New Place was the largest house in Stratford when Shakespeare bought it in 1597, and it was the home where he lived in his later years and died in 1616. The house itself was pulled down in the eighteenth century, so what you visit today is a reimagined garden that marks the footprint of the building and tells its story through art and landscape. Specially commissioned artworks evoke family life and hint at the great plays he wrote while he owned the house. Behind the house site, the Great Garden displays sculptures inspired by his writing, and a restored knot garden is based on designs he would have known. The site sits beside King Edward VI School and the Guild Chapel, so the views are among the most atmospheric in town. It is a gentler, quieter sight than the Birthplace, and it suits people who like to walk slowly and read the landscape.
Plan on about forty-five minutes to an hour. New Place Gardens opens daily from 11am to 3pm in the autumn and winter season, with the last entry at 2.30pm, and has shorter hours on Christmas Eve and closures on 25 and 26 December. It is worth checking the Trust's page the week you travel. Entry is free with a Shakespeare's Birthplace ticket, so most visitors combine the two on the same day.
The layout rewards a slow loop. Start with the outline of the vanished house and the artworks that mark its rooms, then move into the Great Garden to find the sculptures inspired by the plays. The knot garden is a highlight, with clipped hedges and patterned beds typical of an Elizabethan garden. Imagine the household of the 1600s, with the playwright's family, his daughter Susanna and her husband Dr John Hall nearby, and a busy town beyond the wall.
The gardens are most attractive in spring and summer, but a clear winter day suits the stripped-back design and the low light on the neighbouring buildings. Paths are mostly level, which makes it easier than the historic houses for visitors with limited mobility, though you should check the Trust's access information. Combine the visit with the Guild Chapel and Shakespeare's Schoolroom next door, then walk a few minutes to Holy Trinity Church for the grave.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk around a landscaped garden that traces the outline of Shakespeare's last home, with commissioned artworks, a Great Garden and a restored knot garden.
Best time
A clear late morning or early afternoon, because the gardens open at 11am and close in the mid-afternoon in winter.
How long
About 45 minutes to an hour, longer if you sit and read the interpretation panels.
Tips
Check the opening day before you go, use your Birthplace ticket for entry, and bring a coat because the garden is open to the weather.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Garden lovers, couples and anyone who wants a calm, atmospheric corner of Shakespeare's Stratford.
- Families
- Children can hunt for the sculptures, and the free family trail across the Trust's sites includes the gardens.
- Couples
- A slow walk through the knot garden and the Great Garden, finished with a coffee nearby.
- Pair with
- Shakespeare's Birthplace on the same ticket, and the Schoolroom and Guild Chapel beside the gardens.
- Time needed
- Allow about an hour including the knot garden.
Good questions
Is New Place Gardens free?+
Entry is free with a Shakespeare's Birthplace ticket. Check the Trust's current ticket options if you want to visit the gardens on their own.
Can I go inside Shakespeare's house at New Place?+
No, the house was demolished in the eighteenth century and the site is now a garden. Artworks and landscaping mark where the rooms stood.
Does it close at Christmas?+
They close on 25 and 26 December, so check the Trust's page before you go.
What is the best time of year to visit?+
Spring and summer show the planting at its best, though a clear winter day suits the sculpture and the architecture around the site. Allow more time in warm weather to sit in the gardens.
Is the site accessible?+
Paths are mostly level, which makes it easier than the older houses. Check the Trust's access information before you go if you need step-free routes.
