A mile and a half west of the town centre, in the hamlet of Shottery, stands the most photographed thatched roof in England. Anne Hathaway was born here in 1556, and it was to this twelve-room farmhouse that an eighteen-year-old William Shakespeare walked to court her. Thirteen generations of Hathaways lived in the house across more than five centuries, which is why so much of the original furniture — including the celebrated carved four-poster bed and the courting settle — is still in place.
What surprises most visitors is the garden. Nine acres of it: a classic English cottage garden at the front, then an orchard, a willow maze, a sculpture trail inspired by the plays and woodland walks that open onto Warwickshire fields. In late spring and summer it is the loveliest place in the Stratford area, and it justifies the trip out of town on its own.
Top things to do at Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Tour the farmhouse
Low doorways, worn flagstones and five centuries of one family. Guides point out the Hathaway bed, the settle where the courting supposedly happened and the extraordinary survival of the original kitchen range.
Walk the cottage garden and orchard
The front garden is planted in the traditional English cottage style with the flowers Shakespeare names in the plays; beyond it lie the orchard, the willow cabin and a wildflower meadow that peaks in June.
Follow the sculpture trail
A woodland path is dotted with contemporary sculptures responding to the plays, and it is nearly always quiet — even when the house itself is busy.
Take the field path back into town
The signed footpath from Shottery to Stratford runs across open fields and past Shottery Brook. It takes about 25 minutes and is far nicer than the road.
How to get to Anne Hathaway's Cottage
- On foot: 25–30 minutes from the town centre along the well-signed Shottery field path, starting from Evesham Place.
- By bus: the City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus stops directly outside, and local buses run from Bridge Street.
- By car: free-flowing 6-minute drive from the centre, with a pay-and-display car park at the cottage.
Insider tips
- Come in the morning if you want photographs of the thatch without crowds; the coaches arrive from about 11:00.
- May to July is peak garden season — the roses, foxgloves and wildflower meadow are worth timing your trip around.
- The tea room has outdoor tables in the orchard and is a much better lunch stop than anything in the town centre at midday.
- Wear proper shoes if you walk the field path; it can be muddy after rain.
