From 2025 residents in the local Coventry postcode will be able to visit its properties without paying
Residents in a specific Stratford-upon-Avon postcode are being given year-round free access to properties looked after by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Residents in the CV37 postcode were already able to visit Shakespeare’s New Place – William Shakespeare’s final place of residence – for free, and from 2025 will also be able to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage all year round at no charge, as many times as they like.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust said the move is part of its efforts to keep the buildings in the “heart of their communities.”
The free access for residents to Shakespeare family homes will begin from 1 February 2025, after the conservation period at both Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage ends.
Interim CEO, Rachael North, who has been in post since October, said: “The Shakespeare story starts in Stratford-upon-Avon. This is the place that helped shape him, informed his life’s work and where he came home to. Though we are proud to share this story with visitors across the world, our local audiences are central to our future vision and welcoming residents across the year ensures the Shakespeare family homes are embedded within the life of the town.”
Events free to residents are to include Nurture in Nature at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and artist-inspired workshops during Sundays at New Place,
“With so much going on across the Shakespeare family homes throughout the year we hope residents return regularly to explore what is new and continue discovering new things about the Shakespeare story. It is always a wonderful opportunity for us to share what is going on across the wider estate, including our new Learning and Community Hub and other exciting developments,” said North.
