Shakespeare’s Globe Tour – Summer Holidays 2026!
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre has that magical ability to make history feel alive, and our 50‑minute tour did exactly that. It was interesting, entertaining, and unexpectedly immersive from the moment we stepped inside. Raffie, my eight year old, was the one who’d asked to go fresh from studying a bit of Shakespeare at school; and I’ll admit I’d quietly wondered whether the reality might bore him. But no! He was utterly captivated, saying it was exactly how he’d imagined it would be. Even Posie, at age five, managed to stay engaged almost the whole way through, helped massively by the fact that it’s a moving tour rather than a “sit still and listen” situation. The headsets meant we could hear our wonderfully fun guide at all times, even when the group was spread out, and he handled questions brilliantly.
The Globe Theatre itself is breathtaking. Seeing it from every angle from ground level, upper tiers and tucked away corners really brings home how unique it is. The Globe is built in the traditional style, and you feel that history in your bones as you walk around. One of the most fascinating parts was learning about the Gentlemen’s Boxes, once considered the prime seats because they were all about being seen rather than seeing. In Shakespeare’s day, status trumped sightlines. Now, of course, they’re far from the best view of the stage, but they remain beautiful. Each box is decorated in the Seven Ages of Man, a detail that feels wonderfully poetic and entirely fitting. Our guide explained how Sam Wanamaker, the founder of the modern Globe and father of actress Zoe Wanamaker, was determined that every inch of the theatre should be dedicated to Shakespeare. That passion is visible everywhere you look.
We learned so much about the history of the original Globe, the reconstruction, and how performances work today. It’s that perfect blend of education and entertainment: you come away feeling genuinely enriched but never lectured. Raffie kept whispering little facts he’d remembered from school, delighted to see them come to life. And Posie, who I thought might drift off halfway through, was surprisingly absorbed, probably because there’s always something new to look at, somewhere new to stand, something dramatic being pointed out.
The group size was spot on too. Not too big, not too small, and despite a hiccup with our original timing (we were delayed and missed our booked slot), the Globe staff were brilliant. They shuffled things around and got us onto the next tour without any fuss at all. It made the whole experience feel relaxed and welcoming.
The tour costs £31 per adult and £14 for under‑16s (who must be accompanied by an adult). My only gripe is with that under16 rule. In the UK, children are in education until 18, so they’re not earning money, yet at 16 they suddenly get bumped into adult pricing for so many things like train tickets and tickets for things like this. It feels a bit backward and not especially inclusive for encouraging young people to engage with the arts. It’s not a deal‑breaker, but it’s worth noting.
One of the current performances on offer is Much Ado About Nothing, and Raffie is already asking to go back to see it. Honestly, after experiencing the Globe in all its glory, and how much he enjoyed the tour I’m tempted to take him too. There’s something special about standing in a space so steeped in storytelling, knowing that centuries of audiences have laughed, cried, and gasped almost right where you’re standing – there’s a bit of poetic licence there but you’ll have to take the tour to find out what it is!
We were invited to take a family tour of The Globe Theatre as guests of the theatre.