Shakespeare's Globe

The basics

Visitors who want to get inside Shakespeare’s Globe have two options: either buy tickets to a show (the standing-only, yard tickets are cheapest) or join a 30-minute guided Globe Theatre tour. London Pass holders can enter for free. Tours include access to the theater itself, as well as entry to the interactive Globe Exhibition, which focuses on Elizabethan theater. On select days, tours of the indoor, Jacobean-style, candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse are also available.

Shakespeare’s Globe tours can be combined with A Midsummer Night's Dream–themed afternoon tea, a Thames cruise, or a visit to other Shakespeare-connected London sites such as Southwark Cathedral, where Shakespeare worshipped, and the Anchor Bankside pub, a centuries-old tavern at the heart of the Shakespeare-era theater district.

Things to know before you go

• Shakespeare’sGlobe is wheelchair accessible.

• Performances usually last 2.5 to three hours and include a break.

• As the theater is open-air, visitors will experience exposure to inclement weather during tours and performances. Bring rain gear if necessary, as tours and performances run in all weather. (Umbrellas are not allowed during shows as they can obstruct the stage.)

• Complimentary audio guides are available for the exhibition.

How to get there

Shakespeare’s Globe stands on London’s South Bank. Take the Tube to St. Paul’s (Central line), Mansion House (District and Circle lines), or London Bridge (Northern and Jubilee lines). All three stations are within easy walking distance.

When to get there

Plays are staged from mid-April to mid-October, and tours take place year-round. During summer, it’s best to arrive in the morning as tours end early in preparation for matinee performances.

Best seats in the house

The best seats in the house are not seats at all, but rather standing tickets. These give you access to the yard, where about 700 “groundlings” (standing audience members) stay on their feet during the entire performance. Not only do these tickets put you close to the action, but they also offer the best stage views. Alternatively, book Shakespeare Globe tickets for the gallery, which has bench seating.

Ways to explore

Get inside Shakespeare’s Globe by buying tickets to a show (the standing-only, yard tickets are cheapest) or joining a 50-minute guided tour from May through October. Tours include entry to an Elizabethan theater exhibition; The London Pass® holders can enter for free. On select days, tours of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse are available.

You can admire Shakespeare’s Globe from afar during a River Thames cruise—options range from hop-on hop-off boats to experiences including dinner or afternoon tea. Shakespeare-specific tours combine the Globe with London attractions such as Southwark Cathedral, where Shakespeare’s brother is buried, and the centuries-old Anchor Bankside pub.

Accessibility

There’s a step-free entrance and wheelchair spaces in the theater. Elevators go to some of the Globe’s floors, but limited barrier-free access on the tour might make some parts inaccessible for wheelchair users.

Age limits

None; the Globe is great for kids, as many performances are modern adaptations of plays that give history a contemporary twist.

What to pack

This theater is open-air, so prepare for all weather with sunscreen and a waterproof raincoat. Some people bring cushions or blankets to sit on.

What to wear

Wear shoes that are comfortable for standing for a long period if you’re in the Yard, or bottoms that are suitable for sitting cross-legged if you’ve got a seated ticket.

Not allowed

Smoking, glass containers, large luggage

Amenities

Restaurant, bar, gift shop, restrooms, baby changing, conference rooms

Address

Shakespeare’s Globe stands proudly on the banks of the River Thames on London’s culture-rich South Bank, home to other top attractions such as the Tate Modern and the London Eye.

Driving

You can’t access the pedestrianized riverfront by car. However, you can take a black cab or a rideshare to Southwark Bridge, which is the closest drop-off point for the theater.

Public transportation

Shakespeare’s Globe is easy to reach via the London Underground. Take the Northern or Jubilee lines to London Bridge station or disembark at Blackfriars on the District and Circle lines; both are about a 10-minute walk away.

Best times to visit

Aim to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled performance or earlier if you’re in the Yard and want to secure a spot near the front.

Best days to visit

For the quietest guided tours, opt for a weekday morning. This is also when the Globe hosts more relaxed performances designed for neurodiverse audience members.

Best months to visit

Performances take place come rain or shine, but for the highest chance of optimal weather, visit in summer. This is also when you’ll have more performances to choose from.

Special events

During Pride Month in June, Shakespeare’s Globe offers special LGBTQ+ tours that explore queer characters.