Our five Shakespeare Houses and Gardens in Stratford upon Avon form an iconic destination in the UK which has been attracting visitors from around the globe for centuries. Today, a tour of these houses takes you on a natural journey through Shakespeare’s life from his birth at the house on Henley Street, to his death at New Place across the town.
At the heart of all things ‘Shakespeare’, the Trust holds the world’s largest Shakespeare-related museum and archives open to the public. The Shakespeare Centre Library and Archives also house the Royal Shakespeare Company’s archive and the records for the town of Stratford-upon-Avon and the surrounding area.
We run a world-class programme of formal and informal educational programmes and literary lectures, to encourage the appreciation and study of Shakespeare’s works, and the advancement of Shakespearian knowledge on an international scale.
We welcome some three quarters of a million visitors to the Shakespeare houses and gardens each year, and inspire millions more online through this website, our active blogging communities and digital initiatives.
As an independent charity we receive no public subsidy or direct government funding. We depend entirely on income generated through our supporters: our visitors, volunteers, donors and Friends. Your support and contributions are greatly valued.