How to Tour Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre stands as one of the most iconic cultural landmarks in London — a faithful reconstruction of the original 1599 playhouse where many of William Shakespeare’s greatest works premiered. More than just a museum or historical site, the Globe is a living theatre that breathes life into Elizabethan drama through live performances, educational programs, and immersive guided tours. For visitors, whether they are literature enthusiasts, history buffs, or casual travelers, touring the Globe offers a rare opportunity to step into the world of Shakespeare as it was experienced by audiences over four centuries ago.

The importance of touring Shakespeare’s Globe extends beyond sightseeing. It is an educational journey that deepens understanding of Renaissance theatre architecture, performance practices, and the social context in which Shakespeare wrote. Unlike modern theatres with fixed seating and electric lighting, the Globe replicates the open-air, three-tiered structure of its predecessor, allowing visitors to experience the acoustics, sightlines, and communal energy that defined Elizabethan drama. This authenticity transforms a simple tour into a multidimensional encounter with literary and theatrical history.

Planning your visit requires more than just buying a ticket. To fully appreciate the nuances of the Globe — from the position of the groundlings to the symbolism in its timber framing — you must approach the experience with intention. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to touring Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, including best practices, essential tools, real visitor examples, and answers to frequently asked questions. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to deepen your knowledge, this tutorial will help you make the most of your journey into the heart of Shakespearean performance.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Research and Plan Your Visit in Advance

Before setting foot on Bankside, begin with thorough research. The Globe operates seasonally, typically from late April through October, with limited winter programming. Its schedule varies based on performances, educational events, and maintenance. Visit the official Shakespeare’s Globe website to confirm opening hours, tour availability, and any special closures. Note that guided tours are offered daily, but ticket quantities are limited — especially during peak tourist seasons and school holidays.

Consider the time of day. Morning tours tend to be less crowded and offer better lighting for photography. Afternoon tours may coincide with rehearsals or performances, providing a unique glimpse into the theatre’s behind-the-scenes operations. If you’re visiting during a performance day, check whether the tour includes access to the stage during intermission — a rare opportunity to stand where actors once delivered soliloquies.

2. Choose Your Tour Type

The Globe offers several tour formats, each tailored to different interests:

• Standard Guided Tour – A 40-minute walk through the theatre’s main areas, including the stage, galleries, and yard. Led by trained theatre historians, this tour explains the architecture, performance traditions, and historical context.
• Backstage Tour – A more in-depth experience (60–75 minutes) that includes access to the costume workshop, prop storage, and rehearsal rooms. Ideal for theatre students or professionals.
• Family Tour – Designed for younger visitors, this interactive version includes hands-on activities, costume trials, and simplified storytelling.
• Self-Guided Audio Tour – Available for purchase on-site or via the Globe’s mobile app, this option allows you to explore at your own pace with curated commentary on key features.

Book your preferred tour type online in advance. Walk-up availability is limited and often sold out, particularly during summer months. Booking early also ensures you secure the tour time that best fits your schedule.

3. Purchase Tickets and Confirm Details

Tickets for guided tours can be purchased directly through the Shakespeare’s Globe website. Prices vary by tour type and visitor category (adult, child, student, senior). There are no discounts for group bookings unless arranged in advance through the education department. Always double-check your confirmation email for meeting points, start times, and any special instructions.

Upon arrival, proceed to the main ticket office near the entrance on Globe Walk. Present your booking reference and photo ID if required. Staff will issue your tour wristband and provide a printed map of the theatre layout. If you’ve booked an audio tour, collect your headset from the designated kiosk. Note that bags larger than a small backpack must be checked at the cloakroom — a policy designed to protect historic surfaces and ensure safety in narrow passageways.

4. Arrive Early and Prepare for the Environment

Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled tour. The Globe is located in a bustling area near London Bridge, and security screening is required for all visitors. Unlike airports, the process is swift — a quick bag check and metal detector — but queues can form during peak hours.

