Famous around the globe, William Shakespeare is known as one of the greatest English writers of all time. With some of his most celebrated works including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth, Shakespeare is believed to have written around 37 plays and over 150 poems in his lifetime. And while he lived over 400 years ago, his work and legacy is still celebrated in theatres, schools and on television screens around the world.
William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in the English town of Stratford-upon-Avon. This picturesque setting shaped both the early years and also the later years of his life, when he returned from a successful career in London. Today, the town is a popular tourist attraction where visitors can explore the history of his life. There are many buildings in the town associated with Shakespeare that have been preserved in excellent condition. The buildings tell Shakespeare’s fascinating story and the story begins at Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
History of Shakespeare’s Birthplace
William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon to parents John and Mary Shakespeare. The house in which he was born was located on Henley Street, and operated as both a family home and a workshop for his father. John Shakespeare was a respectable man in the town and worked primarily as a glovemaker. He also dabbled in other businesses and in 1568 became Mayor of Stratford. This afforded his family some privileges and meant that young William had the advantage of attending the local grammar school.
The Shakespeare family lived in the house all throughout William’s childhood. When William wed his wife Anne Hathaway in 1582, they also continued to live in the house with his parents and eventually their three children. William was believed to have left for his life in London sometime in the late 1580s, but inherited the family home upon the death of his father 1601. He rented a cottage on the property to his sister and the rest of the house became an inn called the Maidenhead, or later, the Swan and Maidenhead, which was in operation until the mid 19th century.
When William passed away in 1616 the property was left to his daughter Susanna and was passed down through a few different family members and individuals. The property was eventually put up for sale in 1846, where it peaked the interest of another famous English writer, Charles Dickens. Fascinatingly, it was actually Dickens who rescued the home after launching a campaign to save it. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust purchased the property at auction in 1847 and it has been in their care ever since.
Visiting William Shakespeare’s Birthplace Today
The house is a wonderful example of Tudor architecture and would be fascinating to walk through even if it wasn’t the birthplace of such a famous individual. Visitors today can walk through the entirety of the house and garden.
The tour starts out with an exhibition that takes you through the history of the Shakespeare family and the house itself. Inside you’ll also be able to walk through the room that Shakespeare was born in. Some of the features in the house have understandably been changed over the years however, you will find a few remaining features from his time, including the stone floor on the main level that Shakespeare himself would have walked on.
Downstairs, you’ll also find his father’s workshop, which is an informative guide to John’s Shakespeare’s work as a glove maker. This part of the house is a great interactive experience, as you can learn about the process of making gloves in the 16th century, as well as view samples of the types of gloves John would have produced.
My favourite part of William Shakespeare’s Birthplace is the Birthroom Window, which is on display upstairs. Shakespeare’s Birthplace has long been a tourist attraction and it was a tradition for visitors to sign their name on the window formerly in his birth room. The oldest name on the window dates back to 1806 and includes some very recognizable signatures such as the renowned Scottish writer Walter Scott and famous Shakespearian actors Henry Irving and Ellen Terry.
Visitors can also have a wander around the garden, where you’ll often find actors reciting some of Shakespeare’s greatest sonnets. Overall, Shakespeare’s Birthplace is a fascinating look into the early life of the writer and also into Tudor life in an English village.
Tips for Visiting William Shakespeare’s Birthplace
How do you get to Stratford-upon-Avon?
Stratford-upon-Avon is located in the West Midlands of England and can be easily reached by either car or public transport. If travelling from London, the drive will take you just under two hours. Alternatively, you can take a train from London Marylebone Station which will take you to Stratford-upon-Avon, with a journey time of about 2.5 hours. If coming from the north, Stratford-upon-Avon is only about a 40-minute drive from Birmingham. There is also a 40 minute train from Birmingham Moor Street that takes you directly to the town.
Where is Shakespeare’s Birthplace located?
The house is located on Henley Street, a pedestrian street located in the middle of the town. The centre of Stratford-upon-Avon is easily walkable, or you might opt to purchase a ticket for the open air bus tours, which will drop you off at all of the main Shakespeare sites.
How much does it cost to enter?
A single entry ticket to any one of the Shakespeare properties costs about £20.00. However, I highly recommend that you purchase the ‘Shakespeare’s Story‘ ticket as for approximately £26.00 you get entry to multiple Shakespeare attractions. Visit here to learn more about ticket prices.
How long do you need to explore Shakespeare’s Birthplace?
The house takes about half an hour to walk through, although you can spend as much time visiting as you like. Stratford-upon-Avon itself is worth exploring in its entirety I would recommend staying for at least a day or two to see more of the Shakespeare attractions.
What other Shakespeare sites are nearby?
Stratford-upon-Avon has multiple Shakespeare sites that are worth visiting. Another one I highly recommend is Hall’s Croft, the home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband Dr. John Hall. Within the town you can also visit New Place, Shakespeare’s final residence and the place he died in 1616 or Holy Trinity Church, where he is buried. Slightly outside of the town is Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the home of William Shakespeare’s wife. It is one of the most picturesque sites in the area and can be easily reached on the open air bus. You can also visit Mary Arden’s Farm, the home of William’s mother, which is an excellent interactive experience for learning about life on a Tudor Farm.
A quick note, that not all sites are open at the moment, so make sure to check the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust website before you visit.
What other things are there to do in Stratford-upon-Avon?
There are so many wonderful things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon that I highly recommend spending a few days exploring. If you’re interested in theatre, you can take in a show at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, where many famous Shakespearian actors have graced the stage. Not far from the theatre is The Black Swan, better known as The Dirty Duck, favoured by a number of famous actors such as Judi Dench.
If you’re looking fora great meal, I can highly recommend Lambs on Sheep Street. Located in a beautiful 16th century building and one of the oldest buildings in the town, Lambs offers top quality food and overall just a wonderful experience. For a further list of recommendations, check out 10 Historical things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The article’s information was last updated in July 2022.