaces are available to hire.

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BlackHeath Halls
BlackHeath Halls
Recital Room
BlackHeath Halls
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Audited Financial Statements

Read more about Audited Financial Statements