Nash's House and New Place is situated on Chapel Street in the centre of town opposite the Guild Chapel. Nash's House was owned by Shakespeare's granddaughter's first husband Thomas Nash, a wealthy Stratford property owner. Adjacent to Nash's house is the site of New Place, the house that Shakespeare purchased in 1597 and where he later died. Sadly the house was pulled down or at least substantially rebuilt in 1702 and the new house erected in its place demolished in 1759. However, some foundations of the original building can still be seen, and the view of Guild Chapel is essentially unchanged since Shakespeare looked in that direction from his garden.

The House
The furnishings of Nash's House give a good indication to how New Place, described in 1540 as a pretty house of brick and timber, would have been furnished. An impressive town house, it is furnished with original 16th and 17th century pieces of furniture, local tapestries and paintings.

The Gardens
Though only the foundations of New Place remain, the whole of Shakespeare's original estate is preserved as a picturesque garden space. The stunning Elizabethan Knot garden, created in 1919-1920 is based on illustrations from garden books of Shakespeare's time, and as far as possible contains plants that would have been familiar to Shakespeare. To the rear is the Great Garden, a public garden space containing an ancient Mulberry Tree said to have been a cutting from the tree Shakespeare planted. Box and Yew hedges line the garden with beautiful flowerbeds and borders, a peaceful haven for all in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. The Great Garden also features a series of sculptures inspired by Shakespeare's plays, and plays host to a variety of outdoor plays during the summer months.  To complement the Royal Shakespeare Company’s year-long Complete Works Festival, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has created a new exhibition on the first floor of Nash’s House called The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. 

Special guest Sonny Venkatrathnam who has kindly loaned the exhibition perhaps the most ‘iconic’ copy of Shakespeare’s Works of the 20th Century officially launched the exhibition on Tuesday 9 May.  Sonny, fellow prisoner of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, has brought to Stratford a copy of Shakespeare which circulated secretly amongst the leading African nationalist political prisoners on Robben Island, including Nelson Mandela who marked and signed his favourite passage in the book (from Julius Caesar.  This was in fact marked on a very particular day, 16 December: the day when the South Africans celebrated the defeat of the Zulus at the Battle of Blood River in 1838.
 
This book has become something of a Talisman for black South African actors, directors and intellectuals.  The Robben Island Shakespeare has never been seen out of South Africa and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust are delighted to be able to include it in the Complete Works of Shakespeare Exhibition at Nash’s House in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Entry to the exhibition is included in the admission price to Nash’s House and New Place.

Guided Tours, Gardens, Exhibition,  limited disabled access in the house, limited on street parking, pay and display at Bridge Foot.

Opening Times

Visit Time
Allow at least 45 minutes to view the house and gardens.

Admission
(For Nash's House and New Place only)
Adult: £3.75
Child (5-16yrs): £1.75
Concession: £3.00
Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children: £10.00

Why not spend a day in Stratford-upon-Avon and see more for less with our Multiple House Tickets?

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?

Please click on the links below for more information:
Group visits to Nash's House and New Place
Garden tours to Nash's House and New Place
Special visits, corporate events and functions at Nash's House and New Place
Directions to Nash's House and New Place
Learn more about the history of Nash's House and New Place