Globe Theatre (original site), London

If you wander down Park Street today, you鈥檒l find a humble plaque and a few story panels marking the original spot where the Globe Theatre opened its doors in 1599. Back then, this stretch was called Maiden Lane, tucked inside The Liberty of the Clink鈥攂asically a medieval no-man鈥檚-land just outside the City鈥檚 rules. At one point, the Bishop of Winchester took charge, and instead of banning the local theaters, animal fights, and brothels, he simply taxed them. A solid business model, really.

Shakespeare鈥檚 company flourished here, and about 15 of his plays鈥攊ncluding some of the biggest hits鈥攆irst hit the stage on this very ground.

Of course, no great story is complete without a little fire. On June 29, 1613, during a performance of Henry VIII, a prop cannon misfired and set the place ablaze. The Globe, made of good old flammable wood and thatch, went up like a tinderbox. Miraculously, nobody was hurt鈥攅xcept for one poor guy whose flaming trousers were put out with a well-aimed bottle of ale. (Talk about happy hour.)

The Globe was rebuilt the next year, but sadly, by 1644 it was demolished to make way for housing. Fast forward to our days: Shakespeare鈥檚 Globe, the modern reconstruction, opened its doors in 1997鈥攚ith Henry V, naturally鈥攑roving that not even a fire, a bishop, or centuries of urban sprawl could keep Shakespeare鈥檚 spirit off the stage...

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 911爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Globe Theatre (original site)
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in London, England

Create Your Own Walk in London

Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Charles Dickens Tour

Imagine a world without Dickens. No Oliver Twist, no Ebenezer Scrooge, no brooding orphans wandering foggy streets with suspiciously eloquent vocabularies. Tough to picture, right? That鈥檚 because Charles Dickens didn鈥檛 just leave a mark on literature鈥攈e practically steamrolled through it in a horse-drawn carriage. Recognized as the undisputed heavyweight of Victorian storytelling, he... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles

London's Historic Pubs Walk

If there鈥檚 any more iconic symbol for London than Big Ben or the London Eye, then it must be the traditional English pub. And London sure is full of them, dating from pre-Victorian times to just about five minutes ago.

With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles

South Bank Walking Tour

London鈥檚 South Bank, stretching along the southern side of the River Thames, roughly between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, is one of the most interesting and liveliest parts of the British capital. Here, London鈥檚 old soul and modern edge shake hands... and then probably go grab a pint together. Famous for its arts, culture, food, and scenic riverside walks, the area has a long and... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

Walk around Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, the British monarch's official residence, is a must-see for anyone visiting London, but so are the adjacent royal establishments that give a unique window into the royal way of life. On this self-guided walking tour, along with Buckingham Palace and its memorable fountain, you will visit the St. James's private royal residence, the wonderful Queen's Gallery, and... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

City of London Walking Tour

The City of London, often referred to simply as the City (with the capital C), is the historic and financial core of the British capital. Despite being just over one square mile in area (for which reason it is also lovingly dubbed the Square Mile), it holds immense importance as the original site of Londinium, the Roman settlement founded circa 43 AD. Over the centuries, this small patch of land... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles

Sherlock Holmes Tour in London

Among a myriad of other, real-life celebrities who have ever called London their home, perhaps the most famous is the fictional consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, created by Conan Doyle. Indeed, the ingenious sleuth has left an indelible mark on the literary and cultural landscape of London ever since the appearance of the first stories about him in the late 1880s. Years on, there are several... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

View all walking tours in London, England

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...