Shakespeare's Birthplace Stratford Upon Avon

The Main Shakespeare Attraction & Visitor Centre

Shakespeare's Birthplace Stratford
Shakespeare's Birthplace Stratford

Shakespeare's Birthplace Official Web Site


Shakespeare's birthplace and visitor centre/exhibition in Stratford is the number one attraction for day visitors to Stratford.

If you come on a coach tour from London indeed this may be the only Shakespeare attraction you visit.

Stratford Overview
Shakespeare's
Birthplace
New Place
Halls Croft
Anne Hathway's
Mary Ardens
Holy Trinity Church
RSC
 
Other Stratford
Getting To Stratford
Public Transport
Tours
Within An Hour
Warwick Castle
Oxford
Cotswolds

Shakespeare's Birthplace History

This half-timbered building in Henley Street, with its extensive ground to the rear, was bought by Shakespeare's father, John, probably in two stages (in 1556 and 1575): there is good evidence, though, that he was a tenant of one part, if not both, from at least 1552.

This is the house where Shakespeare and his brothers and sisters were born and brought up.


On John Shakespeare's death, the ownership of the premises passed to his son, William. By that date, Shakespeare was also the owner of New Place, the second largest house in Stratford, and had no need for the Henley Street premises as a home for himself or his family.


By the time of Shakespeare's death, it was occupied by his recently-widowed sister, Joan Hart. Under the terms of Shakespeare's will, the ownership of the whole property (the inn and Joan Hart's cottage) passed to his elder daughter, Susanna; and then on her death in 1649, to her only child, Elizabeth.

In 1846, the whole premises were put up for sale and purchased for the nation the following year by a body of trustees who manage it today.

Shakespeare's Birthplace What You Will See

Open daily, The Birthplace contains an acclaimed exhibition of the poet's life, William Shakespeare: His Life and Background.

They then carry on through the house, which is furnished in period style with many historic manuscripts and books. Finally the tour ends outside in the celebration garden. Sometimes a performance takes place here in the garden.

Shakespeare's Birthplace Times, Prices & Location

Shakespeare's Birthplace is right in the heart of Stratford today in the main shopping area.

The attraction is in Henley Street and is pedestrianised. Some of the buildings on Henley Street date from Shakespeare's time, so the street was this wide back in the 15th century.


Shakespeare's Birthplace is open daily except Christmas and Boxing Day. You can purchase tickets individually or if you are viewing more than one Shakespeare property there are money saving tickets covering multiple properties.

Opening times are seasonal, so for current opening hours and prices click through on the link at the top of the page to the official web site. If you are Visiting Stratford independently, you can buy a combination ticket that combines the Stratford Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus that shuttles around all the Shakespeare properties with admission tickets to the properties themselves from the bus.

Shakespeare's Stratford Upon Avon Properties & Attractions

There are five houses in or near Stratford-upon-Avon connected with William Shakespeare and his family. There is also Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) that perform plays.


The Shakespearean properties offer a unique experience of the Stratford world in which the famous dramatist and poet was born, lived and died.

Open all year round, these sixteenth-century houses feature rare period furnishings and domestic items. Aspects of Tudor life, are on display, all set in attractive gardens and grounds.


You can buy a single ticket giving access to all properties.

The Stratford Upon Avon hop on hop off bus connects them all and offers combo tickets combining the bus service with admission to either 3 or 5 of the Shakespeare properties.


The five properties are:

Shakespeare's Birthplace - Where William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and grew up. Exhibition centre.

New Place / Nash's House - Shakespeare's home from 1597 until his death in 1616.

Hall's Croft - Where Shakespeare's eldest daughter (Susanna) lived.

Anne Hathaway's Cottage - Before marrying William Shakespeare in 1582, Anne Hathaway lived here.

Mary Arden's House - The house that Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden, grew up in.

Stratford Upon Avon Hop on Hop Off Bus

Stratford Upon Avon Hop on Hop Off Bus

Like so many towns and cities with a lot of visitors, a hop on, hop off open top sightseeing bus operates in Stratford.


At Stratford its particularly useful as a couple of Shakespeare attractions, Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Mary Arden's House are well outside walking distance from the town centre.


The bus has ticketing options which includes admissions to the Shakespeare properties. The main starting point of the buses is by the bridge next to the main Tourist Information Centre. For independent visitors there is also a stop very close to the train station.


Frequencies are broadly every 30 minutes with increased frequencies, every 15/20 minutes at the peak times in summer and weekends. During the summer months live guides are available, at other times audio guides are provided (English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, German and Kid's Commentary)


There are 12 stops including all 5 Shakespeare properties, Holy Trinity Church and the RSC theatres.

You can also purchase a ticket that combines the Ho Ho service with a river cruise on the River Avon.