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USD $21.00
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour and Exhibition with Optional Afternoon Tea
London, United Kingdom
Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition is the world's largest exhibition devoted to Shakespeare and the London in which he lived and worked. Housed beneath the reconstructed Globe Theatre on London's Bankside, the exhibition explores the remarkable story of the Globe, and brings Shakespeare's world to life using a range of interactive displays and live demonstrations. Upgrade to enjoy a delicious 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'–themed afternoon tea at the theater's restaurant after your tour.
Visit the exciting and often dangerous world of Elizabethan London where in 1599, Bankside was the entertainment center of the capital packed with gambling dens, brothels, bear-baiting pits and theaters. Ordinary people flocked to see Shakespeare's plays and they laughed, cried, shouted abuse at the actors, ate and drank during the performances.
As a visitor to the Exhibition you'll discover how shows were produced in the theaters of Shakespeare's time, from writing and rehearsals to music, dance and performance. Learn about the traditional crafts and techniques used during the process of rebuilding the Globe and find out how special effects were produced in Shakespeare's time — from thunder and lightning to flying on stage and realistic blood and gore.
Listen to recordings from some of the most Shakespearean performances ever or join the cast and add your own voice to a scene recorded by Globe actors. Create your own Shakespearean phrases in the word jungle, watch a sword-fighting display and browse the costume collection, where you can find out about the extraordinary methods used in creating clothes 400 years ago.
A visit to the Exhibition includes a guided tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre where storytellers take you on a fascinating half-hour tour of the auditorium. Journey through time to Elizabethan London with their colourful tales of the 1599 theater experience as well as the reconstruction process of the 1990s and how the wooden 'o' works today as an imaginative and experimental theatrical space.
Afternoon Tea Upgrade Option After visiting the Globe, you can upgrade to enjoy a quintessentially British afternoon tea — with a twist. Served at the Globe’s Swan restaurant, the tea is inspired by scenes from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Sip prosecco and your choice of tea, and indulge in a delectable selection of finger sandwiches, scones and cakes — many of which can be traced back to characters and food featured in the play. See the Itinerary for a sample menu.
Please note: If you’ve opted for the upgrade, please arrive by 11:45am (Monday to Saturday) or 10:45am (Sunday) to ensure you have enough time for the exhibition and tour before the afternoon tea.
Took the magnificent tour and felt as if I was back in time.
Review by: Elizabeth B, March 2018
Loved the Globe including the tour and historical explanations. Afternoon tea location was beautiful and food delicious!
Review by: Ashlea D, February 2018
As a Shakespeare nerd I was so excited to attend the Globe Theatre and see the wonderful work they have done trying to replicate the globe theatre for modern audiences. We had a very small tour six of us so we were able to have a lot more question time with the lovely guide and able to sit up in the top rung of seats. The little museum about Shakespearian London is also very interesting and a good way to pass the time before the tour starts. We will be returning in the summer so we can attend a performance at the Globe.
Review by: Condiff, January 2018
The atmosphere and the information that was given was fantastic!
Review by: Gillian M, November 2017
Very enjoyable tour, our guide was very informative and put some humor into the experienceGillian
Review by: christopher c, October 2017
Tour was ok. Process was poor. Even thought we had tickets via viator, we had to wait in line 30 minutes and were told it was too late for the optional tea. Viator and The Globe gave conflicting information that resulted in an abbreviated visit.
Review by: Misa A, October 2017
It was amazing to be inside this theater and imagine what was like back in the days.
Review by: Karen G, September 2017
A little bit of a mix up with booking afternoon tea and exchanging the voucher. I included my home phone number as I didn't have my travel sim phone number when I booked. The Swan rang home Australia to confirm, I didn't know and so I rang number on voucher to see what was going on as its site said no seats available for afternoon tea. All was sorted and I had a tour at 11:30, but I was supposed to be there at 11 but didn't know and afternoon tea at 2:30. The tour and exhibition were great and afternoon tea was delicious.
Review by: Anne B, September 2017
Entertaining guide brought the era to life.
Review by: Kails, September 2017
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Tim D, August 2017
Excellent tour, excellent guide, amazing history, and truly worth the time!
Review by: Mark S, August 2017
Tour was very well done. Exhibit was very informative.
