Following in the footsteps of Shakespeare
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is encouraging visitors to walk the route to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage which Shakespeare himself once walked when he was courting his future wife. SBT have produced a new leaflet which illustrates how to walk from the town centre, across the fields to the historic cottage in Shottery.
The walk, which takes visitors along a pleasant, one mile footpath, takes around 30 – 35 minutes each way. The route, which is well signposted from Evesham Place, passes through Shottery Fields and the pleasant hamlet of Shottery. Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Nash’s House & New Place and Hall’s Croft are also highlighted on the map to encourage visitors to include them within their itinerary.
The leaflet, which is offered free of charge, is available for visitors to pick up from any of the Shakespeare Houses & Gardens, Stratford-upon-Avon Tourist Information Centre and are also being distributed in and around Stratford town centre.
Diana Owen, Director at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust stated “This is lovely easy walk for visitors to enjoy especially during the summer months. We hope lots of our visitors will be encouraged to leave their cars in town and set off on foot to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage”.
Undoubtedly the most romantic of Shakespeare’s Houses, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage offers plenty to see and do during the summer. ‘Shakespeare’s Allotment’, which recently won bronze in the Small Garden category at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, has now been re-located to the cottage. The allotment features a variety of fruit and vegetables, some of which date back to the 16th Century. Visitors can also see the delicious Strawberry Spinach which generated considerable interest at the flower show. The plant was first cultivated over 400 years ago and is enjoyed for both its vegetable and fruit offering. The allotment also features a living willow cabin and a life-sized willow statue of Shakespeare tending his garden.
Visitors can also wander around the orchard which is filled with rare and heritage fruit trees and an Elizabethan style yew maze. In addition there are two Quince and Medlar trees. Both trees are considered rare and were introduced into the UK in Roman times.
Tickets to all five Shakespeare Houses are great value and best of all, valid for a period of 12 months - with unlimited entry. So for the price of one ticket, visitors can enjoy days out at the Shakespeare Houses all year round – for free!
For more information on the Shakespeare Houses, visit: shakespeare.org.uk
