Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is a 15th-century thatched farmhouse at 22 Cottage Lane, Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon. It was the childhood home of Anne Hathaway, who married William Shakespeare in 1582. Managed by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, it is open to the public as a heritage attraction with original period furniture, cottage gardens, an orchard, and a sculpture trail. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
Tickets should be bought online.
Updated May 2026. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has confirmed that Hall’s Croft and Mary Arden’s Farm remain closed to general visitors – many older guides and third-party listing sites still show these as open attractions. Visitors planning a multi-site day should note that only Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and Shakespeare’s New Place are currently open to the public.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Daily, 10:00–17:00; last admission 16:30 |
| Adult ticket (standalone) | £15.00 online |
| Child ticket (3–17, standalone) | £7.50; under 3s free |
| Concession (standalone) | £12.75 |
| Address | 22 Cottage Lane, Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 9HH |
| Sat nav postcode | CV37 9HH |
| Nearest railway station | Stratford-upon-Avon (approx. 30–35 min walk or short taxi ride) |
| On-site parking | Pay and display in Cottage Lane; free coach parking on site |
| Typical visit length | 1.5–2.5 hours |
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage opening hours
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:30. These hours apply throughout the year. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust advises checking the official website before visiting, as opening times on specific dates may vary for events or seasonal closures.
No timed entry system operates at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Visitors can arrive at any point during opening hours without a pre-booked slot, though advance ticket purchase is still recommended to avoid queuing at the desk.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage ticket prices
A standalone adult ticket to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage costs £15.00. Tickets can also be purchased as part of a bundle with Shakespeare’s Birthplace, which significantly reduces the per-site cost.
| Ticket type | Standalone price | With Shakespeare’s Birthplace bundle |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+, incl. seniors) | £15.00 | £5.00 |
| Child (3–17) | £7.50 | £2.50 |
| Under 3 | Free | Free |
| Concession | £12.75 | £4.25 |
Tickets purchased online are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, allowing multiple visits across the year. The Shakespeare’s Birthplace bundle – which also includes Shakespeare’s New Place Gardens and Shakespeare’s Schoolroom – represents better value for visitors planning to see more than one site. Tickets should be booked online.
Residents Go Free: Anyone living in the CV37 postcode can access Anne Hathaway’s Cottage free of charge throughout the year. No pre-booking is required for Anne Hathaway’s Cottage under this scheme.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Shakespeare Birthplace Trust website and last updated in May 2026.
How to get to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is located in Shottery, approximately one mile west of Stratford-upon-Avon town centre, and is most commonly reached by car, on foot, or by taxi from the town centre or train station.
- By train: Stratford-upon-Avon railway station is served by West Midlands Railway from Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton. From the station, the town centre is a 10-minute walk, and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is a further 30–35 minutes on foot, or a short taxi ride. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust provides a walking map with directions from Shakespeare’s Birthplace to the cottage.
- On foot from the town centre: A 30–35 minute walk through residential streets and a footpath across fields. The Trust’s walking map is recommended for first-time visitors.
- By car: Stratford-upon-Avon is accessible from junction 15 of the M40 and is reachable from London in under two hours. Use sat nav postcode CV37 9HH.
- By coach: Free coach parking is available on site at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.
- By local bus: Warwickshire County Council’s bus route information covers local services around Stratford-upon-Avon. Check warwickshire.gov.uk/busroutemaps for current routes.
5 great things to do near Birmingham 🏙️
- 🧢 Discover the sites from the gang stories – on a Peaky Blinders walking tour.
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- 🎢 Head to Alton Towers – Britain’s biggest theme park.
- ⚔️ Watch jousting and trebuchets – at Warwick Castle.
Parking at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
A pay and display car park is available on Cottage Lane, a short walk from the cottage entrance. Blue Badge parking is available adjacent to the visitor reception, which is reached via the coach park ramp. An additional Blue Badge space is located 100 metres away on the corner of Cottage Lane; this is a camera-operated car park, so Blue Badge holders must record their badge at the machine to avoid a penalty notice.
Free coach parking is available on site. For general town centre parking, Stratford-upon-Avon has several pay and display car parks, and a Park and Ride service operates from the A46 into the town centre.
How long to spend at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 2.5 hours at the site. The visit includes the cottage interior, the cottage garden, the orchard, the sculpture trail, and any temporary exhibitions or seasonal activities.
Visitors who focus mainly on the cottage and immediate garden can complete the visit in under an hour. Families using the Nature Explorer Backpacks, attending a guided event, or spending time in the orchard and sculpture garden should allow closer to two to three hours. The Garden Café provides a natural stopping point mid-visit.
Accessibility at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
The cottage itself is not fully accessible. The building has entrance steps and uneven floors throughout; wheelchairs and pushchairs cannot be used inside. A member of the team is stationed at the cottage entrance to provide information and share the history of the property for visitors who cannot enter.
The visitor reception and shop are level access. The gardens have wide, sloping pathways and occasional seating throughout, and a folding wheelchair is available to borrow for use across the site. The orchard, sculpture garden, and wilding area have uneven ground with tree roots and animal burrows, which may be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair or mobility aid.
Blue Badge parking is available on site (see Parking section). Assistance dogs are welcome at all Shakespeare Birthplace Trust sites. For specific access queries, contact the site on +44 (0)1789 204016 or visit the AccessAble guide at accessable.co.uk. The nearest Changing Places toilet is on Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6JP.
Inside Anne Hathaway’s Cottage: what to see
The visit covers the cottage interior, the surrounding garden, the orchard, and a sculpture trail across several acres of grounds.
