Private Shakespeare Walking Tour of London

Explore London’s Shakespeare Heritage with a Private Guide

This private Shakespeare walking tour of London offers an intimate look at the places William Shakespeare likely visited or influenced during his time in the city. Priced at $247.61 per group (up to 15 participants), the 3-hour experience is led by a knowledgeable guide who provides personalized insights. The tour features stops at heritage landmarks such as St John’s Gate, Guildhall Library, Southwark Cathedral, and the Globe Theatre. It includes free admission tickets for several sites and flexible timing options to fit different schedules.

What makes this tour stand out is the focus on Shakespeare’s London rather than only his plays or biography. It’s ideal for those interested in connecting the playwright’s work with the physical spaces of his life, especially with the in-depth commentary from your private guide. While it is a walk and involves some moderate physical activity, it’s suitable for most people comfortable walking through historic areas. The tour is praised for guide expertise, personalized attention, and the chance to see several key locations in a manageable timeframe.

Key Points

• Private guided experience with personalized insights on Shakespeare’s London
• Visits to St John’s Gate, Globe Theatre, Guildhall Library, and more
• Flexible tour times allowing you to choose what suits your schedule
• Includes free tickets for key sites like the Guildhall Library
• Duration of approximately 3 hours makes it a compact, enriching tour
• Suitable for those interested in literature, history, and London’s heritage

Starting at St John’s Gate: The Censorship Connection

The tour begins at St John’s Gate, a historically significant site that William Shakespeare would have visited to get his plays licensed. This location housed the office of the Master of Revels, who acted as the censor for Elizabethan and Jacobean theatre, determining what could and couldn’t be performed. Your guide explains how censorship influenced Shakespeare’s work and how the abolition of censorship in 1968 changed the way Shakespeare’s plays are staged today.

Standing outside this iconic gate, visitors learn about the theatre censorship process that Shakespeare navigated, along with its long-lasting effects. The guide also shares stories about the history of theatre regulation and how this regulation shaped performances in Shakespeare’s era and beyond.

Visiting Smithfield Market: Shakespeare’s Likely Haunt

Next, the tour takes you through Smithfield Market, an area Shakespeare probably knew well, referenced in his plays like King Henry IV Part 2. Once a bustling fairground, this Victorian-style market retains the core principles of its historic operations, and your guide highlights its role in London’s social life during Shakespeare’s time.

There’s speculation that Shakespeare might have visited Smithfield Market with Ben Jonson, his contemporary and rival. Walking through this lively market area, the guide shares stories about Shakespeare’s possible visits and the market’s significance as a hub of commerce and entertainment.

The Historic Significance of St Bartholomew’s Hospital

The third stop is St Bartholomew’s Hospital, founded in 1123, making it the oldest surviving hospital in the world. This site was present during Shakespeare’s lifetime, and your guide discusses how early-modern hospitals like Barts inspired characters and themes in his works. For example, Bedlam Hospital and other institutions influenced Shakespeare’s portrayal of madness and care.

The guide also covers how the political climate of Shakespeare’s era, considered a police state, affected the inclusion of historical events in his plays. This hospital stop offers a glimpse into the medical environments that may have influenced Shakespeare’s storytelling.

Postman’s Park and Its Memorials

A quick walk through Postman’s Park provides a visual break. This park, though not directly related to Shakespeare, features a memorial to those who sacrificed their lives saving others. Your guide explains the park’s history as a quiet urban refuge and its significance as a symbol of heroism, offering context for London’s layered history.

The Site of Shakespeare’s Friends at St Mary Aldermanbury Garden

At St Mary Aldermanbury Garden, visitors find the memorial site of Henry Condell and John Heminge, friends of Shakespeare and shareholders in the Globe Theatre. Their graves were originally on this site before the church was damaged in World War II. Your guide explains their role in Shakespeare’s publishing legacy and how they helped preserve his works.

This stop connects Shakespeare’s personal circle directly to London’s physical landmarks, emphasizing their importance in literary history.

