Anne Hathaway’s Cottage: 500 Year Old Gem
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is a 500 year old cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Photo: Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Anne Hathaway's Cottage was the family home of Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife-to-be.
William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist.
Some of his most famous plays include "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," "Macbeth," and "Othello."
Anne was born and raised in this cottage, where the young Shakespeare would have visited her during the early part of their relationship.
Built more than 500 years ago and extended over the years, much of the original survives.
In February 2024, the beautiful cottage is re-opening to the pubic where you can see original furniture. including the Hathaway bed.
Wander through acres of beautiful cottage gardens and orchards, and explore the sculpture trail inspired by Shakespeare’s plays.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage was originally built as a farmhouse in 1463.
It comprised just three rooms, two of which survive - the kitchen and the parlour.
The first Hathaway to live in the cottage was Anne’s grandfather John Hathaway, who was a tenant sheep farmer.
Anne, later Shakespeare’s wife, was born in the cottage in 1556.
When the site was a farm it was known as ‘Hewlands’ and the Hathaway family were successful sheep farmers.
The garden was a farmyard with some livestock and space for growing herbs and vegetables.
Anne’s father died in 1581 and Anne’s brother Bartholomew inherited the tenancy of the 90-acre farm and he later bought the freehold.
He then added an extension, increasing the size of the cottage and inserted new chimneys and an upper floor at the same time.
This work was completed before Bartholomew’s death in 1624.
By the late 19th century, the family’s fortunes had declined. Some property including land and other houses were mortgaged, and eventually sold.
In 1838 the cottage itself was sold, but the Hathaway family continued to live in the cottage as tenants.
One of the last Hathaways to live in the cottage was Mary Baker.
When the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust purchased the cottage in 1892, Mary and her family were paid the large wage of £75 per year.
Their duties were to share family stories and to care for the cottage, both of which we continue to do today.
Her son William Baker occupied part of the cottage until he left in 1911.
The gardens
In 1920, horticulturist Ellen Willmott was commissioned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to advise on design and planting in the garden around the cottage.
Unfortunately, a large sewer destroyed the previous garden.
Her designs for the flower garden and orchard were intended to compliment the buildings.
Many of the plants chosen were mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays, with pastel combination in borders that remain colourful throughout the year.
Much of her layout and plant choices are in place today, including the three flower beds near the cottage entrance, named Miss Willmott’s garden.
The reviews of Anne Hathaways Cottage is excellent on TripAdvisor, one recent visitor said: “Lovely historic thatched cottage. Actually bigger than I expected.
”It's quite a substantial building as extensions were added to the original dwelling. Absolutely don't miss a visit.
”The house and gardens are beautiful and the guides were excellent and very happy to explain the history and answer questions.”
Another person added: “We really enjoyed our trip here. We were lucky enough to visit in beautiful weather so were able to fully enjoy our walk around the garden and the sculpture trail.
”The cottage is beautiful in its simplicity. The staff were knowledgeable about the cottage and Anne Hathaway’s family and we found them engaged and helpful.
”We had a coffee from the little kiosk in the garden and then walked 5-10 minutes to The Bell pub nearby where we enjoyed lunch.”
Anne Hathaway's Cottage & Gardens can be reached via a pleasant 1.3 mile walk from the town centre which takes approximately 30 minutes.
The postcode reference for sat nav is CV37 9HH.
Dogs are welcome in the gardens at Anne Hathaway's Cottage, provided they are accompanied and on a lead.
Please note that online booking is essential to secure your time slot to visit Shakespeare's family homes.
Anne Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare
Anne Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare, was born around 1556 and hailed from Shottery, a village near Stratford-upon-Avon.
She married William Shakespeare in 1582, and the couple had three children: Susanna, born in 1583, and twins Judith and Hamnet, born in 1585.
Anne Hathaway's relationship with William Shakespeare is not extensively documented, and there is relatively little known about her life.
However, the couple spent most of their married life in Stratford-upon-Avon.
After Shakespeare's success in the theater, he retired to Stratford-upon-Avon, where he and Anne lived until his death in 1616.
Anne Hathaway outlived her husband by seven years, passing away in 1623.
She is buried beside William Shakespeare in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.
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