Mary Arden's Farm
Mary Arden's Farm is currently closed
See our Tudors going about their daily tasks
Family fun
Enjoy our woodland walk
Try your hand at archery
Meet our feathered friends during falconry displays
A traditional game of loggits
Regrettably Mary Arden’s Farm will remain closed until at least spring 2021. Reopening all of our historic properties would cost more than keeping them closed. We are opening Shakespeare's Birthplace because it is central to our nation's heritage, to our national and regional tourism economy, and to our mission as the independent charity which preserves Shakespeare's legacy for the benefit of the nation. Mary Arden’s Farm will continue to be protected and conserved until its doors open once again. Continue reading...
Discover the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of a working Tudor farm on a fantastic family day out at Mary Arden’s Farm. Meet the Tudors who run the farm just as Shakespeare’s mother would have done, watch craft and falconry demonstrations and explore the farmyard, playground and historic buildings.
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.
Keep Shakespeare’s Story Alive
Now more than ever we need your help to protect all five of Shakespeare’s family homes
Shakespeare's Birthplace
Mary Arden's Farm
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Shakespeare's New Place
Hall's Croft
Highlights
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history
Daily Activities
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discover
Tudor dinner
Learn about Tudor table manners in our lunchtime performances
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enjoy
Meet the animals
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families
Adventure Play
Explore our timber framed adventure playground for under 12s
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collection
Must-see Items on Display
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families
Family Fun
There’s plenty for children and families to do at Mary Arden’s Farm
Events
Exploring the Archive of John Barton
Find out more about the fascinating archive of a highly respected and much-loved theatre director, John Barton.
- Talk
- Booking required
Shakespearian Things
Nicola Watson discusses her recent book, The Author’s Effects: On Writer’s House Museums in our latest online Research Conversation.
- Talk
- Booking required
Getting here
Nearby attractions
15 minutes drive to Shakespeare’s Birthplace
7 minutes drive to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Warwickshire,
CV37 9UN
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See where it all began
Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace
See where it all began