Shakespeare’s Birthplace: 10 Things To Know Before You Go

31.12.2023 - 18:55 / forbes.com / Anne Hathaway

“When I was at home I was in a better place,” Mr. Shakespeare wrote in As You Like It. I wonder which home of his inspired that line, if any. It’s possible he had given thought to the home of his birth, where also lived in his youth. Amazingly, all these hundreds of years later, that home still exists and, not surprisingly, it’s a museum.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace is in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon in the West Midlands and it’s a Grade I listed building. Visiting the town should certainly be high on the list of any classic literature or theater fan, the town itself is gorgeous in its own right.

Getting there requires a car or at least one train transfer, but from many parts of England it can be a day trip. Here’s what else you need to know before you go.

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It’s impossible to say with 100% accuracy where Shakespeare was born, since at that point he was just the son of a local glove maker. However, records show his father owned property on this street, and later records show he owned this house, so it’s likely. Given what we know of life in the 1500s, William was likely born in his parent’s bedroom.

Some of the most famous English-language authors and poets have visited the house, some even signing their names. These include Byron, Dickens, Keats, Scott, Tennyson, and more.

It costs £20 to visit, though for £25 you can also visit Anne Hathaway's Cottage nearby, as well as Shakespeare's New Place which was technically his last place, as in where he died. That building no longer exists, though the lot is owned by the same trust that owns the other two and has been redeveloped into a garden and art exhibit. The cottage and New Place aren’t open in the winter.

To keep the crowds to a minimum you need to buy a ticket for a specific time. It’s best to reserve ahead of time as you might not be able to buy a ticket when you arrive. I booked online a few minutes before I went, but if it’s a busy day you might not be so lucky.

Both the inside and outside of the home are restored to how they likely looked in Shakespeare’s day. Furnishings throughout aid in this aesthetic. Museum docents, in period garb, are there to answer any questions, and talk about what life was like all those centuries ago.

In the nearby Holy Trinity Church, you can see Shakespeare’s resting place.

The town of Stratford-upon-Avon is a beautiful English town with lots of classic, or at least classic-appearing, buildings. There are many half-timbered buildings. As the name suggests, a river literally runs through it. In the summer you can rent small boats to explore the river. There’s a chain ferry to get you