Despite being named after Shakespeare, the actor turned writer only owned 12.5% of the shares in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men company. His shares further diminished over his career, ending at just 7%. The Globe Theatre was designed to house up to 3000 people, from commoners to high society. The three-storey building was 100 feet (30 metres) in diameter with an open-air design – an estate agent’s spin on not having a roof.
DIRECTORY
Shakespeare's Globe
Originally built by Shakespeare’s playing company in 1599, the Globe Theatre in London features plays both modern and old. Tragedy seemed to follow Shakespeare not only in writing, for the Globe Theatre burned to the ground in 1613 just 14 years after its opening. One year later, a second Globe Theatre was opened. It was shut permanently, however, 28 years later during the First English Civil War by Parliament Ordinance and converted into apartment buildings. It wasn’t until 1997 that the Globe Theatre would re-emerge via a modern reconstruction.
The first play ever performed in the Globe Theatre was Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, but other playwrights, such as John Fletcher – whose fame rivalled Shakespeare’s at the time – had their plays performed in the theatre. When it reopened in 1997, surprisingly, it was not one of Shakespeare’s plays first performed, and instead a German play. Shakespeare references the Globe Theatre in Henry V and The Tempest, meaning which is lost unless viewed at the Globe Theatre. Before the time of the internet, the only way to know which play was being performed was via flags hanging outside the theatre. Black flags referred to tragedies, red flags to history, and white flags to comedies.
The Globe Theatre is a faithful recreation based on designs from 1599 and 1614 and allows visitors to feel what it was like to be alive during Shakespearian times. The current building was constructed about 230 metres from the original theatre. Although the exact size of the original building is unknown it's agree that it could house around 3,000 audience members and was a three-storey, open-air amphitheatre of about 30 metres diameter. Originally thought to be round, recent excavations suggest that it was in fact polygonal with 20 sides.
Address and Contact Details
Address: Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
Telephone: 020 7902 1400
Email: Send email
Website: Shakespeare's Globe (opens in new window).
Travel Connections
Shakespeare's Globe is conveniently located on the South Bank of the River Thames, making it easily accessible by various modes of transport.
Underground (Tube)
- South of the River Thames:
- London Bridge Station: Served by the Jubilee and Northern lines, and National Rail services.
- Distance: Approximately 700 metres.
- Walking Time: Around 9 minutes.
- Southwark Station: Served by the Jubilee line.
- Distance: Approximately 1.2 km.
- Walking Time: Around 15 minutes.
- North of the River Thames (and crossing a bridge):
- Mansion House Station: Served by the District and Circle lines. You will need to cross the Millennium Bridge to reach the Globe.
- Distance: Approximately 600 metres (including bridge crossing).
- Walking Time: Around 8 minutes.
- Blackfriars Station: Served by the District and Circle lines, and National Rail services. You can exit directly onto the South Bank.
- Distance: Approximately 600 metres.
- Walking Time: Around 10 minutes.
- St Paul's Station: Served by the Central line. You will need to cross the Millennium Bridge.
- Distance: Approximately 900 metres.
- Walking Time: Around 12 minutes.
Bus
Several bus routes stop near Shakespeare's Globe.
- Bus Stops on the South Bank:
- Bankside (Stop BH): Routes 344.
- Southwark Bridge Road (Stop BB): Routes 344, 381.
- Southwark Street (Stop BD): Routes 381, N381.
- Bus Stops on the North Bank (crossing a bridge):
- Mansion House Station / St Paul's Churchyard (Stop SJ, SM): Routes 11, 15, 17, 26. These stops are near Mansion House Tube Station, requiring a walk across the Millennium Bridge.
- Blackfriars Bridge (Stop B, C): Routes 45, 63, 100, N63. These stops are at Blackfriars Bridge, offering easy access to the South Bank.
River Boat
For a unique and scenic approach, river boat services are excellent.
- Bankside Pier: This pier is located directly outside Shakespeare's Globe.
- Distance: Less than 50 metres.
- Walking Time: Less than 1 minute.
- North of the River Thames access: Uber Boat by Thames Clippers services numerous piers on the North Bank (e.g., Embankment Pier, London Bridge City Pier, Tower Pier) with direct connections to Bankside Pier.
- South of the River Thames connections: Services from other South Bank piers (e.g., London Eye Pier, Waterloo Millennium Pier) also connect to Bankside Pier.
Car and Cycling
- Car: Driving to Shakespeare's Globe is not recommended due to central London's congestion charge and limited, expensive parking. Public transport is the best option. Limited parking for Blue Badge holders may be available on New Globe Walk, but it's advisable to check in advance.
- Cycling: Public bike racks are available on Bankside and New Globe Walk, both very close to the theatre. There is also a Santander Cycles docking point on New Globe Walk.
Facilities
Shakespeare's Globe provides various facilities to enhance the visitor experience:
- Toilets: Accessible and standard toilets are available throughout the building.
- Shops: A well-stocked shop offering Shakespeare-themed merchandise, books, and souvenirs is located on New Globe Walk.
- Café/Restaurant: The Swan at Shakespeare's Globe offers a restaurant and bar with views of the Thames and St Paul's Cathedral. There is also a Foyer Café Bar.
