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Things to do

Bright ideas to help you make the most of your visit.

Nationla Theatre building exterior west side with flytowers and terrace balconies.

Take a guided tour

Journey behind the scenes to see what’s being made in our on-site workshops.

Led by one of our expert guides, you’ll explore the design and unique features of our renowned building.

Take a guided tour

A tour guide talking to a tour group in the Olivier theatre auditorium. The tour participants wearing orange high-visibility vests.
photo by Ludo des Cognets

Free exhibitions

Browse our bookshop

Browse our unrivalled selection of playtexts and specialist performing arts titles, as well as a carefully curated range of books and exclusive gifts.

Visit us on the South Bank, or:

Visit the online shop

A brightly lit bookstore with numerous books on tables and shelves. The central display features colorful children's books and decorative items. Shelves on the sides are filled with books of various genres, and a large open space leads to the back of the store.

Peek behind-the-scenes

The Sherling Backstage Walkway offers visitors views into our busy production workshops for set construction and assembly, scenic painting and prop-making.

Entry is completely free, and no booking is required.

Opens:
Monday–Saturday, one hour before performances start in the Dorfman Theatre.

Half-term, 12-17 February 2024
Monday-Wednesday: open from 12pm
Thursday-Friday: open from 6.30pm
Saturday: open from 12pm

Visit the archive

Photo of a desk with a hand writing on a notepad and National Theatre programmes, including Atttempts on Her Life, and other indistinct objects.
Play Video

Find some new creative inspiration, for free

Our Archive holds a treasure trove of material relating to theatre and performance, from props to prompt scripts, photographs to recordings, costume and more.

If that sounds like heaven to you, a visit is free and open to everyone by appointment.

Book your visit to the Archive