A Theatre Day Around London County Hall: The South Bank Before and After Witness for the Prosecution

A Theatre Day Around London County Hall: What to Do Before and After Witness for the Prosecution

The plan at a glance

Make Witness for the Prosecution the centrepiece of a day on London’s South Bank. The production is staged inside London County Hall, beside the London Eye and Westminster Bridge, with the entrance on Belvedere Road, SE1 7PB.

The best plan depends on your performance:

• For an evening show: explore the river and eat before the performance, then choose a short walk, a drink or a pre-planned late meal afterwards.
• For a matinee: have lunch nearby, see the play and leave the rest of the afternoon and evening for dinner, a film or a longer South Bank walk.
• For a full day out: add one ticketed attraction or museum, but leave plenty of time between it and the performance.

Performance dates and times can change, so check the performance calendar before making other bookings.

First: protect your arrival time

Ticket holders are asked to arrive at least 45 minutes before the performance for ticket checks and bag searches. The Courtroom Bar opens one hour before the show, so arriving early does not mean waiting outside.

There is no cloakroom, and large luggage cannot be stored. Bring only a bag that will fit beneath your seat. If you book a meal or attraction beforehand, aim to finish at least 90 minutes before the advertised curtain time; that leaves time for delays and the walk back to County Hall.

What to do before the play

If you have less than 90 minutes

Keep the plan close and flexible. Walk through Jubilee Gardens, follow the riverside path or cross part of Westminster Bridge for views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. These options are free, do not require a booking and make it easy to return to County Hall in time.

If the weather is poor, the public spaces at the Southbank Centre are a useful nearby alternative. Check the building’s opening times on the day of your visit.

If you have two or three hours

Continue east along the river towards the Royal Festival Hall. Depending on the day, you could:

• See an exhibition at the Hayward Gallery or browse the Southbank Centre programme.
• Explore the film library, exhibitions or screenings at BFI Southbank.
• Visit the Florence Nightingale Museum, beside St Thomas’ Hospital, before walking back towards County Hall.
• Cross Westminster Bridge for a short look around Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey’s exterior.

Museums, galleries and screenings may have timed entry or different opening days, so check the individual venue before setting out.

If you are making a full day of it

The London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium and the London Dungeon are all clustered around County Hall. They are convenient additions, but they can take longer than expected and are often busiest at weekends and during school holidays. Book a timed slot well before the performance rather than trying to squeeze an attraction into the final part of the afternoon.

For a less scheduled day, start around Waterloo or Westminster, walk along the river and choose lunch as you go. This gives you more flexibility if the weather, queues or transport change your plans.

Where to eat before the show

There is no single best restaurant for every visit. Choose according to how much time you have and whether you want to stay beside the theatre or explore further along the river.

Closest to County Hall

• Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar is inside the London Marriott Hotel County Hall. It is particularly convenient if you want a sit-down meal without adding much walking time.
• Brasserie Blanc Southbank is on Belvedere Road, close to the County Hall entrance, and works well for a relaxed pre-theatre meal.

Casual choices towards the Royal Festival Hall

The Southbank Centre area has several useful pre-show options, including Wahaca, Honest Burgers and Flat Iron. This area is roughly a ten-minute riverside walk from County Hall, so allow time to eat without rushing back.

From Friday to Sunday, the Southbank Centre Food Market can be a good daytime or early-evening option for a quick, informal meal. It closes too early for most evening performances, so check its current trading hours before relying on it.

Around Waterloo and Lower Marsh

If you are arriving through Waterloo, Lower Marsh has independent cafés and restaurants, while the weekday market is best suited to lunch before a matinee. Roti King Waterloo serves Malaysian and Singaporean food nearby, but its last seating is too tight for a typical evening performance. Treat it as a before-theatre or post-matinee choice; it accepts walk-ins rather than reservations.

Wherever you choose, reserve ahead for a weekend or busy evening and check the restaurant’s kitchen hours—not just the time the bar or building closes.

What to expect inside County Hall

Agatha Christie’s courtroom drama follows Leonard Vole, who is accused of murdering a wealthy widow. The production takes place inside County Hall’s former council chamber, placing the audience within the surroundings of the trial.

Courtroom Stalls seats surround the central action, while Gallery seats provide a higher view resembling a traditional public gallery. Jury seats offer the most participatory experience. Audience members in other seating areas remain close to the action but are not expected to take part.

The performance lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 20-minute interval. It is recommended for ages 10 and above with parental guidance, and children under five are not admitted. The production includes references to hanging and smoking on stage.

Latecomers may not be admitted, while anyone leaving during the performance may be unable to return to their seat.

After the verdict: what to do after an evening show

A 7.30pm performance should finish at approximately 9.45pm, although timings can vary. At that point, some restaurant kitchens will be closing even when their bars remain open. If dinner is important, book somewhere that confirms a suitable last seating; otherwise, eat before the show and use the evening for a walk or drink.

