Shakespeare’s Globe in London

Shakespeare’s Globe is one of Captain Ulysses’ favourites in London! Discover all his tips and recommendations to make the most of your visit! Follow the guide!

Brief history of Shakespeare’s Globe in London

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, Othello, MacBeth, Romeo and Juliet…: Shakespeare’s legacy is quite simply spectacular. Even though they are wonderful to read, Shakespeare’s plays are above all meant to be brought to life onstage.

In the sixteenth century, countless spectactors gathered to attend Shakespeare’s theatrical performances. Where exactly did they go? To the Globe Theatre of course! Well, that’s the theatre that went down in history as Shakespeare’s theatre, but that’s actually not where all the playwright’s representations were given.

The history of the Globe Theatre began in 1598, when the Theatre (yes… that theatre was simply called ‘the Theatre’), where Shakespeare staged his plays up to then, shut down. When the lease for the land on which the Theatre was built expired, the landlord claimed that the Theatre had become his property. Shakespeare’s company therefore secretly dismantled the Theatre while the landlord away, was celebrating Christmas, and rebuilt it on the South Bank of the Thames in Southwark: the Globe was born.

Shakespeare performed on the Globe’s stage some of his most emblematic plays, including Julius Caesar, Othello and Hamlet.

But, at the time, theatre was a risky business. On June 29, 1613, the Globe entirely burnt due to the misfiring of a theatrical cannon. It was rebuilt on the following year, but the Puritans ordered that it be shut down in 1642. Two years later, it was destroyed to make way for housing.

In 1997, a replica of the theatre opened its doors some 200 meters from the original location of the Globe. It was built using the same materials as those of the original construction.

Visiting Shakespeare’s Globe

Captain Ulysses absolutely recommends stopping by Shakespeare’s Globe while visiting London. The visit begins with a forty-minute guided tour on which visitors are told about the history of the theatre and its famous playwright, as well as the customs in Elizabethan England.

The guides are lovely, enthusiastic and happy to share their stories and anecdotes. Did you know for instance that in Shakespeare’s days, there was no set onstage? Spectators came to listen to the plays rather than see a proper performance.

After the guided tour, visitors are free to explore the permanent exhibition at their own pace. Costumes, props and accessories are displayed in windows, while boards explain how a theatre functioned in Shakespeare’s time.

In a word: Shakespeare’s Globe is definitely worth a visit.

Attending a theatrical performance

Shakespeare’s Globe is not simply a museum, it is also an actual theatre, where the playwright’s iconic works are still performed. Representations are given in the summertime (Shakespeare’s Globe is an open-air theatre): it is an incredible opportunity to dive right in the world of Elizabethan spectators at the time of Shakespeare!

You can chose whether you want to be standing (£5) or seated (£23) and book your tickets directly on the Globe’s website. Find out more here.

Access

Getting to Shakespeare’s Globe in London

Shakespeare’s Globe is located on the Southern Bank of the Thames. It is easily accessible on foot or by subway.

The main subway stations in the area are:

• Blackfriars
• Mansion House
• London Bridge
• Southwark
• St Paul’s

You’ll also find bus stops near the theater, among which:

• Blackfriars bridge
• Mansion House
• Southwark Street
• Southwark Bridge Road

The hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses also stop near the Globe.

Admission

Tickets to Shakespeare’s Globe include access to the permanent exhibitions as well as a guided tour of the theatre. Prices range from £17.00 per person for an adult, to £10 for children, £15.50 for visitors over 60 and £13.50 for students. There’s also a family fare (£46).

👉 Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Guided Tour: to avoid queuing at the entrance, you can also book your ticket beforehand here.

👉 Shakespeare in London 3-Hour Guided Walking Tour: If you are passionate about Shakespeare and visiting the Globe is not enough to satisfy your insatiable curiosity, you can also book a 3 hour guided tour in the footsteps of famous playwright.

👉 Skip the lines: book your tickets and visits in advance!