The cottage: Built in 1463, the building was originally a three-room farmhouse. Two of those original rooms survive – the kitchen and the parlour. Anne Hathaway was born here in 1556, and her family, the Hathaways, occupied the property for 13 generations. The cottage was extended by Anne’s brother Bartholomew after their father’s death in 1581, adding a new upper floor and chimneys. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust purchased the property in 1892.
Original furniture and the Hathaway bed: The cottage contains original period furniture, including the Hathaway bed, which is the most significant item on display. Interpretation inside the building focuses on the Hathaway family’s history and their connection to Shakespeare.
The cottage garden: Directly surrounding the cottage is a traditional English cottage garden with herbaceous planting, trained roses, and borders. This is the area immediately visible from the approach path and is the most photographed part of the site.
The orchard and wider grounds: Beyond the cottage garden are several acres of orchard and informal grounds. The orchard is accessible to visitors and provides a quieter area away from the cottage entrance.
The sculpture trail: A trail through the grounds features sculptures inspired by Shakespeare’s plays. Works are positioned across the site and can be explored at any pace. The trail includes a giant willow sculpture.
Seasonal events and tours: Exclusive guided Hamnet tours are currently running until 30 May 2026, exploring stories connected to the award-winning film and novel. Booking is required; details are available at shakespeare.org.uk. Nature Explorer Backpacks are available for families visiting with children.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| No timed entry – arrive when you like | Unlike Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage does not use timed entry slots. Visitors can arrive at any point during opening hours, though weekends and school holidays are busier. |
| The cottage interior has low headroom and uneven floors | The building is a working historic structure. Doorways are low, floors are uneven, and some rooms are small. Visitors with limited mobility should check the access information before travelling. |
| Book online to save money and time | Online tickets are cheaper than on-the-door prices and avoid queuing at the ticket desk. If visiting more than one Shakespeare site, the bundle ticket offers considerably better value. |
| Allow time for the grounds as well as the cottage | The gardens, orchard, and sculpture trail cover several acres and take at least as long to explore as the cottage interior itself. Factor this into your timing, particularly if visiting with children. |
| Check what else is open before planning a multi-site day | Hall’s Croft and Mary Arden’s Farm are currently closed to general visitors. The open sites are Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and Shakespeare’s New Place. |
Frequently asked questions about Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Anne Hathaway’s Cottage? | Booking in advance is recommended but not essential. There is no timed entry system. Online tickets are cheaper than on-the-door prices and can be booked at shakespeare.org.uk. |
| Is Anne Hathaway’s Cottage suitable for children? | Yes. Under 3s enter free. Nature Explorer Backpacks are available for younger visitors. The grounds and orchard provide open space for children, though the cottage interior is not suitable for pushchairs. |
| Is Anne Hathaway’s Cottage wheelchair accessible? | Partially. The grounds are navigable with a borrowable wheelchair, but the cottage building itself has steps and uneven floors and cannot be entered in a wheelchair or pushchair. |
| Is Anne Hathaway’s Cottage open on bank holidays? | The site is open daily, including bank holidays. Check the website for any specific date closures or variations to opening hours. |
| How far is Anne Hathaway’s Cottage from Stratford-upon-Avon town centre? | Approximately one mile, or a 30–35 minute walk. A walking map is available from shakespeare.org.uk. The site can also be reached by taxi from the town centre or train station. |
Things to do near Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Shakespeare’s Birthplace – Approximately one mile east in Stratford-upon-Avon town centre (30–35 minute walk or short drive). The house where William Shakespeare was born in 1564, also managed by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. A bundle ticket covering both sites is available at a reduced price.
Shakespeare’s New Place – In the town centre on Chapel Street, a short walk from Shakespeare’s Birthplace. The site of Shakespeare’s final home, now a garden and exhibition space managed by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Included in the bundle ticket.
Holy Trinity Church – A 10-minute walk from the town centre along the riverbank. Shakespeare’s burial site, with his grave in the chancel. A small charge applies to enter the chancel.
The River Avon and Bancroft Gardens – The riverside gardens and lock at the edge of the town centre are a short walk from Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Boat hire is available seasonally.
Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall – On Church Street in the town centre, this is the building where Shakespeare is thought to have attended school. It is open to visitors and sold as an add-on to the Shakespeare’s Birthplace ticket.
What to visit tomorrow: historic houses near Stratford-upon-Avon
Charlecote Park, Warwickshire – Approximately 15 minutes by car east of Stratford-upon-Avon. A National Trust property with a Tudor country house, parkland grazed by red and fallow deer, and a Victorian formal garden. Shakespeare is said to have poached deer here, though this is unverified.
Packwood House, Warwickshire – Approximately 20 minutes by car north of Stratford-upon-Avon. A National Trust property with a Tudor and Jacobean house, notable for its formal yew garden and Arts and Crafts interiors.
Coughton Court, Warwickshire – Approximately 20 minutes by car north-west of Stratford-upon-Avon. A National Trust property with a significant Tudor gatehouse and strong Catholic history, linked to the Gunpowder Plot. The walled garden and river walk are separate attractions on the same estate.
Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire – Approximately 35 minutes by car south-west of Stratford-upon-Avon. A lived-in castle open to visitors, with formal gardens, a ruined medieval banqueting hall, and the tomb of Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII.
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire – Approximately 50 minutes by car south-east of Stratford-upon-Avon. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The baroque palace includes state rooms, an exhibition on Churchill, and over 2,000 acres of landscaped grounds. It’s best visited on a weekday morning.
More West Midlands travel
Other West Midlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Is there free parking at Warwick Castle?
- Useful information for visiting the British Motor Museum in Warwick.
- Practical tips for visiting Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire.
- Plan your visit to Winterbourne House and Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Birmingham.
- What to know before visiting Tudor World in Stratford-upon-Avon.
