Shakespeare's Globe

Published 18 September 2026 · By the Guide to London editorial team · Editor: Terje Moy

Shakespeare's Globe is a reconstruction of Shakespeare's open-air playhouse on the south bank of the Thames, where you can watch a play standing in the Yard for £5 or £10, or take a guided tour of the theatre by day. In winter the performances move next door to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, a small indoor theatre lit by candles.

The original Globe was built in 1599 by the Lord Chamberlain's Men, the company Shakespeare wrote for and part-owned. Many of his greatest plays were first performed there. Today's Globe Theatre, which opened in 1997 close to the original site, copies that playhouse as closely as its builders could: a round wooden building with a thatched roof over the galleries, a stage pushing out into the audience, and no roof over the central Yard.

That last detail changes everything about a visit. Performances go ahead in rain, sun and wind, the actors can see the audience, and the people standing in the Yard are part of the show. For many visitors, an afternoon or evening here is the most memorable theatre experience in London, and it is also one of the cheapest.

A wooden O by the river: the story in short

Shakespeare called his theatre a "wooden O", and the reconstruction keeps that shape: a 360-degree auditorium with three levels of galleries around an open yard. According to the Globe, Julius Caesar was probably the first Shakespeare play performed in the original theatre in 1599. In 1613 a cannon fired during a performance of Henry VIII set the thatch alight and the building burned down within two hours. It was rebuilt with a tiled roof and closed by order of Parliament in 1642.

The modern Globe exists because of the American actor and director Sam Wanamaker. He came to London in 1949 looking for the site of the original theatre and found only a small plaque. He founded the Shakespeare Globe Trust in 1971, and after decades of campaigning the new theatre officially opened in 1997. It is built of oak beams, lime plaster and water reed thatch. The Globe says it needed special permission for the thatch, because thatched roofs had been banned in London since the Great Fire of 1666.

The name can be confusing. "Shakespeare's Globe" is the organisation and the whole site, "the Globe" usually means the original Elizabethan theatre, and the "Globe Theatre" is today's reconstruction.

Standing in the Yard: the £5 and £10 tickets

Standing tickets put you in the Yard, the open area directly in front of and around the stage. In Shakespeare's time these were the cheapest places, and the people who stood there were called groundlings. They are still the cheapest tickets today: £5 or £10 for summer 2026 productions, with no transaction fee. Yard tickets are unallocated, so you stand wherever there is space.

It is the best way to see a play here. You are often closer to the actors than anyone in the seats, and the performers often speak directly to the crowd around them. You will, however, be on your feet for the whole performance. The 2026 production of Much Ado About Nothing, for example, runs for 2 hours 30 minutes including a 20-minute interval.

The £5 Rush

If the £5 tickets have gone, the Globe releases a limited number more every Friday at 11am for performances the following Monday to Sunday. These "£5 Rush" tickets are sold online only, first come, first served. Shortly before 11am a booking button appears on the Rush page and you join an online queue with a random number. Rush tickets are for plays in the Globe Theatre only, not the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse or tours, and they are non-transferable.

If standing is difficult for you, the Globe advises contacting the box office before booking to discuss other options. Our guide to cheaper ways to see London theatre covers similar schemes at other venues.

Seats in the galleries: comfort and views

The three levels of galleries have wooden bench seating around the Yard. They are covered by the thatched roof, so you stay dry in rain, though wind can still blow in. For the 2026 production of Much Ado About Nothing, gallery seats cost from £28 to £88 including a £3 per-order transaction fee (September 2026). Check current prices on the Globe's What's On pages.

Benches are hard, and from some seats the pillars on the stage block part of the view. The Globe hires out cushions, blankets and seat backs from stands outside the theatre entrances. We would pay for a seat back on any bench seat if you have back problems: three hours on a bare bench is long.

There is a middle way. You can buy a Yard ticket and, if your legs tire, the Globe's open-door policy lets you leave and re-enter the theatre, and there are benches outside the auditorium. You will lose your spot near the stage, though.

What to bring to an open-air performance

The Globe Theatre has no roof over the Yard, and performances go ahead in all weather. Dress for the weather forecast plus a little worse, because standing still for hours feels colder than walking. Our guide to London weather and packing shows what to expect by month.

• Waterproof jacket or poncho. Umbrellas are not allowed inside the theatre. Rain ponchos are sold at stands outside the entrances.
• Warm layers. Evenings by the river can be cool even in summer. Blankets can be hired.
• Sun protection. On a hot afternoon the Yard gets direct sun. Fans and caps are on sale, and you can refill water bottles at several points on site.
• Comfortable shoes. Standing on a hard floor for two to three hours is tiring.
• A small bag. The maximum bag size is 40cm x 35cm x 19cm, and oversized bags are refused. The cloakroom charges £2.50 per item when it is open, and the Globe does not store luggage.

You may bring your own food and drink, but not in glass: glass and porcelain are not allowed in the theatres. The site is cashless, so bring a card or phone for drinks, programmes and hire items. Photography and filming are not allowed during performances.

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse: Shakespeare by candlelight

Next to the Globe Theatre, inside the same site, is the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, an indoor wooden theatre lit by more than a hundred beeswax candles. It opened in January 2014. It is not a copy of one particular building, but it is modelled on the indoor playhouses of Shakespeare's time, such as the Blackfriars playhouse his company used from 1609, where later plays such as The Tempest were written for.

