Guided Tours

Our Guided Tours at Shakespeare’s Globe are an award-winning experience 400 years in the making.

From immersive history to chilling true crimes, and from family-friendly to Members’ exclusive, our fascinating range of guided tours offers something for all interests, ages and availability. Scroll down to find your unique adventure and information on how to visit us as a group or school.

Winner of Best Guided Tour at the 2024 London For Groups Awards.

 

EXPLORE SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE

Small group on a tour of Shakespeare's Globe. Caption reads

Be transported back to Shakespeare’s London, discover the magic of stagecraft, and explore the iconic Globe Theatre itself as part of the Globe Theatre Guided Tour.

Our expert Guides bring to life the thrilling story of our iconic wooden ‘O’. Hear how the original 1599 theatre survived the plague, fire and political oppression and rose again in the 1990s as part of one man’s radical vision. Join us to imagine how thousands of Londoners once packed in to see the greatest actors of the day.

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FOR FAMILIES

Introduce younger visitors to Shakespeare’s London and the theatrical world he created on one of our Guided Tours aimed at families with children ages 7+. Plus, enhance your experience with one of our exciting live demonstrations.

Family Sword Fighting Demonstration

Bankside
The Globe's expert Fight Team bring Early Modern stage combat to life, with the chance to handle the weapons yourself!
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Ghosts & Ghouls Family Tour

Bankside
This special family-friendly, spooky guided tour of the Globe Theatre brings to life the ghosts, spirits and scary happenings of Shakespeare’s most chilling plays.
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Festive Family Tour

Bankside
Celebrate the holiday season on a Festive Family Tour of the magical Globe Theatre. Hear how Christmas was observed in Shakespeare’s time and the folk traditions that people practiced to welcome in winter.
Family Events
Festive Events
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GROUP GUIDED TOURS

Visiting London as a group, society or school? Celebrating a special occasion? Create an unforgettable theatre experience by visiting Shakespeare’s Globe!

Your group of up to 30 people can enjoy the Globe Theatre Guided Tour with a discounted ticket rate, plus take advantage of special dining options at Swan Bar & Restaurant.

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THEMED GUIDED TOURS

Our special themed Guided Tours allow you to experience the magic of our wooden ‘O’ through different lenses, allowing you to dive deeper into Shakespeare’s history and plays.

Pride Guided Tour

Bankside
Step inside our iconic wooden ‘O’ for a special tour that brings to life the queer characters and stories from Shakespeare's life and writing, and Elizabethan London.
Guided Tours
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Heaven to Hell Tour

Bankside Globe Theatre
Become a Member (from £5 a month) to unlock our backstage tours. Guided by an experienced production team member, view the thatched roof up close, walk the stage, and venture into the Globe's hidden depths.
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Saloon doors opening into a misty interior at the Globe. Text says "Romeo and Juliet Guided Tour"

Romeo and Juliet Guided Tour

Bankside
Join us for a special Romeo and Juliet Guided Tour of the Globe Theatre and discover more about Shakespeare’s tragedy.
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Two rubber rings (as if from a pool party) propped up by the Globe stage, surrounded by confetti. Text says "Twelfth Night or what you will Guided Tour"

Twelfth Night Guided Tour

Bankside
Join us for a unique Twelfth Night Guided Tour of the Globe Theatre focusing on Shakespeare’s tragicomic tale of mistaken identity and romance.
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WALKING TOURS

Step away from the Globe and let our expert Guides show you around Bankside and beyond, and learn about the intriguing, entertaining and surprising history of our local area.

Shakespeare's Walking Tour

Bankside
This unique experience includes a walking tour of Bankside, London’s original theatre district bringing 400 years of thrilling history to life. The tour finishes with access to our walk-through exhibition space.
Guided Tours
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Wooden doors with circular medieval locks. The overlaid text reads Shakespeare's True Crimes Walking Tour

Shakespeare's True Crimes Walking Tour

Bankside
Explore the streets around the Globe with expert Guides and discover the intriguing criminal history of the Bankside area and its people, including Shakespeare himself. 
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A group of people dressed in coats and scarves stand in a circle listening to a man speak. St Paul's Cathedral is visible in the background.

Twilight Walking Tour

Bankside
Explore the Bankside area and be transported back to London's 'Kingdom of Night' and discover Shakespeare's fascination with the dark.
Guided Tours
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SWAN BAR & RESTAURANT

Two people enjoy afternoon tea, one of them reads the menu and one pours tea from a silver teapot

Swan is set over two floors, with stunning views of the Thames and St Paul’s.

Explore the bar and restaurant opening times, read menus and familiarise yourself with Swan’s Covid policy online.

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SAM WANAMAKER PLAYHOUSE TOUR

Opened in 2014, and named after the Globe’s founder, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse explores the experiences of actors and audiences in indoor playhouses in contrast to the more expansive, public spaces of the open-air theatres like the Globe.

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TOUR MEETING POINT

Everything you need to know to plan your visit to our Guided Tours.

Map of Shakespeare's Globe main site. From New Globe Walk along the east side of the site, doors open onto the main foyer, from which the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Swan Bar & Restaurant, shop, and toilets can be accessed. The foyer also opens out onto an outdoor piazza, which wraps around the circular Globe theatre. Separately, the Tours Entrance to the site is located to the north of the site (accessed via Bankside). A red arrow points to the tours entrance and another to the main entrance.

Bankside Tours Entrance:
Globe Theatre Guided Tour
Shakespeare’s Walking Tour
Elizabethan Costume Demonstration
Swordfighting Demonstration

Main Entrance Foyer:
Pride Guided Tour
Shakespeare’s True Crimes Walking Tour
Show Themed Guided Tours
Ghosts & Ghouls Family Tour
Twilight Walking Tour
Festive Family Tour

Opening times, information about getting here and more.

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