Towns in the Cotswold region
William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s Stratford
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is arguably the most famous playwright and poet in English literature. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon and baptised at the local Holy, Trinity Church. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582, who was from Shottery, a nearby village.
In May 1596, Shakespeare bought a substantial Stratford house, New Place and following the death of his father in 1601, he paid £320 for 127 acres of land in Old Stratford.
Shakespeare died on 23rd April 1616 and is buried in Holy Trinity.
Shakespeare and the theatre
Despite entering theatrical life which was based in London, Shakespeare’s family remained in Stratford and he maintained close ties with the place of his birth.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
The Shakespeare Birthplace Museum consists of five period homes in Stratford-upon-Avon which have links with Shakespeare and his family. Each house has an English country garden and grounds attached which can be explored and enjoyed. Created by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the renovation was completed in April 2000 and is managed and maintained to a high standard. Shakespeare’s actual home is furnished in the style of the 1570s and contains first folio editions of his plays.
Useful Information
Nearby Towns: Chippenham
Nearby Cotswold Hotels: Stanton Manor Hotel
Similar Cotswold Attractions: Beatrix Potter, Holst Birthplace Museum, Jane Austen Museum, Kelmscott Manor, Laurie Lee, William Morris
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