Shakespeare's Globe Audio Tour: London's theatrical landmarks

Four stops, one playwright's London, 39 minutes on foot

This self-guided audio tour traces Shakespeare's footprint through Southwark and central London, beginning at Shakespeare's Globe and concluding at Southwark Cathedral. You navigate the route on your phone using offline maps while listening to a narrator who weaves historical detail and poetic storytelling through the streets. The tour includes five stops: London Bridge, the site of the Clink Prison, Shakespeare's Globe, a historic square and garden, and Southwark Cathedral. Children from age 7 are welcome. The entire route is wheelchair accessible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Shakespearean London landmarks

• Start at Shakespeare's Globe
• Pass by London Bridge
• Pass by Clink Prison Museum
• Visit Shakespeare Tavern area
• See historic George Inn
• End at Southwark Cathedral

The Experience

Shakespeare's Globe sits at the heart of this walk through Southwark. The narrator opens with the story of the original theatre and the fire that destroyed it, then guides you past the Shakespeare Tavern and the George Inn: both places where the echoes of Hamlet and the playwright's own life still cling to the buildings. You move through the streets at your own pace, stopping when the audio prompts you or lingering longer if a corner catches your eye.

The route passes London Bridge and the site of the Clink Prison, a 12th-century jail that operated until 1780 and held prisoners connected to the theatrical world Shakespeare knew. Each stop arrives with its own audio segment. You hear the history before you see the place. The narrator's voice carries music and emotional weight. The tour is built to transport rather than to catalogue. Southwark Cathedral closes the walk, a building tied to Shakespeare's final years and a quiet end to the afternoon.

You'll need your phone, headphones, and the offline maps that come with the tour. There's no live guide waiting for you, no entrance tickets included, and no WiFi required once you've downloaded the audio. The walk takes about 39 minutes of actual walking time, though most people spend longer, stopping to photograph or simply stand in front of the Globe. Public transport runs nearby if you need to cut the route short or add a different neighbourhood afterward.

What’s included

• Offline audio chapters in English or Spanish.
• offline mapping and navigation.
• access to five stops along the route through Southwark and central London.

Days and timesDaily

Ages18 to 50 years · Seniors (51+) · 13 to 17 years · 7 to 12 years · Under 7 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends elsewhereMeeting point, per the operator: “This is an audio tour experience. No tour guide will meet you, and No admission tickets are sold. Locate yourself at 38 bankside in front of The globe on the op…”

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by SOUNDWALKRS

Is this one for you?Since you guide yourself through the route on your phone, you can start whenever you want, pause for as long as you like at any stop, and skip ahead if a section doesn't hold your interest. The trade-off is that there's no live guide to answer questions or adjust the pace for the group. This works best if you're comfortable navigating with a map and listening to audio while you walk, and if you want to move through Shakespeare's London at your own rhythm rather than following a group schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

13 to 17 years; 7 to 12 years. Under 7: no ticket type, they can't be added to a booking.

What exactly is Shakespeare's Globe that I'll see on this tour?

Shakespeare's Globe is a reconstructed theatre on the South Bank of the Thames, built near the site of the original playhouse where Shakespeare's works were first performed. The tour begins here and tells the story of the fire that destroyed the 1599 building, then follows the streets where the playwright and his contemporaries lived and worked.

Do I need to buy tickets to enter the attractions on this route?

No entrance tickets are included with this audio tour. You'll walk past and listen to the stories of Shakespeare's Globe, the Clink Prison site, and other landmarks, but entry to any paid attractions is separate. Southwark Cathedral, where the tour ends, is free to enter.

What do I need to bring to do this tour?

Bring your smartphone and headphones. The tour includes offline maps and audio chapters, so you don't need WiFi once you've downloaded everything. You navigate the route yourself using the map on your phone while listening to the narrator guide you through each stop.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Shakespeare's Globe in Southwark and ends at Southwark Cathedral, also in Southwark. The route passes through central London landmarks including London Bridge and the historic Clink Prison site. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need to reach the starting point or leave from the end.