Shakespeare's Globe
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
ENTRY
from £14
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
London
What it’s like
Open-air Tudor theatre where kids can try on costumes, get their faces painted and watch a proper Shakespeare production.
The exhibition is the bit to do first, especially with younger kids who can't sit through a whole play. There's costumes and props to handle, face painting on offer, and it sets the scene before you go anywhere near the theatre itself. Guided tours take you round the Globe Theatre proper, and they're wheelchair accessible if that matters for your family.
There's no roof on the Globe Theatre, and tours and performances go ahead regardless of the weather. If it's hot they'll let you step out and sit in the shade round the outside, and there's an open-door policy so you can nip out and back in. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is the indoor option, all candlelight and no rain checks needed, though hot or strong-smelling food isn't allowed in there.
Tickets aren't cheap. A guided tour runs £31 for an adult and £14 for under 16s, and family performances like The Animals Come to the Table start at £28 a seat and climb to £88 for the best spots. A visit runs about an hour and a half, which is a fair stretch for a small child, so it's worth thinking about which show or tour suits their attention span before you book.
You can bring your own food and drink in, just not glass or porcelain, and the Swan does ice creams, snacks and proper meals if you'd rather buy there. It's cashless only across the site. The cloakroom takes buggies and bags for £2.50 an item when it's running, but there's no luggage storage, so don't turn up with suitcases.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- All ages welcome, but a full show suits kids old enough to sit still
- Food
- On-site café, bar and restaurant (Swan) serving ice creams, drinks, snacks and meals
- Pushchairs
- Cloakroom storage available (£2.50 per item)
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair accessible theatres and tours
- The exhibition with costumes and face painting is a good warm-up before a tour or show
- No luggage storage anywhere on site, only the cloakroom for smaller items
- Glass and porcelain aren't allowed inside either theatre
- Card only, there's no paying with cash
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
A guided tour is £31 for an adult and £14 for under 16s. Family performances start at £28 a seat and go up to £88 for the top galleries.
Do we need to book?
Booking is required for tours and performances, there's no just turning up on the day.
Is it suitable for babies and toddlers?
Children of all ages are welcome, though under 16s need an adult with them. Check the recommended age for the specific show or tour before booking.
How long does a visit take?
Around an hour and a half for a tour or performance.
What happens if it rains?
The Globe Theatre has no roof and shows go on regardless. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is indoor and air-conditioned if you'd rather avoid the weather altogether.
Can we bring our own food?
Yes, just no glass or porcelain in the theatres, and no hot or strong-smelling food in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. The Swan bar and restaurant does drinks, ice creams and meals too.
Can we bring a buggy or pram?
The cloakroom can store it for £2.50 an item when it's open, but there's no luggage storage on site.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Both theatres have allocated wheelchair spaces and the guided tours are accessible. Middle and Upper galleries have limited level access via a lift.
Can we get into the theatres without a ticket?
You need a ticket to an event to get into either theatre.
What's on for families?
There are family-friendly productions such as The Animals Come to the Table, plus the exhibition with costumes, props and face painting, and guided tours of the theatre.
Is it cashless?
Card only across the site, so leave the cash at home.
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