Heritage / STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Behind the familiar Henley Street facade, the family rooms and glovemaking story connect Shakespeare with the working household he grew up in. Make this your introduction to the man before following the literary trail elsewhere. The visitor exhibition adds context to a house that is more compact than its fame might suggest.

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The timber-framed Shakespeare’s Birthplace on Henley Street — Photo: Martinvl

Before you go

Enter through the Shakespeare Centre rather than treating the street-facing house door as the visitor entrance. Book ahead and leave room to move slowly through the small historic rooms.

The practical details

Where to find it: The Shakespeare Centre, Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6QW.
Directions and arrival information ↗
Tickets and booking: Pre-book through the Trust. Compare individual and combined tickets against the properties you can actually visit; Hall’s Croft and Mary Arden’s Farm remain closed to general visits.
Access and getting around: The visitor centre has level access. The house has narrow doorways, uneven floors and stairs to the upper level; powered chairs and scooters are unsuitable inside. Contact staff about a loan wheelchair and the upstairs video alternative.
Official access information ↗
Visiting with children: Choose the household and glove-making story as a starting point instead of expecting children to know the plays. The visitor centre and garden facilities include baby changing; ask about the current family trail.

Practical information checked 14 September 2026. Confirm anything essential to your visit with the venue.

Make it part of your day

Allow 1–1½ hours for the visit, plus travel and breaks. This is a suggested planning allowance; opening times, access and availability may affect your plans.

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