Shakespeare's New Place

Shakespeare’s New Place is the site of the house where William Shakespeare lived with his family from 1597 until his death in 1616. The house was demolished in 1759, so a visit is a walk through its gardens and outdoor artworks, not a tour of Shakespeare’s rooms. Look for sonnet extracts set into the courtyard floor and sculptures inspired by his plays. Guides give short talks that help put the site in context, and Nash’s House next door adds another glimpse of Stratford’s past.

Shakespeare’s family home in Stratford

Shakespeare bought New Place in 1597, after establishing his career in London. He lived there with his family until his death in 1616. At the time, it was one of Stratford’s largest houses. The property remained in the family after his death, but the house was demolished in 1759.

The original building is gone, so there are no rooms to walk through. The visit instead centres on the grounds and the history of the house that once occupied them. Shakespeare’s grave is at Holy Trinity Church, not at New Place.

Gardens and artworks

The gardens occupy the site of the former house and include an Elizabethan-style knot garden. Contemporary artworks around the grounds draw on Shakespeare’s plays; bronze sculptures represent works including Macbeth, King Lear and The Tempest. The courtyard floor also carries extracts from his sonnets.

Nash’s House stands beside the New Place grounds. The Tudor building is associated with Thomas Nash, the first husband of Shakespeare’s granddaughter Elizabeth. Exhibits there cover the town’s early history through to Shakespeare’s period. Check what is included in your admission when planning to visit both sites.