Wilton’s is the oldest surviving Grand Music Hall in the world. It belongs to the first generation of public house music halls that appeared in London during the 1850s and which, only fifty years later, had all but disappeared. Now owned by the Wilton's Music Hall Trust and run by a very small and dedicated team of people, it produces imaginative, distinctive work that combines all art forms and spotlights new talent.

Originally 5 terraced houses, John Wilton opened Wilton's Music Hall in 1858. Since then it has been home to the missionaries, survived two world wars, been a rag warehouse and unfortunately become derelict. Wilton’s heyday as a music hall was short-lived: just twenty-two years. Several landlords followed after John Wilton and, in 1880, performances ceased when his final successor was unable to renew the licence due to new fire regulations. It was taken over by a Methodist Mission, which continued to occupy the building until 1956. The Methodists served 2000 meals a day during the first ever Docker’s strike of 1889 and allowed Wilton’s to be used as a safe house during the 1936 Battle of Cable Street. During the war it provided shelter for those bombed out of their homes and, in the 1950s it became a sorting place for rags. In one way or another, Wilton’s has always been at the centre of its community.

Years of dereliction and neglect have taken their toll on the building and its fabric. The whole of the second floor is boarded up and unsafe for public use. The bar floor is supported by acro-props and is subject to weight restrictions; the roof (what is left of it) leaks and timber floorboards and joists need to be reinforced and, in some cases, replaced. Local repairs need to be carried out to failing brick work and mortar in order to prevent further fabric loss. The Trust does not want, however, to tamper with or eradicate the extraordinary atmosphere, which undeniably stems from its crumbling state. Funds are being raised to meet the cost of a sympathetic repair project. More information can be read on our Save Wilton's page.

To find out more about the history of Wilton's Music Hall come to one of our regular guided tours, see the What's On section above or call the Box Office on 0207 702 2789 for upcoming dates.

There are lots of ways to support Wilton's. You can become a friend, be a patron, donate online (no amount is too small) or just come along to our shows and our bar and have a drink for charity! For more information see Support Wilton's.

   

Who We Are