West Road Concert Hall
The University's concert hall on the Sidgwick Site, designed by Sir Leslie Martin and opened in 1978.
West Road Concert Hall is part of the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Music, on the Sidgwick Site a few minutes' walk west of the Backs and King's College. Sir Leslie Martin designed the building, which opened in 1978. The hall's own website calls it one of Cambridge's premier music venues and praises its acoustics.
Music at Cambridge
The hall's about page links the building to a long musical record. It notes that the world's first firmly authenticated Bachelor of Music degree was awarded at Cambridge in 1464, to Henry Abyngdon, and that the university set up its Faculty of Music in 1947 to teach the newly created Music Tripos. Current listings are mostly classical and chamber concerts, including visits by touring ensembles and local orchestras.
Practical notes
There is no box office on site: each event's page on the website carries its own booking details. The building also has meeting rooms and a large foyer, and is marketed for conferences.
On arrival, cycle racks stand at the front, and the Universal (Route U) bus stops at University Library on West Road, about 50 metres from the door. Madingley Road Park and Ride offers free parking for up to 18 hours, with the same bus running onward. Sidgwick Site parking is open only from 6pm on weekdays, and the car park east and south of the hall is out of use because of building works expected to continue until 2028. On-street parking on West Road and Sidgwick Avenue is free after 5pm.
Nearby
Within a few minutes' walk
