The archaeological remains of the Rose Playhouse, one of London’s most significant Shakespearean sites, will open to the public for guided tours from September 17 to October 29, 2026. This is the first time in six years that visitors will be able to view the site, which is preserved underwater and marked with rope lights. The tours, lasting approximately 45 minutes, will run every Thursday from 10am to 3pm.
A landmark of early English theatre
The Rose Playhouse was originally built in 1587 and is recognized as the first purpose-built playhouse on Bankside, erected more than a decade before the Globe Theatre. William Shakespeare regularly worked and acted at the Rose, and his first tragedy, Titus Andronicus, was staged there. The venue also hosted Christopher Marlowe’s landmark works Doctor Faustus and Tamburlaine the Great.
Despite its importance, the Rose had a relatively short operational life compared to other London theatres. It closed in 1603, less than 20 years after opening. For centuries, its remains were believed to be lost until they were discovered by accident in 1989 during the construction of an office block near the site.
Rediscovery and preservation efforts
The 1989 discovery sparked a high-profile campaign to save the remains from construction work. The effort involved notable figures including Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, and Laurence Olivier. Today, the site is officially protected under Scheduled Monument law.
According to The Rose Theatre Trust, one-third of the ruins are still yet to be excavated. The uncovered remains are preserved underwater and illuminated with rope lights to allow visitors to see them clearly.
Tour details and future plans
Guided tours will be available every Thursday from September 17 to October 29, running from 10am until 3pm. Each tour lasts around 45 minutes and covers how and why the Rose was originally constructed, the people who worked and performed there, and the story of its rediscovery.
Southwark residents can visit for free. For all other visitors, tickets are priced at £12, with concessions at £8. The Rose Playhouse is located at 56 Park Street, Bankside, SE1 9AR.
Looking ahead, the Rose Theatre Trust hopes to raise sufficient funds to complete the archaeological dig and transform the site into an exhibition, learning centre, and performance space called The Rose Revealed. This project would allow the public to engage with the playhouse’s history in a more permanent and interactive way.
