Stratford-upon-Avon is the town where William Shakespeare was born and is buried.
Every year, millions of people celebrate his life and work by visiting the town. Situated in the heart of England, on the banks of the river Avon, Stratford attracts visitors from all over the world and there are many attractions in the town that can enhance your theatre visit.
Shakespeare's Birthplace
William Shakespeare was born at the Shakespeare family home in Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564. The half-timbered Tudor building with its traditional frontage served as the family home and workshops for William's father, John Shakespeare, a glove maker, tanner and wool dealer. As eldest son, the house was left to William when his father died. Managed by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the property is open to visitors all year round.
Nash's House and New Place
William Shakespeare's granddaughter, Elizabeth Hall, married property developer Thomas Nash. Nash's House is adjacent to New Place, Shakespeare's home in Stratford towards the end of his life. Although not much of the original New Place building is left today, the house's extensive grounds are open to the public. Nash's House features a collection of 17th century tapestries and furniture as well as an exhibition on the history of the town, including artefacts from actor David Garrick's first Shakespeare festival in 1769.
Hall's Croft
Hall's Croft is named after the physician Dr John Hall who married William Shakespeare's eldest daughter, Susanna. It contains authentically furnished rooms and an extraordinary collection of paintings and medical artefacts from the 16th and 17th centuries. The herb garden contains many plants mentioned in Dr Hall's medical notebooks. Hall's Croft and gardens are open to the public all year round.
Mary Arden's House
Believed to have been owned by Robert Arden, it could have been the family home of his daughter Mary, William Shakespeare's mother, until she married.
Both Mary Arden's House and the adjacent Palmer's Farm demonstrate life on a Tudor working farm. Open all year round, the farm is home to rare-breeds including Cotswold Sheep, Longhorn Cattle and Gloucester Old Spot pigs.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Before her marriage to William Shakespeare, Anne Hathaway lived in Shottery, a village about a mile away from Stratford. Wooed at the family home by Shakespeare, Anne lived here until they married in 1582. The beautiful thatched farmhouse is open to the public all year round.
Holy Trinity Church
Situated on the banks of the river Avon, a couple of minutes walk from the RSC theatres, Holy Trinity Church is where Shakespeare was baptised and is buried. His wife, Anne Hathaway, daughter Susanna and son-in-law Dr John Hall, and Thomas Nash (first husband of Shakespeare's grand-daughter Elizabeth) are buried in the chancel alongside him. The Church is open to visitors daily from 9am to 4pm and from 12.30pm on Sundays (subject to parish demands).
Stratford Town Walk
Daily walking tours are available. Meet at the Bancroft Gardens at 11am (Monday to Wednesday) or 2pm (Thursday to Sunday). Tours last approximately 2 hours. No booking required.