A day in Stratford-upon-Avon with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust presents a variety of attractions in Stratford-upon-Avon. Here, visitors can discover the literary great and are taken on a journey through Shakespeare’s life.
Shakespeare bestowed upon the world his love for literature, producing nearly 200 known works in his lifetime. In this sleepy town, you can discover snippets of his world.
The adult Shakespeare’s Story ticket includes all five properties and is £26.50, allowing for unlimited visits within 12 months!
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust attractions include:
- Shakespeare’s Birthplace
- Shakespeare’s New Place
- Mary Arden’s Farm
- Hall’s Croft
- Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
The highlight of Shakespeare Birthplace Trust – Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Discover Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon’s town centre. This grand Tudor home presents a living museum of Shakespeare’s childhood and a timeline of his life and work.
As you enter, explore the Famous Beyond Words exhibition where you will be presented with informative videos, artwork and memorabilia dedicated to the playwright’s greatest works.
Finally, you will move on to the property’s beautifully landscaped gardens. Here, you can learn more about Shakespeare’s plays on a 9-metre interactive wall book, immerse yourself in live performances by actors on request and become mesmerised by talks and workshops within the home on Shakespeare’s family life and his father’s glove-making business.
Afterwards, be sure to check out the gift shop for beautiful stationery and books.
Shakespeare’s New Place
Shakespeare’s New Place allows visitors to wander around the site of the playwright’s final property, where he died in 1616.
Although the original home no longer stands, the re-established neighbouring property presents a fascinating exhibition with artwork and artefacts. Surprisingly, this includes a signet ring believed to have been owned by William Shakespeare himself!
Finally, take time to appreciate the restored sunken Knot Garden and the large landscaped Elizabethan Great Garden. Here you will discover plenty of places to take a moment and reflect on his life.
The Great Garden is also home to a grand and enchanting series of commissioned bronze statues by Greg Wyatt dedicated to Shakespeare’s famous works.
Mary Arden’s Farm
Mary Arden’s Farm was the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother. Today, it is still a charming working Tudor farm and only a short drive outside the town centre.
Onsite, admire the varied livestock and enjoy live-action performances by actors in period costumes. See falconry and goose herding demonstrations, as well as be able to take part in a wealth of interactive activities and educational talks.
This expansive 23-acre farm is delightful to stroll around. Expect historic buildings, lush greenery and plenty of hidden treasures to be found.
Enjoy watching butterflies in wildflower and fauna embellished meadows and reignite your childhood and climb the viewing tower. You can spot carved wooden animals hidden within the trees and crawl through lengthy willow domed structures.
On departing, the gift shop offers wholesome local produce and pretty trinkets.
Hall’s Croft
Hall’s Croft is the Jacobean home of Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna, and her husband, physician, John Hall.
Once inside, step along creaking wooden floorboards to discover their family home and life and follow walls and rooms lined with medicinal herbs and vials. Once upstairs, you will also find the beautifully crafted The Bard’s Rest sofa centrepiece upstairs.
You can also enjoy the Method in Madness and Living with History exhibitions.
Method in Madness delves into medicinal practice and use in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It details how John Hall would have worked and how doctors understood the body and mind to function during this time.
Here, you will learn about medical advancements, see the garish tools used to operate and authentic apothecary and uroscopy stations.
Living with History is found within the onsite Hall’s Croft Cafe. It presents life in Stratford-upon-Avon, past and present, through the eyes of local documentary photographer, William Mulryne.
Once you have finished admiring the photography take a moment in the Hall’s Croft walled garden brimming with medicinal herbs or even enjoy some tea and cake at the cafe.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is the childhood home of Shakespeare’s wife and is a short drive outside the town centre. Here, Shakespeare courted a young Anne Hathaway and the pair soon fell in love.
The property was originally a farmhouse and the family reared sheep on its 90-acre land. Unfortunately, as we set off a little later in the day, we had to miss Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.
However, if you set off early, all of these attractions are more than doable in a day! Although, if you miss one like me, the annual pass also allows you to return at a later date!
Thus, I shall certainly be returning to visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage soon.
Have you discovered Shakespeare’s life in Stratford-upon-Avon? What is your favourite piece of work by Shakespeare?
Stephanie xox
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