Shakespeare's Globe vs Royal Albert Hall - which to choose?

Whether you’re drawn to Shakespearean drama or the grandeur of spectacular concert halls, we’ve got the scoop on how to make the most of your visit.

Published: March 7, 2025

Royal Albert Hall interior

The lowdown

Shakespeare’s Globe

Faithful reconstruction of the original 1599 Globe Theatre
Offers authentic Shakespearean plays with traditional staging
Situated on the banks of the River Thames, providing a historical atmosphere
Open-air performances enhance the authentic experience
Guided tours available with The London Pass, offering insights into Elizabethan theatre

Royal Albert Hall

Iconic concert hall that opened in 1871
Hosts a diverse range of events from classical concerts to rock shows
Stunning Victorian architecture with a striking central dome
Renowned for its exceptional acoustics and grandeur
Offers guided tours available with The London Pass, detailing its rich history and design

Sounds good, tell me more...

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre exterior

Shakespeare’s Globe is more than just a theatre; it’s a cultural journey into the past. This remarkable reconstruction captures the essence of Elizabethan theatre with its open-air design and authentic performances. Visitors can enjoy a variety of plays as they would have been seen in Shakespeare's time, complete with period costumes and traditional staging. The experience is immersive, with tours offering fascinating insights into how plays were produced and performed.

The Royal Albert Hall, meanwhile, is a monument to Victorian engineering and vision. Known for its magnificent architecture and stellar acoustics, it hosts a diverse array of performances, from grand orchestras to contemporary concerts. Its ornate design, including the iconic dome, is both a visual and auditory marvel. The venue’s guided tours provide backstage access and a peek into its storied history, making it a must-visit for both music and architectural enthusiasts alike.

Okay, so which one is most impressive?

Both venues boast a unique sense of grandeur, but the Royal Albert Hall often leaves visitors awestruck with its sheer scale and ornate details. It’s a venue that embodies elegance and sophistication, offering a wide range of world-class performances. Shakespeare’s Globe impresses in a different way, with its dedication to historical accuracy and the intimate feeling it provides, making every play feel personal and special. The choice depends largely on what leaves you speechless: the vastness of architectural accomplishment or the intimacy of traditionally staged drama.

How do I get there?

Shakespeare’s Globe: Located in Bankside, it’s accessible via the London Underground. Take the Jubilee line to London Bridge station, followed by a pleasant 10-minute walk along the Thames. Alternatively, the Blackfriars and Southwark stations are also nearby.

Royal Albert Hall: Situated in Kensington, the nearest Underground station is South Kensington, served by the District, Circle, and Piccadilly lines. From here, a 10-minute stroll through Exhibition Road will lead you to the Hall. Buses and cycling routes also extend to both locations for a more scenic journey.

Best choice for families, couples or friends?

Royal Albert Hall

Shakespeare’s Globe is a fantastic choice for families interested in historical drama. Kids can learn about theatre history in an engaging way, while the open-air setup adds excitement. Couples may find it a romantic venue, offering an unusual date setting. The Royal Albert Hall is perfect for friends seeking varied performances, from rock bands to orchestras. The venue's grandeur makes it a superb choice for couples wanting an impressive night out. Families can also enjoy family-friendly concerts and events.

I've got little ones to entertain – which has more 'hands on' activities?

Shakespeare’s Globe offers interactive tours and workshops, ideal for kids eager to learn through experience. The tactile, educational approach helps bring history to life. In contrast, the Royal Albert Hall provides captivating guided tours with interactive exhibit areas, allowing kids to learn about music and history in a hands-on way. Both venues offer enriching activities, but for direct engagement, the Globe might just edge out.

What's the accessibility like?

Both venues are committed to accessibility. Shakespeare’s Globe includes ramps and accessible seating, with personal assistance services available. The open-air theatre is only partially covered, however, so dress accordingly. The Royal Albert Hall is fully equipped with lifts and accessible viewing areas throughout the venue, ensuring all visitors can comfortably enjoy events.

