- The Tate Modern, located a short walk from the Globe, is one of the world’s leading contemporary art museums, offering a striking contrast to the historic theatre.
- St Paul’s Cathedral, easily reached via the Millennium Bridge just outside the Globe, provides a breathtaking architectural and cultural highlight across the Thames.
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Shakespeare’s Globe in London, a faithful 1997 reconstruction near the 1599 original, preserves the legacy of live entertainment. This open-air landmark continues staging Shakespeare’s plays and contemporary works, carrying forward a centuries-old theatrical tradition.
What to expect when you visit Shakespeare’s Globe
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Open-air, authentic Elizabethan experience
The Globe is entirely roofless; performances and tours proceed rain or shine. It’s wise to dress for the weather, and cushions or blankets are available for hire.
Architecture & ambience
Explore a three-tiered structure, ground level plus two storeys, accessed via staircases reminiscent of the original 1614 design. Experience the buzz of the crowd around a thrust stage in a true reproduction of the iconic “wooden O.”
Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
An atmospheric indoor Jacobean-style theatre within the Globe complex, modelled after the period’s Blackfriars Theatre and opened to the public in 2014.
Guided tours for all interests
Choose from a range of themed tours, award-winning guided explorations of the Globe’s history, Pride tours celebrating queer stories, ghostly family adventures, walking tours through historic Bankside, and more.
Immersive storytelling & stagecraft
Guides illuminate the storied past of the Globe, its survival through fire, plague, and political upheaval, even bringing early modern stage combat to life in sword‑fighting demos for families.
Tickets & tour options
Standard guided tours
A standard ticket includes admission to the Globe Theatre and the permanent exhibition. Visitors can learn about the theatre’s architecture, its reconstruction, and Shakespeare’s role in shaping English theatre.
Nearby attractions
Cultural landmarks
Historic sites
- Southwark Cathedral, with its Gothic architecture and connections to Shakespeare’s family, is a short walk from the theatre and offers a quieter historic setting.
- The Clink Prison Museum, located nearby, allows visitors to explore the harsh realities of medieval London’s justice system.
Food and market experiences
- Borough Market, one of London’s oldest and most renowned food markets, offers everything from artisanal street food to fine dining, making it an ideal stop before or after a performance.
- You’ll also find speciality stalls selling cheeses, baked goods, wines, and global delicacies perfect for a pre-show snack.
River connections
- Bankside Pier provides convenient riverboat services that link the Globe with other major London attractions such as the Tower of London, Greenwich, and Westminster, making it easy to combine the theatre visit with a wider day of sightseeing.
- Evening sailings also offer a scenic way to arrive or depart, with views of London’s landmarks along the Thames.
About Shakespeare’s Globe
- Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in London has a total capacity of around 1,570, with about 700 standing places in the open-air yard and the rest seated in galleries.
- Seating is arranged in three tiers of wooden benches within the iconic wooden ‘O’ encircling the stage, offering clear sightlines and a shared experience between actors and audience.
- The Yard provides a unique standing experience close to the stage, often chosen by visitors seeking the most authentic connection to Shakespeare’s plays.
- Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, an indoor candlelit theatre used mainly in winter, has 340 seats and recreates the intimate feel of a 17th-century playhouse.
- 1594–1599: The early years: Shakespeare’s company, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, first performed at The Theatre in Shoreditch before moving to the Curtain Theatre. In 1599, they dismantled The Theatre and used its timber to build the original Globe in Southwark.
- 1613–1614: Fire and rebirth: The Globe theatre famously went up in flames during a performance of Henry VIII. It was quickly rebuilt the next year, continuing as a hub for Shakespeare’s plays.
- 1642–1644: Closure and demolition: When Parliament ordered all theatres in London to shut, the Globe eventually fell silent and was torn down within two years.
- 1970–1997: Wanamaker’s dream: Centuries later, American actor Sam Wanamaker launched a mission to rebuild the Globe. His vision came to life in 1997 when Queen Elizabeth II opened the new Shakespeare’s Globe, just steps from the original site.
- 2014: A new chapter: The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse opened as an indoor, candlelit theatre, offering intimate performances in the style of 17th-century playhouses.
- Open-Air design and the wooden ‘O’: The Globe theatre in London is shaped as an icosagon, a 20-sided polygon, forming the famous “wooden O”, where performances take place beneath the sky with natural lighting.
- Elizabethan craftsmanship: Built with English oak, lime plaster, and mortise-and-tenon joints, the theatre reflects authentic 16th-century Elizabethan and Jacobean design, with no structural steel.
- Fire-safe thatched roof: The Globe is the only building in modern London permitted to have a thatched roof, protected with advanced fire-safety measures.
- Stage and seating layout: A thrust stage extends into a circular yard for 700 standing spectators, surrounded by three tiers of raked wooden-bench seating.
- Sam Wanamaker Playhouse: The indoor candlelit theatre, designed from Inigo Jones’s assistant John Webb’s 17th-century blueprints, combines historic intimacy with modern ventilation and stagecraft.
At Shakespeare’s Globe
- The Globe theatre in London has staged the complete works of Shakespeare, often in multiple interpretations, alongside plays by his contemporaries.
- Notable Globe productions include Antony and Cleopatra (1998), As You Like It (1998), Augustine’s Oak (1999), The Antipodes (2000), The Comedy of Errors (2005), All’s Well That Ends Well (2011), The Globe Mysteries (2011), Blue Stockings (2013), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2013).
- Beyond Shakespeare, the Globe also hosts concerts, special events, and the long-running Read Not Dead series of staged readings of lesser-known early modern plays.
At Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
- Opened in 2014, the candlelit theatre debuted with John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi, directed by Dominic Dromgoole. Since then, it has staged a mix of Shakespeare, Jacobean drama, and contemporary works.
- Recent highlights include productions like Moving Stories, showcasing the playhouse’s commitment to experimental and intimate theatre experiences.
Know before you go
- Tube: The nearest tube station is London Bridge, on the Northern Line, which is a 9-minute walk from the theatre. Blackfriars is a 10-minute walk from the theatre, and served by the District and Circle lines.
- Bus: The closest stop is Blackfriars Bridge bus stop, served by bus routes 45, 63 and 100. Other stops include Mansion House, served by routes 11, 15, 17, 26 or route 76 to St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- Train: The closest train station is Blackfriars, a ten-minute walk from the theatre. Step out from the South Bank exit.
- Boat: The Bankside Pier is a mere 10-meter walk from the theatre. It is served every 20 minutes by the River Bus, which operates late into the night as well.
- Washrooms: Gender-neutral washrooms are available across the venue for all guests.
- Baby changing facilities: Baby changing areas are provided, making the theatre accessible for families.
- Gift shop: The Globe’s shop sells souvenirs such as books, clothing, posters, bags, and stationery.
- Tours: Guided tours offer insight into the Globe’s history, architecture, and stagecraft.
- Swan Restaurant and Café-Bar: Swan, the theatre’s riverside restaurant, serves British cuisine with views of the Thames, while the café-bar offers light bites and drinks.
- Education spaces: Dedicated learning studios host workshops, lectures, and events for students and the wider public.
- Booster cushions: Booster cushions are not provided at Sam Wanamaker’s Playhouse. Upper Gallery seats may limit views for children.
- Mobility access: Step-free entry is available at the main entrance and bar, with adapted washrooms and two disabled parking bays provided on a first-come basis.
- Auditory support: Select performances include British Sign Language interpretation. Hearing enhancers are available at the foyer desk, and a hearing loop is installed in the Lower Gallery.
- Visual support: Audio-described shows are offered alongside touch tours, with large-print and braille cast lists available for visually impaired guests.
- Inclusive seating: Accessible seating includes companion spaces for visitors with disabilities. Guide dogs are welcome inside both theatres.
- Special performances: Sensory-adapted and relaxed performances are scheduled to create a welcoming experience for neurodiverse audiences.
- Book in advance: Shakespeare’s Globe tickets should be booked ahead of time for all performances, as they sell out quickly.
- Dress code: As the theatre is open-air, visitors are advised to dress for all weather. There is no formal dress code.
- Access: Guests with access needs should notify the venue in advance, including guide dog arrangements, for a smooth visit.
- Recording policy: Photography, filming, and audio recording are not permitted inside the theatre during performances.
- Food and beverage policy: Outside food and drink are not permitted inside the theatres. Refreshments can be purchased at the Globe Café-Bar or Swan Restaurant before the show and during intervals.
- Infants: Strollers and prams are not allowed inside the auditorium. Baby carriers are recommended instead.
- Children’s tickets: Shakespeare’s Globe tickets forchildren under three years of age are free of charge when accompanied by an adult.
- Tours: Guided tours of the Globe are available daily, offering insight into the theatre’s history and architecture.
Swan at the Globe: Situated right next to Shakespeare’s Globe, with views of St. Paul’s across the river, this restaurant is renowned for its British cuisine.
- Directions
The Real Greek Bankside: This Greek restaurant serves classic Ouzo and Gyros, a local Greek favourite, accompanied by magnificent views of the river.
- Directions
Zizzi - Bankside: An Italian restaurant with a menu of pastas, calzones, pizzas and risottos. Zizzi supplements its cuisine with stunning river views.
- Directions
Anchor Bankside: This outdoor and indoor bar provides just what you need for relaxation. Enjoy the views while sipping on real ale, experimenting with the bar menu, and munching on delectable snacks.
- Directions
Frequently asked questions about Shakespeare’s Globe
Shakespeare’s Globe is located on London’s Bankside, along the south bank of the River Thames, in the Bankside Cultural Quarter.
The Globe theatre in London is well-connected by public transport. The closest Underground stations are Blackfriars, Mansion House, Southwark, and London Bridge. River bus services stop at Bankside Pier, just a short walk away.
The theatre mainly stages Shakespeare’s plays, often in innovative or traditional formats, along with works by his contemporaries. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse hosts candlelit productions, contemporary works, and experimental theatre.
The outdoor Globe theatre has standing space for around 700 people in the Yard and seating for about 870 in three tiers of galleries. The indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is fully seated, with a capacity of around 340.
Yes. The Globe and Sam Wanamaker Playhouse offer wheelchair access, companion seating, adapted washrooms, lifts, and step-free entry. BSL-interpreted, captioned, audio-described, relaxed, and sensory-adapted performances are scheduled throughout the year.
Prices of Shakespeare’s Globe ticketsvary depending on the production, seating choice, and performance date. Standing Yard tickets are usually the most affordable option.
Yes. Swan at the Globe is the in-house riverside restaurant, offering modern British dining, afternoon tea, and drinks. A café-bar is also on-site, and there are plenty of restaurants and pubs nearby, including The Anchor and Zizzi.
Nearby highlights include the Tate Modern, the Millennium Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Borough Market, and the Clink Prison Museum, all within walking distance.
There is no official dress code, but as the Globe theatre in London is open-air, visitors are advised to dress for the weather.
Yes, children are welcome. Those under three can attend for free, though prams and strollers are not allowed inside the auditorium. Baby carriers are recommended.
Photography and video or audio recording are not permitted during performances, though photos are allowed before and after the show.