The Guildhall Library and the First Folio

Next, the tour visits Guildhall Library, where a preserved edition of the First Folio—containing 36 of Shakespeare’s plays—is kept. The library holds over 200,000 titles, documenting London’s history and literary heritage. Your guide underscores the significance of the First Folio in Shakespeare’s legacy, highlighting its role in disseminating his works and how the library safeguards this treasure.

Attendance here is included, and visitors get a glimpse of one of the most important texts in English literature.

Exploring the Guildhall and Shakespeare’s Social Climb

The Guildhall in the City of London serves as the city’s administrative hub. Your guide explains its appearance in Richard III and its importance during Shakespeare’s time, especially regarding London’s governance and social hierarchy. The guide also shares how Shakespeare, starting as a local boy from Stratford, climbed the social ladder—notably by purchasing property in London and obtaining a Coat of Arms with help from the College of Arms.

This segment offers insight into Shakespeare’s ambitions and the social mobility possible in Jacobean London.

Locating Shakespeare’s House and the Blackfriars Playhouse

The tour discusses Shakespeare’s London residence and the Blackfriars Playhouse, an indoor theatre where Shakespeare also had shares. Since London’s landscape has changed, visitors are encouraged to use their imagination as the guide describes Shakespeare’s house and the theatre’s significance. These details help piece together Shakespeare’s life beyond the Globe, illustrating his involvement in London’s theatrical scene.

Southwark Cathedral: Shakespeare’s Connection to the City

The tour concludes at Southwark Cathedral, a site with longstanding ties to William Shakespeare and his family. The guide discusses Edmund Shakespeare, William’s younger brother, buried at the cathedral, and explains how Shakespeare’s family and The Globe Theatre are remembered here. This historic Gothic church offers a fitting end point that ties Shakespeare’s London to the city’s spiritual and cultural fabric.

Practical Details and Tour Logistics

Starting at Farringdon Station, the tour is a private experience led by a guide who offers personalized attention. The group size is limited to 15, ensuring an intimate atmosphere. At Southwark Cathedral, the tour wraps up, making it convenient for visitors to continue exploring or return via public transportation.

The duration of about 3 hours balances depth and pace, making it suitable for most physically able participants. The tour includes free admission tickets to key sites such as Guildhall Library and St John’s Gate, adding value to the experience. It’s recommended to choose a tour time that fits your schedule, with the flexibility of private bookings.

Final Thoughts on This Shakespeare London Walk

This private walking tour offers a comprehensive, engaging look at the places that shaped Shakespeare’s life and work in London. The personalized guidance, combined with well-chosen stops like St John’s Gate, the Globe Theatre, and Guildhall Library, creates a rich experience for anyone interested in literature, history, or London’s cultural landscape.

While the tour involves walking through historic areas, it’s accessible for most participants with moderate physical fitness. The expert guide’s storytelling style—noted for passion and humor—brings Shakespeare’s London vividly to life, making it a worthwhile investment for history buffs and literary enthusiasts alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for children?
The tour is designed for adults or those with moderate physical fitness due to walking and historical content, but there are no age restrictions specified.

What is included in the price?
The guide fees are included, along with free admission tickets for key sites like Guildhall Library. Transport costs are not included.

Can I choose the tour time?
Yes, the tour offers a range of times to fit your schedule, making it flexible for different plans.

How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 3 hours, offering a deep yet manageable exploration of Shakespeare’s London.

Is this a group or private experience?
This is a private tour, meaning only your group participates, allowing for a personalized experience.

Do I need to be physically fit?
Yes, participants should have moderate physical fitness to comfortably walk between sites.

Where does the tour start and end?
It begins at Farringdon Station and ends at Southwark Cathedral.

Are tickets for sites included?
Yes, tickets for Guildhall Library and St John’s Gate are included.

What if I need to cancel?
You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is there a guide I can contact for questions?
The tour provider is Tours Of The UK, contactable via [email protected] or +44 7568 342672.