Wear comfortable walking shoes. The ground is uneven in parts, and stairs are steep. The theatre is open-air, so dress in layers. Even on sunny days, the Thames breeze can be cool, and summer afternoons may become hot under direct sun. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water — there are no concessions inside the theatre during tours, though a café is available outside.

5. Begin the Tour: The Exterior and Entrance

Your tour begins outside the theatre, where your guide will point out the distinctive timber-framed structure. The Globe was rebuilt in 1997 using traditional methods and materials — oak beams, lime plaster, and thatched roofing (the first in London since the Great Fire of 1666). Your guide will explain how the design was informed by archaeological findings, historical documents, and contemporary accounts of the original Globe.

Observe the circular shape — 20 sides approximating a circle — and the 360-degree viewing experience. Unlike modern proscenium stages, the Globe’s thrust stage extends into the audience, creating intimacy and immediacy. Point out the tiring house (the backstage area behind the stage), the heavens (the canopy above the stage), and the trapdoor used for ghostly entrances in plays like Hamlet and Macbeth.

6. Explore the Yard and Groundlings Area

Descend into the yard — the standing area where Elizabethan “groundlings” paid one penny to watch performances. This is the most immersive part of the tour. Your guide may invite you to stand where Shakespeare’s audience once stood, and you’ll hear how the acoustics carry unamplified voices across the space. The groundlings were often the most vocal spectators — cheering, booing, or even throwing fruit. Your guide will share anecdotes from contemporary diaries describing rowdy behavior and the social mix of the crowd.

Notice the lack of seating — a deliberate choice to replicate historical conditions. The Globe’s design prioritized visibility and sound over comfort, and modern audiences often find this surprisingly engaging. Your guide may demonstrate how actors projected their voices without microphones, using breath control and diction techniques passed down through generations.

7. Ascend the Galleries: Upper and Middle Levels

Next, climb the steep wooden stairs to the upper and middle galleries. These tiered seating areas were reserved for wealthier patrons who paid two to six pennies for a bench seat. The view from above reveals how sightlines were carefully calculated — no seat was more than 40 feet from the stage, ensuring all viewers had a clear view of the action.

Look for the ornate carvings on the gallery beams, many of which depict mythological figures referenced in Shakespeare’s plays — Hercules, Pegasus, and the Muses. These were not merely decorative; they served as visual cues for audiences unfamiliar with classical literature. Your guide will explain how these symbols helped convey themes of heroism, love, and fate.

Pay attention to the ventilation system — the open roof and large windows allowed fresh air to circulate, essential in a time before modern sanitation. The absence of artificial lighting meant performances began at 2 p.m. to take advantage of natural daylight. This timing influenced the pacing and structure of Shakespeare’s plays, often ending before dusk.

8. Step Onto the Stage

One of the most memorable moments of the tour is stepping onto the stage itself. Your guide will explain the stage’s dimensions — 43 feet wide and 27 feet deep — and how its design facilitated quick scene changes and complex stage business. The floor is made of reclaimed oak, and the surface has been worn smooth by centuries of footfalls — both historical and modern.

Here, your guide may invite you to deliver a short line from Romeo and Juliet or A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Many visitors find this surprisingly intimidating — a testament to the skill required by Elizabethan actors. The stage’s lack of wings and backdrops meant actors relied entirely on language, gesture, and vocal inflection to create worlds.

Look up at the heavens — the painted ceiling that once depicted the zodiac and celestial spheres. This was not just decoration; it reflected the Elizabethan worldview, where human affairs were believed to be influenced by cosmic forces. The heavens also housed machinery for special effects — thunder sheets, rope systems for flying actors, and trapdoors for sudden entrances.

9. Visit the Exhibition Spaces

After the main tour, you’ll be directed to the Globe’s permanent exhibition, “Shakespeare’s Staging Ground.” This interactive space features original manuscripts, early printed editions of his plays (including the First Folio), and multimedia displays on the Globe’s reconstruction. Don’t miss the 1:10 scale model of the original Globe, built from archaeological evidence.

