Restoration of Shakespeare's Birthplace In Stratford-Upon-Avon
Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon is a restored 16th-century half-timbered house, where it is believed that William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and spent his childhood years.
He also spent the first five years of his marriage living here with his wife Anne Hathaway.
Thankfully, the Victorians saved this historic building, and it was called 'the rescue of England’s most interesting relic from the risk of destruction by fire and from decay.'
Today, it is now a small museum open to the public, it’s owned and managed by the Shakespeare Trust.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
William Shakespeare was born in this house and grew up here with his parents and siblings - he also spent the first five years of his marriage living here with his wife Anne Hathaway.
John and Mary Shakespeare were wealthy enough to own the largest house on Henley Street.
John lived and worked in this house for fifty years.
When he married Mary Arden she came to live with him and they had a total of eight children, William was the third to be born.
In 1568 John became the Mayor of Stratford, which was the highest elective office in the town.
On Sunday, dressed in his fine red robes, he would have been escorted to Holy Trinity church to attend mass.
It was because of his father’s status as Mayor that William was privileged enough to have attended the local grammar school to begin his education.
John Shakespeare died in 1601 and as the eldest surviving child, William inherited the house.
He leased part of the property and it became an inn called the Maidenhead (and later the Swan and Maidenhead).
The inn remained until 1847.
When Shakespeare died he left the house to his eldest daughter Susanna, and when she died she left it to her only child, Elizabeth.
Although she married twice Elizabeth had no children, so when she died the house fell to a descendant of Joan Hart, one of Shakespeare’s sisters.
The house was owned by the Hart family until the late 18th century, until it went up for sale and was purchased by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 1847.
The Restoration of Shakespeare's Birthplace
In 1847, the sale of William Shakespeare’s Birthplace and childhood home was announced.
The property was purchased at auction by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust later that year for £3,000.
However, with help from donors and others, it was in need of extensive restoration and conservation work - the renovation took nearly ten years, spanning from 1855 to 1862.
During renovations, it was agreed that it was important to isolate the property from all adjoining buildings to protect it from the risk of fire.
Steps were taken to purchase the house adjoining the Swan and Maidenhead and other surrounding land and buildings.
These surrounding cottages were taken down and a fence erected along the street frontage.
In 1857, this work was completed and next an architect was called for.
An approach was made to E.M. Barry, the architect of the House of Commons who visited the Birthplace and made a detailed inspection and survey alongside local architect Edward Gibbs.
By 1858 the majority of the work had been completed.
When the brickwork in front of the Swan and Maidenhead was removed the original main beams showing the mortice holes remained.
Edward Gibbs drew up a plan based on these to show how the timbers should be put back in order to keep the positions of the original structure.
This was crucial as in some respects it differed from the original drawing of the building that they had been working from.
Further work was carried out on the interior such as floors and staircases.
The warming and ventilation of the building was worked on and outside a garden and orchard “with the taste of the olden time” was laid out at the rear of the property.
It was a remarkable effort to restore Shakespeare's Birthplace to its former glory and undo some of the changes it had gone through since Shakespeare's family lived there.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare, born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights and poets in the English language.
His life is divided into three main periods: his early years in Stratford, his time as an actor and playwright in London, and his retirement back in Stratford.
Shakespeare's works, composed between the late 16th and early 17th centuries, include 39 plays and 154 sonnets.
His plays, categorized into tragedies, comedies, and histories, explore a vast array of human experiences and emotions.
"Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," "Macbeth," and "Othello" are just a few examples of his enduring masterpieces.
His ability to delve into the human psyche, portraying characters with depth and nuance, has contributed to the timeless appeal of his works.
Shakespeare's influence extends beyond literature.
He made significant contributions to the English language, coining and popularizing words and phrases that are still in use today.
His impact on theatre is immeasurable, and his plays continue to be performed worldwide, adapted into various forms of media.
Today, his former home is now open to the public, where you can hear tales of Shakespeare’s family life and get up close to objects from the Trust’s world class collections.
Artefacts on display reveal the everyday household objects that Shakespeare would have been familiar with, including pewterware, Tudor pottery and wooden toys.
The exhibition also gives a fascinating insight into John Shakespeare’s trade as a glove maker and his role in public office.
The Shakespeare & Me section celebrates creativity inspired by Shakespeare and the variety of personal ways people can and do respond to his work.
With the help of contributors from around the world, Shakespeare and Me tells individual stories of inspiration from throughout history up to the modern day.
The exciting exhibition sets the scene for your visit to the place where Shakespeare’s story began.
The reviews on TripAdvisor are great, one recent visitor said: “Marvellous attraction and well worth going to. Really enjoyed the visitor centre, house and fabulous shop.
”The guide who was telling us about the glove making industry which was Shakespeare s father’s profession was very interesting and informative. I must congratulate her on doing such a good job.”
Another person added: “I've been to Stratford a few times but never bothered with this house as it's not really my kind of thing but we went this weekend and loved it!
”What makes it memorable is the combo of a small museum for background then entertaining and knowledgeable staff in every room to talk through life in the C17th.
”They were excellent ambassadors for the attraction, highly recommend.”
Tickets must be booked in advance via the Shakespeares Trust website.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Just down the road, you’ll find Anne Hataways’s Cottage - the family home of Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife-to-be.
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.
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.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage & Gardens can be reached via a pleasant 1.3 mile walk from the town centre which takes approximately 30 minutes.
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