More for groups at the Shakespeare Houses
2011 is set to be an exciting year for groups at the five Shakespeare Houses in Stratford-upon-Avon. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT), which manages the historic properties, is delighted to announce a number of exciting new initiatives and opportunities for groups next year.
Groups are welcome at each of the five houses and gardens known as Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Mary Arden’s Farm, Hall’s Croft and Nash’s House & New Place.
An exciting new walking tour entitled “Cradle to Grave” will be available for groups in 2011. Groups can enjoy a fascinating and informative walk experiencing the journey of Shakespeare’s life with an experienced guide from his Birthplace to his final resting place at Holy Trinity Church. The walk, which takes approximately two hours, takes in many period features of the historic town including facts about the Public Library, Garrick Inn, The Shakespeare Hotel as well as the home of Judith - Shakespeare’s younger daughter, the Guild Chapel and Hall’s Croft.
‘Dig for Shakespeare’, the major archaeological excavation of Shakespeare’s final home at New Place, will continue throughout 2011. New Place is the property Shakespeare purchased after he returned from London. The house was sadly demolished in 1759 by its then owner, upset by the intrusion of tourists. Groups to the neighbouring Nash’s House are invited to watch over the shoulders of the archaeologists as they work, with special viewing platforms offering superb views of the trenches being dug. The dig launched in March 2010 and archaeologists have already revealed Shakespeare’s bay window, the remains of wells in the area thought to be the servants’ yards and a small fob seal, which would have been used to put a personalised imprint into a wax seal. Whilst the archaeologists continue to work, groups can join what is thought to be the world’s largest archaeological ‘sieving’ exercise in a dedicated marquee – sifting through tonnes of soil removed from the site to search for artefacts that the archaeologists may have missed.
Special themed tours will be available after normal opening hours, away from the crowds. These include tours of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Nash’s House & New Place together with a dinner and tour package at Hall’s Croft. Also available are a range of special interest talks and behind-the-scenes displays giving groups exclusive access to some of the hidden treasures of the SBT’s outstanding archive and library collections.
SBT will continue to work in collaboration with both Warwick Castle and the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2011. The three partners have teamed up as “Shakespeare’s England” to offer a new joint itinerary exclusively to the travel trade. The partnership offers tour operators and group travel organisers the chance to book one, two or three-day itineraries in the region on one unique ticket. Highlights of the new suggested itineraries include the transformed Royal Shakespeare Theatre with new viewing tower, a chance to delve into Shakespeare’s life and times at the Birthplace and the opportunity to explore more than 1000 years of unique history at Britain’s Ultimate Castle. In November 2010 the RSC will open its doors to the new RST with first performances scheduled to take place in February/March 2011. The opening of the new theatre, combined with a visit to the Shakespeare Houses will be an especially exciting opportunity for groups when visiting Stratford-upon-Avon next year.
Jacqueline Green, Trade & Education Development Manager at SBT stated “We have a number of exciting initiatives and opportunities for groups taking place in 2011. Our Cradle to Grave walks, Dig for Shakespeare along with our themed tours and exclusive joint itineraries will provide the travel trade with a unique insight into our cultural heritage offer at the Shakespeare Houses”.
For more information about group visits and tours please visit the website at: shakespeare.org.uk/groups