Look for the “Costume Collection” display — over 1,000 garments used in Globe productions since 1997. Each costume is designed using period-appropriate fabrics and construction techniques. A video station shows how costumes are made from scratch, including hand-stitched embroidery and natural dyeing processes.

10. Conclude with a Quiet Reflection

Before leaving, take a moment to sit on one of the benches overlooking the Thames. Many visitors find this quiet space the most powerful part of the experience — a place to reflect on how Shakespeare’s words have endured for over 400 years, performed in this very space, in front of audiences from all walks of life.

Consider purchasing a program from the gift shop — often featuring essays by scholars, actor interviews, and maps of Elizabethan London. These make excellent keepsakes and references for future study.

Best Practices

1. Respect the Historic Environment

The Globe is not just a theatre — it’s a meticulously preserved cultural artifact. Avoid touching woodwork, railings, or exhibits. Even oils from skin can degrade centuries-old materials. Use designated photo areas and avoid flash photography in low-light zones. Keep voices low during guided tours to respect other visitors.

2. Engage with Your Guide

Guides are trained historians and often former actors. They welcome thoughtful questions. Don’t hesitate to ask about specific plays, historical discrepancies, or performance choices. Your curiosity can lead to unexpected insights — such as how the Globe’s acoustics affect modern interpretations of King Lear or why certain lines are cut in contemporary productions.

3. Prepare for Weather

The Globe is an open-air venue. Rain, wind, or bright sun can significantly affect your experience. Always carry a compact umbrella or rain jacket. In summer, wear a wide-brimmed hat and apply sunscreen. In spring or autumn, bring a light fleece. The theatre does not provide shelter during tours, so preparation is key.

4. Avoid Peak Hours

Weekends and school holidays draw the largest crowds. For a more intimate experience, visit on a weekday morning. Early tours (10 a.m. or 11 a.m.) are typically the quietest and allow for unhurried exploration. Evening tours may be affected by stage rehearsals or lighting setups.

5. Combine Your Visit with Other Cultural Sites

The Globe is part of London’s South Bank cultural corridor. Plan to visit the nearby Tate Modern, the Southbank Centre, or the Tower Bridge after your tour. Many visitors combine their visit with a walk along the Thames Path, which offers stunning views of the theatre from across the river.

6. Use the Globe’s Educational Resources

Before or after your tour, explore the Globe’s online learning portal. It offers free lesson plans, video lectures, and digital archives of past performances. Teachers and students can access curated content on Shakespearean language, stagecraft, and historical context. Even casual visitors benefit from these resources, which deepen understanding beyond what a single tour can provide.

7. Be Mindful of Accessibility

The Globe is committed to accessibility. Wheelchair users can access the ground floor, lower gallery, and exhibition areas via ramps and lifts. Audio-described and BSL-interpreted tours are available upon request — book at least two weeks in advance. The theatre does not have a traditional “disabled entrance”; all visitors enter through the main gate, but staff are trained to assist with mobility needs.

8. Capture the Experience Thoughtfully

While photography is allowed in most areas, avoid blocking pathways or using tripods. The best photo opportunities are from the upper gallery looking down on the stage, or from the riverbank across the Thames. Consider capturing the contrast between the historic timber structure and the modern London skyline — a visual metaphor for Shakespeare’s enduring relevance.

9. Support the Globe’s Mission

The Globe is a registered charity. Your ticket purchase helps fund education programs, youth workshops, and global outreach initiatives. Consider donating at the gift shop or signing up for their newsletter to stay informed about volunteer opportunities and fundraising events.

10. Extend Your Learning

After your visit, read one of Shakespeare’s plays with fresh eyes. Watch a Globe performance on film — many are available on their YouTube channel. Try reading aloud from As You Like It or Twelfth Night in a space with hard surfaces — you’ll hear how the language was designed to resonate in open-air theatres.

