Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Relive Shakespeare's love story
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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.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage is open throughout the year. See our Opening Times page for full details of opening hours for the Shakespeare family homes.
Visitor Info & Prices
Shakespeare's Story Ticket
Explore 3 of Shakespeare's family homes for one great price. Tickets valid for 12 months with repeat entry.
- Adult: £27.00
- Child: £13.50
- Family (2 adults & 3 children): £67.50
- Concession: £22.95
Single property ticket
- Adult: £15.00
- Child 3-15: £7.50
- Family; 2 adults & 3 children: £37.50
- Concession: £12.50
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Linger over many acres of this romantic setting
Visit time: 2 hours
- Gift shop
- Café
- Refreshments
- Toilets
- Garden
- Picnic tables
- Parking
- Access
- Dogs
- Prices
- 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
Highlights
Events
Bat Walk
Come and search for the bats who make their home in the grounds of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.
- General Interest
- Booking required
- Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Nurture in Nature - May Half Term
Make and Take Family Activities from the Cottage Garden
- Family
- No booking required
- Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Getting here
Nearby attractions
10 minutes drive to Shakespeare's Birthplace
10 minutes drive to Shakespeare's New Place
Warwickshire,
CV37 9HH
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