Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Guided Tour & Exhibition London

4.7 (918 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience

Duration1 hour
Open onDaily; tour times vary with performances
Meeting pointThe Guided Tours entrance facing the river, 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Guided Tour & Exhibition London

5.0 on Google

Fair, honest prices
Real people, not bots
Confirm, then pay
Secure payment

Overview

This one-hour Shakespeare's Globe guided tour takes you inside the reconstructed Elizabethan playhouse on the South Bank, with an English-speaking guide and entry to the exhibition. You stand in the open-air yard where audiences once watched Shakespeare's plays, learn how the original Globe was built, burned and rebuilt, and explore displays on costumes, music and stagecraft. It suits theatre lovers, families with older children, students and anyone exploring Bankside, close to Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge.

Highlights

One-hour guided tour with an English-speaking guide
Entry to the Globe exhibition included
Stand in the open-air yard and see the stage, galleries and thatched roof
Hear the story of the 1599 Globe, its fire and its rebirth in the 1990s
Costumes, music and stagecraft displays in the exhibition
Wheelchair-accessible visit on the River Thames at Bankside
A short walk from Tate Modern, the Millennium Bridge and St Paul's

Full Description

Shakespeare's Globe on Bankside

Shakespeare's Globe stands on the south bank of the Thames, a few hundred metres from where the original theatre stood. It is a faithful reconstruction of the wooden 'O' where Shakespeare's company performed, opened in 1997 after decades of work led by the American actor and director Sam Wanamaker.

A Shakespeare's Globe Theatre tour is a good way to picture the London of Elizabeth I and James I, when plays were performed in daylight to a mixed crowd of nobles and ordinary Londoners. Most visitors find it more immersive than a typical museum visit, because you are standing in the space itself.

The story of the original Globe

The first Globe opened in 1599 and quickly became the base of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, the company in which Shakespeare acted and wrote. In 1613 it burned down when a cannon fired during a performance set the thatch alight, and a new Globe rose the following year.

That second theatre lasted until the authorities closed the playhouses in 1642, and the building was later demolished. Your guide explains how the site was rediscovered and how research into Elizabethan building techniques led to the modern reconstruction.

Inside the playhouse: yard, stage and thatch

The Globe is built of oak with a thatched roof, the first permitted in London since the Great Fire of 1666, and it is open to the sky in the middle. Standing audiences known as groundlings stand in the yard, close to the stage, while seated spectators fill the three tiers of galleries.

On the tour you see the stage, the painted decoration and the details that helped actors and audience feel close to each other. If you ask what a tour offers over watching a play, the answer is the behind-the-scenes explanation of how the space works, told in a friendly, informal way.

The exhibition, tour times and getting there

The exhibition explores costume, music, sound and the daily lives of Elizabethan players, and visitors can sometimes try on costume pieces or handle props. Tours run at set times, often in the morning, and are adjusted around rehearsals and performances, so choose from the times shown in the booking panel.

To get to the Globe, walk across the Millennium Bridge from St Paul's or use Blackfriars, London Bridge or Southwark stations. The Globe is an open-air theatre and tours go ahead in all weather, so dress for the conditions.

Itinerary

Arrive at New Globe WalkArrive at the Globe at your booked time and check in for the tour.
The exhibitionExplore displays on Elizabethan theatre, costume and music; about 20 minutes.
Inside the theatreEnter the open-air playhouse with your guide and hear the story of the Globe; about 30 minutes.
Stage and galleriesSee the stage, yard and galleries up close, and ask your guide questions.
Finish at the GlobeFinish at the Globe, where you can browse the shop or walk along the river.

What's included

A guided tour of the Globe Theatre
Entrance into the exhibition
Live English-speaking guide
Wheelchair-accessible

Not included

Transport

Is this right for you?

Great for

Families with children — a child price for ages 0–15
A short visit — about 1 hour
Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers

Not suitable for

Guests who want a tour in a language other than English
Very young children who cannot follow a one-hour tour
Travellers hoping to watch a play, as this ticket is for the tour and exhibition only

Meeting point

There is no hotel pickup. Meet at Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk on Bankside, at the time you booked. Check in at the entrance with your e-ticket and arrive about 15 minutes early, as tours begin on time.

Important information

Bring your e-ticket on your phone or printed; it is valid for the time you booked.
All tours are in English; information sheets are available in several other languages.
The Globe is an open-air theatre and tours go ahead in all conditions, so dress for the weather.
Wear comfortable shoes; the tour involves walking and some steps.
The tour is wheelchair accessible; contact us before booking if you need help.
Tour times can change around rehearsals and performances.
Transport to the venue is not included.

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.

How much does the Shakespeare's Globe tour cost?

The price depends on the visitor category and date. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, adult and child, before you pay.

What does the ticket include?

Your ticket includes a guided tour of the Globe Theatre and entry to the exhibition. Transport to the venue is not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Meet at the Globe on New Globe Walk; it is a short walk from Blackfriars, London Bridge or across the Millennium Bridge.

How long is the Globe tour?

The guided tour lasts about one hour.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. The tour is suitable for all ages, though very young children may find a full hour long; the booking panel has a child category.

What should I wear or bring?

Comfortable shoes and clothing for the weather, as the theatre is open to the sky. Bring your e-ticket.

Can I book for today or tomorrow?

Yes, if the time shows as available in the booking panel. Slots can fill in summer and school holidays, so book early where you can.