Canterbury Music Hall

Canterbury Music Hall was a theatre building at Westminster Bridge Road with multiple tiers of seating and a substantial stage area for performances. The interior featured dining spaces and art galleries alongside the main auditorium to provide visitors with various entertainment options.

The theatre was established in 1852 as one of London's first venues designed specifically for musical and variety entertainment. It was built on the site of a former skittle alley and became a popular destination for audiences seeking live performances.

The venue made theatrical shows, ballets, and musical performances accessible to people from different backgrounds and social classes during Victorian London. Visitors could watch acts that were otherwise reserved for wealthier audiences in other parts of the city.

The venue expanded multiple times over its operational years to accommodate growing audiences. Visitors had access to multiple areas within the building beyond just the main stage, offering different ways to experience entertainment.

A remarkable moment in the venue's history was a tightrope performance in 1861 where an acrobat executed a daring display between the theatre's balcony levels. This kind of spectacular and daring act reflected the boldness of programming choices made at the location.

Location: London Borough of Lambeth

Inception: May 17, 1852

Official opening: May 17, 1852

Address: 143 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7HR, England

GPS coordinates: 51.49910,-0.11340

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:09