The Playhouse is small and intimate, with cushioned benches and a painted ceiling. Its main theatrical season runs from October to April, which makes it the Globe's winter home. The winter 2026-27 season includes Julius Caesar, King John and Chekhov's The Seagull by candlelight, and the family musical Pinocchio returns to the open-air Globe Theatre. The Playhouse has no Yard, so the £5 Rush does not apply there; check the prices for each production.

If you visit between October and April, a candlelit performance is a wonderful alternative to the open-air theatre. Hot, noisy or strong-smelling food is not allowed inside the Playhouse, and there is very little space for belongings.

Guided tours of the Globe Theatre

You cannot walk into the Globe Theatre or the Playhouse without a ticket for an event in them, but the Globe Theatre Guided Tour takes you inside by day. A guide tells the story of the original theatre and its rebuilding, and you then explore the exhibition at your own pace. The whole visit takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, including about 50 minutes with the guide.

For a couple, a tour costs about £59 in one booking, because the £3 fee is charged per order rather than per ticket. Check the total at checkout. Tours are in English and suitable for all ages, with information sheets in several languages. They are outdoors in part and go ahead in all weather. Photography may be restricted when work is happening on stage, and video recording is not allowed.

The Globe also runs themed tours linked to the current plays, family tours for children aged 7 and over, and walking tours of Bankside, the area that was London's original theatre district. The tour route uses stairs, with lift access to other floors subject to operations; the Globe asks visitors with access needs to tell it when booking.

Getting to Bankside

The Globe is on the riverside path on the South Bank, beside Tate Modern and across the river from St Paul's Cathedral. The Millennium Bridge, a footbridge from the City side, lands about 50 metres from the theatre. Our walking guide to London's bridges makes a good route here.

• Blackfriars (Thameslink and District and Circle lines): about 10 minutes on foot using the South Bank exit, with lifts from the platform to the street.
• Mansion House (District and Circle lines): about 10 minutes, across Southwark Bridge.
• London Bridge (Northern line and National Rail): about 10 to 15 minutes along the river.
• Southwark (Jubilee line) and St Paul's (Central line): about 15 minutes.

By river, Bankside Pier is right next to the Globe. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers boats stop there, and you can pay with contactless or Oyster, but river fares do not count towards the daily cap. Our guide to the river bus explains routes and prices. For step-free travel, see our guide to accessible transport in London; the Globe has wheelchair spaces in both theatres.

Making a day of it on Bankside

The Globe fits easily into a day on the south bank. Start at Tate Modern (free for the permanent collection), have lunch at Borough Market a short walk east, and time your arrival for a matinee or an evening performance. The riverside walk continues east past Southwark Cathedral towards The Shard and Tower Bridge, and our guide to Borough and Bermondsey has more ideas.

Bankside also has several old riverside pubs for a drink before or after a show; our list of historic London pubs picks out the best. If Shakespeare is the main reason for your trip, Stratford-upon-Avon, his birthplace, is a realistic day trip: Viamo's guide to getting from London to Stratford-upon-Avon compares the options.

Is the Globe good for children?

Children of all ages are welcome, and each production lists a recommended age. Children under 16 must be supervised by an adult over 18. The Yard suits active older children who can stand for a long time, while younger ones are usually happier on a family tour or at one of the family events. Check the recommended age shown for each performance before you book. Our family guide to London has more ideas.

Frequently asked questions

How much are standing tickets at Shakespeare's Globe?

Standing tickets in the Yard cost £5 or £10 for summer 2026 productions, with no transaction fee. Extra £5 tickets for the following week are released online every Friday at 11am through the £5 Rush, while they last.

What happens at the Globe if it rains?

The performance goes ahead. The galleries are covered, but the Yard is open to the sky, and umbrellas are not allowed inside the theatre. Bring a waterproof jacket or buy a poncho from the stands outside the entrances.

Can I visit Shakespeare's Globe without seeing a play?

Yes, by booking the Globe Theatre Guided Tour, which costs £31 for an adult and £14 for under-16s (September 2026), including a £3 per-order fee. It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes, including the exhibition. You cannot enter the theatres without a ticket for an event.

Can I bring food and drink into the Globe?

Yes. Food and drink are allowed, but not in glass or porcelain containers. In the indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, hot, noisy or strong-smelling food is not allowed. The site is cashless, so use a card or phone for purchases.

When is the Globe's season?

The open-air Globe Theatre's main season runs through the warmer months, and in 2026 it continues to 24-25 October. The candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse's main season runs from October to April.

Sources

• Shakespeare's Globe - Frequently asked questions (checked September 2026)
• Shakespeare's Globe - £5 Rush (checked September 2026)
• Shakespeare's Globe - Much Ado About Nothing (checked September 2026)
• Shakespeare's Globe - Globe Theatre Guided Tour (checked September 2026)
• Shakespeare's Globe - The Globe Theatre (checked September 2026)
• Shakespeare's Globe - Sam Wanamaker Playhouse (checked September 2026)
• Shakespeare's Globe - Getting here (checked September 2026)