guided experience

Shakespeare’s London Tour

From £250 per group

1.5 hour tour Private Group London Bridge

★★★★★ 4.9 by 3,600+ travellers

Duration 1.5 hour tour

Starting at London Bridge

Group Size Private Group

Price From £250 per group

Why choose this tour

Bards, Brothels and Bawdy Bankside

Discover the surprising history of the Globe Theatre

Enjoy the company of an expert who has worked at the Globe and the Rose Theatres

Discover ancient hidden sites including a napoleonic cannon and a waterman’s seat!

Locate the stunning remains of the ancient Winchester Palace and hear about the vibrant sex industry in Tudor London.

Find out about the sordid and macabre side of London, including the location of an old prison

★★★★★ 4.9 by 3,600+ travellers

About this tour

Your trip to London would not be complete without exploring the life and neighbourhood of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries, so a trip to Bankside is a must!

Shakespeare’s Bankside was a packed, turbulent, and rowdy pleasure quarter, while today it is arguably the most vibrant, creatively diverse arts and entertainment cultural centre in London.

Tour details

Why this tour

He may have died over 400 years ago, but there are still remnants of Shakespeare’s London, which we will explore on our walking tour. We will follow in the footsteps of the Bard, visiting the sites of not just Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre but also three other Elizabethan theatres including The Rose Playhouse where Shakespeare met contemporary Christopher Marlowe and premiered his very first plays Titus Andronicus and Henry VI in 1594.

During the tour it will become clear that Bankside was not just a theatre district, but a complex mix of adult entertainment, brothels, and taverns. We will pass by a famous cathedral, discover the remains of Winchester Palace, and hear about the bishop’s particular way of licensing prostitution. And for those foodies, we will pass through the ancient and vibrant Borough Market, and finish the tour at one of the most atmospheric pubs in L

A private group tour. If you have a date, celebration or work event in mind, see our bespoke private tours.

Itinerary

Starting point

Starts from outside the Barrowboy & Banker pub near London Bridge station. Check confirmation email for further details.

Times & date

Further information

Email info@funlondontours.com with your request.

FAQ

Can I book a private tour?

Sure! Our guides tend to be booked quite far in advance, especially during peak times, so please give us as much notice as you can. We tend to have more availability on shorter private tours of 1.5 to 2 hours in length. You can see what is available and send us your dates on our private tours page, or email info@funlondontours.com with your request. Prices start at £250 per group, and vary with the tour and the size of your group.

Are your tours suitable for people with limited mobility or wheelchair users?

Our tours can be adapted to suit wheelchair users or those with limited mobility – just let us know ahead of time so the guide can prepare a suitable alternative step-free route.

The only exception is our Changing the Guard tour, which requires good mobility as we march alongside the guards and we cannot avoid steps.

Reviews

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 3802 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Dream325099 
 9 days ago
 
 
 Verified History of London and its people.
Our guide Lee was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable about London history as well as Churchill. It was a very informative and pleasant experience.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Cory H 
 10 days ago
 
 
 Verified Great tour guide
Our tour guide was fantastic and very knowledgeable. I was hoping to get a closer look at the changing of the guard, but it was very crowded.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Patti M 
 12 days ago
 
 
 Verified Fun, funny tour
Rachel was such a wonderful, energetic and knowledgeable guide! The tour is quite interesting and Rachel had a great sense of humor.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Exploration635912 
 14 days ago
 
 
 Verified The perfect walking tour
Very happy with the whole experience. So glad we go to be a part of “Paul’s Group” he was fun and informative and he got us to the best spots at the right times. It was just the right amount of time and distance. I highly recommend
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Pierre L 
 15 days ago
 
 
 Verified So glad we went on this tour.
Tour guide Pepe was very instructive and entertaining throughout the walk from Piccadilly Circus to Buckingham Palace, here and there sharing lesser known stories on famous and ordinary people tied to London and to the Palace histories. Such a nice time.