Tools and Resources

Official Shakespeare’s Globe Website

www.shakespeares-globe.org is your primary resource. It provides real-time tour availability, ticket booking, event calendars, and detailed maps. The site also hosts a virtual tour — an excellent preview for those planning a visit or unable to travel to London.

Shakespeare’s Globe App

Download the official app for iOS and Android. It includes an audio tour, interactive timeline of the Globe’s history, and a searchable database of past performances. The app also offers augmented reality features — point your phone at the theatre’s facade to see how it looked in 1599.

Printed Guides and Maps

Free printed guides are available at the entrance. These include floor plans, key historical dates, and glossaries of Elizabethan terms. A more detailed companion book, The Globe: A Journey Through Shakespeare’s Theatre, is available for purchase in the gift shop.

Online Archives and Databases

• Internet Shakespeare Editions – internetshakespeare.uvic.ca – Scholarly texts, annotations, and performance histories.
• British Library’s Shakespeare in Quarto – Digital scans of early printed editions.
• Shakespeare’s Globe Archive – A repository of production photos, scripts, and actor interviews.

Books for Deeper Study

• Shakespeare’s Theatre: A History by John Orrell
• The Globe: The Story of Shakespeare’s Theatre by Michael Dobson
• Playing Shakespeare by John Barton
• Elizabethan Stage Conditions and Shakespeare’s Dramatic Art by E.K. Chambers

YouTube Channels and Documentaries

• Shakespeare’s Globe YouTube Channel – Free performances, behind-the-scenes footage, and educational clips.
• “Shakespeare’s Globe: A Theatre Reborn” – BBC documentary on the reconstruction process.
• “The Globe: An Audience with Shakespeare” – PBS special featuring modern actors discussing Elizabethan performance.

Local Transit and Navigation Tools

Use Google Maps or Citymapper to plan your route. The nearest Tube stations are London Bridge (Jubilee and Northern lines) and Southwark (Jubilee line). Buses 381, 40, and 63 stop nearby. For visitors with mobility concerns, the Globe offers a drop-off point on Globe Walk.

Language and Terminology Guides

Shakespeare’s language can be challenging. Use the Shakespeare Glossary on the Globe’s website or the app’s built-in translator to decode archaic terms like “hark,” “prithee,” or “wherefore.” Many visitors find that understanding these words transforms their appreciation of the text.

Real Examples

Example 1: A High School Literature Class Visits the Globe

In 2023, a group of 28 students from a London secondary school toured the Globe as part of their GCSE English curriculum. Prior to the visit, they studied Macbeth in class, focusing on themes of ambition and guilt. During the tour, the guide demonstrated how the trapdoor in the stage floor was used to represent the descent into hell — a literal and metaphorical device in the play. Afterward, students participated in a workshop where they performed the “Is this a dagger?” soliloquy in the yard, using period-appropriate vocal techniques. One student later wrote: “Standing where actors stood, I finally understood why Macbeth’s madness felt so real — it wasn’t just the words, it was the space they lived in.”

Example 2: A Theatre Student from New York

A graduate student from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts spent a semester in London studying Elizabethan theatre. She booked the Backstage Tour and spent two hours in the costume workshop, observing how a 16th-century doublet was constructed from linen, wool, and hand-dyed silk. She later presented her findings at a conference, citing the Globe’s reconstruction as “the most accurate living archive of early modern performance practice.” Her paper was later published in Theatre Survey.

Example 3: A Family with Young Children

A family from Australia visited with their two children, aged 7 and 10. They booked the Family Tour, which included a “costume dress-up” session where the kids tried on replica doublets and ruffs. The guide used puppets to explain the plot of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the children were allowed to ring the bell that signaled the start of a performance. The father remarked, “For the first time, my kids asked to read Shakespeare at home. They didn’t see it as homework — they saw it as an adventure.”

