English National Ballet, founded in 1950 as the "Festival Ballet" inspired by the then imminent Festival of Britain, is one of the leading ballet companies in the United Kingdom founded by Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin.

Dolin as Artistic Director gave the Company its focus as a touring organization in its first decade, it sought to take classical ballet to new and established, audiences throughout the country, at affordable prices. He also introduced outreach and education programs to develop new audiences; in the 1950s, Dolin and his dancers would visit schools to talk about dance. Continuing Dolin's work today, the Company has a dedicated Education and Community team whose activities range from year-long projects to one-off workshops with schools and communities nation-wide.

As well as performing the traditional ballet favorites, the National Ballet's former Artistic Director, Matz Skoog, emphasized new works - commissions included works by British choreographers Michael Corder (Melody on the Move), Wayne McGregor (2 Human) and Christopher Hampson (Double Concerto).

Matz's work was recognized at the Critics' Circle National Dance Awards in January 2004, when the Company won the "Outstanding Repertoire" (classical category) award.

English National Ballet tours extensively throughout England and presents two high-profile seasons in London; at the London Coliseum at Christmas and, with huge arena productions, at the Royal Albert Hall in the Summer, most famously Swan Lake.

On 1 July 2007, English National Ballet performed at a Concert for the late Princess Diana at Wembley Stadium, as part of the celebrations of their former Patron's life. The orchestra for the concert was English National Ballet's orchestra, and the dancers also performed as backing for Take That's performance of "Shine".

In 1951 the Company began to tour abroad, quickly becoming a cultural ambassador (appearing on Eurovision in 1956, when its performance of Etudes at the gala to celebrate the wedding of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly was transmitted). In its first 15 years, the Company was seen throughout Europe, the Middle East and in North and South America. It was also the first major ballet company to perform in Israel.

English National Ballet continues to tour internationally today and in recent years has visited Australia, the Far East and Japan. Since 2004, the Company has travelled to Dubai, Athens, Madrid and Taipei, and in July 2007 performed on the lake in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. You can see video from Versailles on their site.

In December 2007, English National Ballet's Thomas Edur and Agnes Oaks danced the pas de deux from The Nutcracker at the Royal Variety Performance.

English National Ballet commissioned a new full length ballet for Autumn 2007, with choreography by Michael Corder to Prokofiev's score for The Stone Flower adapted by Julian Philips. This toured the UK before sell out performances at the London Coliseum in December.