The Galleries at London County Hall

The Central, North and South Galleries, rows A to D, sit behind the Courtroom Stalls, all at the same height. They are the cheapest seats in the chamber.

What it costs, and what you get

Tickets start from around £20. You look down on the courtroom from benches, with the seat numbers marked on the floor.

What you give up

The pillars. Several big marble pillars stand in the Galleries and they can block parts of the stage, mostly from the side blocks and the back rows of each Gallery. Seats with a pillar in the view are marked when you book, so check the plan before you choose. If the price is low, a seat behind a pillar is still worth having: the stage is long, so you miss some moments and see plenty of others in full.

Distance. You are behind the Stalls and higher up, so rows C and D are a fair way from the stage.

Comfort. The benches are narrow front to back and fairly upright, and legroom varies from seat to seat.

Where we would sit

The front rows, towards the centre of each Gallery. That keeps you away from most of the pillars and as close to the stage as the Galleries get.

Getting up here

The Galleries are 33 steps above the Courtroom Stalls, and there is no lift. You come in at row B, then it is 2 steps down to row A, 2 steps up to row C and 6 steps up to row D. The steps are steep and narrow, and getting into row A is a squeeze. If you don't like heights or struggle with stairs, book the Courtroom Stalls.

The hearing loop may not work in the North or South Gallery. If you use it, book the Stalls.