Example 4: A Scholar Revisiting the Globe

Dr. Eleanor Hayes, a professor of Renaissance drama, first visited the Globe in 2005. She returned in 2024 to observe how the theatre had evolved. She noted changes in lighting design, the use of digital projections in modern productions, and the increased diversity of actors — a shift from the all-male casts of Shakespeare’s time. “The Globe is no longer a museum piece,” she said. “It’s a living laboratory where tradition and innovation coexist.”

Example 5: A Solo Traveler’s Reflection

A retired librarian from Edinburgh visited the Globe alone during a solo trip. She spent the afternoon reading sonnets on a bench overlooking the Thames. “I came for the theatre,” she wrote in her journal, “but I stayed for the silence. In a world of noise, this place still holds the quiet power of words.” She later donated a copy of her favorite Shakespeare anthology to the Globe’s library in his honor.

FAQs

Can I take photos inside Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre?

Yes, photography is permitted in most areas, including the yard, galleries, and exhibition spaces. Flash photography and tripods are prohibited to protect artifacts and ensure safety. Some areas, such as backstage workshops or during live rehearsals, may have temporary restrictions.

How long does a typical tour last?

Standard guided tours last approximately 40 minutes. Backstage tours extend to 60–75 minutes. Self-guided audio tours can be completed in 45–90 minutes, depending on your pace.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Yes. The Globe welcomes all ages. Children under 5 may attend free of charge but must be accompanied by an adult. The Family Tour is specifically designed for younger visitors, with interactive elements and simplified language.

Is the Globe accessible for visitors with mobility impairments?

Yes. Ramps, lifts, and accessible restrooms are available throughout the site. Wheelchair users can access the ground floor, lower gallery, and exhibition areas. Audio-described and BSL-interpreted tours are available with advance notice.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes. Guided tours often sell out, especially during peak season. Booking online in advance is strongly recommended. Walk-up tickets are rarely available.

Can I attend a performance on the same day as my tour?

Yes. Many visitors combine a daytime tour with an evening performance. The tour often includes access to the theatre during intermission, allowing you to see the stage lit for performance. Tickets for performances are sold separately.

What should I wear for the tour?

Wear comfortable, flat shoes and dress in layers. The theatre is open-air, so prepare for sun, wind, or rain. Avoid high heels — the ground is uneven, and stairs are steep.

Is there a café or restaurant on-site?

Yes. The Globe’s restaurant, “The Globe Tavern,” offers light meals, drinks, and Shakespeare-themed cocktails. It is located outside the main theatre building and is accessible without a tour ticket.

Are guided tours available in languages other than English?

Standard tours are conducted in English. Private tours in other languages can be arranged with advance notice, subject to guide availability. Audio guides are available in French, German, Spanish, and Mandarin.

What happens if it rains during my tour?

Tours continue in all weather. The Globe is designed to withstand rain, and the thatched roof provides partial shelter. Bring appropriate rain gear. In extreme weather, the tour may be shortened or moved indoors to the exhibition space.

Can I bring food or drinks into the theatre?

No. Food and drinks are not permitted inside the theatre or exhibition areas. Water bottles are allowed, but must be consumed outside. The café and picnic areas are available for refreshments.

Conclusion

Touring Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is more than a sightseeing activity — it is a pilgrimage into the origins of modern drama. Every beam, bench, and banner tells a story not just of architecture, but of human expression, resilience, and creativity. By following this guide, you don’t just walk through a historic site — you step into the same space where Hamlet questioned existence, where Juliet spoke her name into the night, and where audiences, then and now, gathered to witness the power of language.

The Globe is not frozen in time. It breathes, adapts, and evolves — a living monument to the enduring relevance of Shakespeare’s work. Whether you’re a scholar, a student, a parent, or a curious traveler, your visit will leave you with more than memories. It will leave you with a deeper understanding of how stories shape culture, how spaces shape performance, and how art, even after four centuries, continues to speak — clearly, powerfully, and without amplification — to every generation that listens.

So plan your visit. Dress for the weather. Arrive early. Listen closely. And when you stand in the yard, look up at the heavens — and remember: you are not just watching history. You are part of it.