Shakespeare's Birthplace Audio Guide
Explore Shakespeare's Birthplace with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.
About the Tour
This restored 16th-century half-timbered house is the site where playwright William Shakespeare was born and spent his childhood. It now functions as a museum dedicated to his life and works.
What you will hear
The Henley Street Facade
Step out onto Henley Street to see the iconic timber-framed house. This is where William was born in 1564 and where the Shakespeare Birthday Committee famously saved the property from being shipped to America by P.T. Barnum in 1847.
The Henley Street Facade
This iconic half-timbered house has stood on Henley Street since the mid-sixteenth century, serving as the childhood home of William Shakespeare.
The Shakespeare Coat of Arms
Above the entrance hangs a yellow and black shield that represents the successful social ascent of the Shakespeare family during the Elizabethan era.
John Shakespeare's Glove Workshop
Enter the workspace of William's father, John Shakespeare. As a whittawer and glover, this workshop was the economic heart of the family home, filled with the scents of leather and the tools of a 16th-century tradesman.
The Writing Table
A modest wooden table equipped with a quill and inkwell evokes the daily tasks of a student in a sixteenth-century tradesman's household.
The Ground Floor Hall and Kitchen
Experience the domestic life of the Shakespeare family in the Hall and Parlor. These rooms were the center of household activity, from communal meals around the large fireplace to entertaining guests in the more formal parlor.
The Family Hall
The Family Hall was the functional heart of the home, where the Shakespeares gathered for shared meals and entertained their guests.
The Walled Garden
Step outside into the rear garden, planted with flowers and herbs mentioned in Shakespeare's plays. From spring tulips to traditional English herbs, this space reflects the botanical knowledge that infused his writing.
Rear Garden View
The rear view of the house reveals its complex evolution over time, showing the various extensions and timber-frame details added over the centuries.
Want to hear the rest?
Download the Stanza app to unlock all 14 stops and full GPS-guided navigation.
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