The Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre on Bankside is a faithful reconstruction of the open air theatre dating back to 1599 where William Shakespeare wrote many of his most famous plays.

The original Globe Theatre went up in flames in 1613 when a theatrical cannon misfired and set the wooden and thatched building alight. In 1970 American actor Sam Wannamaker set up the Shakespeare Globe Trust and in 1987 building work began on the new site 225 yards away from the site of the original, building work was completed in 1997 and the new Globe Theatre was born.

Today plays run in the open-air theatre from May to September and visitors from all over the world delight in the new, modern version of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. The new building remains faithful to the original is almost every way, the only differences being an attached visitors centre, lighting and the fact that the theatre is slightly smaller than the original.

Although there are admission charges to take a tour of the inside of the globe you are able to buy tickets for plays from as little as £5...if you don't mind standing up that is! However, the theatre can be appreciated from the surrounding foyer which is free to enter so go in and take a look; it is open from 10am until 6pm.

Free family events do occasionally take place at the theatre, you can find out more about these in our Family section. Find out more about The Globe Theatre.

How to get there

The closest tube stations are a ten-minute walk away at London Bridge and Cannon Street.

If travelling by bus the 344, 381 and RV1 all serve the nearby Southwark Bridge and the 17, 21, 35, 40, 43, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149, 343, 381 and 521 all serve London Bridge.

Images by Nik Milner.