This May half-term, visitors are invited to experience the family homes of William Shakespeare in a different way, as the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust unveils a programme of family-friendly events inspired by sustainability and the rich biodiversity found across its historic properties.
From Saturday 24 May to Sunday 1 June, as part of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s (SBT) wider Big Green Month celebrations where the museum shines a light on the natural world through the lens of Shakespeare’s life, works and times, visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in a series of interactive and insightful activities.
The special programme encourages families to explore the outdoor spaces surrounding the historic properties and get close with nature. This year, as part of the Trust’s multi-year project The Women Who Made Shakespeare, the activities will take a closer look at Shakespeare’s fascinating female characters.
From hands-on craft activities to outdoor performances, the programme combines adventure, nature, creativity, and relaxation, offering a memorable experience for everyone.
“We are really lucky that the Shakespeare family homes are surrounded by incredible green spaces. All year round, our gardens team works hard to ensure these spaces are protected, maintained, and preserved for current and future visitors. That’s why it is important for us to share these with our visitors as they walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps.
‘’Whether you're getting creative at the site of Shakespeare’s final home, connecting with nature at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, or stepping in the footsteps of a young William Shakespeare at the Birthplace, there is something for the whole family to enjoy and be inspired by.”
Added Frances Hall, audience engagement manager at the Trust.
Walking in Shakespeare’s Footsteps
Taking place daily, families can participate in the new multi-site family trail. With artwork and activities taking inspiration from Anjna Chouhan’s character depictions and Emily Sutton’s stunning illustrations for the Children’s Folio, the trail brings Shakespeare’s words to life in a playful and engaging way.
At each property visitors can pick up a free printed trail booklet with questions to answer as they explore the sites in search of Shakespeare’s female characters. At each site, children can collect a stamp to show they have completed it.
Getting Closer to Nature at Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Every Wednesday, young children and their families are invited to get stuck in and create something special together in the scenic garden at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the childhood home of Anne Hathaway. This series of activities is the perfect opportunity for the whole family to come and enjoy a creative, nature-inspired experience, using recycled materials and items found in the garden to craft something they can take home. On Wednesday 28 May, attendees can look forward to making flower crowns.
Additionally, younger visitors can pick up a Nature Explorer Backpack, available daily at the cottage. Equipped with essential tools like butterfly nets, tweezers, bug jars, and animal footprints, these backpacks allow children to explore and learn about the rich biodiversity thriving in and around the cottage grounds.
Getting Creative at Shakespeare’s New Place
Every Sunday during the school holidays, visitors of all ages are invited to unleash their creativity as Shakespeare’s New Place welcomes a different female artist to the home of Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna.
Each hands-on workshop provides a unique opportunity to meet the artist, discover more about the different techniques or processes used, and even try them out firsthand. This experience is perfect for families looking to learn a new craft in the beautiful garden setting.
On 25 May visitors can enjoy Photography Lens Work with Sinead Patching and on 1 June they can create Cyanotypes with Catriona Dunnett.
Whilst at New Place, young explorers can pick up a Creative Explorer Backpack to discover the place where Shakespeare wrote many of his most iconic plays. The backpack includes magnifying glasses to examine sculptures in the Great Garden, a chalkboard to sketch their own vision of Shakespeare’s home and stacking blocks to build their own towering masterpiece.
For those looking for a unique after-hours experience, on Saturday 17 May, actor Beckis Cooper will present a captivating performance exploring The Women Who Made Shakespeare. Tickets are £20 per person and include the opportunity to explore Shakespeare’s New Place before the performance.
Audiences will step into the world of Antonia, an ambitious young actor in 17th-century London, as she discovers a newly printed copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio. In a world where women are forbidden from gracing the stage, Antonia dares to rehearse Shakespeare’s female characters, finding her voice and grappling with her role both onstage and in society.
During the May half-term holiday, visitors to Shakespeare’s New Place can explore a new exhibition. Infinite Variety will focus on four female characters, Titania, Cleopatra, Lady Macbeth and Beatrice, and will explore the many archetypes of femininity and the construction of gender on the stage.
Bringing Shakespeare’s Words to Life at Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Daily during the half-term holiday there will be live performances in the garden of Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Visitors can expect vibrant performances from the talented team at Events from History as they perform Shakespeare’s most famous scenes, with a focus on the female characters.
From Saturday 24 May, visitors to Shakespeare’s Birthplace will be treated to a new exhibition, Becoming Shakespeare. Audiences will embark on a journey through the creative and cultural environments that helped shape and influence a young William Shakespeare. More details will be announced soon.
Experience Shakespeare’s Story at One Great Price
Residents with a CV37 postcode can take advantage of the Trust’s ‘’Residents Go Free’’ offer, which provides free admission to each property, an unlimited number of times throughout the year.
Visitors are also encouraged to get the most out of their experience visiting Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s New Place with the Shakespeare Story ticket.
As the Shakespeare Story ticket is valid for 12 months, visitors have the flexibility to return and take part in the range of events and activities across all the family homes throughout the year at no extra cost.
For more information about the programme of events, please visit https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/whats-on/may-half-term-25/.