Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour Guide: Tickets & What to Expect
1 - 1.5 h
Reconstructed Elizabethan Theatre & Exhibition
Original 1599; reconstruction opened 1997
21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT, United Kingdom
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Practical Visitor Info & Tips
£31.00
£14.00
Guided tours run at scheduled times, generally 09:30 - 16:00; exact slots vary by day — check current tour times before visiting.
This site can only be visited on a mandatory guided tour — no self-guided or individual entry option exists.
| Guided tours, daily | Daily | 09:30 - 16:00 |
A roughly 50-minute guided tour of the reconstructed 1599 Globe Theatre auditorium led by an expert guide-storyteller, plus self-guided time in the walk-through exhibition (seasonally curated displays and a costume collection). Food and drink at the on-site Swan at the Globe restaurant is not included.
| Ticket Type | Price | Reservation | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | £31.00 | Mandatory tour time | Official site in advance |
| Under 16 (with adult) | £14.00 | Mandatory tour time | Official site in advance |
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Ticket Options
£31.00
Check whether a city pass already covers this attraction before buying separately.
See pass compatibility below ↓Overview & Visitor Introduction
Shakespeare's Globe is a faithful reconstruction of the open-air, timber-framed playhouse where Shakespeare worked and many of his most famous plays were first performed. The Globe Theatre Guided Tour takes visitors inside the theatre itself, led by an expert guide-storyteller.
Unlike many London attractions, there is no general self-guided walk-up admission to the auditorium — entry is only via the scheduled guided tour, so booking a specific tour time in advance is effectively required, not just recommended.
The tour is paired with a walk-through exhibition featuring seasonally curated displays and a costume collection, where visitors can also try on interactive costumes and props.
History & Significance
The original 1599 Globe Theatre, built by Shakespeare's own playing company, burned down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII when a cannon effect set the thatched roof alight, was rebuilt, and was finally demolished under Puritan rule in 1644.
The modern reconstruction, championed by American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, opened roughly 230 metres from the original site in 1997 — built using the same timber-framing techniques and one of the few thatched roofs permitted in London since the Great Fire of 1666.
What to See: Top Highlights
The timber-framed 'wooden O'
Stand inside the open-air reconstructed auditorium and hear how it was built and rebuilt across 400 years.
Expert guide-storytellers
A roughly 50-minute tour vividly recreating the history of the 1599 Playhouse and the 1990s reconstruction.
Costume exhibition
A walk-through exhibition with seasonally curated displays and the chance to try on interactive costumes and props.
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Pass Compatibility
Compare London PassesIncluded in both of Go City's London passes (Explorer and All-Inclusive), which also note a 10% gift-shop discount for passholders. Not included in Turbopass London.
Go City London Explorer Pass
Included. Confirmed on Go City's own Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour attraction page, tagged available on both the Explorer and All-Inclusive passes; the page also notes a 10% gift-shop discount for passholders.
Go City London All-Inclusive Pass
Included. Confirmed on Go City's own Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour attraction page, tagged available on both the Explorer and All-Inclusive passes; the page also notes a 10% gift-shop discount for passholders.
Turbopass London
Not included. Not named in Turbopass's own published inclusion list for London.
Data Provenance
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SponsoredProvided by our commercial partner GetYourGuide — bookings made through this section may earn LocalExperiences a commission. See our Editorial Transparency page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just walk in and look around the theatre?
How long does the tour take?
Does the price include the exhibition?
Which passes include the Globe Theatre Tour?
Is this the same building Shakespeare performed in?
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