Shakespeare's Houses & Gardens Tours
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The medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of iconic wordsmith William Shakespeare. Visitors can follow in the literary giant’s footsteps by exploring some of his homes and gardens—there are five in town, each offering a fascinating insight into Shakespeare’s life and works.
The Basics
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust owns and maintains five historic properties in Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Hall’s Croft, Mary Arden’s Farm, and Shakespeare’s New Place. Each is preserved in period-style and features a variety of permanent exhibitions, live shows, and family activities. You can purchase tickets for the individual attractions or get a Full Story ticket, which offers access to all five sights.
While you can visit four of the houses on foot, Mary Arden’s Farm is a short train ride away. Hop-on hop-off bus tours also link all five properties. To get to Stratford-upon-Avon itself, most visitors opt for a day trip from London. Full-day tours often combine nearby attractions such as Oxford, Warwick Castle, and the Cotswolds.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Shakespeare’s Houses and Gardens are a must for literature and history lovers.
- Full Story tickets offer unlimited access to all five attractions and are valid for 12 months.
- Cafés are located at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Mary Arden’s Farm, and Hall’s Croft.
- All of the houses are accessible to wheelchair users, but due to the nature of the historic structures, some areas are not accessible.
How to Get There
Shakespeare’s Houses and Gardens are located in Stratford-upon-Avon, in central England. From London, it’s about a 2.5-hour drive northwest; direct trains from London’s Marylebone station to Stratford-upon-Avon take around two hours.
When to Get There
Though always popular, Shakespeare’s Houses and Gardens are most atmospheric during the summer, when the houses host a range of special events, reenactments, and family activities. Make an early start or stay overnight in Stratford-upon-Avon if you want to avoid the crowds, especially in July and August; typically tour buses from London don’t arrive until mid-morning. Note that Mary Arden’s Farm is closed from November to February.
What to See at Shakespeare’s Houses
The most popular of the five Shakespeare sights in Stratford-upon-Avon is Shakespeare’s Birthplace, where an impressive multimedia exhibition chronicles the life of the playwright. Highlights include a collection of his books and first editions, and a live theater where scenes from Shakespeare’s most famous plays are performed. Nearby, Hall’s Croft was the home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband, Dr. John Hall. The childhood home of Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, is known for its stunning flower gardens. And the New Place, which opened to the public in 2016, is where Shakespeare spent his later years, writing plays like The Tempest. Just outside of town is Mary Arden’s Farm, the former home of Shakespeare’s mother; the attraction hosts fun activities from blacksmith and falconry demonstrations to animal feeding and traditional craft-making workshops.
Address: Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, England
Admission: Varies
Admission Tickets (1)

Shakespeare's Birthplace:'Winter 4 House' in Stratford-Upon-Avon
Follow in the footsteps of the world’s most famous playwright as you discover where it all began at Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit four of Shakespeare’s family homes and gardens and enjoy exhibitions, live performances, family activities and talks throughout the year. See the house where was Shakespeare was born and grew up; admire the stunning Hall’s Croft, Jacobean home of his daughter Susanna and her husband Dr. John Hall. Discover where new love bloomed at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, home of his wife’s family for over 400 years, and explore the house that isn’t there, Shakespeare’s New Place, the site of his house for 19 years. Uncover the story behind why it was demolished and admire the stunning artworks and gardens inspired by his works, life and times.
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From
$29.02
From
$29.02
4 Tours and Activities to Experience Shakespeare's Houses & Gardens
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Shakespeare's Birthplace:'Winter 4 House' in Stratford-Upon-Avon
Follow in the footsteps of the world’s most famous playwright as you discover where it all began at Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit four of Shakespeare’s family homes and gardens and enjoy exhibitions, live performances, family activities and talks throughout the year. See the house where was Shakespeare was born and grew up; admire the stunning Hall’s Croft, Jacobean home of his daughter Susanna and her husband Dr. John Hall. Discover where new love bloomed at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, home of his wife’s family for over 400 years, and explore the house that isn’t there, Shakespeare’s New Place, the site of his house for 19 years. Uncover the story behind why it was demolished and admire the stunning artworks and gardens inspired by his works, life and times.
…More
From
$29.02
From
$29.02

Tapas Evening Walking Tour Stratford-on-Avon
Taste the best British culture and gourmet cuisine on this 3 hour Stratford-on-Avon tapas tour through the city on foot. During your pre-dinner outing you’ll explore some of the city’s most famous bars around this iconic city , with an expert food guide.
3-hour walking tour of Stratford-on-Avon with dinner (tapas)
Guided walking tour
Great introduction to Stratford-on-Avon culinary history, discover Stratford best bars and cafes
Specialized gourmet guide
Get the inside scoop on the fascinating British culture and sample some of the city’s best at its famous hotspots
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From
$107.15
From
$107.15

City Sightseeing Stratford-upon-Avon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Discover charming, medieval Stratford-Upon-Avon—the historic birthplace of William Shakespeare—from the comfort of an open-top, double-decker bus. On this sightseeing tour, relax for the full-route journey or hop off at any of the stops along the way to see key attractions like the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and the Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried.
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From
$20.73
From
$20.73
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Stratford-Upon-Avon Audio Guide: Discover Shakespeare's Life & Secrets
Love podcast? You'll love our immersive podcast tour of Stratford-Upon-Avon!
Join our local historian Josh and Katie on a walk through the charming town of Stratford-Upon-Avon. On this walk, we will discover historic buildings, beautiful architecture, and hear lesser-known stories about Shakespeare’s life, and discover tales and mysteries that live on in this quaint market town. Vidi Guides creates immersive audio experiences that are like podcasts. Download the Vidi Guides app & your Stratford-Upon-Avon tour to explore the city independently and safely!
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From
$9.66
From
$9.66

Stratford-upon-Avon Group Couples Day Outting
Your ticket includes what no other does! Which is a cooked breakfast to start the day, before exploring Stratford-upon-Avon for 4 hours however you wish to, with ticket access to ALL of the following:
Shakespear's Birthplace, Shakespeares New Place, Hall's Croft, Anne Heathaway's Cottage, Mary Arden's Farm.
Finally ending the day with a fun art painting workshop! No art painting experience neccessary. :)
This is a great way of being able to enjoy interacting with other couples as well as being able to have time to enjoy the beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon alone with your loved one. Miss It, Miss Out!!
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From
$186.56
per group
From
$186.56
per group