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Private Shakespeare Walking Tour of London

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| London, England
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from $243.17 per package

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Shakespeare's Globe Theatre as seen on our Shakespeare Tour.
The bust of William Shakespeare as seen on our Shakespeare Tour.
Discover one of the conspiracies surrounding Shakespeare and why he bough a house in London after he'd moved back to Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare continues to inspire artists
Our tour will finish inside Southwark Cathedral, near to this memorial to William Shakespeare.

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3 hours (approx.)
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Overview

Led by one of our fantastic guides, who are not only experienced tour guides, but also actors or directors who trained at some of the finest drama schools in the world, and written by a Ph.D. candidate at Queen Mary University of London's School of English and Drama, this tour blends history, drama, and live performance and is a must for anyone curious or passionate about Shakespeare!

Starting at Farringdon Station, we will explore locations that Shakespeare would have been familiar with and which are still left standing after the Great Fire of London and the London Blitz. We will also explore areas of London, which, although much changed, inspired Shakespeare and allowed him to progress from being the son of a glove maker to a servant of the King. During the tour, we will learn how Shakespeare became the ‘immortal bard’, debate if Shakespeare wrote the plays we credit him with and explore why Shakespeare’s works are still enjoyed and celebrated in the 21st Century.

What's Included

  • Guide fees
  • Travel using the Transport for London (TFL) network.
  • Gratuities
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Farringdon Station
Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6BY, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

London Bridge
London SE1 9DA, UK

The Tour will finish at Southwark Cathedral.

What To Expect

St John's Gate

St John's Gate is one of the few places left in London which we know William Shakespeare visited. Home to the office of the Master of Revels, who acted as the Censor to the courts of Elizabeth I and James I, William Shakespeare would have had to attend this place to have his plays licensed for performance.At St John's Gate, your guide will explain why Shakspeare was subject to Censorship, how the Master Of Revels office worked, and how theatre censorship continued until 1968. You'll also hear how the ending of theatre censorship changed the way that Shakspeare was performed and is performed today.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Smithfield Market (Pass By)

Smithfield Market is another location we know Shakespeare would have visited while living in London. We know this thanks to references in his plays that mention the location, especially King Henry IV Part 2, and the fact that most Londoners would have descended on this location for the famous fair that used to happen here every year. Indeed it's possible that Shakespeare might have visited here with his friend, contemporary, and rival Ben Jonson prior to returning to Stratford Upon Avon.Although the market has had a Victorian make-over, the principles that the market operates on are still the same today, and while walking through the market, your guide will explain not just the importance of the market to London, but also Smithfield's history and use in the works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries.
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St Bartholomew's Hospital

St Bartholomew's Hospital is the oldest working hospital in the world. Founded in 1123, this is one of the few places in London which was standing during Shakespeare's lifetime.At Bart's (as it is commonly called), your guide will tell you how early-modern hospitals such as Barts, and the infamous Bedlam Hospital, inspired the works of Shakespeare. Indeed some of the characters from these hospitals even appear in the works of Shakespeare.While at Barts your guide will also explain how some of the most important moments in English (and British) history are excluded from the works of Shakespeare, who was effectively working under a police state.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Postman's Park (Pass By)

Postman's Park has nothing to do with the works of Shakespeare or the life of the great Bard. That said, cutting through the park is the fastest way to head to where we are going. So your guide will explain how this hidden park and its memorial to those people who died sacrificing themselves to save others came into being.
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St Mary Aldermanbury Garden

St Mary Aldermanbury Garden stands on the site of the old church that was sadly damaged by bombing during the Second World War. Removed after the war (your guide will tell you all about this), the church was where two of Shakespeare's friends were buried - Henry Condell and John Heminge.Both Condell and Heminge were churchwardens here and were buried in the church grounds. Not only were they friends of Shakespeare, but they were also shareholders in the original Globe Theatre, and were instrumental in the publishing of Shakespeare's works as we know them today.At the memorial to Condell and Heminge, your guide will explain everything you could want to know about these two men who intimately knew Shakespeare and why they are so important in the publication of Shakespeare's works.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Guildhall Library

