Name: Shakespeare's Family Homes
Rating: 5.0

Shakespeare's Family Homes

The Shakespeare Birthplace Shop, Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Shakespeare’s Family Homes is one of the best things to do with kids in Stratford-upon-Avon for families looking to explore literary history. Managed by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, this collection includes iconic sites like Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and Mary Arden’s Farm. It provides a unique opportunity to walk through the living spaces where the world’s most famous playwright grew up, lived, and raised his own family.

Price starts from £25.00 for Adults(18+ inc seniors) and £12.50 for Children(3-17 years & under 3s free). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this set of historic properties offers an engaging blend of immersive theatre and heritage education. Whether you are wandering through ancient gardens or watching costumed guides bring Tudor life to the screen, it is a perfect cultural day out.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Immersive Heritage: Step back in time with costumed actors who share stories about daily life in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Educational Exploration: Dedicated resources for schools and families help children connect with historical narratives and Shakespeare’s works.
Beautiful Gardens: Explore manicured gardens and orchards that have been maintained to reflect their Tudor origins.
Interactive Exhibits: Engaging displays at the Birthplace offer a hands-on way for children to understand the life and times of William Shakespeare.
Global Connection: Learn how these local family homes have become international touchstones for literature and drama lovers worldwide.

What to See

Shakespeare’s Birthplace: Walk through the house on Henley Street where William Shakespeare was born and spent his childhood years.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage: A quintessential English cottage with a traditional thatched roof, where Shakespeare’s wife grew up.
Mary Arden’s Farm: A working Tudor farm where children can meet rare-breed animals and see heritage farming techniques in action.
Shakespeare’s New Place: The site of the playwright’s final family home, featuring contemporary sculptures and a beautiful sunken garden.
Hall’s Croft: The elegant home of Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna, filled with fine period furniture and medical history exhibits.

Facilities

Toilets: Available at all major site locations, including baby changing facilities.
Buggy Parking: Designated areas are available, though some historic sites have uneven floors and narrow doorways.
Café: Several sites feature cafes or tea rooms serving local snacks and refreshments.
Shop: Visit the gift shops for books, traditional Tudor-inspired toys, and unique souvenirs.
Accessibility: Reasonable adjustments are in place; please contact individual sites for specific access requirements for wheelchairs or walkers.

Pro-Tips

Plan Your Day: With five properties to choose from, don’t try to do them all in one go; focus on two or three to avoid tiring out younger children.
Peak Times: School holidays are busy; book your entry slots online well in advance to avoid long queues at the door.
Walking Distance: Use the local bus service or a park-and-ride to save on town centre parking, as the streets can become very congested.
Check the Calendar: Look at the events page on the website for specific family activities like storytelling or theatre performances.
Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes, as many of the cottage floors are original uneven stone or wood.

Targeted FAQ

Is it worth it for toddlers? The sites are historic and contain many fragile items, so it is better suited for primary-aged children who can listen to stories; toddlers are welcome but will require constant supervision.
How long does a visit take? Most families spend about 3–5 hours if they are visiting two or three of the properties, depending on the travel time between the town centre and the farm.
Where is the best place to park? There is no dedicated parking at the houses themselves, so it is best to use one of the well-signposted council car parks in the town centre.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love:

The costumed guides do a fantastic job of making history fun and approachable for children.
The opportunity to walk through the actual rooms where Shakespeare lived is a profound experience for older students.
The farm setting provides a great outdoor space for kids to run around and interact with animals.
The grounds and gardens are beautifully kept and provide a peaceful break from the town centre crowds.

What Visitors Don't Like:

Accessibility can be difficult in the older, historic buildings with narrow stairs and doorways.
It can get very crowded inside the small birth room during peak summer afternoons.
Parents occasionally find the ticket structure confusing, so be sure to check what is included in your specific pass.

