Large metal organ pipes partially hidden behind a decorative wooden grate.

The Britton Organ

Spellbinding sound, restored to glory

There’s nothing quite like the moment The Britton Organ begins to play. A single breath of air transforms into a cascade of sound – surrounding, soaring, and stirring the soul. Whether rumbling beneath your feet or singing through the rafters, its music is an experience of true wonder.

On this page you can learn about the history of this remarkable concert hall instrument, discover the careful restoration, find out when you can experience the spellbinding sound live in concert, and how you can donate to support it’s future for generations to come.

One of the most important concert hall instruments in the UK…it’s quite incredible.”

Oliver Condy, BBC Music Magazine

Large metal organ pipes partially hidden behind a decorative wooden grate next to wooden paneling.

A journey of restoration

In 2026, we celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Britton Organ, proudly restored and returned to its rightful place in the heart of Beacon Hall.

Built in 1956 by renowned organ makers Harrison & Harrison, it remains one of the UK’s most important concert hall organs. Grade II listed and spanning an astonishing 14 feet from stage to floor, it’s among only a handful of working instruments of its size anywhere in the world.

Following its removal in 2018, every one of its pipes, tubes, bellows and pneumatic motors were painstakingly restored at Harrison & Harrison’s workshop in Durham. This intricate process saw layers of time—quite literally—scraped away, from aged felt to nicotine-stained parts, and included the rebuild of its damaged console with a new, mobile frame.

Now re-voiced to perfectly match the newly transformed Beacon Hall and its world-class acoustics, The Britton Organ is ready to captivate once again.