Shakespeare's Globe stands on the south bank of the Thames at Bankside, a faithful reconstruction of the open-air Elizabethan playhouse where many of William Shakespeare's plays were first staged. Built from oak, lime plaster and a thatched roof, the timber-framed theatre brings the experience of Tudor London to life just a short walk from St Paul's Cathedral across the river. For any visitor curious about the roots of English theatre, it is one of the most evocative cultural sites in the capital.
Why visit Shakespeare's Globe
Shakespeare's Globe lets visitors step inside a working recreation of a Tudor playhouse and watch Shakespeare performed much as audiences did four centuries ago, with natural light, an open yard and no amplification. It is both a living theatre and a heritage attraction, offering performances, guided tours and an exhibition that together explain how Elizabethan drama was made and staged.
The current building, opened in 1997, sits close to the site of the original Globe of 1599 and was the vision of the American actor and director Sam Wanamaker. It was constructed using traditional materials and techniques, from hand-made bricks to oak pegs in place of nails, making it the only thatched-roof building permitted in central London since the Great Fire of 1666. The result is an experience that feels genuinely of its time rather than a museum behind glass.
Highlights and what to see
Whether you come for a performance or simply to explore, several features reward a visit:
- The open-air theatre itself, with its circular galleries, ornately painted stage and the standing yard where "groundlings" watch on their feet, just as Elizabethan audiences did.
- The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, an indoor candlelit theatre modelled on the intimate Jacobean playhouses of the early seventeenth century.
- The guided tour, which brings the building's history, architecture and stagecraft vividly to life with expert storytellers.
- The exhibition exploring Shakespeare's London, Bankside's theatrical past and how plays were costumed, printed and performed.
- The riverside setting on Bankside, with sweeping views across the Thames to the City of London.
How to visit
Shakespeare's Globe is located at 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, on the south bank of the Thames in the London Borough of Southwark. The nearest Underground stations are Mansion House and St Paul's on the north side of the river, reached on foot via the Millennium Bridge, along with London Bridge (Jubilee and Northern lines) and Southwark (Jubilee line) to the south. Blackfriars and London Bridge mainline stations are both within easy walking distance.
The theatre's main season runs largely through the warmer months, when the open-air auditorium comes into its own, while the indoor playhouse stages work year round. Tours and the exhibition operate throughout the year. Because tickets, performance schedules and opening times change with the seasons, it is best to consult the official Shakespeare's Globe website for current programmes, prices and availability before you travel. Standing tickets in the yard remain among the most affordable and atmospheric ways to see a show, though you should dress for the weather as the yard and galleries are open to the sky.
What's nearby
The Globe sits at the heart of one of London's richest stretches of riverside. Next door is Tate Modern, the vast modern art gallery housed in a former power station, while the Millennium Bridge leads directly across to St Paul's Cathedral. A short stroll east brings you to Borough Market, one of the capital's finest food markets, and the riverside Thames Path links the area to Tower Bridge, Shakespeare's own Southwark and the wider South Bank. To explore the surrounding area in more depth, see our guide to the city's London neighbourhoods and other London attractions.
Shakespeare's Globe FAQ
Is Shakespeare's Globe the original theatre?
No. The original Globe opened in 1599 and burned down in 1613, with a second version demolished in 1644. The building you see today opened in 1997 as a faithful reconstruction, built close to the original site using traditional Tudor materials and craftsmanship to recreate the Elizabethan playhouse experience.
Do you need to book tickets in advance?
Booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially for popular performances and during the summer season. Tours and the exhibition can also be busy. Check the official Shakespeare's Globe website for current availability, prices and timings, as schedules vary throughout the year and standing yard tickets often sell quickly.
What is a groundling?
A groundling is a member of the audience who stands in the open yard directly in front of the stage, rather than sitting in the covered galleries. It recreates how poorer Elizabethan theatregoers watched plays. Standing tickets are inexpensive and bring you remarkably close to the action, though the yard is exposed to the weather.
Is the theatre suitable in bad weather?
The main Globe theatre is open to the sky, so the yard and parts of the galleries are exposed to rain. Performances usually continue in light rain, and umbrellas are not permitted as they block others' views. The indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, by contrast, is fully covered and comfortable in any weather.
Plan your visit
Shakespeare's Globe pairs naturally with a wider day on Bankside and the South Bank. Browse more London attractions to build your itinerary, explore the capital's museums and galleries for nearby cultural stops such as Tate Modern, and see our wider guide to things to do in London to make the most of your trip.
