The Guild Chapel

The Guild Chapel is one of the oldest buildings in Stratford, standing at the corner of Church Street and Chapel Lane, beside the Schoolroom and the site of New Place. It belonged to the Guild of the Holy Cross, a religious and charitable fraternity that dominated the medieval town, and the building you see today dates largely from the fifteenth century, with an older core. Shakespeare's father John was a prominent civic figure and would have known it well, and the young William is likely to have attended services here as a child. Inside, the chapel is plain and peaceful, with a restored medieval wall painting known as the Doom painting, which was covered in whitewash during the Reformation. The tower, stonework and timbers give a sense of how the town looked in his day, and its position, just a short step from the Birthplace and New Place, makes it easy to include on any walk.

Plan on a short visit, because the chapel is small and most people spend twenty to thirty minutes there. Opening hours are limited and depend on volunteers and church events, so check before you go, and do not be disappointed if the door is closed on the day. Entry is normally free, though a donation towards the upkeep of the building is welcome. Because it is also used for services and community events, behave as you would in any active place of worship, and keep voices low.

Inside, look up at the roof and across at the walls. The medieval Doom painting, showing the Last Judgement, was whitewashed around the time of Shakespeare's birth and later uncovered and restored, and it is a reminder of how religious change shaped his world. Look at the carved details, the monuments and the tower, and read the information panels that explain the role of the guild in the life of the town. Many visitors say the quiet and the age of the building make a welcome contrast to the busier houses nearby.

The chapel sits in one of the most historic parts of town. Next door, the Schoolroom and Guildhall is where the young Shakespeare is thought to have been taught, and the almshouses beside the chapel date from the same period. A few steps away are New Place Gardens and the busy shops of the High Street.

A short walk along Church Street leads towards Holy Trinity Church, so the chapel makes a natural first stop on a walk that links the town and the church where Shakespeare is buried. The area is flat and paved, though the chapel itself has some steps at the entrance, so ask about access if you need it.

Take a little time to enjoy the setting outside as well. The chapel's tower and the timber-framed houses along Church Street make one of the best photographs in town, especially in low morning light, and the street is far quieter than the main shopping lanes. Nearby cafes make a pleasant stop afterwards, and a short walk brings you to the gardens at New Place and the Tudor frontages on the High Street.

If you enjoy architecture, look for the contrast between the stone of the chapel and the timber of the neighbouring buildings, a reminder that Stratford's builders used whatever material suited the purpose and the purse.