The exhibition tells the remarkable story of this unique piece of literature from its first publication in 1623 to the present - and until September includes the Robben Island Shakespeare, circulated secretly among political prisoners including Nelson Mandela who signed the book and marked his favourite passages.

The other houses are as follows:

Shakespeare's Birthplace, Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
Home to the Shakespeare family and where William Shakespeare was born in 1564. The house contains both original and replica artefacts depicting the home Shakespeare would have known it as a child. It includes an exhibition of Shakespeare's life, work and times, a beautiful English garden and a giftshop.

Nash' House and New Place, Chapel Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
Nash's House is the house once owned by Thomas Nash, husband of Shakespeare's granddaughter and the site of New Place, Shakespeare's large Stratford home where he died and which is now preserved as a picturesque garden space.

Hall's Croft, Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon
The elegant 17th century house which belonged to Shakespeare's eldest daughter Susanna and her husband, the physician John Hall. An impressive building with many exquisite furnishings and paintings of the period and an exhibition of early medicine. This is reputed to be the most haunted of the Shakespeare Houses.


Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Shottery, one mile from Stratford-upon-Avon
The world famous thatched cottage childhood home of Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife. The cottage still contains many family items including the beautiful 'Hathaway Bed'. In the stunning grounds there is a quintessential English cottage garden, orchard, sculpture garden, romantic willow cabin and maze.

Mary Arden's House and the Shakespeare Countryside Museum
Wilmcote, three miles from Stratford-upon-Avon
Mary Arden's house is the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother. The large site includes two historic houses, farm buildings, rare breed farm animals, falconry displays, field walks, nature trail and adventure playground.

The Shakespeare Gardens
In the beautiful gardens and grounds of the Shakespeare Houses you will find plants descended from Shakespeare's England and mentioned in his plays. Old fashioned flowers, herbs used in cooking and medicine, orchards of traditional fruit trees, an Elizabethan style knot garden and a growing willow cabin for lovers of the kind referred to in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night are a few of the horticultural delights to be found.

Weddings and Special Functions
Special events and out of hours visits to the Shakespeare Houses including a 'candlelit' private tour of Shakespeare's Birthplace. Pre-theatre talks, drinks receptions, buffets and dinners at Nash's House are available on request. Hall's Croft is licensed for wedding and civil partnership ceremonies.