Theatre

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Book Shakespeare's Globe Tickets

Tap 'What's On' or scroll to the bottom of this page to discover and book your tickets to see some of Shakespeare's most famous plays in London.

History of Shakespeare's Globe

The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 by the playing company, Lord Chamberlain's Men, to which Shakespeare belonged, and was destroyed by fire on June 29, 1613. The fire was caused by an accident with a cannon during a production of Henry VIII.

In 1970 American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, founded the Shakespeare Globe Trust, and International Shakespeare Globe Centre with the objective of building a faithful recreation of Shakespeare’s Globe close to its original Bankside, Southwark location.

While many had said that the Globe reconstruction was impossible to achieve, he persevered for over 20 years, and eventually a new Globe Theatre was built according to a design based on the research of historical advisor John Orrell.

The theatre opened in 1997 and now stages plays every summer. It is roughly 230 metres from the original site, centre to centre, and was the first thatched roof building permitted in London since the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Shakespeare's writings relived

Plays are staged during the summer, usually between May and the first week of October, and in the winter the theatre is used for educational purposes. Tours are available all year round.

Performances are staged in a manner which is as close as possible to how it was in the original theatre.

There are no spotlights, speakers or microphones. All music is performed live to your ears, the actors can see the audience and the audience can see each other, adding to the feeling of a shared experience and community event.

When the play is done, we'd recommend checking out the amazing food at the Swan Bar & Restaurant linked to the theatre.

The Tempest | Globe,
Shakespeare's Globe,
21 New Globe Walk,
London

SE1 9DT

How to find us

On foot

There are excellent footpaths along the river from Waterloo and from Southwark Bridge. The Millennium Footbridge is 50 metres from the theatre.

Train

Local stations are: Blackfriars (10 minute walk, South Bank exit, lifts to street level from platform); London Bridge (15 minute walk); Cannon Street (20 minute walk) and Waterloo (25 minute walk).

Bike

There are uncovered public bike racks on Bankside and New Globe Walk, both 10 metres from the theatre. There is also a Transport for London Santander Cycle Hire docking point on New Globe Walk.

Bus

Local routes include: 45, 63, 100 (to Blackfriars Bridge); 11, 15, 17, 26 (to Mansion House); 76 (to St Paul’s Cathedral); 344 (from Liverpool Street Station, towards Clapham, on Southwark Bridge Road) and 381, 344 (towards Liverpool Street Station, on Southwark Street).

Underground

Local stations are: London Bridge on the Northern line (9 minute walk); Blackfriars on the District and Circle Lines (10 minute walk); Mansion House on the District and Circle Lines (10 minute walk); Southwark on the Jubilee Line (15 minute walk) and St Paul’s on the Central Line (15 minute walk).

Coaches

If you are arriving by hired coach, there is a setting down point on Southwark Bridge, with approximately 40 uneven steps leading to the river-walk. Wheelchairs can access Shakespeare’s Globe by taking Sumner Street on the right beyond the bridge and turning right into Emerson Street which leads into New Globe Walk.

Boat

Bankside Pier is 10 metres from Shakespeare’s Globe and is served every 20 minutes throughout the day and until late at night by the River Bus.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers serves 23 piers throughout London, including Battersea Power Station, Embankment, Canary Wharf, Greenwich and North Greenwich. Save money when you buy tickets online or touch in and out with Oyster or contactless to pay as you go.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ vessels and piers are wheelchair, mobility scooter and pram accessible except for Wandsworth Riverside Quarter, Cadogan and London Bridge piers.

Car & taxi

Where possible, visitors are advised to arrive by public transport or by taxi.

There is an NCP car park on Thames Exchange on the north side of Southwark Bridge (open 24 hours, seven days a week).

Limited parking is possible on New Globe Walk and the surrounding area on display of a blue disabled badge.

Black cabs may be found all year round on Southwark Bridge. It may also be possible to pick one up from outside the main foyer on New Globe Walk. Alternatively, you can book a taxi or minicab via the TFL website.