London is well known for its long history of culture and the arts. Dating back thousands of years, there is evidence of theatre, music and painting created by members of and inspired by the city. Over the years, some of the most prestigious creative schools in the world have formed in London including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Central School of Art and the Guildhall School of Music. Guests of hotels in Hammersmith needn’t travel far to find beautiful paeans to London’s culture.
But when it comes to English creativity, most would associate London most with the works of William Shakespeare. The famous playwright is probably the most influential in the world and more than 400 years after his death, guests of boutique hotels in West London still flock to the city to see the landmarks inspired by and dedicated to him. This blog will explore the landmarks in London that provide an insight into the Elizabethan playwright’s work and life.
Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre is the pilgrimage of a lifetime for Shakespeare aficionados, in part because this Elizabethan open air reconstruction was the debut space for many of Shakespeare’s most famous works. With his theatre company the Kings Players, Shakespeare would stage performances to seated and standing audience members. Today, guests of the Heeton Concept Hotel exploring London’s Bankside and London Bridge area can watch reworkings of his plays – and those of his contemporaries on the open air stage.
Famous actors have performed as part of the Globe Theatre Company including Zoe Wanamaker and Mark Rylance, among many others over the years. An interior, seated-only stage that stages not only Shakespeare but plays inspired by his works and that of his contemporaries was opened in 1997 – the Sam Wanamaker Stage.
The George Inn
The George Inn on Borough Street may just look like another pub – albeit a very quaint one with a balcony terrace – but this area has an historical resonance in that the courtyard below was used to perform Elizabethan plays back in the 16th century, including those of Shakespeare himself. For guests of the Heeton Concept Hotel Kensington wanting to step into the boots of Shakespeare, the George Inn, now reconstructed and owned by Greene King, is a great place to start.
Southwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral is a beautiful tourist attraction in and of itself but for Shakespeare connoisseurs, it’s also the church at which he would have worshipped every Sunday. Once known as St Saviour’s and St Mary Overie, it still has a commemorative monument to Shakespeare in the form of a stained glass window, built in 1964. This is also the church at which the Bard’s brother, Edmund, is buried in 1607.
The Golden Hinde
Though it’s not directly attributed to Shakespeare, this replica Elizabethan galleon ship was sailed across the globe by Sir Francis Drake at the behest of Queen Elizabeth herself. In relation to Drake’s adventures, Shakespeare was inspired by the adventurer and privateer and wrote a Midsummer Night’s Dream after he set sail.
