Venue
Osborn Road, Fareham PO16 7DB
Fareham Live
Fareham Live is a modern theatre and entertainment venue that opened in September 2024 on the site of the former Ferneham Hall in the centre of Fareham, Hampshire, standing on Osborn Road with the town's shops, pubs and restaurants a short stroll away. Run by Trafalgar Theatres, it brings a broad mix of live entertainment to south Hampshire, from family shows and music tribute nights to stand-up comedy, plays and cabaret, alongside creative learning workshops and behind-the-scenes tours. As well as its main auditorium there is a smaller studio space, a cafe and foyer areas, and it sits within easy reach of around 1,400 town centre parking spaces and Fareham railway station.
Photos via Google. Attributions: Tim Sheerman-Chase, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
City
Fareham
Capacity
800
Venue info
Fareham Live is a modern theatre and entertainment venue that opened in September 2024 on the site of the former Ferneham Hall in the centre of Fareham, Hampshire, standing on Osborn Road with the town's shops, pubs and restaurants a short stroll away. Run by Trafalgar Theatres, it brings a broad mix of live entertainment to south Hampshire, from family shows and music tribute nights to stand-up comedy, plays and cabaret, alongside creative learning workshops and behind-the-scenes tours. As well as its main auditorium there is a smaller studio space, a cafe and foyer areas, and it sits within easy reach of around 1,400 town centre parking spaces and Fareham railway station.
History
Fareham Live stands on the site of Ferneham Hall, the town's multi-purpose civic venue, which opened on Osborn Road in 1982 and closed in 2020 for redevelopment. Work to rebuild and remodel the hall began in 2022, and the venue was rebranded Fareham Live.
The new building opened in September 2024 and was officially opened on 24 September 2024 by Fareham Borough Council and Trafalgar Theatres, part of Trafalgar Entertainment, which manages the venue day to day. It has an 800-seat main auditorium and a flexible 120-seat second space, Studio One, along with a daytime cafe and bistro.
A walkway through Fareham Shopping Centre now links the town centre to the theatre, with signage and lighting along the route, making it easy to combine a show with dinner or drinks on West Street or the High Street.
Transport
Train
Fareham railway station is roughly a 15-minute walk from the theatre. Check National Rail for times, and there are taxi services waiting at the station if you would rather not walk.
Bus
Fareham Bus Station is connected to the theatre by the covered walkway through Fareham Shopping Centre, which is open each evening until 11.30pm.
Parking
There are around 1,400 parking spaces within walking distance of the theatre, and parking is free after 6pm. Three pay-and-display car parks sit immediately behind and next to the venue, with several spaces allocated to Blue Badge holders. All the car parks are owned and managed by Fareham Borough Council rather than by Fareham Live, so tariffs apply to everyone including staff and visiting companies. If you are arriving from the A27, Market Quay car park is often the easier option: from there you can use the covered pedestrian route through the shopping centre, open every evening until 11.30pm.
Seating plan and where to sit
Main Auditorium
The main auditorium is divided into front stalls and tiered stalls. The front stalls sit on the flat closest to the stage and are the place to be if you like a close, immersive view, particularly for comedy and music where the connection with the performer matters. This area has level access and holds six wheelchair spaces.
The tiered stalls rise behind, so sightlines open up and you take in the full width of the stage. For big family shows, musicals and anything with a lot of choreography or set, a few rows back in the tiered section usually gives the most comfortable overall view. There are two wheelchair spaces here as well.
Studio One
Studio One is the venue's smaller space, used for more intimate work, showcases and workshops. The front row has level access for wheelchair users. In a room this size there is no bad seat, though the front rows put you very close to the action.
Booking tip: wheelchair spaces are held off sale online, so contact the box office directly by phone, email or in person to reserve them.
Accessibility
Fareham Live aims to be a welcoming venue for every visitor, and there is a visual storybook available to help you plan ahead. Access enquiries go to the welcome desk team by email at farehamwelcomedesk@trafalgartheatres.com or by phone on 0343 310 0022.
- Entrances: the main entrance on the north side of the building, on Osborn Road, has fully automatic doors straight into the foyer, with the box office on the left. A south side entrance, reached on the path from the town centre through the shopping precinct, has a sloped approach with one automatic and two manual doors, bringing you in between the cafe and foyer with the box office on your right. The cafe entrance, open at certain times only, also has a sloped path and one manual door. Wheelchair access is available from both the town centre entrance and the north side car park entrance.
