Shakespeare’s Globe is a reconstruction of the Elizabethan open-air playhouse at 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT, on the Bankside stretch of the River Thames in Southwark. Opened in 1997 after decades of campaigning by the American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, it stands a few hundred yards from the site of the original Globe, where Shakespeare’s company staged Julius Caesar, Hamlet and Macbeth. Travelers come to watch the plays in the open air, to tour the oak-framed theatre, and to explore the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, a candlelit indoor Jacobean theatre. Visit details and current programming are on the official Shakespeare’s Globe website.
What to Expect at Shakespeare’s Globe
The Globe Theatre is a 23-sided timber structure built from green oak, joined with wooden pegs rather than nails, and topped with the first thatched roof permitted in London since the Great Fire of 1666. The stage is open to the sky, and the three tiers of galleries wrap around a circular yard where “groundlings” stand just as audiences did in Shakespeare’s day. Performances run in the summer season with natural light and no amplification, so rain, planes overhead and the occasional pigeon become part of the show. The programme also includes new writing and family productions, with a Christmas-season line-up that has featured Pinocchio and The Animals Come to the Table.
Away from the main stage, the Globe operates as a working cultural campus. Daytime guided tours take visitors into the Globe Theatre and explain the 1990s reconstruction and its research into Elizabethan building methods. The site also houses a shop, a bar and restaurant, and an education programme that includes Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank, which brings school-age audiences to the theatre each spring. A food and drink page on the official site lists current dining options at the venue.
- The Globe Theatre: the round, thatched, open-air playhouse where summer-season plays are staged in daylight with the audience in view of the actors.
- Sam Wanamaker Playhouse: an indoor Jacobean-style theatre lit by candles, used for intimate productions and music in the cooler months.
- The Yard: standing-room space directly in front of the stage, the traditional place for “groundlings” and the closest view of the action.
- Guided Globe Theatre Tour: a walk through the theatre explaining its oak frame, thatched roof and role in Shakespeare’s London, running through to January 2027.
- Shop and Bar & Restaurant: an on-site gift shop for books and Globe merchandise, plus a dining space beside the Thames.
Shakespeare’s Globe at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT, United Kingdom |
| Neighborhood / Area | Bankside, Southwark, on the south bank of the River Thames |
| Operating Hours | Varies by day, performance and season; check the official opening hours page before travelling |
| Admission / Price Range | Paid; tour and performance tickets are priced separately, with standing Yard tickets at the lower end ($$) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 hour for a guided tour; 3 to 4 hours for a full performance with dining |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Blackfriars and London Bridge stations; Southwark and Mansion House Underground stops; limited paid parking nearby |
| Official Website & Phone | shakespearesglobe.com, +44 20 7401 9919 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Book performances well ahead for summer evenings, which sell out first, and bring a waterproof layer for open-air shows because the Yard has no cover. Cushions can be hired for the gallery benches, which are unforgiving over a three-hour play. Tours are the easiest way in for first-time visitors, and the venue’s opening hours page shows whether the box office, shop and restaurant are open on a given day. Walking from Blackfriars station or across the Millennium Bridge from St Paul’s takes about ten minutes; the riverside path is flat and busy on weekends.
The Globe publishes an access page covering provisions for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent visitors, including an Access Scheme and wheelchair information, and the site includes BSL-interpreted performances. Within a 5 to 15 minute walk you can reach Tate Modern in the former Bankside Power Station, Borough Market for lunch, the Clink Prison Museum and the Millennium Bridge, which links the south bank to St Paul’s Cathedral.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours and best time to visit Shakespeare’s Globe?
Hours change by season, tour schedule and performance calendar, so check the official opening hours page before you go. Summer afternoons and evenings are best for open-air plays, while winter visits suit tours and the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
How much do tickets cost and do I need to book?
Admission is paid, with separate pricing for tours and performances. Standing Yard places are the cheapest way to see a play; seated gallery tickets cost more. Booking in advance is strongly advised for summer shows via the official website.
How long should I spend at Shakespeare’s Globe?
Allow about an hour for a guided tour of the Globe Theatre. If you are attending a performance, plan three to four hours including arrival, the show itself and a meal at the bar and restaurant.
Is the Globe accessible and suitable for children?
The venue publishes access provisions for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent visitors, including an Access Scheme and wheelchair guidance. Family-oriented productions such as the winter musicals are designed for younger audiences, and a dedicated families page on the official site lists current options.
When planning your London travel guide or comparing verified attractions and gift shop in London, pair this stop with standout local spots including Alexandra Palace, The London Dungeon, Highgate Wood, and Millennium Bridge (0.2 km away).
