Shakespeare Walking Tour London
From riverside playhouses to statues in buzzing squares, London is the city where William Shakespeare wrote, acted and thrived. This Shakespeare Walking Tour packs the best Bard‑related spots into an easy half‑day adventure the whole family will love plus a Tube‑friendly option if little legs get tired.
A quick heads-up before we set off: phone snatching and pickpocketing can happen in busy parts of London. Keep your belongings secure and be mindful when using your phone in public.
Ready? All the world’s your stage… let’s go! (cityoflondon.gov.uk)
Interactive Walking Map
The dotted route below follows the South Bank footpath and crosses Blackfriars Bridge. Pin labels are always visible; pubs are nested in each stop’s accordion.
Self‑Guided Walking Route
1. Shakespeare’s Globe – Bankside
Kick off at the faithful 1599‑style Shakespeare’s Globe. Book a guided tour or stand as a groundling beneath the thatched roof where Hamlet once echoed. Bonus: the riverside views of St Paul’s across the Thames are Insta-perfect.
More information
This open-air, timber-framed playhouse opened in 1997 as the realisation of actor-director Sam Wanamaker’s vision (en.wikipedia.org). It precisely mirrors the 1599 Globe where many of Shakespeare’s works premiered (en.wikipedia.org). Guides explain how the original Globe burned down during a performance of Henry VIII in 1613 (en.wikipedia.org). Visitors can explore exhibit halls featuring replica costumes and interactive displays that bring Elizabethan stagecraft to life – a hit with both adults and children. The Globe’s riverside courtyard also offers postcard views of the Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Nearby pubs
- Swan at the Globe – Stylish pub and dining right next to the theatre.
- Anchor Bankside – Historic riverside pub with rooftop views.
- Founder’s Arms – Modern glassy pub with stunning views of the river.
2. The Rose Playhouse Ruins – Park Street (5-min walk)
The Rose (built 1587) was the Globe’s elder rival. Pop into the visitor centre on an open day to see the excavated stage floor lit in ghostly red.
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Founded by Philip Henslowe, the Rose became the first theatre on Bankside (london-se1.co.uk). Archaeologists rediscovered its remains in 1989 beneath an office block (london-se1.co.uk). Shakespeare likely honed his craft here in the 1590s while the company staged Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus and possibly early Shakespeare plays (london-se1.co.uk). Saturday open-days (12 pm–4 pm, free) allow visitors to view the preserved foundations augmented by sound-and-light reconstructions (london-se1.co.uk).
3. Southwark Cathedral – Montague Close (4-min walk)
Inside this Gothic church find Shakespeare’s alabaster memorial and a stained-glass window packed with his characters. Borough Market next door is perfect for a snack stop.
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The memorial, carved by Henry McCarthy in 1912, shows a reclining Shakespeare holding a quill beneath a colourful window unveiled in 1954 that depicts Juliet, Hamlet, Falstaff and more (footprintsoflondon.com). Look for the sprig of rosemary in his hand – a nod to Ophelia’s line “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance” (footprintsoflondon.com). Nearby, a floor ledger commemorates Edmund Shakespeare, the playwright’s younger brother, who was buried here in 1607 (cathedral.southwark.anglican.org). In Shakespeare’s day the church – then St Saviour’s – served parishioners from the Globe and other Bankside theatres (footprintsoflondon.com).
4. Blackfriars Gatehouse & Playhouse Site – Playhouse Yard
A plaque marks the indoor theatre where the King’s Men played and the gatehouse Shakespeare bought in 1613. Peek into the narrow lanes, then admire Thames views from Blackfriars Bridge.
More information
The Blackfriars Playhouse opened in 1609 inside a former monastery hall (thingstodoinlondon.com). Shakespeare purchased the nearby gatehouse that same year for £140 – the only property he owned in London (cityoflondon.gov.uk). Plaques on Ireland Yard and Playhouse Yard pinpoint the sites (thingstodoinlondon.com).
Nearby pubs
5. Leicester Square Gardens – West End
Under neon lights, the white-marble Shakespeare statue stands centre-stage. Snap a family photo beside his “No darkness but ignorance” scroll.
More information
The statue and fountain were installed in 1874, copying Shakespeare’s monument in Westminster Abbey’s Poets’ Corner (en.wikipedia.org). It shows the Bard leaning on a stack of books while four playful dolphins spray water at the base (en.wikipedia.org). The scroll’s quote is from Twelfth Night (en.wikipedia.org).
Nearby pubs
6. National Portrait Gallery – Trafalgar Square (5-min walk)
End with the iconic Chandos Portrait, possibly painted from life. Free entry, world-class art, and Trafalgar Square’s lions await outside.
More information
The Chandos Portrait may be the only likeness painted from life, circa 1600 (en.wikipedia.org). It was the first piece the NPG acquired in 1856 (en.wikipedia.org) and remains catalogued as “NPG 1.”
Nearby pubs
Tube‑Friendly Route
- London Bridge → Bankside sights: Walk about 10 minutes to the Globe, Rose and Cathedral.
- London Bridge → Leicester Square: Jubilee line westbound two stops to Waterloo, change to the Northern line three stops to Leicester Square (londondrum.com).
- Leicester Square → National Portrait Gallery: Walk 5 minutes down Charing Cross Road or ride one stop to Charing Cross.
- Optional Blackfriars detour: From Monument ride the District/Circle line to Blackfriars, explore, then continue west to Embankment and switch to the Northern line for Leicester Square.
Quick Tips & Nearby Gems
- River views: Stroll the South Bank between the Globe and Millennium Bridge for postcard‑worthy panoramas.
- Borough Market: Street‑food paradise – grab fresh pastries or fish‑finger sarnies.
- Trafalgar Square: Admire the lions, say hi to Admiral Nelson or visit the National Gallery if time allows.
Why You’ll Love This Shakespeare Walking Tour
In just a few hours you’ll tread the same streets that inspired Romeo & Juliet, gaze at the Bard’s own likeness and feel the thrill of live theatre history – all within Zone 1. Whether you’re a die‑hard fan or curious newcomer, London’s Shakespeare trail offers drama, discovery and unforgettable family memories.