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Shakespeare's Birthplace
Visit William Shakespeare's Birthplace and explore his childhood world, right where it all began.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Relive Shakespeare's love story at Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Shakespeare's New Place
Walk in Shakespeare's footsteps at Shakespeare's New Place
Plan Your Visit
Prices, booking, opening times and more to help you get organised
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Enjoy seasonal activities and special events throughout the year
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Information to help you plan your visit to Shakespeare's family homes
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Shakespeare's Birthplace
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Anne Hathaway's Cottage
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Shakespeare's New Place
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What's On
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Visiting FAQs
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Explore Shakespeare
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Shakespedia
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Collections
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Podcasts
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Leisure Courses
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Museum From Home
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Shakespeare Shorts
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Education
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Early Years
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Schools
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Universities
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Self-led Learning
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Residential Courses
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Teaching Resources
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Home Learning
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Bookings & Enquiries
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Shakespeare Week
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Meet the team
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Research & Scholars
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Education Projects
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Shakespeare's Birthplace
Where Shakespeare's story started
Open Daily, 10am - 5pm
Three young ladies and one older lady visitors on a path in the Birthplace Garden, edged by tall flowers and shrubs, and with the Birthplace in the background
A lady in a blue sixteenth-century kirtle and a white linen coif handling part-made leather gloves in the Glover's Workshop, with shelves and a table behind holding various pots and implements
A stack of books available in the bookshop, including works by him and others about him
or info & prices
Directions
Book Now
Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace – William Shakespeare’s childhood home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales of Shakespeare’s family life and get up close to objects from the Trust’s world class collections as you discover how the extraordinary playwright continues to shape our lives today.
Continue reading...
John Shakespeare – William’s father – lived and worked in the house known today as Shakespeare’s Birthplace. John married Mary Arden in about 1557 and William was born in 1564, the third of their eight children.
In 1568 John became the Mayor of Stratford, which was the highest elective office in the town. It was because of his father’s status as Mayor that William was privileged enough to have attended the local grammar school to begin his education.
In 1582, at the age of 18, William married Anne Hathaway. The young couple continued to live with his parents in the Birthplace. It is where their own children, Susanna, Judith and Hamnet were born.
John Shakespeare died in 1601 and being the eldest surviving son, William inherited the house. William leased the small, two-room cottage adjoining the main house to his sister, Joan Hart. The remainder of the family home was also leased and became an inn, called the Maidenhead. It was later renamed the Swan and Maidenhead Inn, which remain in operation until 1847. When Shakespeare died in 1616 he left the property to his elder daughter Susanna, and when she died she left it to her only child, Elizabeth.
Although she married twice, Elizabeth had no children. When she died in 1670 the house passed to a descendant of Joan Hart. The Hart family owned the property until 1806 when it was sold to Thomas Court, a butcher. The whole property was put up for sale in 1846, following the death of Court’s widow.
In order to save the building where William Shakespeare was born a public campaign was launched, supported by Charles Dickens. The property was purchased at auction by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 1847 for £3,000. We have cared for it ever since.
For the official guidebook of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust visit our online shop.
See our Opening Times page to help plan your visit.
Visitor Info & Prices
Best value
Shakespeare's Story Ticket
Explore 3 of Shakespeare's family homes for one great price. Tickets valid for 12 months with repeat entry.
Prices shown include voluntary donation
●Adult: £26.00
●Child: £13.00
●Family (2 adults & 3 children): £65.00
●Concession: £20.80
Shakespeare's Story Ticket
Single property ticket
●Adult: £19.50
●Child (3-15): £9.75
●Family (2 adults & 3 children): £48.75
●Concession: £15.60
Just this property
Shakespeare's Birthplace
Open Daily, 10am - 5pm
A perfect introduction to Shakespeare, couple this with another of our properties for a great day out.
Visit time:
1 Hour
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Gift shop
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Book shop
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Toilets
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Garden
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Exhibitions
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Access
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Dogs
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Prices
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Opening times
Uncover Shakespeare's Story
Discover the fascinating stories behind the world's greatest storyteller across his family homes
Shakespeare's Birthplace
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Shakespeare's New Place
Book Now
Highlights
discover
Visiting FAQs
Find out more
enjoy
All the World's a Stage
Find out more
discover
Object Handling
Find out more
exhibition
The GAP Co-Curated Exhibiton
Find out more
exhibition
Famous Beyond Words
Find out more
history
Glover's Workshop
Discover John Shakespeare’s prestigious trade as a glove maker
Events
13 May 2024
- 16 Jun 2024
Big Green Month
Discover more about Sustainable Shakespeare
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General Interest
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No booking required
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Various
21 Jun 2024
Midsummer Flower Arranging
This is your chance to celebrate the coming of midsummer as you create your own special seasonal flower arrangement, inspired by one of Shakespeare’s most famous works.
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General Interest
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Booking required
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Shakespeare's Birthplace
See all events
Getting here
Nearby attractions
10 minutes
drive
to
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
10 minutes
walk
to
Shakespeare's New Place
Shakespeare's Birthplace
The Shakespeare Centre
Henley St
Stratford-upon-Avon,
Warwickshire,
CV37 6QW
Get directions
Open Daily, 10am - 5pm
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Pre-booking is essential
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Your support funds vital work
Find out how
Mary Arden's Farm
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Shakespeare's New Place
Hall's Croft