For a short walk and the best night-time views

Walk towards Westminster Bridge for views across the Thames to the Houses of Parliament. From there, you can leave from Westminster station or cross the bridge and continue towards Whitehall.

For a longer route, walk east past the Royal Festival Hall and cross one of the Golden Jubilee Bridges. The view back towards the London Eye is particularly good after dark, and Embankment and Charing Cross stations are on the other side.

Both routes are easy to shorten if the weather changes or you are tired after the performance.

For a post-show drink

• Gillray’s Bar is the simplest option because it is inside County Hall and generally stays open later than the restaurant kitchen.
• The Archduke, beneath the railway arches near Waterloo, is a good choice for wine, cocktails and live jazz on selected evenings.
• Skylon’s Grand Central Bar is inside the Royal Festival Hall and combines cocktails with river views.
• BFI Riverfront has a riverside bar and is useful if you want to continue east along the South Bank. Its kitchen may finish much earlier than the bar.
• The Understudy at the National Theatre is further along the river and suits a casual drink, with food available at selected times.

Opening times and event schedules vary by day, so check the venue before relying on it as the final stop of the night.

For food after the show

Late food requires more planning than a post-show drink. Honest Burgers South Bank is one of the more practical casual options after the production’s usual evening performances. On later-closing nights, wagamama Royal Festival Hall or Passyunk Avenue Waterloo may also work. Check the kitchen closing time for your exact date and allow for the walk from County Hall before choosing one.

If nothing nearby fits, Waterloo gives you a wider choice of transport and late venues. It is better to decide on this before the performance than to search for an open kitchen at 10pm.

After a matinee

A matinee leaves far more options. You could have dinner around the Royal Festival Hall, book an evening screening at BFI Southbank, continue towards the National Theatre and Tate Modern or cross the river towards Covent Garden. Check the finishing time against any timed booking, as the performance can run slightly longer than expected.

Three easy itineraries

A relaxed evening

1. Arrive on the South Bank about two and a half hours before the show.
2. Take a short riverside walk, then have an early dinner near County Hall or the Royal Festival Hall.
3. Reach the theatre at least 45 minutes before curtain time.
4. After the performance, walk to Westminster Bridge or stop for a drink at Gillray’s Bar or The Archduke.

A culture-focused matinee day

1. Visit the Hayward Gallery, BFI Southbank or Florence Nightingale Museum in the morning.
2. Have lunch close to County Hall.
3. See the matinee, then walk east along the South Bank.
4. Finish with dinner, a film or a drink around the Royal Festival Hall and National Theatre.

A family day out

1. Book one nearby attraction for the morning or early afternoon.
2. Leave a generous gap for lunch and queues.
3. Return to County Hall at least 45 minutes before the show.
4. Keep the post-show plan simple: a short riverside walk, dessert or a direct journey home.

Getting there and accessibility

Waterloo, Westminster, Embankment and Charing Cross stations are all within walking distance of London County Hall. The venue information includes directions and nearby transport connections.

For step-free travel, the venue estimates a walk of approximately nine minutes from Waterloo’s Jubilee line and seven minutes from Westminster’s Circle and District lines.

Row F at the back of the Courtroom Stalls has step-free access, with lifts connecting street, atrium and Stalls levels. Other Stalls rows require steps, while the Galleries have no lift access and include steep, narrow stairs. Contact the production’s access team before booking if you require wheelchair space, a companion seat or additional assistance.

Taxis and other vehicles cannot stop directly outside the entrance because Belvedere Road is private. The nearest drop-off point is around 50 metres away, at the corner of Belvedere Road and Chicheley Street. Full details are in the access guide.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive for Witness for the Prosecution?

Arrive at least 45 minutes before the performance to allow time for ticket checks, bag searches and finding your seat. The Courtroom Bar opens one hour before the show.

How long is Witness for the Prosecution?

The performance lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.

Can I eat after an evening performance?

Yes, but plan ahead. A 7.30pm performance should end at about 9.45pm, when some kitchens are taking their last orders. Book a suitable late table, or eat before the show and choose a walk or drink afterwards.

What can I do nearby for free?

Walk along the Thames, explore Jubilee Gardens, cross Westminster Bridge or visit the public spaces at the Southbank Centre. These are easy to fit around the performance without committing to another timed attraction.

Is London County Hall step-free?

Row F at the back of the Courtroom Stalls is step-free and accessible by lift. Other Stalls rows require steps, and the Galleries have no lift access, so check the access guide before booking.

Planning to book?

For a fuller look at the story, courtroom seating, age guidance and the weekly ticket lottery, read our Witness for the Prosecution before-you-book guide.