Nearby attractions to Shakespeare's Globe

Planning time for nearby attractions before or after your show

Shakespeare's Globe sits on Bankside, with major museums, riverside walks, and other cultural landmarks within a short walk, so you can add a quick photo stop, a brief stroll, or a longer visit without travelling across London. Distances in the attraction listings are approximate walking times from the Globe, helping you judge what fits between ticket collection, pre-show plans, or an unhurried walk back towards your transport after the performance. Use those distances to decide whether you have time for a simple look around the area or a more in-depth visit, especially if you are meeting others or catching last trains. For each place, check its own website or on-site signage for the latest information on opening hours, ticketing, and last entry, as these can change independently of events at the Globe.

Right next to the Globe: on-site and riverside highlights

If you only have a short window before curtain up, several attractions are effectively on the Globe's doorstep. These work well if you want to stay close to the theatre while still seeing a bit more of Bankside.

• Globe Theatre TourAround 80 m away on Bankside; a dedicated attraction focused on exploring the theatre itself, suitable to pair with a performance if timings line up.
• Sam Wanamaker memorialRoughly 50 m away on Bankside; a nearby sight honouring the director who drove the reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe.
• The Ferrymans SeatAbout 55 m away on Bear Gardens; a small memorial spot linked to the former river crossing, easy to visit on a short stroll around the block.

Historic Bankside theatre sites

Bankside preserves traces of its earlier playhouses alongside the modern reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe. These nearby spots help you place your visit in the wider history of London theatre and are close enough to link together in a single walk.

• Rose Theatre archaeological siteApproximately 120 m away on Park Street; a designated archaeological site marking the remains of the Rose Theatre, one of the Globe’s historic contemporaries.
• The Rose Theatre memorialAround 140 m away on Southwark Bridge Road; a memorial site related to the Rose, offering another reference point for the area's earlier theatre landscape.
• Here stood the Globe Playhouse of Shakespeare 1598–1613Roughly 185 m away on Park Street; a marked memorial showing the location of the original Globe Playhouse used in Shakespeare’s time.
• Globe Theatre archaeological siteAbout 185 m away on Park Street; an archaeological site associated with the earlier Globe, distinct from the modern reconstruction where performances take place today.

Art, murals, and viewpoints within a short walk

Beyond the theatres, the streets and riverside around Shakespeare's Globe include public artworks, murals, and viewpoints that can be visited quickly on foot. These are useful options if you want something informal and outdoors between travel and showtime.

• Frost Fair muralApproximately 120 m away on Bankside; an artwork attraction that references historic winter fairs on the Thames.
• Reach sculptureAround 235 m away on Sumner Street; a sculpture that can be included on a short loop through the nearby streets.
• Soham’s Spot viewpointRoughly 210 m away on Bankside; a named viewpoint along the river, suitable for a brief pause or photo stop.
• Millennium Measure artworkAbout 320 m away at Millennium Bridge; a riverside artwork close to the footbridge, which many visitors use when walking between Bankside and the City.
• Queenhithe MosaicAround 270 m away in Queenhithe on the City side; a mosaic artwork that can be reached by crossing the river and adds context to the Thames’ trading history.
• Site of Anchor Brewery memorialRoughly 265 m away on Park Street; a memorial marking the former brewery site, adding another layer to the area's industrial past.

Museums and cultural centres nearby

Several museums and cultural venues lie within a few hundred metres of Shakespeare's Globe, giving you the option of combining a performance with a gallery visit or a more structured attraction. Because some of these require tickets or have controlled entry, check their own visitor information for admission details and timing before you set out.

• Tate ModernRoughly 230 m away on Bankside; a major museum and arts centre within easy walking distance along the river.
• Switch HouseAbout 295 m away on Bankside; a named viewpoint and attraction associated with Tate Modern, offering additional spaces to explore.
• Clink Prison MuseumApproximately 335 m away on Clink Street; a museum attraction in a historic prison setting on the riverside route towards London Bridge.

Clink Street and riverside history walk

If you are arriving early or lingering after an afternoon show, a short walk towards Clink Street gives you several historic points of interest without straying far from the Globe. This route follows the river and older lanes, allowing you to see how the area has changed over time.

• Clink Prison and The ClinkAround 320–330 m away on Clink Street; historic memorial sites connected with the former prison, located close to the Clink Prison Museum.
• Clink WharfRoughly 335 m away on Clink Street; a memorialised wharf location that reflects the area’s riverside and trading past.
• Southwark riverside park areaAbout 260 m away in Southwark; a leisure park designation near the river, suitable for a brief pause outdoors before heading back to the theatre.

What to double-check before you go

Opening hours, ticketing, and access arrangements for nearby attractions are separate from events at Shakespeare's Globe. Before building them into your day, confirm each place’s current hours, whether you need to book in advance, and any last-admission times. For outdoor memorials, artworks, and viewpoints, it is usually enough to allow a few extra minutes on your walk to or from the theatre. For museums, tours, and archaeological sites, consider how long you realistically have before your performance or after the final curtain, and plan your route so you can return to the Globe, your accommodation, or your transport connection without rushing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which attractions are closest to Shakespeare's Globe for a quick visit?

Some of the closest named attractions are the Globe Theatre Tour on Bankside, the Sam Wanamaker memorial, and The Ferrymans Seat on Bear Gardens, all within roughly 80 m or less of the theatre. These work well if you have only a short time before or after your event and want to stay very near the Globe.

Can I fit a museum visit around a performance at Shakespeare's Globe?

Museums and cultural venues such as Tate Modern, Switch House, and Clink Prison Museum are within a few hundred metres of Shakespeare's Globe, so they are close enough to combine with a performance. However, you should check each venue’s own opening hours, ticket requirements, and last entry times, then compare them with your show time to see whether a full visit fits your schedule.

Are there historic theatre sites to see near Shakespeare's Globe?

Yes. Within a short walk you can find the Rose Theatre archaeological site, The Rose Theatre memorial, the marked location where the original Globe Playhouse stood from 1598 to 1613, and an archaeological site associated with the earlier Globe on Park Street. These locations help you connect a modern performance at Shakespeare's Globe with the Bankside theatre district that existed in Shakespeare’s lifetime.

What should I check before visiting nearby attractions on a show day?

Before setting out, confirm each attraction’s current opening hours, whether tickets or timed entry are needed, and how long you realistically have before or after your performance. Outdoor memorials, artworks, and viewpoints near the Globe can usually be seen in just a few minutes, while museums, tours, and archaeological sites may require more time and advance planning.

Are there riverside viewpoints near Shakespeare's Globe?

There are several viewpoints and riverside artworks within walking distance, including Soham’s Spot on Bankside, the Millennium Measure artwork near Millennium Bridge, and vantage points associated with Switch House and the Queenhithe Mosaic across the river. These can be added to a short walk along the Thames before you head into the theatre or on your way back towards transport connections.