Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Relive Shakespeare's love story
A girl is taking a photograph with her mobile phone of two older ladies sitting in the willow sculpture in front of Anne Hathaway's Cottage. The sun is shining, and all are smiling.
Traditional cottage garden shrbs and flowers -- largely white -- including one central tall flowering shrub, with the timber-framed thatched Cottage in the background..e
An attic room with a dormer window. In the room are a round wooden table with four wooden chairs with wicker seats, a wicker armchair in the corner, and by the left-hand wall a wooden bed There are also two chest and, a small bedside table.
The garden, with tall flowering shrubs and trimmed hedges. Half-hidden by one large hedge is the privy, with a wooden door, sides and roof.
A young man and a young woman stand by a highly-polished wooden table, on which there is a board game -- although they are looking at each other, not the game. In the background are a window and a shelf with three willow-pattern plates.
A metal musical stave runs in a wave away from the viewer. On it are metal butterflies and musical notes, with a treble clef at the beginning. Behind are the trees of an orchard standing in long grass, with a mown path beside the sculpture.
Visit Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home of Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife-to-be. It is here that Anne was born and raised and where the young Shakespeare would have visited her during the early part of their relationship. Built more than 500 years ago and extended over the years, much of the original survives. See original furniture including the Hathaway bed and uncover five centuries of stories of the family who lived here for 13 generations. Wander through acres of beautiful cottage gardens and orchards, and explore the sculpture trail inspired by Shakespeare’s plays. Continue reading...
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage was originally a farmhouse. It was built in 1463 and comprised only three rooms, two of which survive - the kitchen and the parlour. The first Hathaway to live in the cottage was Anne’s grandfather John Hathaway, who was a tenant sheep farmer. Anne, later Shakespeare’s wife, was born in the cottage in 1556.
When the site was a farm it was known as ‘Hewlands’ and the Hathaway family were successful sheep farmers. The garden was a farmyard with some livestock and space for growing herbs and vegetables.
Anne’s father died in 1581 and Anne’s brother Bartholomew inherited the tenancy of the 90-acre farm and he later bought the freehold. He then added an extension, increasing the size of the cottage and inserted new chimneys and an upper floor at the same time. This work was completed before Bartholomew’s death in 1624.
By the late 19th century, the family’s fortunes had declined. Some property including land and other houses were mortgaged, and eventually sold. In 1838 the cottage itself was sold, but the Hathaway family continued to live in the cottage as tenants.
One of the last Hathaways to live in the cottage was Mary Baker. When the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust purchased the cottage in 1892, Mary and her family were paid the large wage of £75 per year. Their duties were to share family stories and to care for the cottage, both of which we continue to do today. Her son William Baker occupied part of the cottage until he left in 1911.
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
Highlights
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gardens
Beautiful Cottage Gardens
Wander through acres of beautiful orchards & gardens
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discover
Sculpture Trail
See works inspired by Shakespeare as you explore the grounds
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discover
Willow creations
Look out for our giant willow sculpture - the perfect photo opportunity
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collection
Must-see Items on Display
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discover
Visiting FAQs
Events
The GAP Co-Curated Exhibition
Exploring power and injustice across two of our display cases in our Famous Beyond Words exhibition space.
- Exhibition
- No booking required
- Shakespeare's Birthplace
Candlelit Christmas
Come in from the darkness of winter and enjoy an intimate and extended tour of Shakespeare's childhood home, under the magic of candlelight.
- General Interest
- Booking required
- Shakespeare's Birthplace
Getting here
Warwickshire,
CV37 9HH
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