Review by: Suzy Q, August 2017
Wonderful tour, had the best tour guide and the tea was a wonderful experience along with seeing theatre the way it used to be back in the day
Review by: Nancy K, August 2017
Loved going to the theatre. Entire experience was great. Could really picture how it was and loved the theatre construction and exhibits. Didn't leave quite enough time as there's more to see than you think. Also a very short walk from there to the Tate gallery.
Review by: Dominic A, August 2017
We completely enjoyed seeing the theater and listening to the guide explain it and how it was back at that time. The tour was 30 minutes and afterward we went through the exhibit. I wish we had known that there was a performance after our tour so we could have attended it. Viator was wrong about the time to be there. But the local tour company was spot on and we went from the tour to the exhibit and then to tea. We would have been too early if we listened to Viator. The tea was in a nice hotel and very tasty and more than we could eat.
Review by: hiltontes, July 2017
A wonderful tour guide. Learnt a lot of interesting facts. Well worth it.
Review by: Zac T, July 2017
If you like Shakespeare and/or theater, this is a must do. Our guide was outstanding. The venue is incredible. Only 3 stars because there are other areas of the property that would've been great to see on the tour as well. You really just walk into the theater and take a seat while the guide shares history and stories.
Review by: mksupko, July 2017
The tour was quick and lovely. The tea was EXCEPTIONAL! The food and tea were delicious, service superb and views were fabulous!
Review by: willimel68, July 2017
Really good tour!
Review by: Francine G, July 2017
My fault because I was late and didn't get to see the inside of the globe only the museum. The museum was just okay....so was disappointed no one would make any concessions about the theater.
Review by: SHAUNDA C, June 2017
Tour was incredible
Review by: Alexandra P, May 2017
Our tour guide was hilarious. Not to miss.
Review by: Asrar S, March 2017
Truly wonderful journey back into Shakespeare and #39;s era.
Review by: Julie W, March 2017
My family including two sons 21 and 18 LOVED this!! The tour was so informative and our guide was knowledgeable and funny. There was a rehearsal going on while we were there and it was fun to be able to watch that. The museum about all the aspects of theater in Shakespeare's time was fabulous! It covered everything from costumes and how they kept them clean, to the musicians, to the Thames Ice Fairs. I never knew about these, but in the early 17th century when the Thames would freeze, fairs were set up on the ice. To cap off this great experience, we had the optional afternoon high tea at The Swan next door. I can not speak highly enough of this!!! The restaurant is beautiful and right out our window was St. Paul's dome, and the staff was attentive and helpful. It was my husband and sons' first time at high tea and as they were quite hungry, they could have taken down our tea sandwiches and scones with clotted cream and jam in about 5 min. We had the table for two hours so after explaining to them that this was an EXPERIENCE and that we needed to take our time and savor it all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. Don't miss out on this quintessential English experience.
Review by: Külli Valdre H, March 2017
The tour was highly informative and the guide was quite entertaining. Unfortunately he was a Cocney. I would have preferred Standard English or basically any other dialect, as it was quite strenuous to try to catch everything he said. To be able to see rehearsals was a real treat! Afternoon tea at The Swan was lovely. Magnificent view, attentive service and lots of good food.
Review by: Virginia S, January 2017
Very interesting structure to observe and a good guide with interesting trivia but a somewhat short tour. We had a feeling of abandonment when it finished. A brief performance of a soliloquy would have demonstrated the acoustics to us, for example. We had the balcony pointed out to us and how it would have been used in Romeo and Juliet - why not perform that famous scene for us? A look at the types of costumes worn would have been useful. It needed something to make it seem real and to come alive as an actual theatre. Perhaps employ a guide who is a Shakespearian scholar to give more factual details about performances?
Review by: Atlanta, January 2017
If you enjoy the theatre , this is a must see! You really get to see what it was like to see a play during this time. The guide gives a perfect description and tells several stories. Informative! _br/_ Although we did not see a play here, you can. That would be really cool! _br/_ Wear your warm clothes! It is an outdoor theater and you can get cold!
Review by: Regina C J, December 2016
An amazing historical tour!
Review by: Catherine B, December 2016
Loved the Tour guide, he made it a very special experience.
Review by: Becky L, December 2016
Our guide was FANTASTIC! I wasn't sure what to expect but this definitely exceeded my expectations. We booked over 10 excursions via Viator and flawless transactions.
Review by: JENNIFER C, October 2016
Wonderful experience!! Guide was well versed. Afternoon tea at The Swan was delectable!!
