Note: Mary Arden’s farm is currently closed to the public until further notice.
Visiting Stratford-upon-Avon feels like a real step back in time. The town is home to perhaps the most famous English writer, William Shakespeare, and there are a number of sites associated with him in the area. Inside the town, visitors get an idea of what it is was like to live in a market town in the Tudor period. Just outside of Stratford-upon-Avon is Mary Arden’s Farm, where visitors can take part in an interactive experience that shows what it was like to live and work on a Tudor farm. As the childhood home of William Shakespeare’s mother Mary, it also gives an insight into the life of the woman who gave birth to him.
History of Mary Arden’s Farm
The farm was built by Mary’s father (and William Shakespeare’s grandfather), Robert Arden, around the year 1514. The family, which included Mary and her seven sisters, lived and worked on the farm. Mary was the youngest of eight daughters and when her father died around 1555, she was left an enviable amount of land, as well as an inheritance. Approximately a year later, she married John Shakespeare and moved in to a house with him on Henley Street, which was then to become Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
Experience a Working Tudor Farm
One of the great things about Mary Arden’s Farm is that it is very interactive and gives visitors a real taste of what it was like to live on an English farm in the 1500s. It’s a real experience of the senses with lots of live demonstrations showcasing life on the farm. Visitors can watch farmhands at work, meet the farm animals, admire the falconry displays and learn how to make bread.
Mary Arden’s Farm has undergone quite a few changes since the days that Mary lived there, but as part of the admission, visitors can also explore Palmer’s Farmhouse. This neighbouring farm is fascinating because it still retains many of its original features.
My favourite experience at Mary Arden’s Farm was watching a traditional Tudor meal. All of the farm workers gather in the kitchen and demonstrate how a typical meal would have been consumed on the farm. They talk visitors through the typical types of food that would have been eaten in the Tudor time period, as well as customs and traditional associated with meal times. It’s one of many great interactive experiences on the farm!
Mary Arden’s Farm was one of my favourite places to visit in Stratford-upon-Avon and, even though it is located slightly outside of the town, is definitely worth a visit.
Key Information for Visiting Mary Arden’s Farm
How do you get to Mary Arden’s Farm?
The farm is located about an 8 minute drive outside of Stratford-upon-Avon in the village of Wilmcote. If you don’t have a vehicle, you can also reach the farm by purchasing a ticket for the City Sightseeing hop on hop off bus tour.
How much time is needed to visit Mary Arden’s Farm?
I would suggest leaving yourself between 1-2 hours to explore the farm. As mentioned, there are a variety of interactive activities and displays and you’ll want to make sure you leave time to see them!
Is Mary Arden’s Farm suitable for kids?
Yes, Mary Arden’s Farm has a number of activities that are suitable for both children and adults.
What other Shakespeare-related sites are there near Mary Arden’s Farm?
There are a number of Shakespeare attractions to visit in and around the area of Stratford-upon-Avon. Within the town you can visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace on Henley Street, or his grave at Holy Trinity Church. Also slightly outside the town, in the village of Shottery, is Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the picturesque family home of Shakespeare’s wife. For a full list of recommendations, check out 10 Historical Things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon.
This article’s information was last updated in July 2022.