If you’re planning a trip to London and want to experience the city beyond the typical tourist spots, exploring Shakespeare’s London offers a unique way to step back in time. London at the end of the 16th century was already a thriving hub of theatre, commerce, royalty, and everyday life—much of which inspired the works of William Shakespeare. From bustling markets to polluted rivers, from grand palaces to gritty taverns, the city played a starring role in the life and plays of the world’s greatest playwright.
What Was London Like in Shakespeare’s Time?
By the late 1500s, London’s population had grown to around 100,000. It was a city full of contrast—home to royalty, courtiers, noblemen, merchants, artisans, foreigners, beggars, and criminals. Foreign languages echoed through the streets, brought by immigrants from across Europe, adding to the cosmopolitan character of the city.
The city’s diversity, challenges, and vibrant energy became the backdrop for many of Shakespeare’s plays. Locations like the Tower of London, where characters met their fate in Richard III, or Eastcheap, the setting for Falstaff’s antics in Henry IV, are rooted in the real streets of Elizabethan London.
The River Thames: London’s Lifeline
The River Thames was central to London’s economy and daily life. It brought in goods from around the world and exported English-made products. However, the river was also an open sewer, filled with human and industrial waste, and a major source of disease. Visitors to the original Globe Theatre, located right by the Thames, would often have to endure the stench of the river while enjoying a performance.
London Bridge: Shops, Homes, and a Little Chaos
If you’re visiting London Bridge today, it’s hard to imagine what it looked like in Shakespeare’s era. The original bridge, first built by the Romans, was lined with over 100 buildings—shops on the ground floor, homes above, and a busy marketplace in between. Among the most impressive structures was Nonesuch House, a grand four-storey timber palace said to be unmatched in Europe.
Royal Palaces and Life at Court
During Shakespeare’s time, Queen Elizabeth I divided her time between several grand residences in and around London: Westminster, Whitehall, St. James’s Palace, Greenwich, Richmond, Hampton Court, and Windsor Castle. The royal court—consisting of over 1,000 courtiers, servants, and officials—would move frequently. This wasn’t just for ceremony or security. Without plumbing, the build-up of waste made each palace unbearable after extended stays.
Fun fact: One of Queen Elizabeth’s courtiers, Sir John Harington, invented a prototype of the modern flush toilet. Although it wasn’t widely adopted at the time, his name lives on in the American slang for the toilet—“the john.”
Work, Guilds, and the Struggle to Survive
Life in Elizabethan London wasn’t easy. Most residents either worked for a living, begged, or stole. While skilled workers and tradespeople could make a good living, they were bound by the guild system, which controlled who could practice each trade.
Losing your place in a guild meant losing your livelihood. Those without skills or support were often forced into poverty—and many turned to theft or street crime to survive. The streets of London were alive with pickpockets, swindlers, and others looking to make ends meet by less-than-honest means.
Plague and Public Health in Shakespeare’s London
With rising populations and poor sanitation, the plague remained a constant threat. The government’s concern wasn’t only humanitarian—it was practical. In 1601, Queen Elizabeth passed the Act for the Relief of the Poor, aimed at managing poverty and, in turn, controlling the spread of disease.
For many, especially the poor, life was a daily struggle. But out of this chaotic, dynamic city emerged the plays and characters we still celebrate today.
Want to Explore Shakespeare’s London in Person?
If you’re looking for unique things to do in London, why not walk the very streets Shakespeare once did? Our expertly guided Shakespeare London Walk brings the stories, settings, and spirit of Elizabethan London to life.
Want to uncover more layers of London’s rich past? Check out our other historic walking tours in London:
- Discover Dickensian London with our Dickens London Walking Tour, filled with tales of Victorian hardship and character.
- Enjoy stories over pints on the London Pub Walking Tour, exploring historic pubs with a past.
- Dive into the capital’s hidden history on the Forgotten London Tour—perfect for curious minds looking to go beyond the guidebooks.
Each tour offers a different lens on London’s past, whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to uncover more secrets, these walks are the perfect way to experience authentic London history first-hand.