Review by: Jennifer, September 2016
Super easy to walk right in for a tour with our printout confirmation email. Our entire family loved this tour and the kids said it was their favorite London attraction ages 6, 9, 10, 15. Our Cockney guide was funny and informative. Plenty of time to take pictures. The museum is a not-to-miss site afterwards with activities and exhibits for all ages. We even got to see a clothing demonstration - they dressed up my 10 yo daughter in peasant apparel!
Review by: Toni.unthank, September 2016
very short tour for the money paid
Review by: Francene S, September 2016
I loved this museum and guided tour. The exhibits are wonderful! I wished we had purchased tickets for a play but we had not. Our high tea was fabulous!! There was so much food that it was our lunch and dinner. Definitely worth treating yourself to this! You will remember it!
Review by: Frances H, September 2016
Well worth a visit. The exhibition too. It's a working theatre so we weren't able to watch any snippets which would have been good on a tour. I had no spare time to book an official performance.
Review by: Natalie A, August 2016
Tours had ended by the time we got there at 1230 so did not actually get to see the globe which was disappointing as it is not really specified anywhere on our documentation. Was nice to see but not something I would do again when there is so much to see and do in London.
Review by: Andrea T, August 2016
It was interesting and the tour guides are very passionate speakers :
Review by: skybisons, August 2016
Great guide and very interesting history. Loved the costumes and the overall experience.
Review by: emmaknock, August 2016
I took this tour on my birthday and it was a lovely way to spend the day. I arrived at the Globe about 15 minutes before my tour start time and had no trouble collecting the tickets and joining up with the group and guide in the exhibition area. The tour began outside the Globe, where we learned about the reconstruction of the theatre, and then we went inside and sat down in the ‘two penny’ seats. Our guide Lauren was awesome. She told us all about the Globe, Shakespeare and Elizabethan London, and had the whole group laughing and engaged throughout. After the tour, I made my way through the exhibition with an audio guide. There’s loads to see and read about, as well as some clothing and stage-fighting demonstrations, so give yourself plenty of time. I upgraded to finish with afternoon tea at the Swan and I’m so glad I did. The menus, tea set and food are all in the theme of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. If you take this tour, I highly recommend opting for the afternoon tea.
Review by: Michele Maria C, August 2016
Good
Review by: Tyler, August 2016
Shakespeare's Globe is a must visit while in London! On arrival we made our way through to the start of the tour. Our guide Lauren Holden was great! So insightful, knowledgeable and funny - truly bringing our tour to life! While Lauren was telling us all about the Globe, some of the actors came out on stage to start warming up for their afternoon show- such a nice surprise!:) Once the tour was finished I made my way around the exhibition with an audio guide, there were fencing and clothing demonstrations to watch too! We upgraded to experience the Midsummer Nights Dream themed afternoon tea at The Swan- lovely way to end off the visit! I highly recommend this tour!
Review by: LORRAINE C, July 2016
loved this although there was much confusion on my ticket and times I was told to be there for 11.45 which I was a tour had already started so I was rushed through to join this ... the tour was ok. the afternoon tea was then booked for 2.30 but I was free from tour by 12.30 the Swan staff were excellent and took me in earlier the Afternoon Tea is beautiful crockery even based around Shakespeare was a lovely way to finish off the tour would have liked to have actual stayed and watched the play which was Macbeth my favourite would like to see this as on option too
Review by: Icy A C, July 2016
Really enjoyed the tour and learned a lot. I liked the combination of touring the exhibit on your own time and having a portion of the visit with the tour guide. Wetted my appetite for seeing a play in the venue, but unfortunately our vacation ended too soon!
Review by: Rina M, July 2016
The tour was most informative. Our tour guide was hilarious and made the tour interesting! I was even able to take great pics! Thanks for a great time!
Review by: Brittany K, July 2016
Great experience the tour guide was really knowledgeable
Review by: Vivian G, July 2016
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Mohawkriverdj, June 2016
The Globe tour was great - - and the tea at the restaurant next door was fantastic!!! I can't say enough about it. It was an incredible meal and the staff was great.
Review by: Mohawkriverdj, June 2016
Tour was very imformative
Review by: Kevin W, May 2016
Our guide was entertaining and informative. Both my grandson and I enjoyed the experience thoroughly. The pacing of the tour and the layout of the museum made it accessible to all.
Review by: Stilljustme5, May 2016
This was interesting but nothing to write home about.
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