- Level access: all front of house areas, the front and tiered stalls of the main auditorium and the front row of Studio One have level access for wheelchair users. The stage, dressing rooms and main auditorium tech box are level access too.
- Wheelchair spaces: six in the front stalls and two in the tiered stalls. These are held off sale online so they reach the people who need them, so please book in person, by phone or by email. Tickets are issued as e-tickets.
- Toilets: level access lavatories on both floors, with a customer lift between the Ground and Terrace levels. There is a designated accessible lavatory and a Changing Places facility: follow the signage or ask a member of staff.
- Essential companion tickets: a complimentary essential companion ticket is offered for all shows and workshops for patrons with a range of access requirements, subject to availability. Accounts can be validated with a Nimbus Access Card carrying a +1 or +2 symbol, proof of Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance or War Disablement Pension, or registration as severely sight impaired.
- Hearing support: portable show relay headsets are available from the box office and play the show relay through the headset.
- Assistance dogs: guide and hearing dogs are welcome throughout. Mention it when you book for the main auditorium or Studio One and a complimentary adjacent seat will be reserved for your dog.
- Sensory warnings: notices are displayed in public areas and on the doors of the relevant space for performances using strobe or flashing lights, pyrotechnics, haze or smoke, or loud bangs.
If you would like to see the wheelchair spaces before booking, contact the box office to arrange a time, as auditorium access is not possible at all hours.
Live venue listings
Stitches Comedy Club - Joel Dommett, Jack Skipper and The Noise Next Door
Thu 10 Sep 2026
Comedy · from £26.50
View listing"Places, Please" - A Musical Theatre Showcase
Sat 19 Sep 2026
Creative learning · from £12
View listingWriting Workshops 2026 - Creating A Character
Fri 25 Sep 2026
Creative learning · from £15
View listingCrown Theatre Productions Presents: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Sat 26 Sep 2026
Family · from £18
View listingImaginary Landscapes: Poetry And Harp With Chris Tutton And Tara Minton
Sat 10 Oct 2026
Other · from £12.50
View listingFrequently asked questions
What's on at Fareham Live?
The programme mixes touring family shows and children's theatre with music and tribute nights, stand-up comedy, plays, cabaret and creative learning workshops. The latest listings are shown on this page, and tickets are sold through the venue's official box office.
Where is Fareham Live?
The theatre is on Osborn Road in the centre of Fareham, Hampshire, postcode PO16 7DB. It sits within the town centre, close to the shopping centre and to the pubs and restaurants on West Street and the High Street.
How do I get to Fareham Live?
Fareham railway station is about a 15-minute walk away and there are taxis at the station. From Fareham Bus Station or Market Quay car park you can use the covered walkway through Fareham Shopping Centre, which is lit, signed and open each evening until 11.30pm.
Where can I park at Fareham Live?
There are around 1,400 spaces within walking distance, including three pay-and-display car parks immediately behind and next to the venue, and parking is free after 6pm. All car parks are owned and run by Fareham Borough Council rather than the theatre, so their tariffs apply.
Is there Blue Badge parking?
Yes, several spaces in the pay-and-display car parks beside the venue are allocated to Blue Badge holders. These car parks are managed by Fareham Borough Council and charges apply to all visitors.
Is Fareham Live wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All front of house areas, the front and tiered stalls of the main auditorium and the front row of Studio One have level access, and there is a customer lift between the Ground and Terrace levels. The auditorium has six wheelchair spaces in the front stalls and two in the tiered stalls.
How do I book accessible seating or a companion ticket?
Wheelchair spaces are held off sale online, so contact the box office by phone on 0343 310 0022, by email at farehamwelcomedesk@trafalgartheatres.com or in person from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. A complimentary essential companion ticket is available for patrons with a range of access requirements, subject to availability and proof of eligibility.
Who runs Fareham Live?
The venue is operated by Trafalgar Theatres, which runs a group of regional theatres across the UK. Its team handles the programming, box office and welcome desk at Fareham.
How big is Fareham Live?
Fareham Live has a capacity of 800 — small enough to feel intimate but large enough to host major productions.