FAMILIES.
Everything you need to know before visiting Shakespeare’s Globe as a family
We have family-friendly facilities as well as tours, events, performances, workshops and festivals for all ages, that take place across the entire year.
This page includes everything you need to know about visiting Shakespeare’s Globe as a family. If there anything you think we have missed or can improve on, please email us your feedback.
Events and workshops for families take place throughout the year.
PRAMS, BUGGIES & STROLLERS
Prams can access all public spaces of our building. Our Box Office entrance at 21 New Globe Walk has step-free access (pictured) and there is lift access to all other floors.
During performances, prams are not permitted in the auditorium. Worn baby slings and carriers are welcome. Prams are welcome on all tours but please note that in the Globe Theatre you will not be able to access upper levels. During performances and tours, prams may be left in the cloakroom for a charge of £2.00 per item.
For other events and workshops, specific guidance will be given. Often prams cannot be taken into spaces but we will find a safe space for them on these occasions.
BABY CHANGING FACILITIES
There are two gender-neutral accessible toilets on site that have baby changing facilities.
One is next to the shop and is accessible from the main foyer area by lift (select ‘Piazza Level’). The other is by the Guided Tours Admissions Desk (entrance opposite the river on Bankside).
If you are attending a tour, there are changing facilities on route – just ask your Tour Guide for directions on the day.
FEEDING & MENUS
We have three eating & drinking spaces at Shakespeare’s Globe: Swan Bar & Restaurant, Crosby and Hope (at Sackler Studios, SE1 9ED) and our Foyer Café Bar (located near our Box Office).
All ages are welcome in all restaurants at any time. Swan has a bespoke children’s menu and highchairs available all day.
We are, of course, breastfeeding-friendly, and support mothers to feed their babies anywhere they need to on site. For those bottle feeding, we can warm up bottles or provide hot water for formula-making. We can also warm up your own baby food free of charge, any time.
Prams can access all three spaces: there is step-free access to all levels of the Swan, and our other cafés are on the ground floor.
THINGS TO DO
Family tours
Whilst you can attend any Guided Tour with children of any age, we also offer specific Family Tours. These are perfect for 7-11 year olds, but all ages are welcome. Tours last approximately 40 minutes. There are family tickets available, a reduced price for ages 5-14 and under 5s go free.
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Family events & workshops
Browse and book all current events for families and children at Shakespeare’s Globe: workshops, events and performances. Use the top left ‘FAMILY EVENTS’ button to filter out events aimed at families.
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Shakespeare's Telling Tales
Our annual storytelling festival returns 23 – 26 July 2020. Designed for the whole family to learn, play and celebrate the magic of telling tales, the festival offers workshops, performances, storytelling sessions and the chance to meet favourite authors.
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Below you will find guidance for families looking to attend a full-length production (one not necessarily aimed at families), in the Globe Theatre or the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
Age Guidance
As standard, we don’t issue an age guidance for our full theatre productions – we welcome everyone and all ages can attend.
Some plays, however, do contain adult themes and might not be suitable for younger children. The individual event pages on the website will give as much information as possible to help you make a decision, and on occasion may detail a warning or guidance.
Babies
We welcome all ages to our performances and anyone under the age of 3 goes free and does not require a ticket. You can step outside the theatre if your baby becomes restless, where you will be able to watch the performance on a monitor. A member of front of house will help advise you on when is best to return to the auditorium.
Prams, which are not permitted in the auditorium, can be stored in the cloakroom for a charge of £2.00 per item. Slings and carriers for babies and toddlers are welcome, especially if you are standing during the performance.
Tickets & Seating
Anyone under the age of 3 can attend any production for free and they do not require a ticket. Those over 3 years old will require a paid ticket. Any child may sit on the lap of an attending adult.
You can book a seat anywhere in the auditorium, but parents with babies often like to book tickets close to an exit if they think they may need to nip out of the performance. Seats on the ground floor by an aisle are often a good choice. Please note that the open-air Globe Theatre has more of a relaxed atmosphere, whereas the indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is a more intimate environment.
Visibility
In the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, young children may find visibility from the Upper Galleries difficult. Booster cushions are not available for seats, and standing positions are completely obscured if under 4ft due to balustrade.
In the Globe Theatre, if a groundling ticket is purchased, children will need to stand for the duration of the performance. If seated, cushions can be rented.
Our Box Office team are here to help offer guidance on tickets, choosing seats and anything else you may have questions about. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 020 7401 9919.
RELAXED PERFORMANCES
We also offer Relaxed Performances as part of our Access programme.
Families often benefit from these performances as they are more relaxed – there is an open-door policy meaning that you can come and go as you please.
