It’s simple and easy to rent a grand piano in London, and there are many reasons people choose to rent instead of buy. Maybe you value the flexibility, or perhaps you’re renting your home and might move again. Renting gives you options—no long-term commitment, and with our rental credit (we refund half your rental for up to two years against the purchase price), you still have the option to buy later.
We offer piano rentals on high-quality Feurich grand pianos from just £175 per month, with a six-month minimum term. The two models currently available are:
- Feurich Model 162 – our powerful baby grand
- Feurich Model 179 – an elegant boudoir grand with strong tone and touch
We also provide event rental for concerts, recording sessions, weddings, film shoots, and parties. Much of the cost for short-term rental goes into transport—especially where stairs are involved—so please get in touch for a competitive quote, letting us know the event details, access info, and venue location.
Many customers prefer to rent first, to be sure they’re completely happy with the instrument before committing to a major purchase. This is especially popular with music students doing degrees or master’s courses at the Royal College, Guildhall, Trinity, or the Academy. With limited budgets and course durations as short as nine months, rental often makes much more sense.
What Rental Options Are Available?
We aim to be as flexible as possible. You can rent a piano for a day, a week, a month, a year, or on an ongoing basis. Extensions are easy to arrange—just let us know.
As a general rule, the longer the agreed rental period, the lower your monthly cost. Long-term rentals usually start at six months, with a rolling contract afterwards, cancellable with just one month’s notice.
Grand Piano Sizes Available for Hire
Grand pianos are measured by length (on the bass side). We don’t supply anything under 160 cm, because the bass strings are too short—most good uprights sound better than tiny baby grands.
Our two models include:
- Feurich Model 162 – a compact but powerful baby grand
- Feurich Model 179 – a boudoir grand with a rich, resonant tone
Generally, the longer the piano, the more powerful and expressive the sound, thanks to greater string length and a larger soundboard.
Understanding the Costs Involved
Our long-term grand piano rental starts from £175/month. For delivery and collection on the ground floor in London, allow around £200 each way, depending on size and access. If stairs are involved, we’ll need to quote based on the specific job. If the piano fits in a lift safely, we usually charge ground-floor rates.
Delivery costs may also include the London Congestion Charge, depending on your postcode.
Every rental includes an adjustable piano stool, free of charge. We think it’s essential—you can’t exactly play standing up!
Pianos should be tuned at least once a year. Environmental factors like sunlight, temperature swings, and humidity can throw the tuning off. Our current charge for a standard tuning is £90, with slight increases if the piano is below pitch or needs more technical work. Learn more about our piano tuning in London.
Delivery, Setup, and Tuning
Grand pianos are delivered on their side, legs removed, using a wooden piano shoe and heavy-duty wheels. On arrival:
- The team will protect stairs if needed
- Legs are reattached onsite
- The piano is set upright and moved to its final position
- Castors or protective cups are installed if needed
We tune and regulate every piano in our workshop before delivery. If you need a tuning on the day (e.g. for a concert), we suggest letting the piano settle for at least 30 minutes after setup.
Insurance, Deposits & Terms
We don’t normally require a deposit or separate insurance. Damage is rare, and if anything happens, our expert case repairer can fix it at cost.
To return the piano, we just ask for one month’s notice—though we can often arrange a quicker return. Once your piano is in place and you’re happy, simply set up a monthly standing order. That’s it.
Measuring for Delivery and Placement
We’re happy to help you choose the right piano size for your space and assess access options. This may involve:
- Supplying photos or videos of entryways, stairs, or lifts
- Arranging a site visit by our transport team if needed
Problem areas include tight turns, low ceilings, or right-angle landings. We’ve even craned pianos in when necessary—so whatever your setup, we’ll help find a solution.
Why Rent from Thornhill Pianos?
We’re a family-run business, working from our Shoreditch workshop. All our pianos are tuned and regulated in-house by skilled technicians (not sales staff), and all of us play piano ourselves. You’ll get expert, honest advice without pressure.
We provide pianos and technical support for some of London’s most prestigious venues, including:
- Abbey Road Studios
- British Grove Studios
- Royal Opera House
- Southbank Centre
- Wigmore Hall
- Royal Albert Hall
Yet we’re just as proud to help students, families, and amateur musicians find the right piano at the right price.
You can also explore our pianos for sale in London or read more about Thornhill Pianos.
Get in Touch to Arrange Your Rental
We invite you to book a visit to our Shoreditch workshop to try out the Feurich grand range and chat to our team. No pressure—just real piano players giving you straightforward advice.
We don’t work on commission and our prices are typically lower than most London showrooms. Whether you’re just getting started or need a concert-ready grand, we’re here to help.
Get in touch today to find the right rental option for your space, playing style, and budget.