Shakespeare's Globe
Price guide: Expensive
21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London, SE1 9DT
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expert-rated things to do in London- Recommended for:
- Backpackers / Students, Culture vultures, Families with teenagers, Mature travellers, Singles, Design and architecture, Education, History, Live entertainment, Sightseeing
Expert review of Shakespeare's Globe
Travel back to the great days of Elizabethan theatre.
This evocative working theatre and exhibition space is a 'best guess' reconstruction of an open-air playhouse of 1599 where William Shakespeare worked and for which he wrote many of his greatest plays. The guided group tours lasting around forty minutes are sometimes led by actors and offer a highly informative introduction to how dramatic works were staged at that time. Back then the audience could be as large as 3,000 (the current Globe seats 900 with another 700 standing) and people went to 'hear' a play as much as to see it. A companion exhibition provides further background with information on such subjects as costumes, music and the neighbourhood. In my experience, after taking the tour you immediately want to see a live show so consider booking seats ahead of your trip.
Price advice:
A guided tour and admission to the exhibition costs £11.50 adult, £7 child aged 5-15, concessions £10.
Expert tips:
Avoid visiting during matinee performances when tours go to the nearby archaeological site of the Rose Theatre instead.
For the most authentic experience book tickets for an afternoon performance - in Shakespeare's day plays were staged at 2pm.
More information on Shakespeare's Globe:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Historic site, Museum, Theatre / opera house / concert hall
- Address:
- 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London, SE1 9DT
- Telephone:
- 020 7401 9919
- Website:
- http://www.shakespearesglobe.com
- Months open:
- All year round
- Opening times:
- Mon-Sun 9.30am-5.30pm; from late April-early October (theatre season) Mon-Sat 9am-12.30pm, 1pm-5pm; Sun 9am-11.30am, noon-5pm.
- Indoor/outdoor?:
- Both