- Cloakroom: The Globe does not have a public cloakroom. Large bags are not permitted inside the theatre during performances or tours, so it's best to travel light.
- Baby Changing Facilities: Available within accessible toilets.
- First Aid: Staff are trained in first aid, and assistance is available if required.
- Cushions and Blankets: For open-air performances, cushions and blankets are available to hire or purchase.
Access
Shakespeare's Globe is committed to making its site and performances accessible to all.
- Step-Free Access: The main entrance on New Globe Walk offers step-free access with automatic doors. Lifts provide access to all public levels within the building, including the exhibition and the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
- Wheelchair Access: Dedicated wheelchair spaces are available in both the Globe Theatre (Yard and Middle Gallery) and the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse (Lower Gallery), with companion seats. These should be booked in advance. The Exhibition and guided tours are also fully wheelchair accessible.
- Accessible Toilets: Two accessible toilets are located on the Piazza level, and another is on the Lower Level.
- Assistance Dogs: Guide dogs, hearing dogs, and other assistance dogs are welcome.
- Audio-Visual Aids:
- Audio-Described Performances: Available for visually impaired visitors, often accompanied by touch tours.
- Captioned Performances: For deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.
- BSL Interpreted Performances: Feature a British Sign Language interpreter.
- Relaxed Performances: Designed for audiences who may benefit from a more relaxed environment.
- Seating: Bench seating in the Globe Theatre does not have backrests, but some seats in the back rows can lean against the wall. Wheelchair users have dedicated spaces.
- Open-Air Theatre: The Globe Theatre is open-air, meaning performances proceed regardless of weather. Visitors are advised to dress accordingly.
Entry Fees (as of July 2025)
Entry fees vary depending on the activity (Exhibition & Tour, performance tickets, or Sam Wanamaker Playhouse performances).
- Exhibition & Tour:
- Adult: From £19.50 - £27.00
- Child (5-15 years): From £10.00
- Student (with valid ID): From £17.50
- Senior (60+ years): From £17.50
- Family tickets are also available.
- Performance Tickets (Globe Theatre):
- Standing (Groundling) tickets typically start from £5.00.
- Seated tickets vary widely based on location and production, starting from around £20-£30 and going up significantly.
- Performance Tickets (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse): Prices vary significantly depending on the production and seat location.
Please note:
- Concessions are often available for students, seniors, and Access Scheme members.
- Booking in advance online is highly recommended, especially for performances, as tickets can sell out quickly.
Opening Times
Opening times for Shakespeare's Globe vary based on the season, performance schedule, and specific areas (Exhibition & Tour, Box Office, Shop, Swan Bar & Restaurant). It is highly recommended to check the official website for the most current and specific times for your planned visit.
- Globe Exhibition & Tour:
- Generally open daily, with tours departing frequently.
- Typical hours are from around 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (last admission usually one hour before closing).
- Hours can be adjusted on performance days.
- Box Office:
- Monday – Friday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Shop (New Globe Walk):
- Monday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- The Swan Bar & Restaurant:
- Monday – Saturday: 12:00 pm – 8:45 pm
- Sunday: 11:30 am – 8:45 pm
- Globe Theatre Performances: Performance times vary significantly. Evening performances typically start at 7:30 pm, with matinees often at 2:00 pm or 2:30 pm.
Other Places of Interest (within 15 minute's walk)
Tate Modern (1 minute): London's gallery of international modern and contemporary art, housed in the former Bankside Power Station. It features a vast collection and offers stunning views from its upper floors.
Millennium Bridge (1 minute): A pedestrian suspension bridge spanning the River Thames, connecting Tate Modern on the South Bank with St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. Famous for its "wobbly bridge" nickname after its opening.
Golden Hinde (5 minutes): A full-sized reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake's famous ship, which circumnavigated the globe in the late 16th century. Moored on the South Bank, it offers a fascinating glimpse into Elizabethan seafaring life.
The Clink Prison Museum (5 minutes): Built on the original site of the medieval Clink Prison, this museum provides a grim but intriguing look into the history of one of England's oldest and most notorious prisons.
Southwark Cathedral (8 minutes): A magnificent Gothic cathedral with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. It features beautiful stained glass, impressive architecture, and connections to Shakespeare, whose brother Edmund is buried here.
London Bridge (9 minutes): An iconic bridge over the River Thames with historical significance. While the current bridge is relatively modern, the area around it is steeped in history and offers views of Tower Bridge.
Borough Market (10 minutes): One of London's oldest and largest food markets, offering an incredible array of gourmet foods, fresh produce, and street food from around the world. A vibrant and delicious experience.
London Bridge Experience & Tombs (10 minutes): An interactive and immersive attraction that delves into the dark history of London Bridge, with live actors and historical tales, followed by a terrifying journey into the London Tombs.
St Paul's Cathedral (12 minutes): A masterpiece of English Baroque architecture, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Its magnificent dome is a prominent feature of the London skyline. Accessible via the Millennium Bridge from Shakespeare's Globe.
The Shard (12-13 minutes): Western Europe's tallest building, an instantly recognisable skyscraper offering panoramic views of London from its observation decks, The View from The Shard. It also houses restaurants, a hotel, and offices.
