Mary Arden's Farm
Bringing Shakespeare to life through primary learning programmes
Three children, enjoying an education workshop on site, standing alongside a lady, all dressed in Tudor costume, mostly red.
Three primary school aged children having fun as travelling players as they roam the grounds and perform in Shakespeare's footsteps during oan interactive workshop.
Three primary school children, dressed in school uniform (mostly red) having fun with Tudor games on the lawn.
Three young sheep in the field looking through the wooden fence.
Three young girls learning all about weaving during a Home Educators workshop
Three young primary school children rehearsing for their performance during our Getting to Know Will workshop
Mary Arden’s Farm is the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother. Today the property is home to our learning centre for primary school children bringing Shakespeare to life through award-winning programmes across the school year. Mary Arden's Farm welcomes over 3,300 children each year from across the country, and through our primary learning programmes they have the opportunity to engage with Shakespeare in a fun, immersive and safe environment. Continue reading...
“This was a fantastic experience for our children and the best school trip I’ve ever been on. Thank you so very much. It’s real for the children – they experience it! I really don’t know how it could be improved”
— Bishops Cleeve Primary School
“It was useful to have digital access to the historic homes as we live so far away. They loved hearing about Shakespeare’s school days.”
— Newcastle teacher
If you teach about Shakespeare at Primary level and would like to find out more about our workshops, developed by our award winning team, visit our Education pages.
See our Booking & Enquiries page for more information about our courses primary workshops.
Mary Arden's Farm is not open to the public at this time.
The focus of the property is as a venue for primary learning. The operation of the property as a working farm will continue, giving children the opportunity to engage with the animals as part of their visit. For more information see our full statement.
NEW for summer 2025.
This summer we will be opening the gates of Mary Arden’s Farm for a series of 4 special, free community events that promise fun for all the family. Find out more about about our community events.
More about Mary Arden's Farm
Built by Mary’s father, Robert Arden around 1514, Mary Arden’s House has been significantly altered over time. Today, visitors to Mary Arden’s Farm can peek inside the chimney and the walls, discover how the house was built and imagine what life must have been like for Mary when she lived here with her seven sisters.
Neighbouring Palmer’s Farmhouse retains much of its original 16th Century structure. Adam Palmer would have employed several day labourers to undertake the daily work on the land and the care of the livestock, and female servants to help his wife with domestic and farmyard tasks. By 1584 Palmer had improved his house, demolishing the old hall and parlour and building a new hall, cross-passage and kitchen, to create the building we see today.
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
Community Open Day at Mary Arden's Farm - 19 July
Join us at Mary Arden’s Farm this summer for a series of special community events that promise fun for all the family
- Family
- No booking required
- Mary Arden's Farm
Community Open Days
Free Entry – No Need to Pre-Book
- Family
- No booking required
- Mary Arden's Farm
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