England - Visit `Historic Stratford-on-Avon

Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Royal Shakespeare Company

Mar 11, 2007

Walking around Stratford on Avon is the best way to learn about Shakespeare's early life, especially the house he was born in and other houses associated with his life.

Stratford on Avon - William Shakespeare's Birthplace

Why not begin at the beginning with Shakespeare's birthplace on Henley Street? Probably the most visited literary landmark in Britain, this is where he spent his formative years until he married Anne Hathaway in 1582, when he was eighteen. The house belonged to his father, John, a prosperous businessman. Here you really are literally treading in the steps of the Bard as you walk across the original stone floor.

The family lived in just half of the house that we see today - the other half being used for storage. William was the third of eight children, so the house would have been pretty crowded and lively.

Stratford is a small, easily walkable town and a few minutes stroll takes you to Hall’s Croft - a grand house where Shakespeare’s eldest daughter, Susanna, lived with her physician husband, John Hall. This beautiful half-timbered house has a splendid walled garden with benches and a small cafe which sells delicious cakes.

Hall’s Croft may be the finest house but Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is the most famous. It is a mile from town and can be reached by a footpath or by bus. The house dates from the 15th century and is much larger than one would expect - hardly a cottage. This is where the eighteen-year-old William went to woo his future wife before marrying her in 1582. Anne was eight years his senior. Susanna was born in 1583 and twins, Hamnet (who died in childhood) and Judith were born in 1585.

Another interesting building is Harvard House. Built in 1596 it was the home of a rich butcher whose grandson, John Harvard, emigrated to America and founded the famous university that bears his name. The house has the most elaborately carved timber facade in town. Today, the house is home to the Museum of British Pewter, covering the history of pewter-making in Britain from Roman times to the 20th-century.

Ancient homes are fine but if you want to get really close to Shakespeare it will be through his art. - the plays performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company. The first memorial theatre was opened on the banks of the River Avon in in 1879; the present one dates from 1932. What makes Shakespeare’s plays popular around the world is their universal appeal. If you haven’t been to a Shakespeare play before, then please, please see one here in the town where he was born, performed by the finest Shakespeare company in the world.

Stratford on Avon - Shakespeare’s birthdaycelebrations are held each year on the weekend nearest to April 23, the day on which Shakespeare was born and died. Events include concerts, folk dancing, a procession through the town centre and special birthday theatre performance on the Saturday evening.

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