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Shakespeare's Birthplace
This is where the story began
Visitors in the Birthplace garden
The boys' bedroom
Explore Shakespeare's tavern
Bust of Shakespeare
Step into our world-class Shakespeare bookshop
Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace to walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps and explore the house where he was born and grew up. Hear tales of Shakespeare’s family life, enjoy live theatre on demand and get up close to rare artefacts from the Trust’s world class collections as you discover how the extraordinary William Shakespeare continues to shape our lives today. Continue reading...
William Shakespeare was born in this house and grew up here with his parents and siblings. He also spent the first five years of his marriage living here with his wife Anne Hathaway. John and Mary Shakespeare were wealthy enough to own the largest house on Henley Street.
John Shakespeare lived and worked in this house for fifty years. When he married Mary Arden she came to live with him and they had a total of eight children, William was the third to be born. In 1568 John became the Mayor of Stratford, which was the highest elective office in the town. On Sunday, dressed in his fine red robes, he would have been escorted to Holy Trinity church to attend mass. It was because of his father’s status as Mayor that William was privileged enough to have attended the local grammar school to begin his education.
John Shakespeare died in 1601 and as the eldest surviving child, William inherited the house. He leased part of the property and it became an inn called the Maidenhead (and later the Swan and Maidenhead). The inn remained until 1847. When Shakespeare died he left the house to his eldest daughter Susanna, and when she died she left it to her only child, Elizabeth.
Although she married twice Elizabeth had no children, so when she died the house fell to a descendant of Joan Hart, one of Shakespeare’s sisters. The house was owned by the Hart family until the late 18th century, until it went up for sale and was purchased by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 1847. We have cared for it ever since.
For the official guidebook of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust visit our online shop.
Leave no story untold with our Full Story ticket
12 months unlimited entry.
Shakespeare's Birthplace
Mary Arden's Farm
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Shakespeare's New Place
Hall's Croft
Highlights
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theatre
Shakespeare Aloud!
Make a request or even join in with our resident actors
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history
History brought to life
Tales of Shakespeare’s family life from our fascinating costumed guides
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exhibition
Famous Beyond Words
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history
Glover's Workshop
Explore John Shakespeare’s prestigious trade as a glove maker
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exhibition
Don't Miss!
Shakespeare’s First Folio in our Famous Beyond Words exhibition
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landmark
Giant Wallbook of Shakespeare
38 plays on a timeline that stretches over 9 metres
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families
Children’s trails
Puzzles, quizzes and treasure hunts for families throughout the year
Events
See all eventsVisitor Info & Prices
Full Story Ticket
12 months of unlimited visits to all 5 properties
- Adult: £22.50
- Child: £14.50
- Concession: £21.00
Shakespeare's Birthplace
A perfect introduction to Shakespeare, couple this with another of our properties for a full day out.
Visit time: 1 Hour
- Gift shop
- Book shop
- Live performance
- Exhibitions
- Access
- Dogs
- Prices
- Opening times
Getting here
Warwickshire,
CV37 6QW
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12 months unlimited access
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12 months unlimited access
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