Anne Hathaway's Cottage is the postcard picture of Tudor England: a thatched, timber-framed farmhouse in the village of Shottery, a short walk or drive from the middle of Stratford. Built in 1463, it was home to the Hathaway family for thirteen generations, and it is where Anne Hathaway lived before she married William Shakespeare. Inside, the kitchen and the parlour survive from the original building, and the rooms hold furniture that belonged to the family, including the Hathaway bed. Outside, the grounds are the real draw, with cottage gardens, orchards, a woodland sculpture trail inspired by the plays and a giant willow sculpture that makes a favourite photograph. There is a garden cafe and a shop on site.
Plan the visit as a half-day outing rather than a quick stop. The cottage is open daily from 10am to 4pm in the winter season, with the last admission at 3.30pm, and it closes on 25 and 26 December. Pre-booking is recommended, and the cottage can be added to a Birthplace ticket for a modest extra amount, which is the best value if you are seeing more than one Shakespeare house.
Inside, take your time in the kitchen and parlour, the two rooms that have survived from the original farmhouse, and ask the guides about the Hathaway bed and the family stories attached to it. Outside, wander the gardens and orchards at your own pace, follow the sculpture trail through the trees and pause at the willow structure. In colder months the garden is quieter and stark, but the cafe, which is open daily through the winter, makes a warm place to finish.
Getting there is part of the pleasure. A footpath runs from the middle of Stratford to Shottery, and the walk takes a little under half an hour, so it suits a dry day. Taxis and local buses are alternatives, and there is parking close to the site. Families can pick up Nature Explorer backpacks and follow a free family trail across the Shakespeare houses. Because the garden is the highlight, try to visit on a clear day and wear sturdy shoes for muddy paths.
What to expect
The experience
A self-paced visit to the thatched farmhouse followed by a stroll through cottage gardens, orchards and a sculpture trail, with a cafe and shop on site.
Best time
A dry, bright morning for the walk from town and the best light in the gardens, with the cafe as a warm finish.
How long
About two hours in total, longer if you walk from Stratford and linger over lunch.
Tips
Pre-book, wear sturdy shoes for the garden paths, and expect conservation work on the thatch to affect some views from time to time.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Garden lovers, photographers and anyone who wants the picture-book image of Tudor England.
- Families
- Nature Explorer backpacks and a free family trail keep children busy, and there is plenty of space to run in the orchards.
- Couples
- Walk out from town along the footpath, enjoy the gardens and have lunch in the cafe.
- Pair with
- Shakespeare's Birthplace on a joint ticket, or Holy Trinity Church where Anne is buried beside her husband.
- Time needed
- Allow two hours, or half a day if you walk there and back.
Good questions
Is Anne Hathaway's Cottage open in winter?+
It closes on 25 and 26 December and has shorter hours on Christmas Eve.
Is the cottage affected by building work?+
Scaffolding is up for essential conservation repairs, so some views of the thatch may be partly hidden. The cottage and gardens remain open to visitors.
How do I get to Anne Hathaway's Cottage from Stratford?+
You can walk the footpath to Shottery in a little under half an hour, or take a taxi or local bus. There is parking near the site if you drive.
Can I buy a joint ticket with the Birthplace?+
Yes, the cottage can be added to a Shakespeare's Birthplace ticket for a modest extra amount. This is the best value for seeing more than one house.
Is there somewhere to eat?+
Yes, a garden cafe on site is open daily through the winter and a shop sells gifts and plants. Opening hours are shorter than the cottage's in the colder months.
