One of the most picturesque and stunning cottages throughout England should be Anne Hathaway's Cottage in Stratford-Upon-Avon. It's one of the chief attractions associated with a tour of William Shakespeare's hometown. Stratford-Upon-Avon is one of the most stunning historic market towns in England and it is a trip to the Tutor period. English experiences don't get anymore quaint than this!
The historic town is also near England's acclaimed Cotswolds famous for their stunning beauty and stone-built charming villages. There are many attractions here with multiple buildings which were part of the lifetime of William Shakespeare – it really is essential to explore. The town is very compact so one only requires a day to see it.
What To Know From the Iconic Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Anne Hathaway's Cottage was the family home of Hathaway as catwoman, William Shakespeare's wife-to-be. She was born within the cottage in 1556. It had been built over Five centuries ago and it has been extended through the years. Today it's a museum and is carefully maintained along with its delightful gardens. Despite all of the many modifications and extensions, it has received, a lot of the original cottage still survives.
Young Shakespeare would have visited Anne within the cottage in the early stages of their relationship.
- First Built: Over Five centuries Ago In 1463
- Farmhouse: Initially, It had been A Farmhouse
- Original Name: “Hewlands”
- Home: Of Anne Hathaway's Who Continued To become William Shakespeare's Bride
- Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon, England (William Shakespeare's Hometown)
Visitors are greeted with a few of the very most stunning of Tutor architecture along with its acres of lovely cottage gardens and orchards. These gardens and the sculpture trail inside them were inspired by Shakespeare's plays.
The 13-Generation Long History Of The Hathaways in The Cottage
The long line of Hathawys began with Anne's grandfather – John Hathaway. At that time he would be a tenant sheep farmer. The Hathaways were successful sheep farmers – your garden one sees today would be a farmyard that had space for herbs and vegetables along with the livestock.
- The Hathaways: Lived Within the Anne Hathaway's Cottage For 13 Generation
- First Hathaway: Anne's grandfather – John Hathaway
While one may not think it now, Anne Hathaway's Cottage was originally a farmhouse and was much smaller. It only had three rooms (a couple of these survive in the modern building and are the kitchen and also the parlor. At that time the Cottage was called “Hewlands”.
Today it's a twelve-roomed cottage and is spacious with several bedrooms. So the term “cottage” doesn't actually apply anymore. It also now has multiple chimneys with the largest one getting used to cook.
- Farm Size: 90-Acres
Anne's father died in 1581 so the cottage (in other words tenancy of it) passed on to her brother Bartholomew. He later bought the freehold and expanded the farm cottage adding new chimneys as well as an upper floor.
In a accident, around 250 years later the Hathaways fortunes declined plus they mortgaged after which sold the cottage. However they still continued to live in their ancestral home as tenants once more.
- Decline Of Fortunes: Around 250 Years Later, the Hathaways Once Again Became Tenants Within the Cottage
The long type of Hathaways started to ended in 1892 once the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust purchased the cottage. Mary Baker was a Hathaway descendant and she was paid to remain on residing in the cottage to keep the cottage and share her family stories.
- Sold: Sold towards the Shakespeare Birthplace Rely upon 1892
- Last Hathaway Descendant: William Baker Moved Out In 1911
Eventually, her son, William Baker, moved out of the cottage in 1911 ending the 13 generations of the family there. It was damaged by a fire in 1969 but later restored.
Visiting Anne Hathaway's Cottage Today
Today it is a museum and is open to the general public. The best time to visit is incorporated in the late spring or summer when the gardens are in their most majestic. While touring this iconic cottage, you will see original furniture including the Hathaway bed, and uncover five centuries of stories from the family. The household lived there for any whopping 13 generations and it was where Anne was born and raised.
- Closed for winter: Reopening 26 March
- Open: From 26 March, 10 am – 5 pm (last entry 4.30pm)
Anne Hathaway's Cottage Only Ticket:
- Adult (16+ inc. seniors): lb13.00 ($17)
- Child (3-15): lb8.50 ($12)
For information on another historical sights in Stratford-Upon-Avon like Shakespeare's New Place, Mary Arden's Farm, and Hall's Croft see the official Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust's website.
Alternatively, if one can't visit England, there are a variety of full-sized replicas all over the world. These include replicas located in:
- Bedfordale, Western Australia
- English Inn, Victoria, B.C, Canada
- Odessa College, Texas
- Staunton, Virginia
- Wessington Springs, South Dakota
