Arts & Culture Journey (II) / Exploring the Hometown of British Literary Giant William Shakespeare

By MOOK Travel Life Network Chen Guanxin | Compiled & Reported | Source / Moleskine Editorial Department

During Shakespeare’s lifetime, overwhelming crowds rushed to watch his plays; after his death, three million tourists flock to Stratford every year to trace the life of this great playwright—from his birthplace cottage, the chair where he proposed to his wife, his final residence, to the church where he was laid to rest. Stratford thrives with these 16th-century houses.

1. Shakespeare Centre

Most of the most famous attractions in Stratford are related to Shakespeare and his family. To learn about Shakespeare’s life or to explore whether these great plays were truly his creations, you can visit the “Shakespeare Centre,” the headquarters of The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, to find answers.

2. Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Originally, there were no theaters in Stratford performing Shakespeare’s works. Later, in 1879, a “Memorial Theatre” was built but burned down in 1926, leaving part of its Gothic architecture, which now serves as the Picture Gallery. In 1932, the current Royal Shakespeare Theatre reopened, operated by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

3. Holy Trinity Church

Holy Trinity Church in Stratford has a deep connection with Shakespeare. Not only was he baptized here, but he and his wife were also buried here. In the church’s sanctuary, you can find their tombs along with those of their son-in-law Nash, their daughter Susanna, and her husband Hall.

The baptism record of Shakespeare on April 26, 1564, is preserved and displayed in the church, even highlighted in red. Due to the church’s slightly off-center construction, the sanctuary is also known as the “Crying Chapel.” When the sun sets, the figures on the rose window cast shadows near the chapel, as if mourning Shakespeare.

4. Shakespeare’s Birthplace

In 1564, Shakespeare was born in this two-story building and spent his childhood here. Upon entering the Parlour, visitors will notice how compact life was back then—the living room with a single bed reportedly served as his parents’ bedroom at night. The adjacent Hall is where the Shakespeare family dined, with a long table set as it was in the past, along with original antique benches and high-backed chairs. The farthest room on the ground floor was Shakespeare’s father’s workshop, where he made leather gloves, wallets, shoes, and other leather goods.

The second floor was where the Shakespeare family slept. The first room serves as an exhibition hall, featuring a window filled with the names of visitors. Many notable figures have visited Shakespeare’s home, including Charles Dickens, Emerson, and Mark Twain. The next room, with a doll’s cradle, is said to be where Shakespeare was born. The room adjacent to the kitchen is where Shakespeare spent his childhood.