Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse designed in 1599, where Shakespeare worked and for which he wrote many of his greatest plays.

Founded by the pioneering American actor/director Sam Wanamaker, Shakespeare's Globe is dedicated to the exploration of the playwright’s work, through education and performance. Go and watch a play in the "wooden O" and you’ll be sitting in a gallery or standing in the yard just as they would have done 400 years ago. 

Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition

This is the world’s largest exhibition devoted to Shakespeare and the London in which he lived and worked. Housed in the UnderGlobe beneath the theatre, the exhibition brings Shakespeare’s world to life, using a range of interactive displays and live demonstrations.

Among many other fascinating interactive exhibits, visitors can see a reconstruction of an Elizabethan theatre workroom used for costume making, and even try on some replica garments that would have been worn by Shakespeare and his fellow actors.

Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare

Garrick's Temple on the Riverside at Hampton was built by the great 18th century actor-manager David Garrick in 1756 to celebrate the genius of William Shakespeare.

Organiser of the 1769 Shakespeare Jubilee, Garrick commissioned the sculptor Roubiliac to provide a life-size statue of his hero to be placed inside. Recent restoration has reinstated the statue in replica. There is also a display celebrating Garrick's acting career and his private life in Hampton.

Shakespeare's Birthplace

This half-timbered house where William Shakespeare was born in 1564 is Stratford's most cherished historic place. Descendants of the dramatist lived here until the 19th century, and it has been a place of pilgrimage for more than 250 years.

Tours start in the house, which contains an exhibition of the poet's life, William Shakespeare: His Life And Background. They then continue through the house, which is furnished in period style with many historic manuscripts and books. The tour ends outside in the celebration garden.

Anne Hathaway's Cottage

Before marrying William Shakespeare in 1582, Anne Hathaway lived in this picturesque cottage. 

Some of the building dates from the mid-15th century, and some of the furniture on show belonged to the Hathaways and their descendants, including the Hathaway bed dating from Anne's time. The garden is also very pretty – perhaps Will and Anne did some courting there!

British Library

The British Library holds Shakespeare's First Folio – the collected edition of Shakespeare's plays. It was published in 1623, seven years after his death. Two of his fellow actors and closest friends, John Heminge and Henry Condell, undertook the work of editing the text and supervising the printing by Isaac Jaggard and Edward Blount. 

Only half of Shakespeare's plays had been published previously, all in smaller format and some poorly edited. The engraved title page shows Martin Droeshout’s now famous portrait of Shakespeare. This amazing book can be seen in case 20 of the library's John Ritblat Gallery. 

National Portrait Gallery

No one really knows what William Shakespeare looked like, as the authenticity of portraits and engravings of him can't be proved. The National Portrait Gallery, however, holds a painting of Shakespeare by John Taylor from about 1610 that is generally thought of as showing the true likeness of the bard. It was also the first portrait ever presented to the gallery. Sometimes known as the Chandos painting after a previous owner, the portrait can be viewed. 

The Rose Theatre

Built in 1587 by Philip Henslowe, the Rose was the first theatre on London's Bankside. 

In 1989 its remains were discovered and partially excavated. Despite their huge archaeological and cultural significance, they were promptly covered up again for conservation reasons. In 1999, the theatre site was reopened to the public as the venue for an exciting exhibition presenting the history of the Rose.