We're hungry - where should we head?

For a high-end meal near the Globe, try Swan London, offering quintessentially British cuisine with river views. The seasonal dishes and afternoon tea are particularly noteworthy. For a laid-back option, head to Borough Market for diverse food stalls providing everything from gourmet sandwiches to global delicacies.

In the Royal Albert Hall, Verdi Italian Kitchen serves sumptuous Italian dishes in a relaxed setting, ideal for pre-concert dining. For something more budget-friendly, the Kensington Creperie offers delicious crêpes that satisfy any sweet tooth.

I need some shots for the 'gram - where are the best spots?

Royal Albert Hall lit up at dusk

At Shakespeare’s Globe, capture the theatre’s stunning wooden architecture from various angles during the day to avoid shadows. The best shots come when the Thames glows at sunset, making for a superb backdrop. Royal Albert Hall offers photogenic opportunities both inside and out. The best time for exterior shots is twilight when the building is beautifully lit against the evening sky. Inside, the ornate detailing and central dome provide breathtaking photo ops, especially when bathed in performance lighting.

Are there any good bars in the area for after our tour?

For a refined drink near the Globe, head to OXO Tower Bar for cocktails with stunning river views; try their signature 'OXO Martini'. Alternatively, The Anchor Bankside offers a charming pub atmosphere with classic ales for a budget-friendly option.

By the Royal Albert Hall, Bar 190 in the Gore Hotel presents an upscale vibe, perfect for post-concert relaxation; their classic 'Gore Old Fashioned' is worth sipping. For a more casual vibe, The Queens Arms is a friendly local pub offering a range of craft beers.

What other attractions are nearby?

London Eye

Near Shakespeare’s Globe, you’ll find the London Eye, plus the Tate Modern, where you can meander through modern art exhibitions for free. There's also the London Bridge Experience for a look at the grizzlier side of London life. Along the South Bank, Secret Garden rooftop views offer a peaceful retreat.

Royal Albert Hall is close to national treasures like the Science Museum and Natural History Museum, all of which are free to enter. Hyde Park nearby offers a delightful natural setting for a stroll or picnic on a sunny day.

Whether you’re drawn to the historical charm of Shakespeare’s Globe or the spectacular acoustics of the Royal Albert Hall, both venues are a testament to London's vibrant arts scene. With Go City, you can enjoy convenient access and savings on these amazing attractions.

Liked this? Check out our complete guide to the Tower of London or have a read of our top cultural tours in the capital.

Build your unique London itinerary with our trip planner

We’ll give you the best route to check off all your must-sees, museums, landmarks and more

Create my own Generate my trip

Powered by our data and AI

BETA

Powered by AI

This article was generated with the help of AI to provide accurate and up-to-date information. The Go City team has reviewed and curated the content to ensure it meets our quality standards for accuracy and relevance.

Discover {{destinationFullName}} itineraries

Continue reading

London

5 reasons why Londoners love an open-top bus tour

You might think a Big Bus tour is tourist-only territory but – newsflash – locals love them too. Here’s why…