What to see

Detailed Inventory of Collections

The First Folio: One of the most important books in English literature, held at the Birthplace.
Shakespeare’s Signet Ring: A rare personal item belonging to the playwright.
Hathaway Family Bed: A fine example of Tudor furniture housed in the cottage.
Rare Tudor Textiles: Authentic woven items and clothing fragments from the period.
Heritage Farm Implements: Historic tools used at Mary Arden’s Farm for daily labour.
Period Kitchenware: Utensils and ceramics used in the hearths of the Shakespeare family.
Manuscript Collections: Early documents and records linked to the Stratford community.
Botanical Collections: Historical plant species maintained in the garden sites.
Local Archaeological Finds: Items unearthed from the foundations of the family properties.
17th Century Furniture: A wide range of period tables, chairs, and chests across all homes.

Beyond the Main Attraction

River Avon: Enjoy a scenic boat trip or picnic along the banks of the river that flows through the heart of the town.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre: Catch a family-friendly performance or explore the tower views at this world-renowned theatre.
Stratford Butterfly Farm: A popular nearby attraction featuring hundreds of exotic butterflies in a tropical setting.
Town Centre Markets: Browse local produce and artisan crafts in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Holy Trinity Church: Visit the final resting place of William Shakespeare, located a short walk from the town centre.

New for 2026: Shakespeare’s Legacy

Tudor Life Workshops: New, hands-on sessions at the farm where children can learn traditional crafts like spinning and herb grinding.
Digital Heritage Trail: An updated mobile-friendly tour that uses augmented reality to show how the houses looked in Shakespeare’s time.
Sustainable Gardens Project: A 2026 initiative focusing on re-wilding sections of the cottage gardens to promote local pollinator species.

Events: For more upcoming events please visit here.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Shakespeare's Birthplace (including New Place Gardens)

Adult (18+ inc. seniors): £25.00 online & £27.00 on the door.
Child (3–17): £12.50 online & £13.50 on the door.
Concession: £21.25 online & £22.95 on the door.
Under 3s: FREE.

Anne Hathaway's Cottage

Adult (18+ inc. seniors): £15.00 (or £5.00 when purchased with Shakespeare's Birthplace ticket).
Child (3–17): £7.50 (or £2.50 when purchased with Shakespeare's Birthplace ticket).
Concession: £12.75 (or £4.25 when purchased with Shakespeare's Birthplace ticket).
Under 3s: FREE.

Shakespeare's Schoolroom and Guildhall

Adult (18+ inc. seniors): £10.00 (only when purchased with Shakespeare's Birthplace ticket).
Child (3–17): £5.00 (only when purchased with Shakespeare's Birthplace ticket).
Concession: £8.50 (only when purchased with Shakespeare's Birthplace ticket).

Pricing URL: https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/plan-your-visit/house-ticket-prices/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Please contact the trust team directly at learning@shakespeare.org.uk for private group bookings or education events.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace & Shop: From 16 March until 1 November 2026: Daily, 10am - 5pm (last entry to the Birthplace is 4.30pm).
Shakespeare's New Place Gardens: From 16 March until 1 November 2026: Daily, 11am - 3pm (last entry 2.30pm).
Anne Hathaway's Cottage: From 16 March until 1 November 2026: Daily, 10am - 5pm (last entry 4.30pm).
The Garden Café: Daily, 10am - 4pm.

Address: The Shakespeare Birthplace Shop, Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK

Post Code: CV37 6QW

Council: Stratford-on-Avon

County: Warwickshire

On Foot: Shakespeare's Birthplace and Shakespeare's New Place are within easy distance of each in Stratford-upon-Avon town centre. Anne Hathaway's Cottage can be reached via a pleasant 30-35 minute walk from the town centre.
By car: Stratford-upon-Avon is a short drive from junction 15 of the M40, close to the M42 and M6 motorway networks. The town can be reached by road from London in under 2 hours.
By train: National rail services run to Stratford-upon-Avon train station, which is a comfortable ten minute walk from the town centre. Visit National Rail Enquiries to plan your journey and download useful information to help you find your way into town [PDF] from Stratford-upon-Avon station.
Parking: There are a number of pay and display car parks in Stratford-upon-Avon town centre, as well as a Park & Ride, signposted from the A46, which offers an easy, relaxing and great value journey into Stratford-upon-Avon town centre 7 days a week this summer.There is a pay and display car park a short walk from Anne Hathaway's Cottage, in Cottage Lane, Shottery, CV37 9HH.