Discover the people and places behind the world’s greatest storyteller
His five beautiful family homes and gardens offer something for everyone. Enjoy tales from our fascinating guides and discover his life story through exhibitions, trails, quizzes and family activities. Watch our costumed actors at the Birthplace giving live performances, wander where love bloomed at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage or meet the rare breed animals on his mother’s Tudor farm. Explore the house that ‘isn’t there’ at Shakespeare’s New Place and admire the stunning Jacobean Hall’s Croft where his daughter lived with her husband Dr John Hall.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Take time to explore Shakespeare’s childhood world, right where it all began. Explore Shakespeare’s childhood world where he was born and grew up. Hear tales of his life from our costumed guides. Find out all about his father’s job as a glove-maker, right down to the smells in his workshop.
Discover Shakespeare’s influence through the centuries and inspiration around the world in our multimedia exhibition Famous Beyond Words including a copy of the First Folio, on display in pride of place.
Look out for costumed actors in the garden, bringing Shakespeare’s works to life with speech and song – you can even join in!
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Visit the centuries-old family home of Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife, where new love bloomed. Savour the rural beauty of the place where Shakespeare’s wife grew up and lived for many years.
Prepare to be captivated by stories handed down from generation to generation – and now from our guides to you. A lot happened in the 400 years this cottage was home to the Hathaways’.
Retreat into nine acres of gardens, orchards and woodland. Enjoy breathtaking seasonal transformations, and treat yourself to a delicious light bite in the cafe whatever the time of year.
Mary Arden’s Tudor Farm
On his mother’s Tudor farm, experience the country life Shakespeare and Mary Arden herself would have known.
Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of Shakespeare’s mother’s farm whereMary Arden, lived and worked. Step back in time to experience Tudor country life as Shakespeare would have known it.
Experience rural Tudor life and meet the Tudors over dinner every day at 1pm – try our organic produce for yourself in the cafe! Using Tudor farming methods, we look after rare heritage breeds that Mary Arden herself would recognise.
Every season brings new ways to join in from falconry, feeding the goats and herding geese, to up-close craft demonstrations and archery for children.
Shakespeare’s New Place
Be inspired at the site that was Shakespeare’s family home for 19 years, and uncover the fascinating story of the house that is no longer there
During the 19 years Shakespeare lived at New Place, he was at the height of his creative powers, and an important local figure. Find out what Shakespeare family life was like in Stratford-upon-Avon and uncover the story behind why Shakespeare’s house was demolished – try a free talk from one of our expert guides and see history for yourself in the interactive exhibition next door.
Centuries after Shakespeare’s death, the gardens still celebrate his legacy. They’re a feast for the senses all year round, filled with flowers and fragrances, and sculptures inspired by his works, life and times.
Hall’s Croft
Admire stunning period interiors in the house built for the next generation: Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband, physician John Hall. Their bright future was partly founded on Shakespeare’s success.
Compare Jacobean thinking to today’s, in our medical exhibition. The walled garden is a beautiful, restorative place, and the delicious cafe menu certainly promotes visitor wellbeing!
If walls could talk – Enjoy tales from our guides of extraordinary guests and residents from the house’s history. So many were attracted by its beautiful interior and its special significance in the Shakespeare family story.
For more information on visiting, please see www.shakespeare.org.uk
