Shakespeare's Globe is a reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where many of Shakespeare's plays were first performed, built on the South Bank of the Thames close to the original site. Seeing a play here, standing in the yard as audiences did four centuries ago, is one of the most memorable things to do in London. If you cannot catch a performance, a guided tour of the theatre is the next best thing.
Why visit Shakespeare's Globe
The original Globe was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's company and stood a short distance from today's theatre. The modern Globe opened in 1997 after a long campaign led by the American actor and director Sam Wanamaker. It was built using traditional methods and materials, including oak frames and the only thatched roof allowed in London since the Great Fire of 1666.
The theatre is open to the sky, so audiences experience the weather along with the actors. Plays are staged mainly in the warmer months, while the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, an intimate indoor theatre lit by candles, hosts performances through the winter.
How to get to Shakespeare's Globe by Tube
The Globe sits on Bankside, between Southwark Bridge and the Millennium Bridge, and several stations are within a short walk:
- Mansion House (District and Circle lines) on the north bank: walk south and cross Southwark Bridge, and the Globe is just to your right. Allow around ten minutes.
- Blackfriars (District and Circle lines, plus Thameslink trains) has an exit on the south side of the river; from there, walk east along the riverside path.
- St Paul's (Central line): walk down to the Millennium Bridge and cross to Tate Modern, with the Globe right next door.
- London Bridge (Northern and Jubilee lines) and Southwark (Jubilee line) are a little further but make for a good riverside walk.
Shakespeare's Globe tickets
There are two main ways to watch a play in the Globe theatre. Standing tickets in the yard, where the groundlings stood in Shakespeare's time, are famously cheap and give you a close view of the stage. Seated tickets are in the covered galleries around the yard; bring or hire a cushion, as the benches are wooden. Popular productions sell out, so book early through the official website, shakespearesglobe.com.
Guided tours of the theatre run on most days, though times can be affected by performances and rehearsals. Tours usually tell the story of the original Globe and the reconstruction and let you see inside the auditorium. Check the official website for current tour times, show dates and prices.
Tips for seeing a play
- Standing tickets mean standing for the whole performance, which can be close to three hours for some plays. Wear comfortable shoes.
- Umbrellas are not allowed in the yard because they block views, so bring a waterproof jacket.
- Actors often move through the yard, so groundlings near the stage can end up part of the action.
- Arrive a little early to get a good spot at the front of the yard.
Exhibitions and the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Alongside the main theatre, the Globe's site includes an exhibition space about Shakespeare's London and the craft of theatre in his day, often visited as part of the tour. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is a small indoor theatre modelled on the playhouses of the Jacobean period, lit by candles and with seating close to the stage. Tickets for it are limited and tend to go quickly, so book well ahead if you want to see a winter performance.
Best time to visit Shakespeare's Globe
The main outdoor season runs from spring to autumn, and summer evenings are especially atmospheric. In the colder months, look at the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse programme instead, or take a daytime tour. A tour takes around an hour, while a play is an evening or afternoon commitment of two to three hours.
Nearby on the South Bank
- Tate Modern: the free modern art museum next door, in a former power station.
- Millennium Bridge: the footbridge leading across the river to St Paul's Cathedral.
- Borough Market: the famous food market a short walk east.
- Southwark Cathedral: close to London Bridge, with links to Shakespeare's era.
- The Golden Hinde: a reconstruction of Francis Drake's ship near Borough Market.
See what else is nearby on the Shakespeare's Globe page, or browse the London guide for more ideas by Tube station.