A preserved edition of the First Folio, which contains 36 of William Shakespeare's plays, is meticulously safeguarded within the Guildhall Library of the City of London. The Guildhall Library is a public reference institution renowned for its specialization in London's historical records.Within its holdings, the library boasts an extensive printed books collection, encompassing more than 200,000 titles spanning from the 15th to the 21st centuries. This diverse collection encompasses a wide array of literary forms, including books, pamphlets, periodicals, trade directories, and poll books. It provides a comprehensive representation of every facet of life in London, both past and present, shedding light on the city's trade, its inhabitants, and its architectural heritage. Furthermore, the library's archives encompass expansive holdings related to maritime history and the history of business, further enriching its scholarly resources.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Guildhall

The Guildhall in the City of London serves as the city's administrative hub. Inside its grand halls, you'll find the offices and meeting spaces of the Corporation of London and its Court of Common Council. This body holds the responsibility of governing the City and safeguarding its interests across the broader London metropolitan area. Mentioned in Richard III, your guide will explain how the scene involving the Guildhall, the Mayor of London, and the corporation is vital for Richard's climb to power. They will also explain how people during Shakespeare's time would have reacted to this moment.In 1613, the renowned playwright William Shakespeare acquired a property in Blackfriars, strategically situated to accommodate both the Globe and Blackfriars theaters. The legal document that documents this sale boasts the rare distinction of bearing Shakespeare's signature and is meticulously preserved within the collections of the London Metropolitan Archives.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Saint Paul's Churchyard

The First Folio was published by the publisher Isaac Jaggard and was sold in St Paul’s Churchyard by Edward Blount, who had a shop here. Although much of the area around St Paul's Cathedral (and indeed the Cathedral itself) is different to when Shakespeare would have lived in London and when the First Folio was published, it is still worth travelling to this part of London to see where people from across the country would have come to purchase the first collected works of England's, and possibly the world's, greatest author.St Paul's Churchyard offers some fantastic views of the 17th Century Cathedral, and it is here that your guide will tell you why the First Folio is so important, how it saved some of Shakespeare's most famous plays for future generations, and why they are so sought after today!
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Black Friars Lane (Pass By)

As the Chorus in the Prologue of Henry V says, 'Let us, cyphers to this great accompt, On your imaginary forces work. Think when we talk of horses, that you see them'. In this moment, the Chorus asks the audience to use their imagination to see what they are being described to them. Sadly due to the changes in London's landscape, you'll need to follow the Chorus' advice whilst your guide describes for you the less well-known Blackfriar's Playhouse, which Shakespeare also had shares in. You will also need to imagine what Shakespeare's house here would have looked like as your guide will explain to you some of the controversies surrounding Shakespeare's purchase of his only London property.
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College of Arms (Pass By)

As we pass the College of Arms we will stop and your guide will explain how Shakespeare's social-climbing ambitions resulted in his father John, being granted a Coat of Arms. This prestigious honour was later contested, and whilst here you will learn how the leading member of the College, the impressively titled Garter King at Arms, came to Shakespeare's aid!In addition you will learn how Shakespeare was a great social climber, starting off as a local boy in Stratford Upon Avon and ending his life as a member of the King's Household.
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Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (Pass By)

The tour will pass Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and will explain the importance of this new version of Shakespeare's theatre. We will explain the history of this impressive new building, how an American was instrumental in its construction, and how the local council's withdrawing of support for the Globe led to a multimillion pound court case which the Globe won!
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Southwark Cathedral

The tour will finish at Southwark Cathedral. Whilst here we will explain its links to William Shakespeare and his family, how William's younger brother Edmund came to be buried here, and how both Shakespeare and the modern founder of The Globe Theatre are remembered in this ancient Gothic cathedral.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Shakespeare Walking Tour of London?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-192133P1

Reviews

5.00
1 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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Frequently Asked Questions (6)

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Shakespeare Walking Tour of London?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Guide fees.
The following is NOT included:
  • Travel using the Transport for London (TFL) network.
  • Gratuities.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Private Shakespeare Walking Tour of London is as follows:

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Shakespeare Walking Tour of London will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Guide fees
  • Travel using the Transport for London (TFL) network.
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

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  • If you find a lower retail or prepaid rate for the same tour, offered on the same date, time and priced in the same currency as your original purchase, on any other website between the time you book on City Boat Tours and 48 hours before your trip starts, we will refund the difference.
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Free Cancellation

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100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).

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