Shakespeare’s London: A Theatrical Walking Tour
Step Into the World of the Bard
Walk in the footsteps of William Shakespeare and discover the London that shaped the world’s greatest playwright. From the streets of Southwark to the grandeur of the West End, this immersive tour will transport you back to Elizabethan London, where the Bard wrote, performed, and changed the course of theatre forever. Hear fascinating stories about his life, his works, and the city that inspired his masterpieces.
Highlights:
• Visit the site of the original Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare’s plays first came to life.
• Walk through the bustling streets of Bankside, once London’s entertainment district.
• See the ruins of the Rose Theatre, where Shakespeare’s early works were performed.
• Pass by Middle Temple Hall, where Twelfth Night had its first recorded performance.
• Discover the site of Shakespeare’s London home.
• Explore the world of Elizabethan playhouses, printing presses, and taverns.
• End with a drink at a historic pub where Shakespeare himself may have once raised a glass.
Tour Overview:
Begin your journey on Bankside, the heart of London’s theatre scene in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. As you walk along the Thames, your guide will set the scene of Shakespeare’s London—a city buzzing with theatres, bear-baiting pits, and rowdy taverns, where nobles and commoners alike came to be entertained.
Visit the site of the original Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare’s greatest plays—Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and King Lear—were first performed to captivated audiences. Learn how the Globe burned down in 1613 and was later rebuilt, and hear about the rivalry between playhouses that defined the era.
Next, see the remains of the Rose Theatre, a lesser-known but historically significant playhouse where some of Shakespeare’s earliest works were staged. Hear about the fierce competition between the Rose and the Globe and the role of actors like Richard Burbage and William Kempe, who helped bring Shakespeare’s characters to life.
Cross the river to Blackfriars, where Shakespeare owned property and where his indoor theatre, the Blackfriars Playhouse, stood. Discover how this intimate venue catered to elite audiences and how it changed the way Shakespeare’s later plays, such as The Tempest, were performed.
Continue to Middle Temple Hall, one of the few surviving locations where Shakespeare’s plays were performed in his lifetime. This stunning hall was the site of the first recorded performance of Twelfth Night in 1602.
Next, walk to Silver Street, where Shakespeare once lived. Though the house is no longer standing, your guide will share details about his time there, his friendships with other playwrights, and the literary circles he was part of.
Finally, end your tour at a historic London pub, where you can raise a glass in honor of the Bard. Many Elizabethan taverns were popular among actors, playwrights, and theatre-goers, and it’s easy to imagine Shakespeare himself discussing his latest play over a pint.
A Journey Through Time and Theatre
This tour is perfect for literature lovers, history buffs, and theatre enthusiasts who want to explore Shakespeare’s London and gain a deeper understanding of the city that shaped his genius. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the Bard or just discovering his works, this experience will bring his world to life in a way you’ve never seen before.
Price:
£1484