Shakespeare's Globe Guided Tour Tickets

Shakespeare's Globe Guided Tour

Step into the world of the Bard at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, where expert guides bring 400 years of theatrical history to life. This guided tour takes you through the faithful reconstruction of Shakespeare's original playhouse on London's South Bank, exploring the timber-framed theatre that was painstakingly rebuilt using traditional Tudor building techniques.

Your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating stories about the original Globe, its destruction by fire in 1613, and the passionate 20th-century campaign to rebuild it. You'll learn about the groundlings who stood in the yard, the nobility in the galleries, and the all-male cast who performed Shakespeare's masterpieces. The tour includes access to the Globe Exhibition with its extensive collection of costumes, instruments, and artefacts, plus entry to the intimate Sam Wanamaker Playhouse when not in use for performances.

Discover how this open-air theatre operates just as it did centuries ago, dependent on London's unpredictable weather. Interactive displays demonstrate period music, sword fighting techniques, and Elizabethan rhetoric, whilst original folios and manuscripts provide intimate glimpses into Shakespeare's creative process. For more London theatrical experiences, consider booking London theatre walking tours to explore the West End's rich performance heritage.

What is Included

• 45-50 minute guided tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
• Access to the Globe Exhibition with interactive displays
• Entry to Sam Wanamaker Playhouse (when not in use for performances)
• Complimentary guidebook with theatre history
• Stories about Shakespeare's life, works, and Elizabethan theatre
• Opportunity to explore the gift shop

Good to Know

Tours typically last 45-50 minutes, with additional time available to explore the exhibition at your own pace. The meeting point is at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on the South Bank, easily accessible from Southwark and London Bridge stations. The venue is also reachable via Thames riverboat services for a scenic approach.

Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves standing and walking on various surfaces. The Globe is partially open-air, so dress appropriately for London weather conditions as tours proceed in most weather conditions. Photography is permitted in most areas for personal use, though flash photography may be restricted in certain exhibition spaces.

Tour schedules may be adjusted on performance days, with morning tours usually operating normally but afternoon tours potentially limited. Audio guides are available in French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese. The venue provides wheelchair access to most areas including the exhibition and ground level of the theatre. Tours are suitable for children aged 8 and above, with school groups receiving special rates and tailored presentations.

If you're planning a broader exploration of London's cultural attractions, combine your Globe visit with Tower of London tickets or discover more of the capital's performing arts scene with Royal Opera House backstage tours.