The town of Stratford-upon-Avon is a haven for lovers of both history and literature. It is the home of one of the most famous writers in the English language, William Shakespeare, and there are many sites associated with him in the town. One of these sites is Holy Trinity Church, which played an integral part in several important events in Shakespeare’s life. It was where he began his life, with the sacrament of baptism and also where he was buried when he passed away in 1616. Today, people come from all over to explore the beautiful building and pay respects to Shakespeare’s grave.
History of Holy Trinity Church
Reference to a church on site goes back as early as the 9th century, making the site a centre of worship in the area for over 1,000 years. The origins of the current building are believed to date back to the 13th century. Long before Shakespeare’s time, Holy Trinity Church was a place of worship for another important figure in the town, John de Stratford. From 1333 to 1348 he held the high-ranking position of Archbishop of Canterbury and had the Becket Chantry Chapel built as a place he could offer his prayers.
William Shakespeare’s Church and Burial Place
While the site has over 1,000 years of history, its most famous association is with the English writer William Shakespeare. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in the year 1564 and spent both the early and later years of his life in the town. Records held by Holy Trinity Church show that he was baptized at the church on April 26th, 1564, only a few days after his birth. It is very likely that the church was also the place William and the rest of the Shakespeare family would have worshipped while he was growing up.
While Shakespeare spent many years in London developing a successful career as a poet and playwright, he kept a connection to his home town as well as the church. This is evidenced by the fact that in 1605 Shakespeare purchased a share in the church which went towards maintenance of the chancel. Purchasing a share also meant that William Shakespeare and his family had the right to be buried in the chancel where today, visitors can view their graves.
William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 (believed to be the same date as his birthday). Within a few years a memorial monument of him was erected in the church, which is also still on display today. The monument consists of a bust depicting Shakespeare which is believed to be lifelike, considering that it was created while his family, including his wife, was still alive.
Other Historical Features at Holy Trinity Church
As a building with so much history, there are many interesting features to discover at Holy Trinity Church. Visitors today can walk through the 15th century doors or view The Chained Bible, which dates back to 1611. Another fascinating feature of the church is the 15th century misericords. These wooden structures were installed as a standing seat for priests to lean on when standing for a number of services throughout the day. Misericords often depict mythical creatures and tell stories of good and evil in a time when general literacy rates were low. Misericords can be seen at a number of churches across England, with the majority dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Overall there are a number of things for history lovers to see at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon and it is a highly recommended stop if visiting the town.
Key Information for Visiting Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
How do I get to Holy Trinity Church?
The church is just over a 10-minute walk from the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon. It is also approximately a 4 minute drive from Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Like most sites in the town, we recommend walking if able, as you will be able to take in the beautiful architecture along the way.
Can you see William Shakespeare’s grave?
Yes! William Shakespeare is buried within the church’s chancel alongside members of his family, including his wife Anne Hathaway. You can also view the Shakespeare monument, erected shortly after his death, which is believed to depict how Shakespeare would have looked in real life.
How much does it cost to visit the church?
The church asks for a small donation in order to enter the chancel and view Shakespeare’s grave. It’s extremely reasonable and goes towards the upkeep and preservation of the historic site.
How long do you need to visit?
You probably only need about 20 minutes to walk around the church and view the grave. However once inside, they do have a lot of interesting information on the history of the church as well as the Shakespeare connection and you could spend longer if you wished.
What other Shakespeare-related things are there to see in Stratford-upon-Avon?
The town is full of attractions connected to the famous writer and tourists can visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace his daughter’s home at Hall’s Croft. For further ideas, check out 10 Historical Things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon.
This article’s information was last updated in July 2022.