Rausing Circle at the Royal Albert Hall

The Rausing Circle is the seated level above the Boxes, seven steep rows round the whole Hall, sold in lettered blocks from P to Y. It's the value level, and from most seats you see the whole stage. The catches are the legroom and the height.

For a concert

Book Q and X, the blocks nearest the stage that face it, then P and Y. You're high up but as close as this level gets, and the sound is good. The side blocks nearest the stage are often sold as restricted view, for less, and for a concert where the music matters more than the view they're a fair buy. The far end, S to V, faces the stage but is a long way back.

In the round

Book the front row at the far end, blocks T and U. From up here you see the whole floor and everything that happens in the air above it. Check the block isn't behind the band or set for that show.

What to know before you book

• Legroom is tight almost everywhere, worst in the front row. An aisle seat gives you room for one leg
• Thin metal rails run in front of many seats and down the aisles
• It's steep. If heights bother you, this isn't the level for you

Getting there

Lifts at Doors 1 and 8 go up to the Rausing Circle. From the entrance it's one step up to row 1 and 21 steps up to row 7, and there are step-free spaces between some of the blocks. Booster cushions aren't allowed here.