Wembley stadium at night

10 Amazing Facts About Wembley Stadium You Probably Didn't Know

Learn all about this iconic stadium, including... The famous football games hosted at Wembley The musicians who've played there How big it is What was found buried underneath Wembley Stadium? Want to know more, with a personal touch? Take a Wembley Stadium Tour. 1) Wembley Stadium London hosted the final when England last won the World Cup In case anyone needed any reminding, the last time England won the World Cup was in 1966. That was back when footballers smoked and had second jobs. You can learn more about the 1966 World Cup win and see a whole bunch of artefacts from the time during a Wembley Stadium Tour, one of the many London attractions you can visit when you purchase a London Pass. 2) There were high hopes for England to win Euro 2020 ....but, they didn't. But Wembley did host the final. Southgate’s young team are pretty exciting, and their progress at the last World Cup was as inspiring to see as it was unexpected. But, apart from the penalty shootout victory over Colombia – a game they should have been finished with long before 90 minutes was up – there was a solid victory against a very plain Sweden team, and then a semi-final loss against Croatia. 3) Wembley Stadium has hosted gigs by the world’s most famous musicians 4) This is not the first Wembley Stadium While younger generations imagine the arch-topped stadium when they hear the name Wembley, for generations of older sports fans, it will always be the white twin towers of the original Wembley that come to mind. Built as the centrepiece of the British Empire Exhibition of 1923, the first Wembley stood exactly where the new one is. Its complete demolition in 2003 – including the iconic, white twin towers – was highly controversial at the time. 5) But Wembley new and old are at the heart of English football Since 1923, Wembley has been the host of the FA Cup final (apart from during the interim years whilst the new Wembley Stadium was under construction). Winners of the FA Cup final take the famous walk up to the Royal Box and presentation area to lift the trophy. The 39 steps at the old Wembley Stadium were famous as signifiers of victory or defeat. Take the Wembley Stadium Tour, included with your London Pass, and you’ll be walking up the 107 steps to the presentation area at the modern Wembley. Wembley today hosts a whole host of FA competitions and playoffs. 6) The Wembley Arch is BIG 7) Wembley is one of the largest stadiums in Europe It’s got 90,000 seats, making it the largest stadium in the UK and second largest in Europe—only Barcelona’s Camp Nou is bigger, with a total of 99,354 seats. With a 1km circumference and a volume of 4,000,000 cubic metres, the stadium can fit 25,000 double-decker buses inside. Alternatively, you could fill the new Wembley with seven billion pints of beer. Testament to the size of the thing is just how many toilets you’ll find in the building - 2,618! See how many you can use during your trip to Wembley Stadium. 8) The first match held went down in footballing folklore The first football match hosted at Wembley was the 1923 FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United. An estimated 300,000 spectators came in, more than double the official Wembley Stadium maximum capacity of 125,000. Authorities didn’t think it was worth ticketing the event. The massive overstuffing of the stadium meant that the public was all across the pitch. As police attempted to move the crowd from the pitch, one officer in particular caught the attention of the crowd, riding elegantly atop a white police horse. Since then it’s been known as the White Horse Final. 9) The atmosphere of the new Wembley has been scientifically engineered Crowd recordings taken at the old Wembley—famous for the Wembley Roar—during the 1999 FA Cup final and a 2000 England v Poland game were used as audio benchmarks. The design team used sophisticated computer models to recreate the same acoustics in the new Wembley. Also, with the arch supporting the roof, there was no need to stick pillars, so there were no restricted views. And the architects tried to tier the stands in such a way that everyone felt close to the action. 10) A bad Eiffel Tower knockoff was found underneath it Well, the concrete foundations were. During excavations, construction workers preparing for the new playing field found the foundation of what was known as Watkin’s Tower. Designed to surpass the Eiffel Tower in height and completely rip it off in style, the tower was never completed due to financial difficulties and safety issues. It would have stood right where the Wembley pitch is today. Where is Wembley Stadium? Wembley Stadium could be considered the beating heart of UK sports and entertainment, and you'll find it in the hustle of London, England. Nestled in the Wembley Park neighbourhood, it's a place where dreams come true, whether you're there for a soccer game, a concert, or one of the many other events hosted there. You can almost feel the excitement in the air as you approach it! Experience everything London has to offer with The London Pass® Planning your London trip? With The London Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but with a London sightseeing pass, you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ✈️ Buy The London Pass® ✈️

Matthew Pearson

elevated-panorama-london-skyline-along-river

1 Day in London

1 Day in London. 24 hours. What’s the first thing you do? Get a 1 Day London Pass. Why? Because it gets you into a bunch of the leading London attractions without paying for admission, letting you skip the pesky queues too. You’ve only got one day, remember? You don’t have time for queues.

Matthew Pearson

The London Eye

Tower of London

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Tower Bridge

St Paul’s Cathedral